Submitted by rochelle on Tue, 2014-10-07 15:31 TU Teens Youth Camps & Academies Vote Up Down +12 + TU Essay Winner Jackson.jpg Our second honorable mention this year is an essay by Jackson, who has been both a camper and a mentor at the Georgia TU camp. We loved hearing about camp from his perspective, and hearing how that perspective changed as his role at camp changed. --- My Camp: Georgia Trout Camp My TU Chapter: Foothills My Favorite Streams: Chattahoochee River headwaters The Best Part of Being Outdoors: The scenery, tranquility, and excitement. Oh and the fish! On the Last Day of Camp by Jackson On the last day of camp, as the fog lifts off Betty’s Creek, a place the campers and I know too well, I can’t help but think of everything this camp has done for me. All the experiences, laughs, friendships, all the excitement linger with the fog. As my mind begins to wander, my camper hooks a fish, and I snap back to reality, all my attention on landing this fish. The fish is netted, a wide grin spreads on my camper’s face, there is no better feeling. It was 2011 when I attended trout camp as a camper. I was not a stranger to fly fishing; however, I was far from proficient. Throughout the week I was taught how to execute a fly cast, roll cast, how to mend, tie a uni- knot, blood knot, triple surgeon’s, improved clinch and much more. All the time developing friendships, and a deeper appreciation, which later became a love, for the sport of fly-fishing and a reverence in my heart for the cool streams our quarry calls home. Every morning at the crack of dawn, we would wake to the most horrendous--and in my years as a mentor, beautiful--sound of a hawk call. We would then begin our learning, and fishing. As we went through the week, each day was filled with more excitement than the last. With each day that passed some sadness was present, as I knew that soon I would be headed home. The week drawing to its end. On Friday, all the campers, myself included, gathered for our graduation ceremony. A few short minutes later to bid a final farewell, I knew I would be back. As I climbed into the car with my mother, I took with me a special place in my heart for Trout Camp. Three years later, this year was my second as a mentor, I can say without a doubt, if there is anything better than your first fish on the fly at trout camp, it is helping, guiding, and teaching someone when they catch theirs. Seeing them smile ear to ear as they lift its slick, silvery, glistening body from the water (for a short time of course). Being there as they revive the fish and it quickly darts into the deep. A true blessing comes not only from the catching of a fish, but from how they care for it. The pride you see in their faces stays in your memory, when you tell them that the fish they just released may be another camper’s first fish. In my years as a mentor, I have developed many friendships with other mentors, both youth and adult, as well as campers. These friendships remain strong, and each year, without fail become rekindled again each year. Trout camp is all about friendships, fishing and, of course, conservation. All these come together to provide a magical experience for anyone involved. It is a magical experience to catch your first fish. It is a magical experience to witness someone catch their first fish. It a magical experience to be with friends. Trout camp is all of these things and so much more. Because I cannot sum up everything that trout camp means to me, I hope it will not be too much of an understatement to say that trout camp is simply, magical.