The Callaway High School Bass Fishing Team is eager to start the 2017-18 GA BASS Nation fishing trail in pursuit of this year’s state championship. This dedicated team of student anglers have not been idle this summer in the off season. Two of the highlights of their summer activities were participation in the Take a Warrior Fishing Tournament and the Georgia BASS Nation Conservation Project. Both of these launched from LaGrange’s Highland Marina on West Point Lake.

The Take a Warrior Fishing service project allows the military’s wounded warriors to take part in a day of friendly tournament competition.  CHS student angler Matthew Freeman participated as a boat captain and provided his warrior with boat, gear, and fishing advice for a fun day on the water. This is Freeman’s second year of participation and he says this is his favorite community activity. “I really enjoy giving something back to these soldiers who have given so much for our country,” says Freeman.

The CHS anglers also showed what it takes to wake up at 5:00 am on a summer day – helping a great cause benefitting the lake environment. Both Freeman and John Reed Batchelor participated in the Georgia BASS Nation Conservation Project in partnership with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the U.S, Army Corps of Engineers. This project is designed to develop an improved shoreline habitat for fish on West Point Lake. The team, along with Coach Charles Freeman and volunteer Ed Batchelor, helped plant 2000 aquatic willow grass plants in the fishery. Batchelor said, “I am glad to help out in something that benefits our local environment and to make West Point Lake a more desirable place for fishery.”

Coach Freeman stated, “These activities fit well with our mission to create greater public awareness of our sport and build positive character traits in our student anglers. I am proud that these students were eager to participate and experienced that giving to others is a quality that gives back in an enriching way.”