2023 South Bay Fishing in the City
Written by the Lost Anchovy March 28, 2023
The first time I felt the tug of a fish on my fishing line was from a catfish. It came on a discounted rod and reel combo that was donated to my family from a local church. We were refugees escaping a war torn country. We didn’t have much. We were fortunate to have a roof over our heads and dinner on the table each day. Fishing was a past time, but it was also a means to put food on the table.
I look back with great fondest during those early years. Fishing was a great past time, but it also allowed by brother and I to bond with our dad and uncles. Fishing brought our family together and helped build irreplaceable memories.
I was lucky my dad and uncles were decent fisherman who taught me the basics of fishing, but that isn’t always the case for every child. As the cliche goes, “It takes an entire village to raise a child”. Not everyone will have the basic skills to tie a knot, bait a hook or cast a line, in order to get an opportunity to get their first fish, but in the era of open information and great programs like the South Bay Fishing in the city, the opportunities to build those lasting memories, and spark life long a love for the outdoors and fishing is available to all kids — As it should be.
Since 1995, the South Bay Fishing in the City program teaches thousands of kids between the ages of 5-15 learn how to fish! The program provides basis skills as tying knots, baiting a hook, and casting a line in addition to promoting a sense of environmental stewardship for our wild life.
The South Bay Fishing in the City program is a collaborative partnership between the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Rotary San Jose, City of San Jose, Santa Clara County Parks, and the Bay Area Sports Fishers Club in San Jose. Prior to event day the program stocks over 1,500 lbs of trout in preparation for the families and kids.
One of the sponsoring clubs, the Bay Area Sports fisher (BASC) members donated their time and refreshments towards the event. BASC is a group of dedicated anglers located in the south bay that encourages ethical and responsible fishing.
BASC is a special club that supports and volunteers alongside several organizations that teach kids how to fish throughout the year, such as Fishing in the City, C.A.S.T. and Boy Scouts of America. We are a social fishing club that welcomes anyone with the passion to fish no matter the skill level. We believe in building a community of friends that share the love for fishing”, said Jessica Choi Vice President of Bay Area Sports Fishers Club
The event brought over 100 parents, kids and families out on a rainy day to give their luck a try. The fishing was difficult but it taught these tough kids the important life skills of patience and persistence! A valuable life skill in any walk of life. Each participant was also provided with a free small tackle box that they could bring home after complimentary of the program.
The fishing in the city events happen through out the spring, summer and into the fall months at various location in the Bay Area and through out the state so there are plenty of opportunities for young anglers and their families to participate.
For more information about the program visit the Santa Clara Parks and Recreation website at https://parks.sccgov.org/south-bay-fishing-city or https://wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing-in-the-City
Schedule of summer events
Good stewardship of our oceans, bays, rivers and lakes begins at an early age. Comprehensive programs like these offer kids the opportunity to learn how to fish, and instills the importance of environmental stewardship. At the end of the day it is still the angler, kid or adult, against the fish, but kids catching fish … Who doesn’t like that? I sure did as a kid with my family. Now other kids will have the same opportunity with programs like these supported by organization like BASC, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and local government programs.