As devastating floodwaters continue to rise in the Houston area, a college bass fishing team is answering the call for volunteers with boats to help in the rescue effort.
The Western Carolina University Basscats fishing club, which fishes in the Southeastern Division of the YETI FLW College Fishing series, has organized a team of volunteers that is now in Houston with boats to assist with rescue and relief efforts.
Club member Zack Tallent says the decision to help out was an easy one.
“At our weekly meeting it was brought to our attention that someone had asked us if there was some way we could take some boats down there and help in any way we could,” says Tallent. “So right off the bat we decided we were going to try to do everything we could to help. There were a number of us who wanted to go.”
The team didn’t finalize its plans until Monday night, but once the decision was made, Tallent says the team quickly began organizing resources and raising funds.
Ten club members volunteered to go to Houston with four boats. The plan, says Tallent, is to stay through at least Sunday, but longer if needed. The team is coordinating with a Houston police officer to go wherever it’s needed.
“What triggered this was a desire to help whoever’s in need,” says Tallent. “It’s our duty as Americans to help our countrymen whenever they need it.”
Club members making the trip to Houston include Tallent, Jacob Boyd, Tyler Watts, Clint Bartlett, Jason Ashe, Colby Shope, Jack Crumpton, Will Crumpton, Austin Garren and Parker Jessup.
If you’d like to donate to the Basscats’ volunteer effort, they have set up a gofundme page to help defray travel expenses.