An old group with a new spin, the Jesuit Anglers Club resurfaces as a main attraction among the vast sea of clubs and organizations already floating around Jesuit. After two years of laying dormant, with the help of recently elected club moderator, Andy Civello, Michael Wischmeyer ’16 and Noah Patton ’16 initiated the revival of the long lost club. Both avid anglers, Wischmeyer and Patton are eager to see how many kids share this same passion for fishing and join the club. “We’ve got some good ideas with ‘bringing it back,'” says Wischmeyer, looking to build upon the club’s already awesome reputation.
There are a few key things that Wischmeyer and Patton are hoping start up soon so that more kids will be interested.
First off, the club is going to “hold competitions” between the members, “with prizes” awarded to the winners of the events, explains Wischmeyer. The competitions can be short, afternoon activities, where the prize goes to the kid who catches the first fish. On the other hand, the competitions can be drawn out, month-long endeavors, where the prize goes to the kid or group that catches a set number of fish by the end of the month.
Secondly, Wischmeyer and Patton will be offering, as Wischmeyer calls it, “tips and tricks” to boys who haven’t ever fished before. Also, Wischmeyer included that they will “provide lessons on fly fishing” for the more advanced fishers or kids looking to learn a new rod.
Thirdly, the two rising seniors are going to “bring back the shirts,” says Wischmeyer, the big symbols of the group’s prestige in the school, which are always sought after by the students. The shirts have been a part of the club since it was founded. Usually defined by colorful fish graphics and witty outdoor lingo, the shirts put the “fly” in fly fishing, helping the boys look good while they kick back and do what they love.
However, the club members won’t be enjoying this fun pastime all alone, because the last key goal that Wischmeyer and Patton want to accomplish is for there to be some community service opportunities for the members of the club. Wischmeyer explains, “One way we can make this possible is [by] going fishing with kids from low income families, or kids at the Notre Dame School,” defining a new responsibility for the members of the club.
With many new activities and opportunities being offered, the club is making its own mark on the Jesuit community, with Wischmeyer saying, “The club is unique because we combine people’s passion for fishing [with] serving the community.”
Lots of new activities and the initiative of rising senior leaders Wischmeyer and Patton make the club a promising pastime for anyone willing to join, with Wischmeyer concluding, “we are going to be doing a whole lot of fishing.”
