As his Z119c Ranger slid across the northern waters of the Mississippi River in La Crosse Wisconsin this past Friday, all Rhett Anderson of Farmerville could think of was this being his last high school fishing tournament of his young life. For Jessie Green of Luna, it was the new country he was seeing that captivated his young eyes. The past few days seemed surreal, and they were soaking it in with enthusiasm.
Growing up in North Louisiana, most young men who participate in sports gravitate towards football, baseball, or basketball but there’s another sport that’s catching on faster than Anderson’s Mercury 225 Pro XS can push across the water; high school bass fishing.
Anderson has fished for the Darbonne Woods Charter Schools fishing team since the sixth grade but graduated this year with one goal still out there; the National Championship that is held in La Crosse Wisconsin. The only problem was, he didn’t have a partner at the beginning of this year because his partner last year graduated.
Green goes to one of the best fishing high schools in North Louisiana, West Ouachita, but found himself in a tight spot going into his junior year; he also didn’t have a partner. “The guy I fished with last year decided he didn’t want to fish high school anymore. When we talked about fishing together and he [Anderson] shared some past catches of his with me, I was super pumped to be fishing with him this year,” said Green.
The beginning of the year found the two learning each other and getting better every time out but it was an event on the Caddo Lake that showed Green they were on to something big. “We placed 6th and we caught good fish the entire time we were there. I knew right then we were going to be good,” he added.
But there’s a world of difference in fishing in Louisiana and fishing in Wisconsin. Lucky for them, their boat captain, Paul Bailey, had been there before and knew a few spots to try. Bailey came to Wisconsin as a captain with a former team and put the boys on some water that looked like home. The rest was up to them.
It didn’t take long for the young men to show why they were there with best in the country, bringing in a solid 10lb 13oz bag on day one, leading the event for most of the day but then ended in fourth place. The next day was just as good as they followed up with another solid 9lb 14oz bag on day 2.
“The whole year was made when I got to see their names in the number one spot on day one for so long. It was just the best thing ever,” explained Anderson’s mom Holly.
After it was all said and done, the young team from rural North Louisiana finished 4th out of 248 boats in Nationals and 15th out of 393 boats in the World Finals.
While Anderson’s high school career is over, he plans on attending Louisiana Delta Community College and fishing for their team in the college ranks.
Green will be finishing his senior year in Cadeville representing the West Ouachita Chiefs but he’s going to need another partner. Trust me, he’s already beginning the search.
As for Bailey, his captain days are over. “I said I was done last year but Holly’s the boss and she said ‘No, one more’ so here we are,” he laughed. “These boys are really something special. They’re hardheaded but they’re also really good,” he added.
The boys want to extend a huge thank you to the Town of Farmerville, K&M Coffee Corks, and Camo, and Cooter’s in Farmerville for their support this year. “I mean, our whole parish has been amazing through all of this,” added Holly.
They also want to thank EK’s Marine, Struben Mobile home Services, Williams Orthodontics, Wilmore Snack Sales, River City Nutrition, United Automation, and “The Original” West Monroe Coney Island.
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