Fly-fishers hope to lure students to new club

Snatching a bit of relaxation from the grinding molars of urban life makes students do some strange things. But fishing? Fly fishing? With hopes of abandoning the swirling mounds of garbage and bleating car alarms of the big city, a group of students has formed the Penn Angler Society, an organization devoted to securing a bit of serenity from the mania of metropolitan life. And they're serious about it. They're talking Student Activities Council funding to buy fishing rods. "It's so easy to get out of touch with the outside world," said Wharton junior Greg VandenBosch, a lifelong angler and novice fly-fisherman. "After a while, your world only gets as big as West Philadelphia." VandenBosch and College senior Steve Birndorf have taken a number of 35-minute sojourns to Perkiomen Creek in Philadelphia's outskirts. And, according to society founder Birndorf, the waters are good. "I caught 10 fish in two hours," Birndorf said. Granted, they weren't big fish. But Birndorf and VandenBosch wanted to bring fly fishing's relaxing qualities to more students. They were shocked by the number of interested, yet frustrated, fishermen who lurk around campus. "The tale-tell sign is seeing someone with a trout T-shirt," Birndorf said. "People who have done it before are very interested. The scenario has been the same for VandenBosch. "You'd be surprised," said VandenBosch. "The more people I meet, the more I realize who would enjoy and don't have access to it." So what makes fly-fishing such an uplifting experience? VandenBosch said the scenery is a real drawing card. "You'd never believe that you can drive 35 minutes and be in that kind of a secluded area," VandenBosch said. He said the creek is 60 feet wide and has 50-foot bluffs on both sides –Eideal scenery for contemplative students caught in the rut of city existence. "If you are having a rough day," Vandenbosch said, "you leave from class and drive to the creek. ... When you leave, you feel much more refreshed to take on the University." Club plans include applying for SAC funding and taking possible trips to Central Pennsylvania, which VandenBosch said has "amazing fishing." There will be a meeting tonight at 9 p.m. in room 301 at Houston Hall for interested fisherfolk. No experience is necessary; even the two founders are novices, both having started this summer. Yet, for those who are willing to take the time and want to adopt the angler moniker, VandenBosch said "people are willing to help each other along in this sport."

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