We here at Mac Journalism welcome you to browse the virtual trophy room of the first, and hopefully not last, McCallum Fishing Club virtual fishing competition. The tournament began March 14 and ran through March 27 under the supervision and judging of English teacher and fishing club sponsor James Hutcheson. 

There were seven winners in the very fishy contest (pardon the bad pun salmon had to say it) for a variety of different categories. 

“I did the competition first because it was spring break and because I love to fish, and well if I am honest, I love to win.” junior Hudson Koch said. “This way I had both and had some fun while doing it.” 

Junior James Fanning agreed saying that fishing is a beautiful escape.

“I love that it’s outside and you never know what’s on the end of your line” he said, “plus it gives me an opportunity to take a breather and leave behind the stress of school and other problems.”

Both Koch and Fanning hope that the competition will continue next year as it’s such a great oppor-TUNA-ty to explore the outside, hook some big ones and most importantly, fish.

HOT DOG, HE CAUGHT A BIG FISH! The first catch in the first annual McCallum Fishing Club virtual fishing tournament was this blue catfish caught by junior James Fanning on a hand line using a hot dog as bait.

ROMO’S REWARD: Senior Lewis Romo poses with his first entry into the McCallum Fishing Club virtual tournament.

ALL ABOUT THAT BASS: His submission: a 16.5-inch largemouth bass caught on a crappie rig using live minnows on Walter E. Long Lake aka Decker Lake.

CRANKING THEM OUT: Junior Noam Kay used crank bait to make catch this bass in the McCallum Fishing Club virtual tournament.

BEAT THE DRUM: The black drum that junior Nicholas Rivera caught appears to be the largest catch of the whole virtual tournament. He said he caught the massive fish in Port Lavaca using crab as bait.

KOCH’S CATCH: In addition to the bass he caught on a Texas rig with a craw, junior Hudson Koch caught this huge bluegill on a lipless. He said the best part of fishing was getting outside after the long freeze.

FRESH FISH: Freshman Jack McGinnis submitted this Fox Lake (Burnet) catch, measuring between 21 and 22 inches.

ALL ABOUT THAT BASS AGAIN: Senior Lewis Romo’s second entry into the contest was a three pound, 18-inch white bass caught at Walter E. Long Lake caught using frozen minnows.

A PERSONAL BEST: Freshman Tucker Olinger submitted his personal best catch: a largemouth bass weighing more than four and a half pounds.