It was pouring freezing rain. Students were covered head to toe in raingear, waiting for their turn to launch their boats into Carlyle Lake, four and a half hours away from Rockford. At 6:30 a.m. Guilford’s Bass Fishing team was ready to kick off the second day of the IHSA Bass Fishing State Finals,

Tournaments are typically a good seven to eight hour ordeal—where students fish for about six hours, starting around 7 a.m. and ending at 2 p.m., followed by the weigh-in and the awards ceremony, usually complemented with food and raffles.

“You never know what you’re going to catch,” said Charles Conley, freshman. “Our team looks really good because Mr. Hansas does a good job at teaching us skills, like knot-tying and casting techniques.”

Due to this April’s snowy weather, practicing has mostly been forced indoors, making preparations for sectionals a bit difficult for all high schools in the area. However, Guilford’s team did manage to place first at the Lake Shabbona Tournament on April 28th.

Since sectionals take place at Pierce Lake in Rock Cut State Park, all open water practices are done there, but hopefully, next year, Guilford’s team will also get to practice elsewhere, including in Wisconsin.

“As the team continues to grow, we will look into branching out into more events and series,” said Mr. Brian Hansas, GHS Bass Fishing Team’s coach. “The team has a number of events planned for the 2018-19 school year. The FLW has a number of events in the Midwest.”

After Guilford’s success from last year’s fishing season, Rockford’s Jefferson and East High Schools both put together their own teams to participate in this year’s IHSA sectionals.

“We have some kids coming from Eisenhower next year,” said Conley, “and I am looking forward to see what they are capable of.”

On Tuesday, May 22^nd, there will be an informational meeting for incoming freshmen and anyone interested in participating in next fishing season in Rm. 190 at 4:30 p.m.