Jake Chauncy stands on the cusp of beginning his career as a professional angler. Making this dream happen was not an overnight affair.
"My mother (Donna Wilson) took me fishing at grandpa's farm," he said. "Early on, though, it was farm ponds. I never went on a boat on a lake until much later, around age 16 or 17. My Dad (Donald Chauncy) bought a jon boat and we started fishing on Millwood."
Chauncy considers the Millwood Lake experience where his fishing life really started.
"I did that a couple of years," he said. "During my senior year in high school, dad and I did our first team tournaments. You could say I was 'hooked' at that point. I discovered not only this type of fishing, but my competitive streak."
When Chauncy went off to college, he played football with Southeastern Oklahoma State University.
"The team there was the sort of football team that teams from bigger schools would invite for exhibition-style games," he said. "We usually didn't win those, but we had fun."
As Chauncy approached the end of his senior year, he saw football coming to an end, but with months left in his college time.
"With the football season ending, I realized I needed something to sink my competitive teeth into," he said. "In 2010, college fishing was brand new. I decided to look into something like that for my school. FLW (Fishing League Worldwide) advised me to start a college club. So I founded the team for SOSU. I only got to fish with the club until I graduated. But the club is still around and going strong."
Chauncy entered the working world as a safety engineer. After 10 and a half years of that, his company restructured and he found himself as an independent consultant.
"I did that for some time, but then I got an invite from NPFL (National Professional Fishing League)," he said. "While I had been working as an engineer, I had been participating in tournaments on the amateur level, as well as fishing as much as I could. When my invitation arrived, the time had come."
Chauncy has gotten several local sponsors on his team. His first competition is in March.
"Achieving a dream, that's exciting," he said. "It is scary, but I've got a great support system. My family, my wife Jessica, my kids. They are all excited about this."
For those contemplating the fishing hobby, Chauncy asks what level do you want to get to?
"If you want to compete professionally, the best advice I can give, get as much time on the water as you can," he said. "There is no replacement for that. For kids who are interested in the hobby, give it a shot. Visit a local club, go fishing with your dad. Try it. You might like it. And you'll make some memories, spending time with your family."