Making Slicers happy, one fish at a time

Sometimes the best classroom can be out on the lake, and instead of books, students have fishing poles. LPHS offers that opportunity for students with its Fishing Club. 

Mr. Lawson, Building Trades teacher at LPHS, is the sponsor for the Fishing Club. He’s keeping the Fishing Club upfloat. 

Starting out as a hobby between Lawson and former Slicer Brayden Arnett, they would fish together on the weekends. The idea for the Fishing Club began soon after.

“I would fish with Brayden Arnett when he was a sophomore here, and he came up to me one day and said, ‘Why don’t we start at a Fishing Club?’ I told him I think it would be a good idea if he pursued this, and I would help. To this day he is still an avid fisherman, and we still talk,” Lawson said.

Lawson kept running the Fishing Club after Arnett graduated due to the joy and excitement of others. 

“Just seeing the smile on the students’ faces when we fish is the best thing. Some of these students have never gone fishing, and they get so excited when they catch their first fish, and it’s just an experience seeing the students have everything,” Lawson said.

One Slicer student who goes on fishing trips with Lawson is senior Mark Brown. Brown has been fishing since he was three years old and caught his first bluegill and has been fishing ever since. Brown knew about Lawson fishing with his students before attending the high school, and once he moved to LPHS, he joined the Fishing Club. 

“Last year, we would fish a lot on Stone Lake, but this year we’ve been going to Beach Wood golf course ponds. Mr. Lawson got us permission to fish there, and you catch a lot of fish there so it’s fun especially for the younger newer people,” Brown said. 

Now Brown, just like Lawson, loves teaching new people how to fish and seeing them catch their first fish. 

 “I recommend this hobby for anyone at any age group. It’s very exciting working hard and in the end, catching your first fish,” Brown said. 

Lawson can’t wait to make more fish trips and encourages anyone to fish with them. 

“I hope the Fishing Club helps some students out. I know so many who are passionate about fishing and ask me when the Fishing Club is, and I think it’s a great thing it’s a win for me and a win for them because we all enjoy it,” Lawson said.  

Due to COVID, Fishing Club hasn’t made as many trips as they would like to, but this year they are hoping they’ll make many trips. 

“Just come to the meetings. Then we set up a time to go fishing. Sometimes when kids can’t get a ride, I talk to their parents to see if it is okay, and I take them fishing. Most of the time, the parents are grateful, and it’s the best thing to hear ‘thank you’ for my son or daughter fishing. I think it’s important for students to be outdoors when they can. I’m the happiest being outdoors so I think students are going to be, too,” Lawson said. 

Any student who has a passion or wants to learn more about fishing can join the Fishing Club at any time. Fishing Club usually hold meetings on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but plans sometimes change, so if one is interested in joining, talk to Lawson or listen to the announcements.