Club History

The Walnut Springs Middle School Fishing Club was founded in 1974 by a student with an interest in fishing and a middle school math teacher. In 1977, social studies teacher Garrett Brusco assumed leadership of the club and firmly chartered it within the perimeters of the Bass Anglers Sportsman’s Society, and the Junior Ohio Federation. The fishing club has seen over 1,200 youth pass through the program in the past 30 years. The club holds weekly fishing trips in the fall, winter classes with instruction on equipment, techniques, lures and fish of Ohio. The club also tries to go ice fishing once each winter. Before regular spring competition, the club holds a casting competition, swap’n’shop, tackle box clean out and rod respooling class. The spring competitions lead to state, regional and national Junior Anglers World Championship tournament for the club members.

The Walnut Springs Middle School Fishing Club is committed to service learning projects as well. Each year, the club participates in many community service projects such as clean-ups, helping those in need, environmental and conservation projects and conducting youth fishing events for local churches and organizations.

Special Thanks goes to Dwight Black, Chuck Schleve and Gahanna Bass Anglers

2008 Walnut Springs Middle School Fishing Club Awards

1^st Place Matt Geiger

2^nd Ryan Schleve

3^rd Daniel Touzinsky

4^th Michael Anderson

5^th Sean Stacho

6^th Connor Duncan    7^th Mason Boggs    8^th Morgan Filippi    9^th Russell Peterson   10^th Cody Baldrick

Casting Competition       

1^st Place Ryan Schleve    2^nd Connor Duncan   3^rd Matt Geiger

Fishing Knowledge

1^st Place with a 19.3 Average is Ryan Schleve

Participation 19/19 events goes to Ryan Schleve

Angler of the Year Award goes the Ryan Schleve and Matt Geiger

Big Bass Awards goes to Morgan Filippi, 4lb 14oz BASS

The 2008 State Team was the following:

Matt Geiger, Ryan Schleve, Daniel Touzinsky, Brendan Keener, Sean Stacho, Connor Duncan, Mason Boggs, Morgan Filippi, Scott Shipowski, Cody Baldrick, Suzy Sharpe