This weekend, I was one of 10 Central Michigan University students to learn the art of fly fishing.

We were taught and led by John Johnson, a retired chemical engineer from Midland who has been fly fishing for more than 50 years. He now teaches, guides, backpacks, canoes and skis — you could call him a pure outdoorsman.

He taught the 10 of us about the biology of Steelhead trout and salmon, how to tie knots and flies, types of equipment and different methods of fly fishing.

After a three-hour lecture, we were ready to take our handmade flies and what we had learned in the classroom to the river.

In the midst of Homecoming activities Saturday morning, we departed for Manistee National Forest to fish the Pere Marquette River.

John Johnson of Midland helps Jason Luft, 20, a junior from Owosso set up his line for fly fishing for Salmon and Steelhead. (Nate Kostegian/Staff Photographer)

Once arrived, we all suited up in waders, tied up our lines and headed to the river.

Fishermen and fish overtook the river, as fall is the peak season for Steelhead trout and Salmon fishing, some of the best fish in the world.

The air was crisp and the water was cold, but the fish were swimming as they returned from Lake Michigan to spawn in the river, where they were born and will eventually die.

For many, it was our first time fly fishing and, as many know, any type of fishing is all about patience and getting that true bite. It is then the real battle begins between man and fish.

At last, success ­— fish where being caught.

After a day of fishing, the group returned to camp to settle in for a night that we all knew was going to be cold.

With layers on, tents set up, stomachs full and a fire finally burning, the group of fishermen relaxed. After a cold night with the temperature getting down to around 18 degrees, we awoke early to hit the river one last time before returning to CMU.

For me and most of my fellow students, this was an experience I’m sure we’ll always remember, whether it was the fishing or the cold.

I can’t wait to go again.

E-mail the author: Nate Kostegian