Headmaster's Letter
Headmaster Trevor Ott with fellow alumni at the pond.
How was the first fish caught in Delphian’s new pond? It was caught by alumnus Luke Watson, class of ‘92, on a fly tied by alumnus Mikai Karl, class of ‘14, released into the pond by future alumna Avery Ott, class of ‘26, captured on film by alumnus Cristofer Jeschke, class of ‘12, and witnessed by alumnus Trevor Ott, class of ‘96.
Multiple generations of alumni connecting up and supporting each other in life by working together and simply being friends was a big part of the founding staff’s hope for the future. That this happened was an important part of their original hope relative to helping create a civilization based in reason. It remains our hope today, and it is a beautiful thing to observe in actuality.
The relationships between Delphian alumni know no age, cultural, ethnic nor geographic bounds. The catching of this now famous fish is only a small and unimportant example of what all of you are doing with each other every day.
Whether the fish you catch together are small or large is only relevant in the telling of the tale. That you share the common reality acquired through your experience at Delphian and that you are fishing together at all is what is important to me and is what this issue is intended to highlight and acknowledge.
Keep helping each other cast those lines, and we will continue to grow together as a group and as individuals.
While Luke was the first alumnus to catch an actual fish in our pond, I hope he will not be the last. For those of you that might fancy being the second, third, fourth or fiftieth, here is how he pulled it off.
“I caught the fish on what is called a ‘dropper rig,’ two flies, about 8 inches apart. One fly attracted the fish, and the other fly the fish actually bit. With the murky water, I knew I had to get to the bottom of the pond. I picked a fly that Mikai tied for me that would definitely attract some attention. Three casts later, a fish bit, and I had him hooked, but he shook free before I could reel him to shore. I knew it was the right rig, so I repeated my same technique. A couple casts later I got him, and this time he didn’t get away (until after I took my photo with him and we set him free).”
Mu Best,
Trevor Ott
Students Olive Karl (L) and Avery Ott (R) introducing the first from the hatchery to the pond.
Alumnus Luke Watson holding the famous fish he caught.