High school students in Vermont are embracing the sport of bass fishing, with 19 varsity teams competing in the Vermont Principals’ Association’s seventh annual Open Classic tournament. The tournament, hosted on Lake Champlain, saw Milton High School emerge as the winner, followed by Burlington High and Champlain Valley Union High. This growing co-ed sport has only gained popularity since its inception in 2018 and official recognition in 2019.
The anglers compete by catching bass and then weighing in the six best fish they caught that day. The sport emphasizes environmental stewardship, with the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife actively involved in releasing the fish back into the lake. Students take great care of their catches, culminating in a successful and sustainable fishing experience.
While some schools practice on the water only a few times a year due to their distance from the lake, others like Harwood Union High School rely on local anglers and coaches to volunteer their boats. Despite the sport being co-ed, girls are outnumbered, but the inclusivity and representation in this non-traditional sport are important to its leaders.
Ethan Wagner from Essex High School, a member of the varsity bass fishing team, is eagerly looking forward to the VPA State Championship on October 5. He expresses his competitive spirit, stating that he does not do anything in his life to lose.Overall, the growth and success of high school bass fishing in Vermont highlight the students’ dedication to the sport and their commitment to environmental sustainability.
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Photo credit vtdigger.org