Hooked

Hooked

Owen Heffernan, Staff Writer

If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to be so passionate that you begin to do it every day, just ask Liam Gay-Killeen about fishing.
Liam is a senior, and ever since he was little Gay-Killeen has become more and more of a dedicated fisherman. His favorite part he says is, “Just being out there and being alone with the fish.”
It all started last spring and summer. He began to go more and more and became addicted. “During the summer, everyday. I love to go in the evening. Now it’s just whenever it’s the warmest… Going at dusk is the best time,” says Liam.
Gay-Killeen has surrounded himself with the fishing life. It doesn’t end with the multiple times a week trips. Gay-Killeen works at Postfly, a fly fishing company on Route One in Newbury. He says, “ It is basically like a fly fishing subscription box company. I make boxes, pack boxes, make flys, whatever they need me to do. It is pretty fun hanging out with other fishermen.” Each box comes with flies, fly fishing accessories and more. Each month is different and geared toward species and current season.
On top of his job, Liam loves to rep some of his favorite fishing brands both while out fishing and walking the halls of Triton. “For fishing clothes, Tackle Warehouse is one of the classics. They sell tackle but they also have their own clothes and stuff. Big fan. Mystery Tackle Box which is like a subscription box but for not fly fishing. They make some awesome shirts. Fayettechill, which I have on right now. It is based out of Fayetteville, Arkansas, and they are an outdoors company that makes cool shirts with fish on them”, Gay-Killeen said. He has gotten his trips down to a science. Not only does he have his special spot in Ipswich, but he even has specific food he eats when he’s out casting away. Pop-Tarts, Mountain Dew, and cinnamon buns to name a few.
However Liam has taken his fishing to the next level by sharing his tips and trips through his own “social media platform”, FishWagoners.
“We started FishWagoners about a year ago. It is just me and my friend Victor and we make fishing videos. We do it because we love it and it is just fun to make videos and makes posts and everything”, Liam said.
You can find FishWagoners on YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter. Their account may be good for anyone looking to get into fishing. Liam said, “… do a little research, find a good spot and just keep at it. Once you start catching some or catch something big it becomes pretty addicting.”
Triton senior and fellow winter track teammate Christopher Brennan when asked about fishing with Gay-Killeen said, “Going with Liam is very fun because fishing can be very frustrating so it’s always better to have someone to just hangout with, especially when he knows what he is doing”. Gay-Killeen has also helped Brennan become a better fisherman. Brennan said, “He’s taught me that you can always resort to worms and you will never have a good day of fishing more than two days in a row”.
In the near future, Liam is looking to go to Rhode Island and Lake Champlain in Vermont. Along with that, he is planning a larger trip to Idaho in the next year or so.


Liam with one his biggest smallmouth bass (Liam courtesy photo)