By: Peyton Elder ’25 and C.J Wasson ’25
This past June, members of the St. Paul’s Fishing Club, alongside more than 30 other boats, participated in the 7th Annual Casey Cares Rockfish Tournament on the Chesapeake Bay. The club, led by their faculty advisor Mr. Jake Talmage, a college counselor at St. Paul’s, consisted of nine student anglers and their captain, Frank Updike Sr., of the F.V. Natural Light. Together, they represented the school’s spirit of camaraderie, competition, and charity.
The Casey Cares Foundation is a Maryland-based nonprofit that provides palliative care experiences to critically ill children and their families. Unlike other organizations, Casey Cares focuses on creating moments of joy not only for the child but for the entire family, offering experiences like sports games, concerts, and more. The annual Rockfish Tournament is a special event that combines fishing with fundraising, with a portion of the competition dedicated to the “Captain’s Challenge,” where boats compete to raise the most money for the cause.
The St. Paul’s Fishing Club made an impressive contribution, raising approximately $3,000 from 25 supporters, earning them fifth place overall in the Captain’s Challenge. Reflecting on the experience, Casey Burkom (‘25) shared, “I enjoyed the charter trip as it was a great chance to bond with the guys in the club, specifically the younger guys I didn’t know as well, while raising money for Casey Cares.”
On the day of the tournament, the club’s journey began at Kentmorr Marina with a two-hour boat ride to the Patapsco River near Fort McHenry. The anglers used live bait to attract the prized rockfish, and their efforts paid off with an impressive haul. In just four hours, the team caught around 30 fish, including nine keeper rockfish, all meeting the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ regulations of being longer than 19 inches but shorter than 24 inches.
Unlike traditional fishing tournaments, the Casey Cares Rockfish Tournament relies on photo submissions for fish measurements rather than scales. Each boat was assigned a playing card, which had to be included in the photo of the fish alongside a measuring tool. This system ensured a fair and transparent competition, with the winner determined by the longest fish rather than the heaviest.
While the St. Paul’s team didn’t take home the prize for the biggest fish, their boat stood out as one of the most successful in terms of total catches. Every member had the chance to reel in fish, making it a memorable experience for all. Beyond the fishing, the day served as an opportunity for students to strengthen bonds and connect across grade levels. Mr. Talmage praised the students for their teamwork and enthusiasm, noting the importance of blending fun with philanthropy.
The club’s efforts in the tournament exemplify the values of St. Paul’s School—community engagement, leadership, and a commitment to helping others. With such a successful event behind them, the members of the Fishing Club are already looking forward to future opportunities to make an impact both on and off the water.
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