Gone Fishing

Western’s Bass Fishing Team has made Western Illinois University proud, again. They won the Illinois State Collegiate Championship for the third time in the last five years. Lake Vandalia proved to be the grounds of triumph for WIU’s Bass Fishing Team. The team is doing well and all members are excited to continue the season. Junior and president of the Bass Fishing Team, Richard Rappley is looking forward to what else the season holds. 

The team sought victory over most of the major state schools that were also in attendance at the Illinois State Collegiate Championship. Junior Travis Wilson and senior Tim Himsl were the two members who represented the team and won the state title. “I like the extra edge of competition that it (the state meet) adds to the sport,” said Rappley. The competitive nature of the sport is what many members of the team thrive off of.

“The team has a lot of new people this year, and we have a lot of good sponsors,” said Rappley. The many new members have definitely been beneficial for the team. More students getting involved is always a plus for organizations; and for the Bass Fishing Team, more members increase their chances of winning awards as well as boosting student awareness of the organization.

Although this is Rappley’s first year as president of the team, this is not his first year being a part of Western’s Bass Fishing Team. “I’ve been fishing since I could hold a pole…maybe since I was about two,” stated Rappley. With that experience, he can lead the team to more victories over the next few years.

While talking with Rappley, I became more curious about what a regular fishing meet consisted of. I am not too knowledgeable when it comes to fishing so talking with him was more valuable than I thought it would be. First of all, fishing meets start early in the morning. The team arrives as early as 6:30 a.m. First, the teams sign in; once that’s done, they are free to set out in their boats and begin fishing for a win. After a long day on the lake, the meets usually conclude in the late afternoon, around 3 p.m.

Up next for the team is the Dad’s Day Fundraiser. It will be held on Saturday, October 26 at Schuy-Rush Park located in Rushville, Illinois. This tournament begins at 9 a.m. and is open to the public. If you are in the area, go check out the team; they would definitely appreciate it!

“Our goal as a whole this year is to send at least one team back to the Bassmasters Nationals (Tournament) and send at least one team to an FLW and Boat US Qualifying Tournament. Along with that, I want to spread the word of our team among the area. Our biggest goal, however, is to become a WIU recognized sport. This would get us funding and actual school-funded/sponsored events and tournaments. This may be far off, but it is something we are going to try for at the end of the year,” proclaimed Rappley. With FLW being a widely recognized company, I’d say they certainly have their work cut out for them, but with their focus, the fishing team is bound for nothing but success!