Year-old UMaine club takes bass fishing seriously

Cody Rubner, founder of the University of Maine Fishing Club and Bass Fishing Team, is excited about the future of his year-old organization.

A junior at UMaine, Rubner said the university community features a strong presence of fishing-oriented people.

Rubner, of Acton, Mass., and Brian Volkernick of Dixfield formed the club last year, with a mission “to share fishing knowledge, foster opportunities to learn and experience for the university community, study the biology and ecology behind fishing, as well as promote healthy conservation.”

There are over 50 students in the club who participate in events, trips and opportunities throughout the year. A bass fishing team is also affiliated with the club; at last year’s inaugural Black Bear open, Rubner and Volkernick placed third, reeling in a 13.98-pound bass.

The team competes in the FLW Collegiate Series and, in Rubner and Volkernick’s first tournament together, the two placed third in the North Division Championship held in September on Cheasapeake Bay in Maryland.

The team has also traveled to New York and Virginia to compete, and hopes to make it to the nationals in the coming season, Rubner said.

According to Rubner, “We use (the club) to promote our values, connect with potential members and other people in our community, as well as show off some of the awesome stuff our members do.

“We try our hardest to provide opportunities to learn, grow and experience with our curriculum,” he said.

In addition to holding events for members, the club hosts meetings with guest speakers, such as guides, wardens, professional tournament kayak anglers and technicians in the industry, to encourage and learn about fishing.

They said they have a great relationship with Jim Fahey, a local game warden. Fahey has worked with the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to have club members volunteer to tag trout.

The club participates in the Landowner Appreciation Cleanup Contest, where members clean up trash around local fishing spots across the state.

Rubner said the club recently chartered under Trout Unlimited’s “5 Rivers” program, which helps provide more opportunity to incorporate fly fishing and conservation.

“We have many great companies sponsoring the club, providing more access to quality gear for ‘college-hindered wallets,’ as well as support to run events,” he said.

The club has received help from Why Knot Fishing, Cheeky Fishing, Fishidy, Old Town Canoes and LL Bean. It has also received sponsorship from the Androscoggin Bassmasters of Maine, based in Lewiston.

Looking ahead, Rubner said, “We’re excited about the future and have an executive board of students with creative ideas to expand the club further going forward.

“My goal is to leave behind a sustainable and powerful program at the university, featuring opportunities for people of all different backgrounds,” he said.

Rubner said his focus now is to ensure a positive future for the club. He wants to recruit more members, to “continue leading, innovating and competing on behalf of the University of Maine Fishing Club” well after he’s finishes his studies there.

UMaine Fishing Club:

Website: umainefishingclub.com

Instagram: @umainefishing

Facebook: University of Maine Fishing Club

YouTube: Videos of club’s trips

2016 bass fishing:

According to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, only one bass fishing tournament has registered for 2016 so far: the 27th annual Special Olympics Maine Bass Masters Tournament Benefit to be held on Sunday, May 1.

The Androscoggin Bassmasters lists three tournaments on its website, including the Androscoggin River Battle of the Boats Open to benefit the Children’s Miracle Network and the Maine Credit Union Campaign to End Hunger on Aug. 21, and the 2016 Maine B.A.S.S. Nation State Fish Off on Sebasticook Lake in Newport to be held Sept. 10 and 11.

The date for the third, the Black Bear open, hosted by the University of Maine Fishing Club, has not been scheduled.

To register a tournament, or for more information about bass fishing, go to: maine.gov/ifw

For more information about the Androscoggin Bassmasters, go to: androscogginbassmasters.com

Send questions/comments to the editors.

Sign In: