It started as a whimsical news release: an 11-year-old boy skipped school and everyone knew where to find him.
Jamie Taylor was at his favourite fishing hole at the Speed River, shirtles, soaked, smiling and holding a huge fish he had caught.
The boy had broken his fishing pole catching the fish.
Police admonished him for leaving school at lunch and not returning, gave him a ride home and then went and replaced the broken fishing pole.
"The officer gave the boy his new gear and he is now ‘o'fish'ally’ ready for the weekend," said the police report, which caught the attention of media across the province.
The story didn't end there.
Taylor ended up getting an invite to attend the Guelph Outdoor School's Thursday Foxes and Wolves program, a scholarship covering the cost so he could foster his inner curiosity in nature.
“My dad taught me how to fish,” Taylor told GuelphToday.
“I’m really grateful to be here because my mom doesn’t have enough money. So I’m really grateful for that.”
