Sam Gurney

Sam Gurney, a 2023 Vision Fellow and MVRHS graduate, is studying wildlife and fisheries science at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville this fall. Sam has a deep affinity for the Island’s freshwater habitats and especially its up-Island rivers. Sam serves as a mentor to young children who want to learn how to fish, with the hope of instilling in them his desire to protect and preserve these ecosystems. Sam considers Cooper Gilkes of Coop's Bait and Tackle as one of his greatest mentors. After Sam’s father passed, Cooper nurtured Sam’s passion for fishing and his love for the Island and this community.