Field trips at Georgetown Community School are the reel deal.

On May 6, about 40 third- through sixth-graders enjoyed some fun in the sun at Georgetown Lake during the school's annual fishing trip.

The annual trip started more than eight years ago as one of the last things the students do together before the school year ends, teachers said.

“It’s a mix of kids who fish a lot, and others who this is the only day of the year they do it,” fourth-grade teacher Lily Gibbs said.

Whether they’re more expert anglers or just learning, everyone seemed to have fun trying it out. A few students caught fish throughout the late morning and early afternoon, while others said they’ve never caught any before on the trip but still had fun just the same.

Of the third-graders, who were going on the trip for the first time, Lyrique Brydon caught her fourth fish ever. While she’s fished at Georgetown Lake before, she’s only ever caught fish at a trout farm until May 6. 

One of the best parts of the school fishing trip, she said, was having most of the school there, not just one grade. It gave students a chance to interact with their friends in other grade levels.

Lyrique said she also liked having the opportunity to help her friends learn how to fish.

Fourth-grader Steven Valcana said last year’s fishing trip was the only time he remembers fishing. However, luck was with him, as he caught his first fish ever on May 6.

“It’s amazing,” he said of fishing. “You should try this. If you have a kid, bring them.”

Steven described how fishing allows someone to see an animal in the wild not seen otherwise, and he appreciated that.

Fifth-grader Zoe Fulton also caught a fish, which was the first she’s ever caught on the school’s annual fishing trip.

Zoe fishes sometimes with her family. While she’s been to Georgetown Lake before outside of school, her favorite spot is Wellington Lake.

Fishing at Georgetown Lake for the GCS trip is a different experience, she said, as she likes catching fish and hanging with her friends.

CJ Lewis, a sixth-grader, wasn’t having as much luck as his schoolmates.

While he’s never caught a fish in the three or four school trips he’s been on, he did recall how he caught a fishing pole at the lake last year.

Despite his poor luck on the school trips, CJ said he loves fishing. His favorite spot is Urad Lake, where he once caught four fish in the span of two hours.

CJ said he’d rather going fishing for a field trip than most anything else.

“I like being by the water in nice weather,” he said. “ … It’s a nice, relaxing time. I get to hang out with friends, and learn new ways to fish.”