Through organizing times on various days during the week after school for fishing, the Fishing Club allows students to enjoy the sport of fishing with other like-minded students.
According to Fishing Club advisor, Dave Lotier, the club provides students with an opportunity to engage in outdoor activities beyond school.
“You get to get outside and have fun while at the same time meeting new people. A lot of our students aren’t necessarily kids that are involved in sports, but they like to fish,” Lotier said. ”It’s a nice little niche for kids looking for something to do that is outdoorsy and fun.”
The club allows for new comers to get involved and get experienced with fishing and make new friends according to fishing club member Zach Haupert.
“It’s mostly about just getting to experience getting out there. It is nice to go with people and that’s the main selling point. Getting to be with people of different skill levels is also very beneficial, “ Haupert said.
Fishing Club members also enjoy the added benefit of swapping out gear with each other, according to senior Mason Worthington.
“Fishing is all about planning and having the right lure and baits. The club has trading days where we bring in gear that we don’t use much and trade it with other people in the group,” Worthington said. “The goal is to get to try new things that we have never used before whilst also helping others out.”
Aside from being active, there are also many benefits, according to Lotier,
“It is definitely a stress reliever, being able to go outside and just sit and focus on fishing and not thinking about my everyday stressors and things that are bothering me. I’m just enjoying nature.”
According to sophomore Otto Brewer, fishing can be a tough sport as it requires patience and the right condtions.
“The weather has to be perfect. The pond needs to be stocked correctly. You may go out and not catch a single fish, but there will be times you catch three to four fish, “ Brewer said.
For sophomore Micah Schirripa, the experience has meant improved fishing abilities and new skills.
“I started out fishing three years ago, and it has helped me learn new things about fishing, such as better techniques we can use to catch more fish, what to buy and how to budget, and how to tie hooks and more,” Schirripa said. “It’s a team effort, and everyone contributes and helps each other out.”
The Fishing Club meets in Lotier’s room for their meetings and travels to local ponds to fish.