In the downpour, Dean and Pete Rahas embarked on a fishing trip to Hinckley Lake, undeterred by the weather. As the rain continued to pour, they found themselves in a calm yet determined state of mind, ready to take on whatever the evening had in store. Despite the conditions, their perseverance paid off. The duo managed to hook sixty crappie throughout the evening, a true show of their skill and dedication.
Their combined love for the sport is what pushed them to create this club, uniting every grade and groups of student fisherman for all of them to share this passion and have time for their hobbies.
The fishing club was brought to Revere High School (RHS) by teacher fishermen who keep their passion close to their hearts. Throughout its time, the club has hosted many competitions and informational days with students who share a love for fishing. Led by passionate anglers like Jeff Johnson and the Rahas brothers who spread their ideas and motivations behind the sport.
Jeff Johnson, a teacher at Richfield Elementary and a fisherman, like the Rahas brothers, sees fishing as more than just a hobby; it is a passion that runs deep, driving them to endure the elements with the goal of the perfect catch.
From a young age, many anglers have these early memories with their family that sparked their love for fishing. Dean Rahas also shares a similar upbringing in outdoor life.
“We’ve been tournament fishing for years. We started just going to Hinckley and catching crappies, [which was] real basic. We still fish for crappie, even though we’re hardcore, tournament bass fishermen,” Dean Rahas said.
Dean Rahas also reflected on his fishing journey early in his life, highlighting the evolution from pulling in small fish to winning tournaments. Starting with simple trips to Hinckley to catch crappie, both Rahas brothers have kept their passion for simpler fishing. Their love for fishing sparked the creation of the fishing club at RHS. Johnson explains how Rahas asked him to help advise the club alongside him.
“I was asked by [Pete] Rahas. I fish against him [and his brother] a lot throughout the year. We learned that we both taught in the same district and he asked me to be a part of the fishing club — and I couldn’t resist. I think the fishing club is an amazing thing. I love coming, and I wish I could come every day to the fishing club. Revere is very lucky to have a guy like Mr. Rahas to want to do this as a club for the students,” Johnson said.
Johnson reflects on his introduction to the fishing club, sharing how Pete Rahas invited him to join. Rahas’s invitation stayed with Johnson, who found the idea of the club irresistible. Pete Rahas and Johnson both feel a true passion for fishing and try to do as much as possible to carry this passion.
“We’re both just fishing fanatics. I mean, it’s an obsession,” Dean Rahas said.
Dean Rahas described himself and his brother as fishing enthusiasts, emphasizing their shared obsession with the sport. This passion for fishing has strengthened their bond and their commitment to the fishing club and their tournament goals. Their partners during fishing and tournaments are like-minded people searching for the same thrill.
“A lot of my partners are guys that I grew up with. And it’s always important, I tell all my students, my classes, to try to surround themselves with good people, and like-minded people. And those are the type of relationships you want to have for the rest of your life,” Pete Rahas said.
Pete Rahas notes that many of his fishing partners are friends from his earlier fishing career. Creating these relationships is something he advises his students to do as well. Along with these relationships, finding something like fishing that you truly love to do is something he pushes.
“A phrase I always say [is] ‘get your mind right.’ My vacations get my mind right and going fishing gets my mind right. If I can get out of the very hectic day to go fishing, it brings a lot of peace. And you [have] got to look for those things. You [have] got to have those things at least ready in your life. Because life is hectic enough, you need things that are going to bring that peace,” Pete Rahas said.
This quote sits close to him and is what he preaches to his students to help them find their peaceful activities as well.
“Bass fishing is some of the most peaceful times in my life, even when I’m out there by myself sometimes,” Pete Rahas said.
This solitude allows him to connect with nature and himself, providing a sense of peace when he is out on the water alone. Fishing is a significant part of Pete Rahas’s life along with Johnson sharing the same feelings when out on the water.
“Fishing is my life outside of school. I am a father and a husband first, but my whole life is centered around being outside, in the outdoors. I meet a ton of awesome people through fishing and now I have a giant list of people that I can network with. Fishing teaches you integrity and patience, and can drive you crazy all at the same time,” Johnson said.
Johnson’s love for fishing goes beyond personal enjoyment, creating their roles in the Revere fishing club. Their passion has strengthened their friendship but also influenced their approach to teaching students as well. Johnson sees fishing as a way to form valuable connections. Every day their passion for fishing is expressed, whether it be watching fishing tournaments or being out on the water, they try to get involved every day.
“I don’t think a day goes by that I don’t do something that involves fishing. Whether I watch a YouTube video [or] whether I watch a fishing tournament, every day I do something with fishing,” Dean Rahas said.
Dean Rahas expresses the depth of his passion for fishing, it is a constant presence in his daily life. This dedication allows the teachers to keep their goals in sight, whether it is winning tournaments or landing a trophy fish.
“Win win win and keep winning. You cannot win every tournament, but you can always try your best. My goals are just being able to fish tournaments at a high level with my best friends and family,” Johnson said.
Johnson displays a winning mentality in fishing. His goal is to aim for success while recognizing that winning every tournament is not always possible. He prioritizes doing his best and cherishing the opportunity to fish alongside his best friends. Each fish caught has its way of motivating Johnson and anglers alike to keep fishing, even when it is someone else’s catch.
“Every fish is just as exciting as the first one, but I get more of a thrill seeing other people catch fish. I know what it did for me and does for me, and I see what it does for them,” Dean Rahas said.
Rahas finds equal excitement in every fish he catches, keeping the thrill as if it were his first. However, he gets even more joy from seeing others catch fish. Having experienced the power of fishing personally, he enjoys seeing others find the same fulfillment in the sport. This excitement fuels the motivation to make changes on the fly while fishing.
The importance of flexibility and adaptability in fishing is huge. Dean notes that conditions can change quickly. This requires anglers to adjust their strategies on the move. Being open-minded and willing to adapt is key to success in the changing environment of fishing.
“We [have] got to be flexible. . . . You [have] got to be able to adjust. And you have to be open-minded. Because what you did in practice, fishing changes, weather, water level, all that stuff changes,” Dean Rahas said.
As they watched their bobbers in the water, each dip below the surface brought excitement. The thrill of the chase, the anticipation of a bite, and the satisfaction of a successful catch made every moment memorable. For Dean Rahas, Pete Rahas and Jeff Johnson fishing is not just about pulling in fish, it is about embracing the challenges, enjoying the journey and celebrating the victories, no matter how small.
