This past Saturday the Furman University Fish and Fly Club hosted the semi-annual Furman Bass Tournament. Without a cloud in the sky, the participants enjoyed phenomenal 80-degree spring weather and competitive camaraderie as they all vied for the title of best Furman fisherman.
Current sophomore Brian Cockman won the tournament with a total of four fish, while a Furman maintenance worker, Mike, won big fish and second place. Third place was taken by another Furman faculty member named Bruce. All these winners won substantial cash prizes.
All participants were rewarded for their efforts and enthusiasm by receiving complementary sunglasses from the Costa Del Mar company, and other gifts such as hats, shirts, koozies and croakies from the sponsors True Flies, Free Fly, Yeti, Holler Brothers, and Cabl-z.
The event is held every semester and is organized by the leaders of the Fish and Fly Club. Currently the executive members of the club include president Matt Giordano, vice president Austin Linsky, and treasurer Max Wurthmann. Next year, when the current executive members step down, Abram Edgar, Brighton Ernest, and Brian Cockman will respectively take their positions.
Edgar said that despite the beautiful weather and the natural delight associated with fishing, it was a hard day on the lake. “The bass were bedding and visible, but were really finicky,” Edgar said. “Zero fish seemed to be par for the course.”
The Furman Fish and Fly Club is always welcoming potential new members and encourages everybody to participate in any of their numerous events. The club holds weekly trips to nearby streams and takes guided trips to fishing holes throughout the state of South Carolina. Last week, eight club members travelled to Charleston, S.C., and caught “a ton of fish.” If any students, faculty, or staff are interested in joining the club, they can contact current president Matt Giordano.