It all began December 9, 1990, at Hickory Creek Marina on Beaver Lake in Northwest Arkansas. That is when the inaugural Springdale Central Jr. High Fishing Club Striper Outing took place. Dan Martin, who was a fishing guide on Beaver Lake and his wife Anne made some phone calls to some other guides who were willing to set aside a half day fishing trip for the Central Fishing Club members. On that morning, five striper guides and Springdale Central Jr. High Fishing Club Counselor and club sponsor Ron Duncan left out on an event that has continued for 20 years with numerous students taking part. Today, only one guide, Brad Wiegmann and past club sponsor Ron Duncan have continued to take part; however, the cheers and joys of fishing continues on with the students.

 The inaugural outing did not take place without some mishaps. Dan, who’s wife Anne spearheaded the event, was unable to participate. He was flat on his back due to a slipped disk. His wife Anne was there to supervise the event and keep Dan up to date on how everything was going. The Martin’s even paid for the largest fish to be mounted. 

Over time many things have changed and take place. In 1993, Ron was able to get ESPN to come down to Beaver Lake and video tape the event for national TV that aired on Christmas morning. Unfortunately, Anne passed away from cancer in 1999 and Dan moved a couple of years later to begin a guide service down in Florida. In recognition and honor of her mother, Becky (Martin) Peterson assisted with the event in 2003, even getting shirts made up with “Anne Martin Memorial Striper Fishing Trip” printed on the front and “Hooked on Fishing” on the back. 

Since the event started, every student has had to qualify someway for the trip by turning in homework or improving their grades (GPA). When it began, the trips took place on Sunday, so the students would not miss a day of school. Now the event is held on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and the club members get out of school that day.

Today a number of striper guides and anglers helped take out Fishing Club members; in addition to being treated to a hot lunch of chili and hot dogs by volunteers. Some years, the students freeze, other years the weather has cooperated. This year the striper fishing was fair with many of the Fishing Club members catching their first ever striper. Fishing club members also caught crappie, bass, and lots of white bass while fishing today.

For Ron Duncan, it was his first year to take part not in the sponsor roll, but as a volunteer. Duncan seemed more relaxed as young men and women ran around eagerly waiting for the event to begin. Under Ron’s direction the Fishing Club gained state and national exposures when it became the model club for the Hooked on Fishing educational program, in addition to being designated by Gov. Mike Huckabee in 1996 as the statewide model for fishing clubs and recognized as national model in 1998. His achievement with the program was not unnoticed; Ron was named Man of the Year by Bass Anglers Sportsman Society in 1994 and 1998, named to the Arkansas Outdoor Hall of Fame in 2004, and now serves on the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. After 20 years of dedication to the Springdale Central Jr High Fishing Club Duncan has finally passed on the reigns to a new sponsor Chad McPherson. McPherson is stepping in to some big shoes, but he showed today that he has the enthusiasm and wisdom to run the Fishing Club. The first striper fishing outing under McPherson was a huge success.

 
To every student who took part in the event today, it was a chance of a lifetime to catch a big striper and enjoy being out in nature, no matter what the weather had in store.  For every guide or volunteer, it was an opportunity to share something they love with Fishing Club members and future anglers.  For me after 20 continuous years, I will never forget the sheer joy of a student catching a big fish or the frustration of losing a big one.  Every outing is an adventure, an unforgettable journey.

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