Ryley Watson, 15 (left) and Matthew Davis, 15 (right) hold their trophies after winning their state championship title.
TRENTON, Mich. -- Two Coloma High School students are now statewide fishing champions.
Matthew Davis and Ryley Weston, both 15, took home the top title earlier this month at 2015 Fishing League Worldwide High School Fishing Michigan State Championship held on the Detroit River. The two managed to net a five-bass limit, with a total amount of fish tipping the scale at 15 pounds, 3 ounces, just 2 ounces heavier than second place.
“It was pretty nerve wracking but it was a lot of fun," Watson said.
Both teens said they've been fishing and competing together for a few years, but separately have both fished since they were younger.
“It’s just something that I’ve been doing for a long time and I take a lot of pride in that I’m not bad at it," Davis said. “I’ve been fishing probably ever since I was five or six."
According to the Fishing League Worldwide website, the 2015 Michigan State High School Fishing Championship was a two-person team event for students in grades 7-12.
Davis' and Watson's win not only earned them bragging rights, but also secures them a shot to compete in the High School Fishing Central Conference championship on Lake Carlyle in Illinois in September. They were the only students from West Michigan to rank in the top five.
