I first want to give a HUGE thank you to the members of this forum. I've been lurking here for a few years now and I can honestly say that you guys have totally changed my fishing game. I grew up fishing starting with my grandfather taking me out before sunlight at 6 yrs old on Lake Hawkins and learning the joys of this great sport. Fishing has helped to bring my father and I back from a strained relationship to a tight bond that will fill the remainder of my life with memories. I am always sharing the advice from this forum and it has changed the way he and my brother fish. "Offshore structure" was a foreign concept to us at one time. If it wasn't biting in 3' of water then there wasn't anything to be caught. Now the deeper the better.
I'm a special ed teacher at Coppell High School. I was recently approached by an eager young man who is a freshman at Coppell HS and a member of this forum. He wanted to start a competitive fishing team and asked me to be a sponsor/coach. I jumped on the opportunity. I had seen that high school fishing was growing and I wanted to start a team myself in the past but wasn't familiar with any students with boats and a desire to fish tournaments.
In a very short amount of time and a lot of leg work, Coppell High School will be competing in their first tournament this Saturday at Possum Kingdom. 4 teams and 8 anglers. I think I'm more excited than the guys fishing it.
Word has spread about this team and kids are lining up to fish. The only problem I have is my contacts for boat captains. My East Texas roots and connections don't quite reach all the way to the Metroplex. I have been blessed with one member from this forum who I have not met yet but has volunteered his time and willingness to captain when he can. If anyone here would be willing to captain a boat in the future to a great group of guys who know how to say "Yes,Sir No,Sir Please Thank you " and would be a sponge for your knowledge, we would all be appreciative. Our tournament schedule is
http://www.texashighschoolbassassn.com/west-division-page.htmlA background check which our school provides, takes about a week to complete and is free and online and a few boat conditions that must pass muster and you're in!
If you have any questions, please ask and I will find the answer and get back to you. Thank you for your consideration and thank you for your knowledge that you've loaned me. I at least sound smarter what talking fishing.
Sincerely,
Gene
