WASHBURN, Tenn. — It’s swimming season in Tennessee, and many are enjoying the water to beat the heat.
For some, it’s all about soaking up the sun and getting tan lines. But for others, like one young man who recently lost a meaningful item, it can mean losing things like sunglasses and phones in the deep water.
Thirteen-year-old Kendryx Nicley, who has been fishing since he was four, shared his story. Fishing at the lake every weekend with his dad created cherished memories.
“He was pretty happy,” Nicley recalled. “He really enjoyed family time. And he really liked fishing too, when he had his time too, he would.”
In 2022, Kendryx’s dad passed away, leaving him with few possessions. One of the most special items was a fishing pole. However, during a mishap at Norris Lake, Kendryx accidentally lost it.
“I was on our kayaks and I paddled too fast and the wind caught the back of it and it fell off the back of the kayak,” Nicley recounted.
Thinking it was lost forever, Kendryx was surprised when his grandmother reached out to local diver Jason Hopkins for help.
“We don’t just find lost objects,” Hopkins explained. “We reunite items with family members and friends who thought their long-lost treasures might never be found again. Offering this service to our community means the most to me.”
Together with his partner Kedrick McKenzie, Hopkins has made a career out of locating lost items beneath the water’s surface.
“Apple watches are almost as common as rocks under the water,” Hopkins noted.
Precision is key in their work. “The most important thing is knowing where the item went in,” McKenzie added. “We try to get a precise location of where it went in. You know, feet matter underwater.”
After a few minutes of searching, Hopkins successfully located Kendryx’s father’s fishing pole, bringing immense joy to the young boy.
“To see the smile on Kendryx’s face was absolutely priceless,” Hopkins said.