‘Therapeutic’: Stamps receiver finds tranquility in fishing off the turf – Calgary
He’s one of many CFL’s prime receivers, however Reggie Begelton can catch extra than simply footballs.
When the Calgary Stampeders’ star is away from the sector, he likes being on water and chasing no matter swims. Two weeks in the past, throughout the staff’s bye, Begelton fished for walleyes at McGregor Lake about 173 kilometres southeast of Calgary.
Subsequent week, when the Stampeders are off once more, he’s hoping to hook some trout on Bow River, roughly 37 kilometres south of the town.
“It offers me a therapeutic out from the actual world,” Begelton stated. “I’m going with no expectations so even when I’ve a nasty day, I’m simply pleased to be on the market.
“If I’ve an ideal day, then that simply makes it extra exhilarating. The entire objective is lively remedy, that’s how I prefer to put it.”
Begelton’s fishing ardour started whereas rising up in Beaumont, Texas.
“I’ve footage from one of many first occasions I went fishing,” he stated. “I had a stringer of fish and I used to be perhaps six, seven years previous.
“After I was child, it was largely put a shrimp on and see no matter bit.”
Begelton stated he switched to reside bait and began concentrating on completely different species as soon as he began fishing together with his dad.
“After I received to varsity (Lamar College), I’d go after apply or class and I picked up fishing synthetic baits. As soon as I did that and realized entice fish, I’ve by no means gone again to bait,” he stated.
“We truly trolled with worms fishing for walleyes (at McGregor Lake) and it was very anticlimactic for me. I used to be like, ‘This isn’t what I actually wished to do,’ however a minimum of I received to knock a species off my record.”
Begelton stated the most important fish he’s caught was a black drum, a saltwater species, that measured 56 inches. Not surprisingly, there’s a narrative that goes together with it.
Learn extra:
Logan scores 2 touchdowns as Stampeders win 49-6 over Elks
“We had been fishing and hooked on to somebody’s rod and reel setup,” Begelton stated with a chuckle. “You possibly can inform they’d simply misplaced it as a result of it hadn’t corroded or something like that.
“I put a lure on it simply to see if it labored and the primary forged is once I hooked that drum and I keep in mind considering, ‘Oh, I feel she nonetheless works.’ I even have video of it.”
The six-foot, 205-pound Begelton is in his fifth season with Calgary, having registered 172 catches for two,529 yards and 14 touchdowns in 39 profession regular-season video games. In 2019, Begelton registered 102 catches for ,1444 yards and 10 TDs en path to being named a West Division all-star.
Begelton, 28, spent elements of two seasons with the NFL’s Inexperienced Bay Packers (2020-21) earlier than rejoining the Stampeders on Nov. 1. He had 9 receptions for 133 yards and a TD in two regular-season video games earlier than registering 5 catches for 105 yards in Calgary’s 33-30 extra time West Division semifinal loss to Saskatchewan.
This season, Begelton has 14 catches for 160 yards and a TD as Calgary (4-0) visits the defending Gray Cup-champion Winnipeg Blue Bombers (5-0) on Friday evening.
Begelton performed 46 video games at Lamar College (2012-15). He graduated as the varsity’s all-time chief in catches (227) and yards (2,435) and second in TD receptions (20).
“Fishing for Reggie is his pastime,” stated Kenny Kim, Begelton’s agent primarily based in Tampa, Fla. “I see footage, movies, on a regular basis of him and his mates having a good time fishing as a bunch.
“It’s outlet for him outdoors of soccer, to get away and clear his thoughts.”
On the subject of fishing, Begelton is at all times open to going after completely different species. Throughout his time at Lamar, Begelton chased largemouth bass and whereas with the Packers he tangled with smallmouth bass.
Begelton’s fishing bucket record additionally consists of northern pike, muskies, sturgeon and halibut, to call however a number of.
“I’ll fish for no matter we’re concentrating on,” he stated. “I’m nonetheless attempting to get my first 30-plus specked trout in order that’s what I’m sort of trying to find now however they’re laborious to get.”
Begelton practises catch-and-release however does take pleasure in maintaining some fish for the desk.
“After I do flounder, I prefer to both bake it or stuff it with crawfish or crabmeat,” he stated. “Redfish I attempt to do on a half shell on the grill or fry it.
“Speckled trout, for me, is baked.”
If Begelton wasn’t a professional soccer participant, he might’ve seen himself significantly exploring choices to turn into an expert angler.
Learn extra:
Rourke, Henry and Jefferson named CFL’s prime performers in Week 3
“If I might drop all the things proper now and do one thing I beloved and knew I’d achieve success and wouldn’t have to fret about funds, it might be professional fishing,” he stated. “If I might get the sponsorships and all the things, I’d be pleased to go to tournaments and I’d love to do this for a residing, completely.
“The factor with match fishing is I wouldn’t say that’s when it turns into a job. It (fishing) turns into a job whenever you’re a information, bringing individuals out and you’ve got that strain of attempting to make them catch fish. I feel it turns into a job then and I don’t assume I’d take pleasure in that in any respect.”
