(Editor’s note: Leading up to the inaugural National Guard FLW College Fishing National Championship, which will be held at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tenn., April 10-12, CollegeFishing.com will post semiweekly feature stories highlighting the 25 teams that qualified. At stake in the tournament is a prize package of $100,000 and a chance to compete in the 2010 Forrest Wood Cup.)




Club Web site: http://bassers.rso.siuc.edu/main.html

Q&A

CollegeFishing.com: How were you introduced to fishing?

Dunham: I have been fishing since I could walk. My parents own a small cottage on Sylvan Lake in northern Indiana. I spent all of my days in the summers growing up fishing from shore. When I was 5 I won a fishing derby in my hometown with a 5-pound catfish. I have been addicted ever since. My parents recognized that I was fully committed to fishing while I was in high school. When I turned 16 they bought me a bass boat and I have been fishing tournaments ever since. I can’t imagine doing anything else.

Gould: My dad introduced me to fishing in farm ponds and small lakes and I spent as much time as I could around the water – be it riding my bike to ponds or getting out on the local lakes in whatever boat I could get a hold of. I was always drawn to the lakes because of the difficulty they presented in consistently catching good fish.

CollegeFishing.com: What style/method of fishing are you most comfortable with?

Dunham: I’m a power fisherman – crankbaits, spinnerbaits, frogs, all that stuff. I love throwing a trap, especially a Strike King Red Eye shad. It’s actually the bait that helped us qualify for the National Championship. If there is a moving bite, I’m all over it. I like to finesse fish on occasion. Wacky rigs and shaky heads are always in my boat. This past year I have really gotten into pitching jigs and Texas rigs, but I’m not very patient with it. If I have to slow down I will, but it’s not my strong point.

Gould: I grew up a jig fisherman and I religiously pitched jigs and soft plastics the first few years I fished competitively. But now I am quite confident with most any bait.

CollegeFishing.com: What did it feel like to qualify for the inaugural National Championship? How do you plan to prepare for the big event?

Dunham: Qualifying for this event was a huge relief. The whole season we had tough breaks. It took us up until the very end, Lake of the Ozarks to be exact, to qualify for the Central Regional Championship. Even at the regional we cut it close (finishing fourth). It is a huge honor to be a part of this. This is a huge deal for the sport. We are planning on going down to Knoxville a few times before the tournament. I have never been on the lake so it will be good to go and get an idea of what is going on.

Gould: Obviously it gives us a great sense of accomplishment to be in the top 25 in the nation. The way we have done it with last-second fish has made it even more enjoyable. I am sure it was an experience we will remember for the rest of our lives. As for the National Championship, I don’t think you can beat good old time on the water. We intend to get down there a few weekends before the tournament to check out the lay of the land. The fishing conditions won’t be the same as the day of the tournament but taking mental notes will help. Internet research will also play a big part in our approach.

CollegeFishing.com: Tell us something interesting about yourself that most people wouldn’t know.

Dunham: My parents have lived in Hong Kong for the last couple of years. I have been over there a few times. It’s a beautiful country; not many bass though.

Gould: Both when I was a freshman and a senior in high school I got to play baseball in Busch Stadium (St. Louis Cardinals) against another high school team. It was pretty sweet.