VIDEO: Catalina Island 5th graders go fishing

Captain John Talsky from Island with the Catalina Island Seabass Fund put on their annual 4^th and 5^th grade fishing adventure on Tuesday. The Toronado took off from Pierpoint Landing in Long Beach with over 30 volunteers from the Phil Friedman Youth Outdoor Program on Monday evening and headed to Avalon where they were to meet over 100 anxious kids. Talsky believes that it’s not only important that kids learn how to fish but they also learn how to do it responsibly.

“Conservation, care for our precious seas, becoming good stewards to the ocean is what this is all about,” said Talksy. “A day on the water like this can be the catalyst that changes a child’s direction in life; I’m just honored to be a part of it.”

It may seem ironic to many that taking kids fishing form Catalina is even necessary. While many children are born and raised with a fishing rod in their hands, for many, this annual trip is their very first fishing adventure.

Tuesday was a beautiful day to be on the water. Flat calm, sunny, warm and lots of fish biting. The kids caught blue perch, opaleye, mackerel, rockfish, sheepshead, and many other species. The trip was all catch a release so after admiring their prize, the kids got to watch their catch swim away unharmed.

An enormous pod of dolphin came to play off the Toronado to the amazement of the children. They watched as the agile mammals bow surfed and darted back and forth in front of the 75-foot sportboat. Every once in a while, one of the dolphin would jump clear out of the water to the cheers of new admirers on deck.

For Adrian Hernandez, this trip was even more special. Hernandez had told his boss in Beaumont, Texas who much he wanted to be with his son on this trip. He boss said what are you waiting for? Go. Hernandez made the trip and was emotional about what it meant to him. “My son means more to me than anything and I really miss him,” said Hernandez. “This has been a beautiful trip; a trip that has brought us closer together.”

Talsky is now working with Philip Friedman Outdoors Youth to produce a booklet so that the experience becomes even richer. The book will include information on the kinds of fish that they are likely to catch as well as a message of conservation. “We want to see this great adventure continue for many years to come and just get better and better,” said Talsky. With the Catalina Seabass Fund and John Talsky involved, there is little doubt that the future is bright.

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