Hello!  This is John, the webmaster for the Anglers.  Please visit the Message Board on this website by clicking on the "Message Boards" link on the lower left hand side of this webpage.  There you find forums on many different subjects, including updates from me.

Also, please let me know if you like the new website template. 

 John Callahan

In the hours before the OCHS Junior/Senior prom, the Anglers will compete in the Scholastic Invitational Tournament at Sturgeon Creek Marina.  This May 17 tournament is open to all anglers 18 years of age and under that are enrolled in a private or public middle or high school.  The tournament will be divided into two age groups – 10-14 and 15-18.  Boat captains may also fish and be eligible for awards. 

Registration for the event will take place from 5:30am to 6:30am and blast-off will be at 7:00am.  The weigh-in for the first flight of boats will be at 1:30pm, after which the top three teams, top four individuals (in both age divisions and one boat captain), and first place big fish (in both divisions and one boat captain) will be awarded for their efforts.

The entry fee for the tournament is $15.00, but boat captains are admitted for free.

The address for the Sturgeon Creek Marina is: 5107 Courthouse Road, Spotsylvania, Va. 22553.  You may contact the Marina at (540) 895-5818.  For more information, please contact the OCHS Anglers club advisor, Ms. Becky Gore, at (540) 223-0193 or at (540) 661-4300.

The Junior State Qualifier (JSQ), held April 26-27, cut most of the Anglers who participated.  However, the tournament yielded one qualifier: Stephen Beasley. 

The club’s vice president, Ben Bresnahan, unfortunately came within one ounce of qualification.  In several of the past tournaments, Bresnahan has consistently placed close to the tournament-winning weights of his competitors.  In last weekend’s (May 3) Fisher’s of Men tournament, Bresnahan placed just “out of the money” by taking 6^th out of 17 boats and catching five fish weighing a total of 7.2lbs.  His total weight was just eight ounces short of winning prize money.

Bresnahan still placed a commendable 4^th at Claytor Lake and was 1^st for big fish at 3.89 ounces.  “It was a nice tournament, but it was a little slow,” commented Bresnahan.

OCHS Angler Travis Strother also did not place at Claytor Lake, but was recognized for his assistance with the Jr. Champion of the 11-14 age bracket in the tournament.  Strother had found a nice 6lb bass on pre-fish day but a mishap with his line the next day prevented him from nabbing the same fish.  His boat partner, an 11 year old, caught the fish instead and took the Jr. Champion title.

The Anglers will continue to fish various tournaments, including the major Scholastic Tournament, in the coming weekends.

Corey Bowling and Travis Strother, both present at the 2008 Richmond Fishing and Boating Expo, were chosen to represent Kippersticks Custom Rod Company as Junior Pro Staffers. The boys will be officially sponsored and supported by Kippersticks, who has already given them a selection of rods and reels, a variety of Berkeley products, and tournament shirts. The company will also assist Bowling and Strother with fees and travel expenses.

In return for their sponsorship by Kippersticks, these two will be representatives for the company and assist in the promotion of their products and sales.

        Jelani Hennessey, a student at Caroline County High School and member of the OCHS Anglers, recently fished St. John’s River in Palatka, Florida, against 200 other anglers. Hennessey fished two days out of the three day tournament due to qualification reasons for total of fifteen hours. A cold front that passed through the area brought rain for the entire tournament, cooling the air temperature down to around 50 degrees, while keeping the water temperature in the low 60’s. Hennessey’s heaviest catch weighed in at two pounds, while his combination of three fish on the first day weighed a total of four pounds, six ounces. Despite rough conditions and fierce competition from professionals, Hennessey managed to finish 54^th out of all 200 competitors.

      “I wish that I would have done a little better,” Hennessey admits, “[but] I think the tournament was great. I learned a few things, and had a lot of fun. I can't wait to go to the next event with improved skills, more knowledge, and a stronger drive to do even better.”

      Earlier this month on January 6, the Anglers were invited to fish a private side of Lake Anna. The tournament yielded consistent results from all six anglers, including Kevin Beasley, Stephen Beasley, Josh Hunt, Ben Bresnahan, Devon Bowling, and Corey Bowling. By fishing in three different ponds – each pond used to cool the nearby power plant – the boys were able to bring in seven fish, each weighing close to two pounds. Only ounces separated Kevin Beasley’s top weight from Ben Bresnahan’s second place.

      Another rare opportunity for the Anglers this month was their attendance at the first annual Richmond Fishing and Boating Expo, held at the Richmond Raceway Complex on January 25, 26, and 27. The expo was not only a place for businesses from Virginia, Ohio, and Florida to advertise, but served to promote Virginia Junior Bass as well. Booth 96 was secured by Ms. Becky Gore (club advisor), placing the Anglers right in the middle of the commotion at the event. Pop’s Marine, the dealership that presented OCHS Angler and club President Stephen Carr with a new Triton boat was also present at the expo. Raffle tickets for various prizes such as rod and reel combos and an opportunity to fish with Teddy Carr were for sale.

      More shows are on the Angler’s upcoming calendar events, including an appearance at the Fredericksburg Outdoor Show on February 8, 9, and 10 at the Fredericksburg Expo and Conference Center outside of Central Park. The Anglers will continue to promote Junior Bass fishing and introduce others to the club itself. Both these events in Richmond and Fredericksburg give the Anglers a chance to improve their public relations skills and help them prepare for the upcoming Sportsman Show at the high school.

The Anglers are proud to announce that Jelanie Hennessey, an associate member of the OCHS Anglers currently enrolled in Caroline County High School, was awarded the Angler of the Year honor by the Virginia Junior Bass Federation. This award is earned through the accumulation of points and first or second placement in each of the four qualifying tournaments leading up to the Junior World Classic. Recently, Jelanie also won the Lake Orange tournament (held a week after the event at Smith Mountain), nabbing five bass and a big fish weighing in at 1.47 lbs. Steven Beasley was ranked 6^th in the state for the senior division and placed second at Lake Orange, right behind Jelanie.

           After some disappointment at the Virginia State Junior World Classic (JWC) held at Smith Mountain Lake on October 6-7, the OCHS Anglers will continue forward with practice tournaments at local lakes in and around Orange County. Strong efforts from the four Anglers that qualified for the JWC (Steven Beasley, Corey Bowling, Jelanie Hennessey and Josh Hunt) helped bring them close to winning, but not quite close enough. Steven Beasley was considered Orange County’s top angler, nabbing four fish but only keeping three. Stephen’s combination of lures and casting under docks and next to rock piles helped him catch four fish in under two hours; however, the loss of one fish cost him points at the end of the day.