Whiz Kid: Emma Rowlands of Brandon and the O’Brien’s Trophy for Fishing

Emma Rowlands is a whiz at fishing and took home a trophy March 13 to prove it.

Rowlands, 11, is a member of the O’Brien’s Reel Simple Fishing Club, instituted almost four years ago to teach and promote fishing to boys and girls and adults.

The club is an initiative of the O’Brien’s Irish Pub chain in Brandon, Plant City and Tampa. The Brandon club meets the second Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. at O’Brien’s at 701 West Lumsden Road.

There, on March 13, in a break from the St. Puppy’s Day Parade and dog contest, Rowlands received her trophy from O’Brien’s propreitor Sean Rice, who also is Rowlands’ uncle.

Rice runs both the pub and the fishing club, which teaches the techniques of fishing both in the pub and on the water.

“My Uncle Sean was telling me he does this fishing club so I went out and tried it,” said Rowlands, a student at Kingswood Elementary School. “Ever since then I’ve just loved it.”

Rowland has learned a lot about fishing. For one thing, it takes patience. As she put it: “You can’t just throw your line in and expect a fish to bite.”

One thing necessary is the right bait.

“When you’re catching  snook you need like the greenbacks,” Rowlands explained. “For the trout, you can use spoons. Different types of fish require different types of bait.”

It pays, too, to know for what you’re fishing.

“You can’t bring your bait line if you’re going to be fishing for tarpon,” Rowlands said. “You need the big, heavy duty stuff for tarpon.”

Rowlands gives her uncle, and teacher, high marks.

“Because he makes it fun,” she said. “He’ll incorporate things. He’ll use jokes on us and tell stores about what he’s done as a fisherman.”

Is her uncle a good fisherman?

Rowlands hesitates, then weighs her words carefully.

“Sometimes,” she said, “there you go.”

As for Rowlands, Rice had some ready answers for what made her the club’s 2010 award winner.

“She caught the most fish and the biggest fish,” Rice said, “and she loves fishing.”

Her favorite part about fishing?

“It’s peaceful while I’m on the boat,” Rowlands said. “I’m very relaxed while I’m fishing.”

The O’Brien’s Rell Simple Fishing Club meets the second Monday of the month in Plant City (1701 South Alexander Street) and the second Thursday of the month in Tampa (11744 North Dale Mabry Highway). The Brandon club meets the second Wednesday of the month. All meetings start at 7 p.m.