On May 8th and 9th, 2026, the United Special Sportsman Alliance (USSA) hosted its seventh annual fishing trip on Lake Wateree. The event brought together 21 volunteer boats and 34 eager special anglers, many of whom were experiencing the thrill of fishing for the very first time. The weekend kicked off on Friday as families checked into the Holiday Inn before gathering at the Richburg Fire Department for dinner. There, the room buzzed with anticipation as children met the boat captains who would guide them on the water. Following a briefing by USSA South Carolina Representative Justin Whiteside, a heartfelt prayer launched a lively welcome pizza party, setting a powerful tone of community and courage.
The next morning began with high energy as a 30-minute police escort guided the caravan of families to the Lake Wateree Baptist Church. After an enthusiastic greeting from volunteers and captains, a morning prayer set the stage for boarding the boats. A shared sense of adventure united seasoned anglers and first-timers alike as the fleet pushed off into the morning mist, bound for their designated fishing spots.
Ten-year-old Mason perfectly captured the high-stakes suspense of the day. “It was so hard to be patient waiting for a fish to bite! I wanted to catch one quickly!” he shared. To break the waiting game, his captain shared a simple, effective strategy: “We used fish to catch fish.” Mason’s excitement peaked as he watched six poles at once, waiting for the lines to snap taut. “We got a big tug, I was so excited!” he said. The real challenge began when a massive catfish took the bait. “When I was reeling in the big fish, it felt like reeling in five fish in all at the same time!” With assistance from Captain Gauge Peavey, they landed the catfish and erupted in celebration: “We all high-fived and hooped and hollered!!” In total, Mason reeled in nine fish, including a triumphant 35-pound prize. He also cherished learning new skills, adding, “Gauge taught me how to hold the fish with the clamps and without.” For anyone hesitant about hitting the water, Mason offered his advice: “Don’t be afraid. The only downside to them is the slimy feel. Once you properly know how to handle them, they are so fun to catch!”
Yusuf, also 10, enjoyed an equally memorable battle on the water. “I saw the pole moving and shaking hard up and down, and I knew it was a big fish,” he recalled. Bringing it in was no small feat. “It was haaaard to catch—you need to be strong to catch this kind of fish. It was like pulling a truck! It needed two big people and me to pull.” Undeterred by the struggle, Yusuf kept his focus: “I was not scared, I am strong. It was my first time doing this, but it was fine.” Landing the fish required ultimate teamwork. “The fish tried to escape, but Captain Jason Clinton got his net, and I held the pole with him, and we did not let it go. When we got it in the boat, I celebrated with my mom and sister, and we took a lot of pictures and videos.” Beyond the thrill of the catch, Yusuf fell in love with the lake’s serenity, noting how quiet and open the water felt. By the end of the day, Yusuf caught five small fish and one nearly 10-pound giant by mastering his gear. “The coolest thing Mr. Clinton taught me is how to release the line,” Yusuf said. “At the end, I was able to do it, and I caught two small fish by myself. We put the big fish back in the lake. I am so happy it is still alive.”
Meanwhile, 10-year-old Henry discovered that the secret to success was utilizing live bait fish, which proved completely irresistible to the local catfish. “It was exciting when we caught catfish,” Henry said. “It seemed rougher on the pole, like they were stronger than the striper and other fish I’ve caught. It felt like it was trying to pull as hard as I could, like tug of war.” Alongside Captain Corey, Henry pulled off an unbelievable feat, reeling in a 4-pound catfish as part of a staggering 101-fish total—consisting of 40 bait fish off the back of the boat and 61 fish on his pole. Captain Corey shared vital angling wisdom along the way, teaching Henry to bounce and pop the pole to jerk it and catch the fish’s attention. For Henry, the day was filled with joy both on and off the reel, especially “meeting Captain Corey and pretending to fly as we drove the boat back in for lunch.” Reflecting on his success, Henry added, “Captain Corey said to catch one more to make sure I got them all!” To anyone nervous about the fish themselves, Henry offered a neat science fact: “The whiskers are barnacles, and they use their skin and barnacles to taste their environment. They are actually pretty cool.”
After an exhilarating five-hour fishing excursion, the families and captains gathered back on shore for a well-earned lunch. The excitement carried into the afternoon as each child was presented with their very own fishing rod and tackle box—a permanent memento of their triumph on the water. The joy and profound sense of accomplishment were written on every face, proving the weekend’s lasting impact.
An event of this scale is made possible only by the deep dedication of a compassionate community. Sincere gratitude goes out to Justin Whiteside, the volunteer captains, the operational staff, and the Richburg Fire Department. Special thanks are also extended to the generous donors and sponsors whose ongoing contributions make this incredible day possible year after year.
Congratulations to all the families on their incredible catches and the beautiful moments shared with their captains. This weekend was about far more than just fishing; it was a masterclass in overcoming challenges, building unbreakable confidence, and discovering new joys together. The day perfectly reflected the community’s strength, kindness, and pure happiness found in connecting with others. As the sun set over Lake Wateree, everyone left with more than just fishing rods and tackle boxes—they carried home lifelong friendships, cherished memories, and the newfound courage to tackle any adventure. God bless!