Fishing Classes
at
Urey Middle School
at
Urey Middle School
Introduction to Bass Fishing:
The class that began it all.
Shortly after being hired as a new teacher at Urey Middle School in 2007, Andy Buss was approached by his building principal, Janet Carey, to teach a class on bass fishing.
"I was skeptical at first," Buss admits. "I wasn't sure if it was worth the effort," elaborating, "I honestly didn't think it would be a hit with the kids."
"Boy was I wrong!"
The class filled within 36 hours of being announced to the student body.
"After that, the enthusiasm was contagious and got me excited. I decided if I'm going to do this, I'm going all out."
Phone calls were made, and before long, Chip Harrison, Mickey Thomas, and Larry Regina agreed to come speak to the class.
And as awesome as those speakers were, they were over-shadowed by the bass tournament the students participated.
"With the help of Four Seasons Bass Club, Kevin Rybicki, and many bass anglers from the area, we were able to pair a student up with an angler in his boat for a 4-hour tournament on Koontz Lake."
Louie Stout caught wind and ran an article in the South Bend Tribune. Bait companies tossed in tackle for the kids and the school was hooked.
The following year over 50 students signed up for the class. Buss explains the significance, "That is more than 1 out of every 6 students." Unfortunately, the class' maximum capacity is 20.
Anticipation for the 2010 class has been growing for months already. "Almost daily, a student asks me about it. My wife also works in the corporation and was getting requests from parents to insure their child's placement during the 2009 and 2010 school year."
"I feel 2009 was bigger than 2008, and I think 2010 is going to top that. I imagine each year this class is going to become more and more of a big deal and I see the sky as the limit."
Shortly after being hired as a new teacher at Urey Middle School in 2007, Andy Buss was approached by his building principal, Janet Carey, to teach a class on bass fishing.
"I was skeptical at first," Buss admits. "I wasn't sure if it was worth the effort," elaborating, "I honestly didn't think it would be a hit with the kids."
"Boy was I wrong!"
The class filled within 36 hours of being announced to the student body.
"After that, the enthusiasm was contagious and got me excited. I decided if I'm going to do this, I'm going all out."
Phone calls were made, and before long, Chip Harrison, Mickey Thomas, and Larry Regina agreed to come speak to the class.
And as awesome as those speakers were, they were over-shadowed by the bass tournament the students participated.
"With the help of Four Seasons Bass Club, Kevin Rybicki, and many bass anglers from the area, we were able to pair a student up with an angler in his boat for a 4-hour tournament on Koontz Lake."
Louie Stout caught wind and ran an article in the South Bend Tribune. Bait companies tossed in tackle for the kids and the school was hooked.
The following year over 50 students signed up for the class. Buss explains the significance, "That is more than 1 out of every 6 students." Unfortunately, the class' maximum capacity is 20.
Anticipation for the 2010 class has been growing for months already. "Almost daily, a student asks me about it. My wife also works in the corporation and was getting requests from parents to insure their child's placement during the 2009 and 2010 school year."
"I feel 2009 was bigger than 2008, and I think 2010 is going to top that. I imagine each year this class is going to become more and more of a big deal and I see the sky as the limit."
Introduction to Fishing:
After the success of the Introduction to Bass Fishing course in the spring of 2008, it was pretty obvious more had to be added.
"The biggest draw to the class is the tournament." Buss explains. "I couldn't run another course like the spring class, because duplicating the tournament isn't feasible."
Buss determined the next best thing to do is offer a course that covers fishing as a whole; thus, the creation of Introduction to Fishing.
This course talks about bass, but minimally. An emphasis is placed on all species available in the immediate area.
"We actually live in a unique area when it comes to fishing," Buss says. "We have largemouth, smallmouth, several species of panfish, walleye, and northern pike. But we live just an hour from some of the best musky fishing in the entire Midwest. We're less than an hour from Lake Michigan which offers phenomenal salmon and trout fishing."
He additionally points out, "Those salmon and trout spawn in shallow streams that anyone can reach. Monster fish can be caught in a stream no wider than your living room!" He adds, "Mix that with the steelhead that run the St. Joe River, and we have a dynamic area to fish.
"The biggest draw to the class is the tournament." Buss explains. "I couldn't run another course like the spring class, because duplicating the tournament isn't feasible."
Buss determined the next best thing to do is offer a course that covers fishing as a whole; thus, the creation of Introduction to Fishing.
This course talks about bass, but minimally. An emphasis is placed on all species available in the immediate area.
"We actually live in a unique area when it comes to fishing," Buss says. "We have largemouth, smallmouth, several species of panfish, walleye, and northern pike. But we live just an hour from some of the best musky fishing in the entire Midwest. We're less than an hour from Lake Michigan which offers phenomenal salmon and trout fishing."
He additionally points out, "Those salmon and trout spawn in shallow streams that anyone can reach. Monster fish can be caught in a stream no wider than your living room!" He adds, "Mix that with the steelhead that run the St. Joe River, and we have a dynamic area to fish.
The class' objective is to give the students an overview of each species' characterisics and basic angling approaches towards them.
Instead of a bass tournament the class sneaks out of school 3 separate times to go fishing during their lunch and class periods.
On the last day, class concludes with a fish fry.
"The kids seem to enjoy this class just as much. But who wouldn't get excited to leave the building and do some fishing during their lunch break?"
Instead of a bass tournament the class sneaks out of school 3 separate times to go fishing during their lunch and class periods.
On the last day, class concludes with a fish fry.
"The kids seem to enjoy this class just as much. But who wouldn't get excited to leave the building and do some fishing during their lunch break?"
Want to help? Can you donate fishing tackle? Many students have minimal tackle; we will find a new home for any tackle in good shape.
Want to participate in the tournament? Send an email to andrew@randbbasscircuit.com
Want to participate in the tournament? Send an email to andrew@randbbasscircuit.com
2009 Guest Speakers:
Chip Harrison, Jr.
Mickey Thomas
Larry Regina
Chip Harrison, Jr.
Mickey Thomas
Larry Regina
2008 Guest Speakers:
Chip Harrison, Jr.
Mickey Thomas
Larry Regina
Chip Harrison, Jr.
Mickey Thomas
Larry Regina
2 Courses at UMS:
2010 Guest Speakers:
Chip Harrison
Daragh Deegan
Chip Harrison
Daragh Deegan
Introduction to Fishing Guest Speakers:
Steve Peterson
Daragh Deegan 2010
Teddy Bradley
Steve Peterson
Daragh Deegan 2010
Teddy Bradley
The 2011 Introduction to Bass Fishing Class has concluded. The annual tournament was held May 14. Guest speakers Teddy Bradley and Daragh Deegan spoke to the class.
NEW!!
2011 Guest Speakers:
Teddy Bradley
Daragh Deegan
Teddy Bradley
Daragh Deegan
Updated 5/19/11