Sara McCloskey
Editor-in-Chief
Many children experience fishing at a young age alongside a family member. A few students have continued this pastime in their high school years with friends.
Some, like senior Jack Church, picked up fishing while vacation with family in Florida. “I was on vacation when I was younger, around five years old, and I went out with my Dad for four hours,” he said. ”We didn’t catch anything, but since then we’ve always gone fishing on vacations – fresh water and salt water, we’d try it out.”
Jack, who was taught by his dad, also took lessons with fishing guides and picked up fishing from doing it often. Junior Connor Kilbane doesn’t remember how he was taught how to fish, but began to “pick it up” from practicing. “I don’t remember, I just kind of figured it out. I used a push pull [fishing rod]for the longest time, and then I started to pick it up,” he said.
Jack indicated that fishing is also a good way to bond with his father. “It’s a good father-son activity. You’re on a boat with a guide – you talk about stuff – it’s a good way to spend quality time,” he said.
Jack’s sister, freshman Nina Church, also fishes with her father and brother. She indicated that the sport is not just a “father-son activity,” but that it is for “anyone who it appeals to.” Nina also said that not as many girls fish because the sport is more masculine. “[Fishing is] more masculine than feminine,” she said. “Just last year I started putting shrimp [as bait]on my hook. They’re slimy – I don’t like touching them even in the ocean.”
Fishing is another means of spending quality time together as a family, and to senior James Arliss it strengthens their bond. “I definitely think its something that brings us together; we all enjoy it. Some [families]go skiing and we do that too, and fishing is something that we all enjoy,” he said.
James’ brother, sophomore Phil Arliss, agreed. “Through fishing, our relationship has strengthened,” he said. “[James] and I are not on the same lacrosse or track team, and those [sports]take up a lot of time during the week. So, through fishing we are able to hang out more on the weekend than during the week.”
James fishes locally with Phil and some of his friends were introduced to fishing by their parents who “had a love for it.” Jack, who always knew that his friend James was interested in fishing because he’s an “outdoorsy guy,” spontaneously went fishing with him on day because they wanted to do something outdoors. After getting his license, Jack found that it was easier to go fishing with his friends. “We fished around houses before, and once we got cars we were able to explore new places,” Jack said.
Some of the places Jack explored had other fishermen there too. “I used to go shore fishing with some friends and I met these guys in the woods and we just started fishing together,” Connor said.
Not only is fishing a way to meet people and have quality time with friends and family, but it is also relives stress from some people’s lives. “It’s a peaceful activity; it’s a good way to calm down,” Jack said.
To others, like James, fishing teaches them how to use their hands and understand nature. “I would agree that fishing has gotten way worse over the last 100 years. I appreciate fishing, I don’t have any personal experience to this, but I feel like the way that we’ve been treating the environment effects good fishing,” James said.
According to James, fishing is an experience that is not the norm with your friends. “Fishing is really just having fun with your friends in a way that’s a little different,” he said.
Photos contributed by Jack Church. Seniors James Arliss, Jack Church, and junior Henson Orser spent April break fishing in Florida.
