Anglers cleaning up community

Members of the Golden Tiger Anglers recently participated in a clean-up project at Lake Elliott. Front row L to R: Slate Wallace, Hayden Suddith, Logan Seay and Colton Cox. Back row L to R: Samuel Evans, Luke Huckaba and Dakota Crosslin.

One of Russellville High School’s newest organizations has recently made it a point to do their part to help out the community.
The Golden Tiger Anglers have shown that they are more than just a fishing team. Sponsor Sandy Evans said the team is also dedicated to community service and conservation – a fact they proved through a clean-up project at Lake Elliott.
“When we got this team started, we wanted it to be about more than just fishing,” she said. “Lake Elliott is our lake. It’s where we get our drinking water and it’s important to us.
“We come out here a lot and we see the effects of people who aren’t always responsible with their trash and we just wanted to help out.”
Doug Clement, manager of the Russellville Water and Sewer Department, said he was more than glad to let the Anglers clean up around Lake Elliott.
“I think that it’s great for a group of teenagers to make efforts like this,” Clement said. “It really makes me proud to see that they are concerned enough to be community-oriented.
“Russellville Water is behind their efforts and we are very appreciative of what they’ve done.”
This is the first year for the Anglers, who officially got their start this past September.
Evans said there were other schools in the area that had bass fishing teams and, having fishermen in her family, she thought it would be a good idea for Russellville to have a team as well.
“This is an opportunity for those who love the outdoors to be able to have a sport they can excel in,” Evans said. “It is a great extracurricular activity and there are scholarships involved with this sport that Russellville students should be able to have a shot at.”
The Anglers participate in club tournaments as well as regional tournaments and hope to participate in the state tournament this May.
“Our first club tournament was in October and we had another at the end of October with Muscle Shoals, Belgreen, Cherokee and Colbert Heights,” Evans said.
The first regional tournament took place Feb. 25 at Lake Martin and team members Hayden Suddith and Jared Thornton came in 23rd out of 138 boats.
At the second regional tournament at Lake Eufaula on March 10, the Anglers placed 17th out of 128 boats.
“I am excited about the future of high school bass fishing,” Evans said.
The Anglers are still looking for boat captains to help them during the tournaments. Evans said boat captains drive the boat and teach the students safety and fishing tips.
Evans said anyone interested in being a boat captain or in sponsoring the Anglers can contact her at 256-668-5216 or Amy Suddith at 256-412-1351.