Monte Kennedy, center, is pictured below receiving his Distinguished Angler Legacy Award at the Lakewood Rod and Gun Club on Saturday, March 31. Submitted photos

When it comes to his favorite pastime, Monte Kennedy’s philosophy is that there are plenty of fish to go around.

Kennedy, an avid fly fishing enthusiast and instructor, was recently recognized for his contribution to fly fishing in Chautauqua County at an award ceremony at the Lakewood Rod and Gun Club — where he was presented with the Distinguished Angler Legacy Award by state Sen. Cathy Young and Chautauqua County Executive George Borello.

The Ashville resident has been fly fishing for 30 years, but rather than hoarding his secrets of the trade he has projected his knowledge outward, taking on a teaching role for others — particularly younger community members. Kennedy has shared his lifelong passion of the sport, teaching numerous fly tying classes, giving presentations and holding fly-casting clinics.

One of his major efforts is working with youth, introducing them to the art and science of fly tying through his “Kids on the Fly” program, which he established in 2005. He has also worked with the Boy Scouts Allegheny Council, helping young men earn their Merit badge in fly tying and has been teaching kids how to tie via a series of classes every year.

Kennedy said fly fishing is far more than just a hobby, but rather an introduction to the environment, ecology, conservation and the watershed. Through this organization, he has influenced hundreds of youth in the community, passing on his enthusiasm for the sport.

“I started ‘Kids on the Fly’ in 2005, and was working primarily with Boy Scouts in Bemus Point; but there seemed to be an interest among a lot of other youngsters in our area and so it just all grew from there,” Kennedy said.

Kennedy has the credentials to teach. He is a lifetime member of the organization Trout Unlimited, and has passed its values of promoting clean water and a healthy watershed to his students. Every year, from September through April, he offers weekly classes on Monday evenings at the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club in Dunkirk.

Additionally, he has administered his most recent series of classes at the Lakewood Rod and Gun Club, where, with the help of a few assistants, he taught his students about various fly fishing equipment and techniques in five, three-hour classes. The final session was held March 31, one day prior to the opening of trout season.

Locally, he is an active member of the Chautauqua County Sports Fishery advisory board, which sponsors an annual essay contest whereby Chautauqua County students in third through sixth grade describe their first fishing adventure. Kennedy said all participants receive a certificate, and at least eight winners from each grade receive a spin cast fishing pole kit. Among the winners, two grand prize winners are selected to go on a fishing trip with Borrello this summer, most likely in late May or early June on Lake Erie.

Kennedy is also acclaimed at the national level, too. He currently holds four world-class catch-and-release records in the National Freshwater Hall of Fame, and is also listed in the Hall of Fame for two Outstanding Angling awards.

As a professional tier, he is a representative for both the Regal Fly Tying Vice Company and Daiichi Hook Company. He masterfully ties fly patterns that are extremely effective at catching fish. Some of these patterns he has even designed and developed. Kennedy’s flies are available at local sport shops, such as Chautauqua Reel Outdoors located in Lakewood.

Kennedy said flies can be tied in sizes ranging from tiny to very large. Most fly patterns are easy to tie, although some complicated patterns can be challenging — having as many as 60 individual steps to complete.

Typically, flies represent stream-side species of insects. Flies are typically thought to imitate these bugs, but they can be made to mimic numerous baits fish eat. These include minnows, worms, frogs, leeches, salamanders, crayfish, shrimp and even mice. Flies are not just effective at catching trout and salmon, fly fishermen have caught almost every fresh and saltwater species of gamefish.