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Anglers club a unique opportunity for Tippecanoe students

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By Jim Morris, Contributing writer 4:38 PM Saturday, May 21, 2011

TIPP CITY — Two Tippecanoe High School teachers are offering students a unique opportunity — to learn about fishing and take fishing trips.

About six years ago, Scott Snyder, who teaches environmental science, and Jim Moore, who teaches chemistry, thought it would be a good idea to start an anglers club. They both enjoy fishing and wanted to pass along some of their knowledge to the students.

“The first year we had seven students sign up,” Snyder said. “But since then it has really grown. We have 93 signed up this year.”

“Not everybody comes at the same time,” Moore pointed out. “We have some who come in the fall and others in the spring.”

They said they have heard of no other area schools offering fishing clubs, so the only competition is among the club members.

Snyder explained that recently the club added “outdoor” to its title. So now it is the Tippecanoe High School Anglers/Outdoor Club.

“We do other things besides fishing,” Snyder said. “We have gone camping at Hueston Woods and we recently had a class in SCUBA diving.”

But fishing is still the main emphasis. The club takes several local trips each year to places like Sycamore State Park, public lakes and private ponds.

Last Wednesday, this year’s Angler of the Year was announced. It is freshman Devin Rose. The award is based on attendance, attitude and “anglership.”

“It’s always fun to fish, but it’s even more fun to fish with your friends,” Rose said.

Although Anna Kilpatrick has fished all of her life, the junior joined the club for the first time this year.

“Mr. Moore encouraged me to join and it has really been fun,” she said. “I have learned so much, like tying knots. That’s something I never really did before.”

Adam Petrofes is a junior who has been in the club for three years. He was Angler of the Year last year and enjoys fishing with others.

“People make fishing more fun,” he said.

For sophomore Noah Moody, the club gives him a chance to polish his fishing skills.

“I have been fishing since I was a toddler,” he said. “I really enjoy it and I am good at it. This gives me a chance to fish in places I have never fished before.”

Snyder said he has thought about taking a big trip to a national attraction, but always comes back to the idea that the club is really all about fishing and enjoying the outdoors in this area.

“There really is a lot of offer around here,” he said.

Short shots

New chief: Washington Court House resident David Lane has been selected as the new chief of the Ohio Division of Wildlife. He has been acting manager for District 1, central Ohio, of the division. He replaces the retired David Graham and acting chief Vicki Mountz.

Seventh best: Mark Brumbaugh of Darke County finished seventh in the National Guard FLW Walleye Tournament at Lake Erie last weekend. His 15-fish catch weighed 91 pounds, 5 ounces. He won $5,000. Jeff Graves of Chagrin Falls won with a catch of 117 pounds, 6 ounces, good for $50,000.

Turkey take: Hunters checked 18,485 wild turkeys during Ohio’s four-week, statewide spring turkey hunting season that ended May 15, a 21-percent decrease over last year’s 23,421.

“I expected to see at least a 10-percent decline in this year’s spring turkey harvest as a result of the poor hatch in 2009,” biologist Mike Reynolds said. “However, the wettest April on record in Ohio hampered turkey hunting and resulted in a lower-than-expected harvest.”

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