As the Connecticut River Valley thaws, Dartmouth students are casting their lines into a new season. For members of Bait and Bullet — the College’s century-old hunting and fishing club — spring marks the return of some of the best fly fishing the Upper Valley has to offer.
Founded in 1921 by J.R. Titcomb, from the Class of 1923, “for the purpose of stimulating hunting and fishing about Hanover,” Bait and Bullet is the oldest continuous college hunting and fishing organization in the country, according to the Dartmouth Outdoors website. Over a hundred years later, the club remains a home for students eager to explore the Upper Valley’s waters, sharpen their fishing and hunting skills and find community outdoors.
Matthew Kim ’25 led a fly fishing First Year Trip in his sophomore year. Though he didn’t know it at the time, that expedition would shape the rest of his Dartmouth experience.
“I [was assigned to lead] fly fishing, and after that I basically taught myself during the summer,” Kim said. “I watched YouTube videos and went out on my own. Then I ended up sitting next to [a bait and bullet member] on the ride back from the Grant, and he told me I should join Bait and Bullet. That’s when I really dove in.”
The Second College Grant is a 27,000-acre tract of forested land owned and managed by the College near Errol, N.H., and the Maine border. Acquired in 1807 through a land grant from the state, the Grant was intended to support the College financially through sustainable timber harvesting, according to the Dartmouth Outdoors website. For the Bait and Bullet members, the Grant is a cherished wilderness retreat where members deepen their connection to the land through camaraderie, conversation, and fishing.
For longtime Bait and Bullet mentor Glenn Booma GR, teaching fly fishing isn’t only about catching the biggest fish. A third-generation fisherman whose family has fished at the Grant for decades, Booma sees fly fishing as a tool for environmental appreciation and personal growth.
“Teaching Dartmouth students about all aspects of fly fishing — not just the mechanics, but also the environmental, scientific, cultural and culinary aspects — has certainly made me a better fly fisherman,” Booma said.
Booma said he regularly helps lead the fly fishing First-Year Trip and reminds students that success isn’t always measured in trout.
“Fly fishing is still fun even if you don’t catch anything,” he said. “There is no one correct way to enjoy fly fishing.”
Booma added that fly fishing has long held a special place in Dartmouth lore.
“Perhaps the most famous modern example of fly fishing literature — “A River Runs Through It” — was written by Norman Maclean, Class of 1924, and centered on the life of his brother, Paul Maclean, [Class of 1928],” he said.
Now that the ice has melted and temperatures are climbing, the region’s rivers, lakes and ponds are waking up. Fly fishing is most exciting when aquatic insects begin to hatch and trout rise to the surface, according to Kim. Spring runoff from snowmelt also stirs up the waters, presenting new challenges and opportunities for anglers.
“Now that the river’s thawing and temperatures are rising, you’ll see more activity,” Kim said.
The Connecticut River Valley, shaped by glaciers and ancient erosion, is a natural haven for anglers, offering a wide variety of native and introduced species, according to Kim.
Katharine Morley ’28, another new member, said she’s excited to experience her first real fly fishing season in New Hampshire.
“I think fly fishing is more interesting than just sitting on a dock,” Morley said. “Bait and Bullet makes it accessible. Most of the trips are beginner-friendly, and people really want to teach you.”
Beyond weekend trips, the club also hosts fly tying nights, where students gather to craft their own flies, which requires a combination of artistry and strategy. Flies are normally made of feathers and string. Kim, who helped revive the club’s fly tying workshops, said the craft is especially important now that hatches are starting — which means fish are biting.
“When I first got involved, we had some fly tying stuff, but no one was really using it,” Kim explained. “I started bringing in materials, and now we have a budget. It’s a really fun part of the club.”
At Dartmouth, Booma said the physical education fly fishing course is a great entry point. Colby Sabutis, an experienced local fisherman and expert fly tier, teaches the class. And while fly tying isn’t required — store-bought flies work just fine — Booma noted that many people grow to love the creative challenge it offers.
“More than a few individuals find greater enjoyment at the fly tying bench than in the river,” he said.
For Cat Piper ’28, fly tying offers both a practical skill and personal outlet she can “express creativity.” A new trip leader for Bait and Bullet, Piper has helped teach fly tying to students looking for a hands-on entry point into the sport. She emphasized the ecological knowledge that the craft requires.
“It also helps a lot to learn about the insects that you use and the insects in the river,” Piper said.
Kim said that Bait and Bullet’s biannual fishing trips to the Grant in the Fall and Spring terms are open to experts and beginners. Alumni like Booma are often available to help train new fishers.
“Some older people in the area help run the trip,” Kim said. “They come help the students and drive them around.” These intergenerational outings, Kim noted, deepen the club’s sense of tradition and mentorship.
“Anyone can learn to fly fish and catch their first fish in a few days,” Booma said. With just a few basic skills, some affordable gear, and a handful of flies, beginners can enjoy years of time on the water.
To join a trip or try your hand at fly tying, students can sign up through Dartmouth Outing Club’s Trailhead website. With roots that stretch back over a century and a future that embraces both tradition and new faces, the club remains one of Dartmouth’s most enduring communities.
“Fly fishing gets you outside, but it also brings people together,” Morley said.
