(Editor’s note: Leading up to the 2011 National Guard FLW College Fishing National Championship, slated to be held April 7-9 on Kentucky Lake at Murray State University, CollegeFishing.com will be publishing semiweekly feature stories highlighting the 25 national championship qualifiers. At stake in the tournament is a first-place prize package worth $100,000 as well as a chance for the winning team to compete in the 2011 Forrest Wood Cup.)
Class: Junior
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Hometown: Hemphill, Texas
Other interests: I’m interested in golf, chess, hunting and I’m also an avid reader.
Class: Senior
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Hometown: Montgomery, Texas
Other interests: Deer and duck hunting, church
Club Web site: LUfishing.com
Q&A
CollegeFishing.com: How were you introduced to fishing?
Iles: I have been fishing for as long as I can remember. My dad and uncle used to take me fishing all the time while I was growing up and they introduced me to fishing in general. My stepdad – who is a full time fishing guide on lakes Sam Rayburn and Toledo Bend as well as a tournament angler on several different regional and national tournament circuits – is responsible for introducing me to tournament fishing and a wide variety of fishing techniques. For my sixth birthday I was given my first real fishing rod. And that very afternoon I went fishing and caught my first 5-pound bass on Toledo Bend.
Morrison: My older brother has always been a big fisherman and he got me interested in it. He taught me how to cast a baitcaster in our backyard. My grandfather also used to take me out fishing on Sam Rayburn and I really got into the sport after I caught a 4.5-pounder. My love and addiction to fishing couldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for my father though. When I started having a passion for the sport, dad bought a boat and he would take me whenever I wanted to go. I couldn’t have been where I’m at now without him. His support of my passion is the only reason I’m getting the opportunity to fish in the National Championship.
CollegeFishing.com: What style/method of fishing are you most comfortable with?
Iles: I am most comfortable when fishing around submerged or visible vegetation, preferably hydrilla. I have the most confidence flipping and pitching jigs and soft plastics into the grass.
Morrison: I am most comfortable with power fishing techniques and covering a lot of water.
CollegeFishing.com: What did it feel like to qualify for the 2011 FLW College Fishing National Championship? How do you plan to prepare for the big event?
Iles: To be honest, I never gave qualifying for the National Championship a thought until after the regional. My partner and I were mostly interested in winning the regional with the mindset of worrying about the National Championship afterwards. I plan on approaching the championship with an open mind and with a trip to Kentucky Lake before the off-limits period in order to learn how to navigate the lake.
Morrison: It felt incredible to qualify for the National Championship, especially considering that I am a senior this year. Hopefully Danny and I will be able to get up to Kentucky and get some practice in.
CollegeFishing.com: Tell us something interesting about yourself that most people wouldn’t know.
Iles: I began taking guided fishing trips through my families business at the age of 15, even before I was able to get a fishing license. My best day of tournament fishing came in 2008 on Lake Sam Rayburn when I caught a 34.38-pound five-fish limit.
Morrison: I am getting married in October 201l.
