If making lasting memories on fishing trips and summer barbecues sounds appealing, the Fishing Club welcomes all fellow SCHS students who share a passion for the outdoors to stop by and join.

According to co-president junior Steven Lin, the club’s focus has grown since it’s creation last year, shifting from simply fishing to a more broad objective, including wildlife and environmental protection. Officers give presentations to raise awareness about current environmental conditions and ways to improve them. Lin said the club has helped him gain a greater understanding of nature and emphasizes the importance of its upkeep.

“As fishermen, it is our job to keep the environment clean,” Lin said. “We try to clean up after other people’s junk.”

Co-president junior Ian Cramb encourages students with no fishing experience to not be afraid to join the club. At a typical meeting, members are shown videos to learn about the abundance of fish species and different fishing techniques. Several members like junior Alexander Truong have almost no prior knowledge with fishing yet have learned a lot since joining.

“Being new to fishing, there are plenty of new things I learned about, from the names of fish and even where to fish locally,” Truong said.

According to Cramb, fishing is a wonderful way to wind down and relax in the serenity of the outdoors. The club presidents appreciate the open discussions and the free flow of knowledge shared between members, making the club a comfortable and welcoming environment.  

“I would like people to know that it is very laid back,” Cramb said.

Outside of school, the club makes an effort to go on fishing trips every 2 to 3 weeks in areas like Los Gatos Creek or Lake Almaden in San Jose. Members leave their homes very early in the morning and head out to fish. Junior Connor Agu found the club’s activeness outside of school appealing and wanted to give it a try.  

“What made me interested in fishing club is being able to join a club that involves an outdoor activity,” Agu said.

Club advisor and AP European History teacher, Jonathan Wilson, was excited when the idea for the club was shared with him in 2017. Wilson has been fishing since he was three years old and continues to spend the majority of his leisure time fishing freshwater and saltwater.

“My dad got me into fishing, and we spent the majority of our time together escaping the troubles and pressures of life to head out into the wilderness,” Wilson said.

Wilson praises the way members are able to bring their experience in earth science to the discussions and presentations. As Fishing Club grows, Wilson hopes to make connections with local environmental initiatives and help give back to the ecosystem.

“The environment and the learning experience has to be why the club is an amazing place to go to every Monday at lunch,” Truong said.

The club meets in Mr. Wilson’s, room B305, every Monday during lunch.