For the kids

When it comes to fishing, there’s nothing David Lowrie loves more than helping kids.

David started fishing when he was just a child, and later shared his love for fishing with his own son. “I fished with my father and grandfather as far back as I can remember,” he says.

When David’s son was 6 years old, they started fishing together. When his son was a freshman, David founded the Grundy County High School fishing team in 2011. “It was all for selfish reasons,” he says. “I wanted to build a program for my own kid, and now it has turned into this great program for a lot of kids.”

Fishing teams participate in tournaments, and anglers can earn scholarship money for college and technical school. “I love this program and what we’re doing for kids,” David says. After founding one of the first high school fishing teams in the state, David continued to help others by sharing what he learned. He started managing the Bassmasters Tournament Trail for kids in 2015 and now serves as the state director for the all-volunteer Tennessee Bass Nation High School/Youth organization. “We have the biggest program in the country,” he says.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Summer, a member of the Bryan College fishing team, is planning to major in business management.

Some of the best memories Summer, left, has involve fishing with his father, Chad Dees.

When Summer was a member of the Grundy County High School fishing team, the squad qualified for the national championship.

About 2,000 high school kids and between 500-600 elementary kids participate. “Everybody can’t play football, and everybody can’t play baseball,” David says. “But if you can get access to a boat, just about anybody can learn to fish.”