Ever dreamed of posting your very own fish picture on Instagram, posing proudly with your catch of the day? Look no further. Since the spring of 2023, the College’s ice and fly fishing classes have provided Dartmouth students with hands-on, unique outdoor adventures.
Instructor Colby Sabutis teaches the classes — ice fishing in winter and fly fishing in summer, fall and spring — through the College’s physical education program.
Sabutis’s course goes beyond the act of fishing itself — he said he covers a mix of history, gear and safety instruction and learning techniques, working to keep the curriculum “hands-on and engaging.” As the courses progress, students participate in creative activities such as matching insect baits to the corresponding fish species and tying their own flies, he added.
“When we incorporate fly-tying, everyone ties their own flies,” Sabutis explained. “It’s awesome to see everyone create a masterpiece they can use out on the water. … I stress to them, ‘When you think that you’re right, stick with it. Don’t second guess yourself.’”
Sabutis also said classroom discussions are an “entertaining” part of his courses, fostering collaboration and problem-solving while students are away from the water — or ice.
“After week two, we start getting into gear and safety and more of the technological nitty-gritty,” he said. “I usually put people in a pair [to] work on a scenario. It makes me proud because I know they’re doing the right thing and will do the right thing on … the field trip day.”
Sabutis’s own fishing journey began at the age of eight on New Hampshire’s Lake Waukewan.
“My dad and grandfather taught me,” he explained. “They were the real driving push to get me into fishing. I did most of my fishing out on that lake or [in] surrounding ponds.”
From there, Sabutis’s childhood passion grew into a professional career, including working as an accredited fly fishing guide for six years. His connection to the College began while working at Eastern Mountain Sports, an outdoor store in West Lebanon, during the pandemic. There, he learned from PE/Recreation senior associate athletics director Joann Brislin that Dartmouth’s previous fly fishing course had been discontinued due to COVID.
“I mentioned to her who I am, what I do, that I was a prior fly fishing instructor and she gave me the okay to send over a lesson plan,” Sabutis said. “We opened that [fly fishing] class in spring 2023.”
Since then, Sabutis has added an ice fishing course to his class catalogue. According to Sabutis, 27 students are currently enrolled in the course, which was first offered this winter.
Cristian Garcia Perez ’25, who took fly fishing with Sabutis last term and is now enrolled in the ice fishing course, said Sabutis’s instruction has made “the experience worth doing.”
“I felt like I got a lot from the fly fishing class and was hoping to have that same experience in the winter,” Garcia Perez said. “I’m from Nevada, so we don’t see ice fishing as often, and I thought it would be a cool opportunity to be able to ice fish in New Hampshire.”
Zoe Dominguez ’25, who is enrolled in this winter’s ice fishing course, said the class has not only taught her ice fishing skills but also provided time outdoors with friends.
“I wanted to learn a new sport and spend time with my friends outside, no matter how cold it is,” she said. “Ice fishing has certainly become the perfect outlet to do all of those things.”
Dominguez said learning the sport’s technical skills has sparked a deeper appreciation for ice fishing.
“I love learning about all of the different types of bait you can use,” she said. “The similarities between ‘regular’ fishing and ice fishing continue to amuse and impress me.”
While students spend time practicing throughout the term, both fishing courses culminate in a “field trip” during which students demonstrate their skills, Sabutis said.
This winter, ice fishing enrollees will test their skills at Post Pond in Lyme. Although students won’t be far from campus, Sabutis noted that winter fishing can be challenging in the cold.
“The biggest difference is not being able to see what’s going on under the ice,” he said. “It’s a whole different approach.”
Dominguez said she was a “little nervous” to get out on the ice for the first time, but it was ultimately worth it.
“The rugged beauty that surrounds me when I’m ice fishing definitely quiets a lot of that anxiety,” she said.
Beyond experiencing nature, students said they are drawn to fishing classes because of the opportunity to apply their skills in practice. Garcia Perez is particularly excited to show off a hard-caught fish to his followers on social media.
“I am definitely looking forward to the [field trip] day on the ice,” he said. “I really hope I can catch something and then take a fire Instagram picture wearing my parka and share it with everyone.”
Sabutis said he finds it “the most rewarding” to see his students successfully catch a fish at the end of the term.
“Especially if it’s a fly they tied, or if they decided to try something new, or try a [fishing] spot because of their own reasoning — it’s one of the best feelings to see their hard work pay off,” he said.
In addition to seeing his students reel one in, Sabutis ultimately hopes he’s not just teaching students how to catch a fish — he’s sharing his passion with a new generation of fishers.
“When someone finds their passion, they always want to pass it on to future generations,” he said.
