Meet the Patriots

Matthew McClellan and Tyler Fisher of the University of Texas-Tyler share their thoughts about qualifying for the 2011 National Guard FLW College Fishing National Championship

Tyler Fisher and Matthew McClellan caught 20 pounds, 12 ounces and moved the University of Texas-Tyler into second place. Photo by David A. Brown. Anglers: Matthew McClellan, Tyler Fisher.

February 18, 2011 • Gary Mortenson • Abu Garcia College Fishing

(Editor’s note: Leading up to the 2011 National Guard FLW College Fishing National Championship, slated to be held April 7-9 on Kentucky Lake at Murray State University, CollegeFishing.com will be publishing semiweekly feature stories highlighting the 25 national championship qualifiers. At stake in the tournament is a first-place prize package worth $100,000 as well as a chance for the winning team to compete in the 2011 Forrest Wood Cup.)

Name: Tyler Fisher (pictured on left)

Class: Senior

Major: Business Management

Hometown: Flint, Texas

Other interests: In the summer I love to bowfish and in the winter I love to duck hunt.

Name: Matthew McClellan (pictured on right)

Class: Senior

Major: Kinesiology

Hometown: Tyler, Texas

Other interests: I love to duck and deer hunt when I’m not fishing tournaments.

Q&A

CollegeFishing.com: How were you introduced to fishing?

Fisher: My dad, Jeff Fisher, introduced me to fishing. When I was really young, we would go fishing for perch and sand bass (white bass) so I could catch a lot of fish. Once I got a little older, we started going bass fishing. The first bass tournament I fished was with my dad when I was 9 years old.

McClellan: I was first introduced to bass fishing when I was very young by my dad. I don’t think I would be fishing if it wasn’t for him. When I was real young we would go fish ponds and smaller lakes. When I was in third grade my parents built a house on Lake Palestine here in east Texas. My family enjoyed being out there so much we ended up moving out there full time for a few years. When I was 13 years old, my dad gave me the keys to the bass boat that was down at our boat dock after I completed my boater safety course. There were some obvious restrictions, but I was out on the lake bass fishing every chance I could get. I have never really cared much about any other kind of fishing except bass fishing. I think I just really enjoy the ever-changing challenge that it brings.

CollegeFishing.com: What style/method of fishing are you most comfortable with?

Fisher: I am most comfortable with shallow-water power fishing.

McClellan: I like to think I am a very versatile angler. I enjoy fishing deep and also beating the banks. Basically, I love to do it all.

CollegeFishing.com: What did it feel like to qualify for the 2011 FLW College Fishing National Championship? How do you plan to prepare for the big event?

Fisher: It was an awesome feeling knowing that we were going to be able to compete in such a big tournament.

McClellan: It was a real blessing to qualify for such a prestigious event. It doesn’t get any bigger than this in collegiate bass fishing.

Although most college students spend their spring break on the beaches in Mexico or skiing down the slopes in Colorado, I plan on spending mine on the banks of Kentucky Lake. I have never fished there before and am excited to finally get the opportunity.

CollegeFishing.com: Tell us something interesting about yourself that most people wouldn’t know.

Fisher: Something most people wouldn’t know about me is I share a birthday with Michael Jordan and Larry the Cable Guy.

McClellan: I’m not sure if this is very interesting, but I have a twin brother. Interestingly enough, the only thing we have in common is that we were born on the same day. We don’t look too much alike and we have different hobbies and overall interests. He never got into the whole outdoors thing like I have grown to love.

After I complete my studies at UT Tyler, I plan on continuing my education by getting my masters degree in prosthetics and orthotics. My dad is the owner and head practitioner of Prosthetic Orthotic Associates of Texas. I have had the opportunity of working at one of his offices here in Tyler during the summers and have really enjoyed it.

I am also a big fan of the Green Bay Packers. My family had season tickets long before I was born and I go to a game every year. The last two years, I actually went and watched them play the Dallas Cowboys. The Packers won both times and I was in the stands supporting the green and gold at Lambeau field. I was born in the Dallas area before my family moved to Tyler. The Cowboys are my second favorite team and I always cheer for them unless they play the Pack.