Go Fish! NYC Battery Park City Park Conservancy event (as a volunteer) - Sept. 25, 20
On Saturday (Sept. 25), I did something a bit different in the world of fishing. I participated as a volunteer in a famous NYC event called "Go Fish!" which takes place several times a year in Battery Park, NYC. It is run by the Battery Park City Parks Conservancy (http://www.bpcparks.org/bpcp/home/index.php). Although I have led many a group fishing trip for little ones, this was the first time I participated in a fishing event of such mega caliber for kids! Boy, did I have a blast!






The turn-out was amazing. I would estimate that we saw over 200 fishermen/fisherwomen today! Almost everyone who participated was new to the hobby! It was a wonderful sight. For every moment I had to myself, I was taken back by the beauty of Battery Park. This was the first time I ever fished in as urban a setting as this. The most unique experience had to be watching everyone catch so many fish in the heart of NYC with skyscrapers and the Statue of Liberty in the back drop. What else could be more beautiful?



Mr. Bill Fink created this program and still runs it today. He started with a $750 grant in 1984. He bought a few rods and took over 20 or so kids fishing for the first time. Now this program runs 4x per year, and its a riveting success. Mr. Fink is a true ambassador of the sport! He's also a super nice dude! Please read on...


http://books.google.com/books?id=QOgCAAA...nk&f=false



I had no idea that so many fish species thrived in this part of the Hudson River! Collectively, the new anglers caught close to 75 fish in total, spanning 10 different species. We saw Bluefish, Porgy, Bergall, Black Sea Bass, Winter Flounder, Oyster Toadfish, just to name a few. I think this is as urban as fishing can get. Tourists walking by, regulars jogging, biking, or just taking a slow stroll along the water's edge. Everyone stopped to ask a quick q here and there about the day's catch. Many more just participated (why not? It's free!).



We had a couple of aquaria set up to hold a few fish for kids and passerbys to gaze at. As quickly as fish came into the tank, they were put back into the river for a high profile, albiet slightly delayed, catch-and-release. Watching the wonder in every kids' eyes as they stared at the fish, simply put, was the highlight of my day.



A fish dissection demo was also given to the new anglers by the experienced staff to tie some cool education with the joy of their newfound fishing. There was also a stage with live music being played on the back lawn - very cute - with fish songs being played.



I tried my best to use my ichthyological training to answer questions about fish biology and fishing, in general. It was a most memorable and welcomed distraction from writing my dissertation. Although I'll be back to the grind in the lab tommorrow, I'll remember this day forever. I was born in NYC, I get to fish in NYC, and I saw in many a love for fishing being born in NYC. I am one lucky guy. Simply, unreal. Long live the fishies!

http://www.bookfishingtrips.com/