Salisbury Academy

SALISBURY – The first year of the Salisbury Academy Bass Fishing Club has been one for the history books — no fishermen’s tall tales or exaggerations required.

Inspired by teachers and with an enthusiastic group of middle school anglers, the club has offered a new means for students to get out into nature and develop a passion for the outdoors.

In addition to enjoying group fishing at Corriher Lake and trips to Bass Pro Shops for fishing seminars, student anglers competed in the North Carolina Junior High Tournament Trail on nearby lakes.

Most recently, two Salisbury Academy boats competed in the Junior Bassmaster State Championship and finished in first and third place. Seventh-grader Harrison McCall and eighth-grader Will Webb took first, and fifth-graders James Fisher and Hank Webb took third.

Harrison and Will will move on to the Junior National Championship at Carroll County Lake in Huntingdon, Tennessee, on July 31-Aug. 1.

The two anglers say they have developed great chemistry over the course of the fishing season.

“When I set the hook, he knows to get the net. We communicate really well on what baits to throw,” says Harrison.

“It’s our secret to success. We just keep at it, and we believe in each other,” Will says.

The biggest basses caught so far this season have been a 4.6-pound fish by Will and a 3.1-pounder by Harrison. Most recently, they’ve had great results by using the “shaky head” lure on a Carolina rig, they say.

The Bass Fishing Club has competed in three tournaments this season, placing first in two of them and taking a second-, third- and fourth-place sweep in another.

In addition to the national tournament, the anglers have an upcoming tournament on Jordan Lake and a final Lake Corriher day of relaxed, non-competitive fishing.

“It’s been an awesome season so far,” says Will. “I’d take it as a success.”