Fellowship of the Sea Runs Deep on Maiden Fishing Trip

A slight drizzle Sunday morning at Pierpoint Landing in Long Beach couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the 60 special-needs kids from the Friendship Circle who had come to go fishing.

The Friendship Circle provides assistance and support to the families of youths with special needs. The group espouses the belief that every human being, regardless of background or faith, deserves the gift of true friendship.  Support for this morning’s activities was from the South Bay chapter.

Rex Linn, star of CSI: Miami, was one of the first volunteers on scene. Despite a CSI:Miami end-of-the-season party the night before, Linn along with his fiancée, Renne DeRese, were there to greet each and every young person as they came on board the Toronado.

Linn was born in Texas and has the outdoors in his blood. An avid hunter and fisherman, Linn is a former chairman of the Oklahoma chapter of Ducks Unlimited. In 1987, he won the state duck-calling competition and came in fourth in the state competition.

Another thing is Linn’s blood is his love of children. Linn has worked throughout his life as a champion for kids so today was second nature for the affable star.

The youths boarded the Toronado and skipper Ray Lagmay started the 20-minute journey to the fishing grounds. Philip Friedman Outdoors had over 25 volunteers this morning and they seemed more excited that the kids. Clark Franke drove all the way from Santa Barbara to be of service. “It is wonderful to see so many kids having fun,” he said. 

Eighteen year old Caley Versfelt, of Manhattan Beach, was one of the first youths to hook up. With Rex Linn at her side, she lifted a hefty tomcod over the rail to cheers from everyone on board. “I am so happy,” said Versfelt. “This is my first fish and Rex is my hero,” she said.

Linn made constant announcements over the boat’s public address system about sightings of great white sharks. He also did duck calls and announced the name of every kid who caught a fish.

Fifteen-year-old Jorge Rodriguez from Inglewood also caught his first fish. “It fought really hard and it was so much fun. It also felt so good to throw it back and let it live,” he said.

The Belmont Shore-based Sportfishing Conservancy played a big role on this special fishing trip and is dedicated to sharing the great outdoors with a conscience. Its goal is to benefit fish, the ocean’s environment and fishermen. “With 30 million people living near or on the California coast, we have to be diligent to maintain abundant resources and a vibrant ocean,” said Tom Raftican from the Sportfishing Conservancy.

Part of the Sportfishing Conservancy’s plan is to attract kids at an early age and hook them on fishing.

“You can’t protect what you don’t understand,” said Raftican.

"These children have seen sights today that they may never ever have seen before," he said. "The sea, birds, sea lions, that magical first tug at the line....” 

Eighteen year old Nicole Perlot from Hermosa Beach was another first-time angler who caught and released her first tomcod. “I have never been so happy,” she said. “The fish is so cute and slippery,” said Perlot as she returned it to the sea.

As the Toronado headed back to the docks on Sunday, Linn provided snacks for every youth on board. Gifts were handed out to each of them and an incredible morning came to an end.

“I just want to come back and do it again soon,” said 18-year-old Jaime Morris of Torrance. “This is the most fun I have ever had,” he said.