From left to right, Clarke Middle School 8th grader Bo Brodick and Sports Staffer Lukas Cornish, a sophomore, both members of the CCHS Bass Fishing Team, stand next to each other holding fish they caught during the Georgia High School Fishing Association tournament at Lake Lanier. Fishing has been Cornish’s favorite hobby since he was a little kid, and he hopes to continue it in the future in order to apply the skills he’s learned to different aspects of his life. “I have always struggled with staying focused, but once I picked up fishing, I started to learn what persistence was and how to apply it to my school work,” Cornish said. Photo courtesy of Carmen Forester
When I am being rocked in a boat with a rod in my hand, my mind goes to a place of peace and tranquility. My hands feel each twitch of the fishing line. I am both relaxed and ready to act, waiting for the fish to come.
Before becoming involved with fishing, I was unable to stick to one thing, giving it up when it got hard for me. I tried my hand at golf, tennis, viola, piano and even the flute, but I eventually dropped each of these activities. Giving up was a constant thing for me.
It was only when I was about 8 years old and my dad took me fishing for the first time at Prairie Lakes in Cedar Falls, Iowa, that I knew I had found something special. Even now, I still remember it as if it was yesterday.
“When I was 8 years old and my dad took me fishing for the first time at Prairie Lakes in Cedar Falls, Iowa, I knew I had found something special.”
It was not an easy day for me. I got my line snagged on branches, lost my bait to the fish, and missed several fish while I was trying to set the hook.
When we finally started to pack up, I only had one fish to show for the whole day. To some people, this would be a disappointment, but to me, it was the spark of lifelong enjoyment and one of the proudest moments in my life.
I had found that I loved the quietness of the surroundings, the sounds of the lake, the suspense of whether I got a bite, the adrenaline rush of the fight with the fish, and the total exhilaration of catching a fish.
I just loved it all.
When I look back at my 8-year old self, I can see how much I’ve learned about fishing since then. My teammates, parents and other avid fishermen have generously shared their knowledge and tricks with me, and I’ve applied that knowledge from everything from fishing to my homework.
Now I look forward to every tournament, even if I have to wake up at 3:45 in the morning. I don’t mind choppy water, chilly winds, cold lunch, and wet shoes. At the end of each tournament, I come home happy, because even if I catch nothing that day, I know the next opportunity for growth is right around the corner.
