14-Year-Old Angler Wins $25,000 Fishing Scholarship

CCA Star’s Leiza Fitzgerald and Realtree’s Scott Hughes present Wyatt Clyce with a $25,000 scholarship. (Photo by Tira Clyce)

During the height of the Covid-19 Pandemic, Tira Clyce yearned for a quality outdoor experience. A busy mother of three, Tira had watched as her children fell into the modern day version of boredom.

“They spent all of their time sitting around on their phones. I wanted something better for my kids,” she said. A kid’s fishing event caught her eye. Anyone was welcome to attend, Tira recalled, and the free clinic introduced neighborhood youth to the outdoors, promising a safe, wholesome environment. “We didn’t catch anything,” Tira remembered with a chuckle, “but we got to keep the giveaway rods.”

Wyatt Clyce, winner of the STAR’s top scholarship prize, shows off a nice redfish. (Photo by Tira Clyce)

Once home that evening, Tira’s son Wyatt unpacked his free fishing pole and decided to try his luck at the neighborhood pond. That innocent event would forever change his life.

“Wyatt caught a bass!” Tira said. “We were stunned; it was incredible. Our first fish.”

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That initial catch lit a fire for fishing in Wyatt, and Tira seized on the moment. Within weeks, the family was on the beach attending a surf fishing clinic. Instantly, they were hooked. Surf fishing was something the entire Clyce family could enjoy, with no boat required and relatively little gear. Living near the beach allowed for short fishing trips whenever time allowed. Tira reached out to friends and neighbors who were interested in the same activities and before long, a fishing club was born.

Tira Clyce started a 4-H fishing club with friends and neighbors who were interested in the sport. (Photo by Tira Clyce)

“I witnessed what fishing was doing for my kids. It was amazing. There was no youth fishing club in St. Johns county, so I started one through 4-H,” she said.

For Tira, the big draw to fishing has always been witnessing a kid’s first catch. “It’s magical,” she confirmed, just as it was with Wyatt. More than 30 youth anglers now make up the club. A special bond exists when young Wyatt plays the role of instructor, communicating on a uniquely effective “kid-to-kid” level. Frequently, parents tag along to outings in order to learn a few fishing tricks themselves.

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Soon Wyatt branched out, entering the CCA STAR tournament as a surf-only angler. While that may seem a handicap to some, the unique format of the tournament gives Wyatt an equal chance to log catches as anglers in boats have. In short order, the young angler bagged nearly 30 entries for catches of whiting, pompano, and redfish. Early this year, he learned he’d won the STAR’s top scholarship prize of $25,000, eligible to be used at any college or trade school of his choice. “When we got the call, we couldn’t believe it,” Tira recalled. “I was in total shock. I just remember repeating how hard Wyatt had worked for this, and how grateful we both were.”

A busy mother of three, Tira Clyce enjoys surf fishing with her children. (Photo by Tira Clyce)

Such a significant award will certainly change Wyatt’s life, but not as much as that first fish. Today, he remains fascinated with the sport of fishing.

“As you fish more and more, you notice so many things you can improve on,” he insisted. “There’s so much out there on the beach, from tides to current to breaks. You can never learn it all.”

Here’s to lifetime of trying, Wyatt. Realtree Fishing is a proud presenting sponsor of the CCA Florida STAR tournament.