Denton offers an array of fishing opportunities

by Kyle Harty of North Texas Daily

Denton Parks and Recreation is sponsoring a “Neighborhood Fishin’” program which hopes to make fishing fun and easy for the community.

Students trying to kick back and enjoy the summer break may want to consider investing in a rod and tackle.

Fishing is one of the most popular outdoor sports in the country, a great way to relax and the fastest-growing college sport in the country, according to the Association of College Anglers.

Denton sits conveniently between Lewisville Lake and Ray Roberts Lake, two sprawling man-made lakes that offer fishing opportunities on and offshore.

Students created the UNT Bass Club in 2005 to churn interest in fishing and compete in bass tournaments throughout the region. The 15-member club competes on lakes around North Texas against state rivals.

Mechanical engineering senior William Cartwright, the club’s vice president, has a unique way of describing his passion for fishing.

“It’s like NASCAR racing, a picnic and deer hunting all wrapped into one activity,” Cartwright said. “Then there are the beautiful sunrises and sunsets. The good days can be spiritual.”

Cartwright works with a youth outreach program called KIDFISH, which aims to educate a new generation of fishing enthusiasts. The group hopes to teach younger generations that spending quality time with friends and family is more rewarding than landing the big fish.

Cartwright enjoys his work with KIDFISH because it allows him to get out and interact with the local community.

“It lets us show that we’re more than just a bunch of guys that hang out and go fishing all the time,” he said.

Those who can’t make it out to the lake but are looking for a quick catch are in luck.

Denton Parks and Recreation is sponsoring a “Neighborhood Fishin’” program which hopes to make fishing fun and easy for the community. The south pond at South Lakes Park in Denton will be stocked with channel catfish throughout the summer and fall. Participants can fish with rod-and-reel only and keep up to five catches a day.

Business sophomore and bass club member Sean Watson said he had been fishing for years.

“What I like about it is picking apart the puzzle,” Watson said. “It’s figuring out the fish.”

For students interested in joining the bass club, registration is quick and easy. Just stop by one of the monthly meetings on campus and fill out a school waiver.

“We try to get new members in the very first tournament that we can,” Cartwright said. “That way its like boom, you’re fishing.”

More information can be found at untbassclub.webs.com.