Susan and Jen’s Cheeky Schoolie Adventure

In May, Casting for Recovery’s Jen Lofgren (Senior Program Manager) and Susan Gaetz (Executive Director) embarked on an unforgettable journey to their first Cheeky Schoolie Tournament, the world’s biggest fly fishing event dedicated to conserving striped bass. Held on beautiful Cape Cod, the tournament brought together 500 anglers united for a wonderful cause. The weekend was packed with excitement, new connections, endless bowls of clam chowder, and even a little fishing fun.

Off with a Splash

The adventure began with the Women’s Fly Fishing Event, hosted by Capt. Abbie Schuster of Kismet Outfitters. This event perfectly set the tone for the weekend. Jen and Susan were thrilled to meet incredible women at the event and pick up a few tricks to ensure their success for the next day. Abbie Schuster, Martha’s Vineyard Fly Fishing Guide renowned for her striped bass expertise, shared invaluable insights and techniques. She ensured everyone left feeling ready to tackle the vast waters with confidence.

One cool tip Abbie shared was about the back cast, an essential technique for casting in windy conditions. Jen was surprised to learn just how technical people can get about following the migration of striped bass. There is even a weekly report called “On The Water” that maps their location. Additionally, the variability of tides from spot to spot was another unexpected revelation. Jen and Susan found themselves spot-hopping based on the tides, adding another layer of unpredictability to their adventure.

As the main event approached, Jen and Susan (team name: Unruly Schoolies) joined forces with their Cross Current Insurance friends Augusto and Rollin, and fellow female anglers Gloria Buettner and Midge Jacobs, whom they met at the women’s event the day before.

Despite the less-than-ideal weather—cold and wet—their spirits were high. With 8 wts in hand, and unwavering determination, they set out to try their luck!

 

The Big Day: Fishing with Friends

Measuring Success? 

Time dragged on, and as minutes morphed into hours, the Unruly Schoolies found themselves spot-hopping in hopes of finding the elusive striped bass! While the Cheeky Schoolie Tournament provided measuring tapes for recording catches, with no fish to measure, creativity had to kick in.  Off they went measuring everything they could get their hands on, tip to tail. 

 

 

 

The Eleventh-Hour Miracle

Just as they were about to call it a day with only one hour left, the Unruly Schoolies decided to spot-hop to a final location. With 15 minutes to spare, and every Angler’s favorite last words, “One more cast,” Jen cast her line one final time stripping in a little chartreuse Clouser. And wouldn’t you know it? She landed a sweet 30″ striped bass, calling over Susan to help her land and measure the beauty! The team erupted in cheers, celebrating this unexpected and thrilling catch. Finishing 72nd in the tourney – Hey, not too shabby for two landlocked anglers! 

Meeting Up with Fishy Friends

In addition to the camaraderie and lasting memories, Jen and Susan had the pleasure of meeting up with the team from Scientific Anglers, who generously donated all the leaders for Casting for Recovery’s 2024 retreat season—AMAZING! They also reconnected with friends from Cheeky, marveled at Sascha from Keep Fish Wet’s stripping basket, and shared laughs and stories. They were delighted to see Colorado Program Guide Volunteers, Corinne and Garrison Doctor from Rep Your Water, and reconnect with two former CfR volunteers, Katya Bowen and Brenda Sears, from the Massachusetts program. These moments of connection underscored the strong sense of community that defines the Cheeky Schoolie Tournament. 

 

In its 13th year, the Cheeky Schoolie Tournament is about much more than the thrill of the catch; it’s a dedicated effort to conserve striped bass, a species facing significant environmental challenges. This year, the tournament raised an impressive $37,540, with all proceeds going to two outstanding organizations: Keep Fish Wet and Stripers Forever.

Purpose Beyond the Competition

Keep Fish Wet

Keep Fish Wet focuses on improving the handling practices of anglers to ensure the highest chances of survival for fish that are caught and released. By educating anglers on science-based best practices, they aim to reduce post-release mortality significantly, promoting sustainable fishing practices that benefit both fish and the environment.

Sascha from Keep Fish Wet

Stripers Forever

Stripers Forever is a non-profit organization committed to the conservation and responsible management of striped bass. Their efforts include campaigning for better regulations, conducting research, and raising public awareness about the importance of preserving this iconic species. Their ultimate goal is to maintain healthy striped bass populations for future generations of anglers to enjoy. 

 

Celebrating Success and Conservation

With the big catch logged, Jen and Susan reflected on their contribution to the tournament’s citizen scientist initiative. This effort not only provided data crucial for the conservation of striped bass but also fostered a sense of community among passionate anglers. The Cheeky Schoolie Tournament isn’t just about fishing; it’s about protecting these magnificent fish for future generations and building a community of anglers dedicated to conservation.

A huge thank you to everyone who made the Cheeky Schoolie Tournament a great success!