By Bayler Ruth

I started bass fishing when I was three and have enjoyed the sport ever since. Getting outdoors and exploring is one of my favorite things about fishing. You can escape from technology and the stress of your day by casting a line. The most exhilarating part of fishing for me is the anticipation of slowly reeling the bait and eagerly awaiting for the bass to take my bait. My dad, Scott Ruth (‘91), is the main reason why I love fishing. He has taught me everything I know, such as how to tie a knot or set the hook when the fish bites. My family is also very competitive, especially with four boys in the house. Whenever we go fishing together, it’s always about who can catch the most or largest fish. 

Photo credit: Scott Ruth.

One of my favorite fishing trips was when a few friends and I went fishing in Scottsville, Virginia, and caught over fifty bass in the pond. We were out in canoes, and the weather was 75 degrees and sunny, perfect conditions for the fish to attack the bait. The pond had multiple fallen trees, giving the bass an area to hang out. This allowed us to cast near the trees, luring the bass out of their dens where they were hiding. Along with the fallen trees, the pond also had many banks where the bass were spawning. This allowed an easy cast to get the bass off their beds. This was also one of my first fishing trips and was an excellent one to begin the spring season.

As we head into summer, the weather is warming up, and the bass are more likely to bite due to warmer water temperatures. This is why my friends and I have started fishing in ponds around Richmond every weekend. This spring, the spot we liked to go to the most is the Tuckahoe Creek CCV golf course after sports practice. It is a very open pond with lily pads that bass lurk under. The ponds are very easy to access, and CCV provides parking for fishermen.

Photo credit: Ben Heidt, Sr.

Over the years, my friends and family have caught enormous bass. Years ago, Holt Hopper (‘25) was fishing his neighborhood pond in Sleepy Hollow with friends and reeled in a 9.3 lb. bass. He recounted, “I felt a massive weight pull my line. I immediately knew it was big, and when it jumped in the air, I knew I needed to land the fish.” Hopper was only in 6th Grade, and a ten-pound fish was no easy fight for him then. He explained how his adrenaline was kicking in, and all he could think about was reeling this fish in. Hopper explained that fishing teaches him patience: “Patience is an essential skill to have in life, not just when fishing, and I use patience in everyday life.”

Holding a 9 pound bass. Photo credit: John Seevers.

My younger brother Parker Ruth (‘27) also loves to fish. He explains that one of his favorite fishing moments is when “the bass takes down your lure, and you get to yell at your friend to grab the net; it’s a monster.” Parker explained how chasing enormous bass and the drive to catch a larger fish than one of your buddies is what brings him back out to the ponds. When Parker reeled in an 8 lb. bass in front of my entire family, my older brother Scotty Ruth (‘22) and I were very frustrated. Parker had accidentally cast into multiple trees that day and only caught a few fish. However, he ultimately finished his day with the largest bass. Parker explained that “keeping a positive attitude throughout the day is crucial while fishing. You could catch multiple bass or no bass at all. It just depends on the day.”

Most of my friends and I have dads who grew up fishing. This, ultimately, made us all love the sport. This sport has helped form a connection with my father, which has profoundly impacted me. As I have grown older, I have realized that when my dad and I are out on the water, we create memories that will last a lifetime. We always have chances to laugh at or with each other, and he always finds a way to teach me a life lesson. One of my favorite moments with my dad while fishing was when we were out on Dover Lake with our family friend Scott Reed (’92). We had been fishing in jon boats all day and had caught many sunfish and bass. On the way back to the dock, my dad’s trolling motor stopped working. We were forced to paddle all the way up the lake with no help, as Reed could not hear us yelling. We finally managed to make it back and laughed about what happened.

My two grandfathers, Bryce Jewett (‘64) and Ray Ruth, have also passed down knowledge to my father and me. They have taught me how to drive a boat properly or be a better person through advice while on the water. I am very thankful for everything fishing has brought to me in my life, and as summer is approaching, I can not wait to get out on the water with friends and family. 

Featured image courtesy of the Ruth family.