Third Annual Troop Appreciation Fishing Derby

Capt. Mike Glover, Lake Murray Striper Fishing Guide, made the Third Annual Troop Appreciation Fishing Derby the best yet. He, along with help from many sponsors, hosted a one day fishing event for 90 Columbia Recruiting Battalion Soldiers and local wounded warriors. 

The fishing derby is sponsored by patriotic people to show appreciation and to thank individuals for their sacrifices. It got started in 2012 when Cpt. Glover had some Army officers on a chartered fishing trip. During their discussions, Glover said it would be great if we (the public) could thank the troops in some way and would they (the officers) be interested in helping him. The result was 15 boats and local fisherman who took out 43 Soldiers on what turned out to be annual fishing trip. 

Sponsors of the Troop Appreciation Fishing Derby 2014

The Troop Appreciation Committee of Mike Glover, Bill Strong and D.W. Eggleston got together to find more ways to expand the number of seats available. Glover said it was easy to increase the support and expand the event. “All we said was we need and the magic took place,” Glover said about the people and groups who donated. “They can’t go be with them  so this is something they can do,” Glover said of all the supporters.

Staff Sgt. Mitchell Crislip, Village of Sandhill Recruiting Center, caught the biggest fish.

This year the event held on June 27, 2014. It started at 5:00 a.m. and ended around 2 p.m. at the Rusty Anchor dock on Lake Murray, S.C. After fishing was complete, Soldiers had their fish weighed to see who had the biggest. The winner was Staff Sgt. Mitchell Crislip, Village of Sandhills Center, with the largest fish at 14 lbs. 9 oz. 

The next five winners in order were: Sgt. Marcel Sholar, Florence Center; Sgt. 1^st Class Jon McBride, Beaufort Center; Cpt. Gary Clark, Greenville Company; Sgt. 1^st Class Justin Christopher, Summerville Center and Staff Sgt. Louie Valdez, Anderson Center.

For more information on Capt. Mike, Lake Murray Striper Fishing Guide, visit http://www.stripermike.net/