The inaugural BHS Bass Fishing Team competed in their first tournament Saturday, spending the day on Lake Palestine doing what they love – catching fish.

“It’s very exciting to be able to do something I love and it not be something like sports or FFA,” freshman Gabe McLemore said. “It’s pretty cool and I’m glad I get to be a part of the team.”

Plenty of students love to fish, and when teacher Brenda Shaw offered the opportunity for students to form a team, several took the bait.

“Fishing has been a hobby of mine ever since I was young,” freshman Jacob McGill said. “I’m happy we get to be a part of it in school.”

The Fishing Team has been raising money and spreading the word about the new team around town. They set up a booth at the bonfire on Tuesday night and had a float in the Buffalo Stampede Parade last weekend. Finally hitting the water this weekend let them do what they love most. Zane Johnson and Gabe McLemore weighed in with a 3.52-pound bass while Jake McGill and BJ Thompson weighed in at 2.48. Dakota Helfenbein and Westyn Barger had several catches but were a little short for weigh-in. The team members were excited to have their first tournament under their belts.

“I have always enjoyed fishing,” freshman Zane Johnston said. “Now that it’s a part of my high school experience, I am excited to see where this year goes.”