Onset of heavy rain and cloudy skies did not hinder the ambition of catching fish of the La Salle Institute Fishing Team on Monday, October 9. The 13 of 20 team members arrived early to Burden Lake to hold their first team tournament. With an overcast of clouds, and a prediction of heavy rain, the La Salle Institute Fishing Team was determined to go fishing. Nothing was going to get in the way of many of the team members, as their enthusiasm and excitement were sensed in the atmosphere.

 

The La Salle Institute Fishing Team started its inaugural year at the beginning of this school year. Over the summer, team events, coordination, and outlining for this years team occurred. With the support of Mr. Daniel Maloney, team coach, team captain and president, Matthew Roohan, started planning the year. At the start of the year, the first meeting was held and 10 students attended the first meeting. During the course of the past few weeks, the interest from current students has been brought to the rest of the school. Team meetings have been held each Tuesday to discuss planning with the rest of the team and team members have learned important basic skills to start getting out on the water such as knot tying. Mr. Richard Eddings has also pitched into the team and has been helping at team meetings with his advanced knowledge on team building and also with his outstanding encouragement of the formation of the team. The La Salle Institute Fishing Team currently has 20 students with growing interests around the school. Recognition of our team has begun to spread around the school and students are starting to take interest into the sport and consider membership on the team. All are welcome to join and are encouraged to attend the next meeting.

 

As the year started, the team began to reach out to possible sponsors from the local area as well as from across the United States. XZone Lures was the first company to accept the request of the team and have partnered with the team. XZone Lures sponsors many collegiate and professional bass fishermen. They are based in Ontario and their products can be considered as the best. Other companies such as Connect Scale, Terus Fishing Apparel, and The Original Rod Glove are all companies who have decided to sponsor the La Salle Institute Fishing Team.

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Members of the Fishing Team arrived to Burden Lake on their day off from school, only to be greeted by the harsh weather of mother nature. With rain fast approaching, members quickly rigged their poles and started fishing. Tom Lento, a new student in 6th grade to La Salle Institute, was the first to catch a fish. With the proud look on his face, he quickly got a picture with his catch and safely released it back into the lake. Soon after, with a fractured leg, Cory Listing (12th grade) caught what would be the tournament-winning bass. As a long time fisherman, he casually unhooked the fish and snapped a picture with it. Along with catching fish, Cole Carey was found spending his time fishing by helping a fellow student, Isiah Rivera, set up his fishing rod and reel.  As the day continued, the bite was hard, but the fishing team members pursued through the weather. In the end, even though many did not catch anything, the enthusiasm was still felt throughout the team. Every member was excited for the rest of the year. Mike Lento, Cole Carey, and another by Cory Listing contributed some other notable catches of the day. As the day wrapped up, Cory Listing was awarded the winner of the first tournament.  The team gathered for the final words of the day, and all said that it was a great day. Each member was asking when the next tournament would be. This passion for the team was amazing to see as the year is just beginning.

 

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(Above: Left, First fish caught by Tom Lento. Right, Tournament winning bass caught by Cory Listing (12th).)

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As the school year continues and the team continues to grow, many events are already in the making. Group fishing trips, more team tournaments, local environmental community service, and other trips such as to Orvis Fishing store are in the near future. While planning the trip to Orvis, this trip plans to give team members an opportunity to receive a tour of Orvis’ facilities and to hear from some of the leading fishermen. Opportunities such as these are what build teamwork and brotherhood within the La Salle community. This brotherhood is exactly what the team is looking for and follows the   mission of  the team. “To bring a group  of students together  to   form   a team that works together participates in fishing activities such as tournaments, team practices, and environmental service projects in which all demonstrate respect, brotherhood, and community,” shows exactly  what  the  team  is  striving  for and wants to base each action taken during the year to reflect this mission.

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(Above: Left, Cole Carey (11th) helping Isiah Rivera (9th) with his fishing gear. Right, The La Salle Institute Fishing Team pictured, left to right, Tom Ryan (12th), Mike Lento (6th), Cory Listing (12th), Tom Lento (6th), Matt Roohan (11th), Ethan Grandjean (8th), Tyler Sousa (6h), Maccoy McMahon (7th), D.J. McMahon (12th), and Cole Carey (11th).