Clarington fishing pals qualify for U.S. Open Amateur Championships

A couple of Clarington anglers who got hooked on fishing when they were kids are getting their chance at the big time after winning the DT Power Sports Team of the Year honours this past weekend, qualifying them for the U.S. Open National Bass Fishing Amateur Championships in November.

Cooper Gallant and Danny McGarry started fishing together in high school and have been winning tournaments ever since. Their first major notch on their belt was the FLW Canadian Championships in 2016 when they were still teenagers and they have added to their totals in recent years, including the Ontario BASS Nation Championships on Rice Lake last year and two events this year – a Canadian Sports Fishing League event on Rice Lake and the Canadian Open on Lake Simcoe.

Gallant, now 23, grew up in Bowmanville and has travelled to places such as Namibia and Brazil in search of the big one. He is also very active on YouTube and other social media channels. His partner McGarry, who lives in Newtonville, is just as accomplished and shares Gallant’s passion for the sport and his dream of becoming a regular on the professional Bassmaster circuit.

The U.S. Open will be held on Table Rock Lake near Branson, Missouri from November 19-21.