Fishing lure: Jason Ray loves fishing. He spends as much time as possible in a boat, with his line in the water. Working with an experienced guide based in Forks, on weekends he helps lead fishing trips on the Olympic Peninsula. He practices fly-fishing casting on his driveway. The trees in the yard are littered with his flies. “I absolutely love being outdoors. The one place I’d rather be than anywhere else is with wildlife, on the water.”
Fishing school: Jason earns credit for an occupational education class by watching fishing shows, reading fishing magazines and practicing his sport. As part of a carpentry class at Lynnwood High School, he’s helped build a house from foundation to finish. When he graduates from high school, if he can’t work full-time as a fishing guide, he plans to supplement his income as a carpenter.
Slipper school: Jason used to attend school at an academy run by the church he attends, Christ Church Kirkland.He was struggling academically there, and moved to the Edmonds Homeschool Resource Center at the start of his sophomore year because he wanted to take Running Start classes at Edmonds Community College. Now he spends half his time at home taking classes from his mother, and the other half at the center, college or at Lynnwood High School. “I love it. You’re at home able to work at your pace in slippers and pajamas next to the fire instead of freezing your butt off at school. The surroundings are a lot better, more relaxed. As long as you don’t procrastinate, you’re all right.”
Alaskan cook: Jason spent last summer cooking for anglers at a deluxe fishing camp on the Nushagak River in southwest Alaska. He piloted an 18-foot boat across Bristol Bay and saw beluga whales up close. He also had a close encounter with a Kodiak brown bear that was chasing a moose and her calf along a bank where he was fishing.
Mink history: The Rays’ house sits on land in Kenmore that was used for a mink farm decades ago. People could drive up and buy a pelt without leaving their car. The family of five lives next door to Jason’s grandparents and aunt and uncle, and are surrounded by families from Christ Church Kirkland.
Strumming strings: Jason learned to play the guitar by experimenting with his sister’s acoustic guitar and by watching a “how to” show on TV. He eventually took band and now also plays electric guitar. He’s played for 4½ years. He prefers alternative or classic rock.
Guitar hero: Andy Timmons is Jason’s favorite guitarist. “He has a very different style from most other guitarists. He’s a very detailed guitarist so every note is clear and smooth. I love listening to his music.”
Kaitlin Manry: 425-339-3292, kmanry@heraldnet.com.
Know a super kid?: E-mail schoolfyi@heraldnet.com.
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