Anglers reel in success

Fishing enthusiasts compete in Student Activities derby at Camp Hydaway

Despite the cold weather, more than two dozen students decided to brave the chilly conditions in order to spend the morning of March 28 participating in a timed fishing derby coordinated by Student Activities (SA).

By 9 a.m., the lake at Camp Hydaway was already teeming with students eager to be the first to catch a fish. Experienced fishers and beginners alike participated in the event, drawn in by the promise of prizes and a good time spent outside.

Director of Outdoor Recreation Joshua Yeoman said the fishing derby had been held in the fall and its success inspired SA to hold the event again.

With a turnout of 26 participants, those in attendance easily found an area around the lake that they could call their own during the competition. Location turned out to be the deciding factor in who went home with a gift certificate to Anglers Lane for $25.

In one corner of the lake, student Joselyn Perez-Gutierrez spent the beginning of the competition teaching her friend Sasha McGee the basics of fishing. While teaching McGee some of the finer details of casting a fishing line, Perez-Gutierrez noted that fishing is not an easy sport.

“Bringing a buddy who knows what they’re talking about is a good thing, because there is not such things as ‘I watched YouTube. I know what I’m doing,’” Perez-Gutierrez said.

Freshman Paul Furman found himself in a secluded area sheltered from the wind. Growing up in Northern Virginia, Furman said fishing is a tradition in his family, which led him to spend his Saturday morning at the fishing derby.

“I always loved just coming out on the water,” Furman said. “It is the one time you can be at one with nature and see God’s creation and see the beauty of it.”

It was not until 11 a.m. that the first fish was caught. With a loud cheer resounding from one end of the lake, everyone participating in the event was aware of the fisher’s win.

Sophomore Tyler Dove caught the first fish and soon became the individual to have caught the most fish. When the event concluded at 12 p.m., his tally reached five fish caught. After Dove caught his second fish of the day, student Christian Conte became the second person to catch a fish.

Junior Zachary Phillips caught the longest fish of the day, measuring in at 13 inches. Originally sitting between a tree and a couple bushes, Phillips saved himself some valuable time by replacing the fishing line that had been caught in a tree branch and changing locations to avoid an accident like that again.

Overall, despite the cold weather and the fact that only three people caught fish, all participants could take away the experience of either fishing for the first time like McGee or reminiscing over past memories like Furman.

YOUNG is a feature reporter.