Kids and fishing go hand in hand. Most of us have fond memories of fishing at very young ages with friends, family, and others in our local communities, often being taught how to fish by our mentors. Fishing can truly do wonders and work some magic in a kid’s early life, creating memories that last a lifetime.
Recently, CCA California (CCA CAL), Sportfishing Association of California (SAC), the California Department of Fish & Wildlife (CDFW), and the Captain Rollo’s Kids at Sea Program partnered to put together four kids trips throughout the summer. Each one of these organizations had important roles: SAC and Friends of Rollo being the sponsors, CCA CAL gathering volunteers, and CDFW providing the education piece to teach these kids about biodiversity, conservation and an overview of how to be successful and respectful while on the water.
In June, we were on the Dana Pride out of Dana Wharf Sportfishing and took about 30 kids from Olive Crest, an organization dedicated to helping kids who have been neglected or abused in the past, out on a half day trip fishing mainly for bass. Each one of the kids and even the volunteers had a great time out on the water, and most of the kids managed to catch their very first fish and then some.
We moved up the coast to Long Beach, California to take another 20 kids on the City of Long Beach out of Pierpoint Landing. Like the previous group, these kids were ecstatic to pull on sculpin all day long, and there were quite a bit of smiling faces and lasting memories for each one of these kids.
And finally, all four organizations put on the final two trips in San Diego on the Dolphin out of Fisherman’s Landing.
Per the usual with kids trips, it was amazing to witness each one be excited and grateful for their trip on the water. One volunteer even commented how just watching the kids hook up and get to experience some joy out of it made their week. These feelings, the joy from the kids catching the fish, along with the volunteers who get to witness it and teach them general skills are the ultimate goal in these trips. It truly is what fishing is all about, no matter how old, young, neglected or fortunate someone might be.
To learn more about our kids trips, or to become a volunteer, please visit ccacalifornia.org.
