Touring fishing program reels in families on the South Shore
Three years ago, on the day Louie Spezialetti was born, his grandfather Mike Spezialetti, of Moon, made a promise.
“I was holding him in the hospital, and I said, ‘ Buddy, I can’t wait until you and I go fishing someday,’” Mr. Spezialetti said. “I’ve been waiting for the day.”
On Sunday at South Shore Riverfront Park on the Monongahela River, Mr. Spezialetti fulfilled his promise when he, Louie and the extended Spezialetti family visited Off the Hook. The touring pop- up event, a promotion of the nonprofit Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, was in Pittsburgh Saturday and Sunday to educate the public about the value of sport fishing and teach kids and non- fishing families how to rig up, cast a line and take a fish off the hook.
“We figured [ Off the Hook would] be a good chance to get him out,” said Louie’s father, Michael Spezialetti, of the North Side. “To give him the experience and get him along the river. His grandfather was so excited, he bought him a Spider- Man rod this morning.”
Rachel Piacenza, event coordinator for Off the Hook, said fishing fundamentals are only part of the program’s message.
“Some families are just going on a picnic and fishing is one component of that,” she said. “But that trip does so much. It builds bonds among family members, gets them outdoors, gives the kids a real connection to nature at a young age and supports physical activity. And part of the money they spend on fishing licenses, rods and tackle goes right back into the resource [ through federal excise taxes].”
Off the Hook provided loaner rods, tackle and live bait. Coaching was provided by the program’s fishing instructors as well as personnel from the state Fish and Boat Commission and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Fish and Boat waived license requirements. Educational set pieces included an exhibit of illustrated sport fish; a “bait shop” booth with snacks, water and fishing information; and a display of dozens of freshwater fishing lures. About 200 people participated during the event’s two- day stay.
Stephanie Vatalaro, vice president of communications for the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, said the value of fishing exceeds recreation and family unity.
“Getting young people involved in fishing is important not only for the future of the sport, but also because of what you learn from it,” she said in an email exchange. “Spending time outdoors when you’re young can instill you with a lifelong appreciation for nature, which can in turn help make you more environmentally conscious as an adult.”
The foundation’s research, based in part on data from the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, found that nearly 8 in 10 adult anglers got started as kids. Off the Hook, Ms. Vatalaro said, was created to help people of all ages and experience levels learn, plan and equip for a successful day of fishing.
One virtue fishing teaches is patience. Mandy Smith, southwest district education specialist for Fish and Boat, said Sunday the storm that passed over Pittsburgh a day earlier left the river slightly high and muddy. On Off the Hook’s second day, just a few fish were caught including a small catfish, shad and several others.