Jim Kemple, left, and Jesse Fleeger stand in front of some of the fly-fishing equipment being given to Kemple at Moraine State Park on Sunday, Sept. 7. Submitted photo

Fly fishermen and friends of Jim Kemple gathered at Moraine State Park on Sunday afternoon, Sept. 7, to surprise him with thousands of dollars of fly-fishing equipment.

Jesse Fleeger, who owns and operates Fleeger Flies, made a Facebook post in August about Kemple, another fly fisherman he met by happenstance while fishing. Kemple, who was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer shortly before the two met, went into remission.

Fleeger said in the post that Kemple’s fly-fishing equipment needs to be replaced and the proceeds from a number of fly boxes would go toward getting Kemple a new set of gear. Other anglers and businesses then joined in by donating money and equipment for Kemple.

Jesse Fleeger, left, and Jim Kemple hug after Fleeger presented Kemple with new fly-fishing equipment at Moraine State Park on Sunday, Sept. 7. Submitted photo

A fly box is engraved with Jim Kemple's name and a Bible verse. The box was given to Kemple by Jesse Fleeger at Moraine State Park on Sunday, Sept. 7. Submitted photo