Quite unexpectedly, the sixth annual Young Anglers Tournament held yesterday on the Shelter Island Pier drew some international fishermen.
The Paoleschi family from Florence, Italy, staying across the street at Humphrey's Half Moon Inn and Suites, ventured onto to the pier when the Paoleschi kids saw everyone fishing.
“We never fished in Italy, but we always wished to fish,” said Christina Paoleschi, who was joined by her husband, Cesare, and children, Luisa, 11, Chiara, 9, and Lapo, 4.
They were welcomed with wide-open reels, expected at a free tournament sponsored by the International Game Fish Association and the San Diego Sportfishing Council. IGFA Trustee Michael Farrior of Rancho Santa Fe, who was accompanied by his wife, Susan, said the Florida-based organization represents 120 nations. The IGFA is to fishing what the USGA is to golf.
“We have close to 100 kids, our largest turnout ever,” Farrior said. “This is part of our plan to broaden the IGFA's scope into California by doing this for young anglers, our future. We're teaching them IGFA rules for ethical angling so they'll have a greater appreciation for it. And it's just great seeing kids outside and doing something other than playing video games.”
Farrior was assisted by local IGFA representatives Catherine Miller, who also represents the San Diego Sportfishing Council, Jack Innis and John Campbell.
Tommy Gomes of Catalina Offshore Products and Uni-Goop assembled his taco-making crew of Jim Cowan and wife, Judy. Gomes takes fish donated from Catalina Offshore Products and stuffings from Specialty Produce and produces tasty seafood tacos.
Other volunteers included Vic Gamboa, who assisted Miller in getting prizes such as rods and reels and fishing trips and other loot, and Tom Withers, who shot photos. The Pier Rats, more formally the members of pierfishing.com and the United Pier and Shore Anglers of California, were there with locals Rod Mina, Arvin Reyes, Don Evans, Chris Clark, Shawn and Patrick Huang, and the Los Angeles branch of Oscar Sierra, Hashem Nahid and Russ Kestin.
Fishing was slow, but there was a run on mackerel. Brad Pifer, 15, La Mesa, was the grand-prize winner. Other winners included: Elias Glaman, 6; Gabriel Saltzman, 7; Thomas Orozco, 8 (of San Francisco); Jessa Marie Lerio, 9; Jennifer Riess, 10; Casey Galleher, 11; Kyle Kellhofer; Isaac Norfolk, 13; David Castillo, 14.
Noteworthy
Julian-based Cal Fire Captain
Cris Cornette was raving yesterday about his family's fishing trip aboard El Gato Dos with Captain
Bryan Zulka. Cornette's wife,
Lisa, landed a 27-pound yellowtail, one of five caught along with 16 albacore to 30 pounds and eight dorado to 15 pounds. They also baited an estimated 200-pound swordfish that wouldn't be boated. All this on a three-quarter-day run south of the 425, 30 miles from Mission Bay. Also fishing were Cornette's son,
Cody; brother-in-law
John Cook and son,
Taylor, of Nebraska; and
Doug Garrison of Julian.
Ed Zieralski: (619) 293-1225; ed.zieralski@uniontrib.com
