Girls fishing with the big boys

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The IHSA’s inaugural bass fishing sectional Friday looked like a huge success.

Two things struck me as the coolest things about the event. First, all-girls Regina in Wilmette finished third in the Skokie Lagoons Sectional when juniors Christine Brown and Natalie Hogan combined to catch one fish weighing presumably, one pound, eight ounces. But even better, the girls are going to the big dance with the boys when the State Meet begins May 8 at Downstate Carlyle Lake.

A few of the sectionals were postponed until Monday, but I have to believe the Panthers will be one of the only girls boats in what should be expected to be a male-dominated State tournament field. Go girls!

Secondly, the IHSA has created a way-cool Web site for the tournament series in a takeoff of its “The Future Starts Here” motto. Check out The Future Fishes Here.

I’m actually jealous. I can spend all day at my in-laws’ house down at Sunset Lake near Springfield and never come close to catching a fish. These kids caught some whoppers in a matter of hours in various lakes around the state.

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