Anglers start new season with success

By John Callahan
Special to the Review
Published: April 24, 2008

After an eventful weekend at Orange County High School Sportsman’s Show, the Anglers kicked off the new season on March 15 with the Lake Anna Ice Breaker tournament and a Jon Boat tournament at Sturgeon Creek. Club president Stephen Carr finished fourth at the Ice Breaker tournament, while vice president Ben Bresnahan finished second in the Jon Boat tournament.
Angler Sammy Williams placed first in the Jon Boat tournament by nabbing her only fish – a three-pound bass. Williams used a jig near one of the docks to catch the top fish. “I felt very good. I was excited.” This was her first outing with the Anglers and she is looking forward to many more tournaments. Corey Bowling, Williams’ boat captain and fishing partner at the tournament, placed third.
Congratulations to Warren Gallahan who was awarded a $300 scholarship from the National Turkey Hunter’s Federation on Friday, March 28. The NTHF is a sponsor of the Anglers. Scholarships similar to the one Gallahan received have been awarded to former Anglers, including Justin Carr.
On March 29, the Anglers fished Hunting Run Reservoir, but to no avail. The following week, April 5, Anglers Devon Bowling and Ben Bresnahan fished in the Legacy tournament at Lake Anna. Bresnahan placed seventh in the competition against 36 other adults and youth B.A.S.S. members, bringing in five fish, with the biggest weighing roughly three pounds. Despite placing high in the tournament, Bresnahan was still only four ounces short of winning prize money. “It was a good tournament. I liked it. The fishing was slow, but it was good.” Bresnahan will also be competing to qualify in the Junior State Qualifier on April 27.
Bresnahan also represented the Anglers at the Rotary Club breakfast on Tuesday, April 1 and spoke about the club and its active participation in tournaments and conservation activities.
Saturday, April 12, saw another successful event for the Anglers, this time at Shenandoah Crossing. Josh Hunt secured first place overall with a total weight of 7.79 pounds and a big-fish weight of 2.93 pounds. Older sister Heather Hunt placed second overall, while Stephen Beasley and Kyle McHenry took third and fourth in total weight, respectively. Beasley and McHenry, however, swapped places in big-fish weight, with Kyle taking third and Stephen taking fourth.
At the last club meeting on Thursday, April 16, the Anglers were given the opportunity to meet with Russell Newton, a pro fisherman. Newton gave the Anglers tips on how to collect sponsorships and prepare for a tournament. The club also received several spools of top-end fishing line and a new trolling motor to replace one that was recently damaged.
Anglers that have been selected to participate in the Junior State Qualifier will depart for Claytor Lake on Friday, April 25. Practice day will be the following Saturday and tournament day is Sunday.