California Piers
2023 Al Pietrosilli’s Kid’s Day on the Pier — Marin Rod & Gun Club
Marin Rod & Gun Club — Al Pietrosilli’s Kid’s Day on the Pier
Saturday, August 26, saw a large group of volunteers host the 34th annual “Kids Day On The Pier,” an event given a new name this year—“Al Pietrosilli’s Kid’s Day on the Pier.” Although the 45 youngsters in attendance was a somewhat smaller than expected number, they and roughly 90 adults filled the pier with high hope, excitement and fish. The atmosphere was upbeat, the kids were smiling, and the weather cooperated with mid temperatures and just a slight breeze.
Registration
The Marin Rod and Gun Club and Pier Fishing in California (pierfishing.com) brought free loaner tackle and people to help out at the event while the club provided the free bait. Assistance for the (often) newbie anglers was available from both club and PFIC members.
Loaner rods and reels
People quickly headed to what they hoped would be a “hot” spot
Fish on!
A nice variety of fish were caught by the young anglers including 3 striped bass, 2 leopard sharks, 2 thornback rays, 1 bat ray, 2 walleye surfperch, 1 barred surfperch, 1 staghorn sculpin, and many, many jacksmelt.
Thornback Ray
Leopard Shark
Walleye Surfperch
A young lady with a jacksmelt
Jacksmelt
Striped Bass
Once the fishing was completed, every youngster received a free hot dog lunch courtesy of the club followed by the announcement of the age group winners. Each individual age group winner received a 1st Place trophy and an autographed copy of Pier Fishing in California by Ken Jones of Pier Fishing In California who was making his eleventh appearance at the event.
Ken Jones
Next up was the announcement of the winners in the various age categories. Age Group winners: 5 & 6-Year-Old — (tie) Baxter Grey and Crystal Ariya; 7-Year-Old — Gemma Schultz; 8-Year-Old — (tie) Isaac Guiterez and Maddox Doherty; 9-Year-Old — Destin Malony; 11-Year-Old — Evan Magoria; 12-Year-Old — Bora Tekin; 13-Year-Old — Vincent Borosso. Special prize to Miles McCulloch who fought a large ray to the surface but whose fish was lost in the netting.
5 & 6-Year-Old — Baxter Grey
5 & 6-Year-Old — Crystal Ariya
7-yr-old Gemma Schultz
8-yr-old Isaac Guiterez
8-yr-old Maddox Doherty
9-yr-old Destin Malony
11-yr-old Evan Magoria
12-yr-old Bora Tekin
13-yr-old Vincent Borosso
Special Award – Miles McCulloch
Last but certainly not least was the raffle, which provided brand new rods and reels for EVERY youngster that was in the derby. It was fun watching the youngsters pick out their favorite rods and reels.
There are many, many volunteers to thank, those who assisted with registration, setting up the rods, reels and bait, the judges, and all the cooks and servers for the lunch.
First and of upmost importance is Al Pietrosilli, the club coordinator for the event. He’s the one hitting the streets and getting the necessary donations (thousands of dollars) for the event, money that paid for everything from the food to the rods and reels. The change in the derby name certainly reflects the honor he has earned for his outstanding work on the derby over the years.
Registration was handled by club members Katie Schultz, Patti Clark, Ann Marie and Rita Magdamo (who’s also a PFIC member).
Setting up the rods and reels were club members Scott and Gary along with PFIC members Rita Magdamo, Hans Jones, Robert Gardner and Kyle Pease.
Judges included club members Nick Kerr, Justin Etter, Mark Tognoli, Mike Tomita, Kevin Tomita, Ed McCain, and Vince Simpson, along with PFIC members Mel Kon, Kyle Pease, and Hans Jones.
Helping with water and recycling bottles was club members James and Daniella Hearn.
In closing, special attention once again should be given to Al Petrocelli but two additional men were instrumental in making everything so smoothly come together—Joe Morrison, a board member who has helped the derby for years and President Dan Nonberg who was busy throughout the day making sure everything came together. A big thanks to both.
Al Pietrosilli and Ken Jones
The 2021 “Kids Day on the Pier” — Marin Rod & Gun Club Pier
August 28, 2021 saw the 32nd Annual “Kid’s Day on the Pier” at the Marin Rod & Gun Club pier on San Quentin Point in San Rafael, California. It was also the 8th derby co-sponsored by UPSAC (United Pier and Shore Anglers of California) and PFIC (Pier Fishing In California).
Registration — Pat Jones, Ann Marie Melanephy, and Rita Magdamo (MR&G club member and UPSAC/PFIC member)
The day would see 69 “official” participants in the age 6-15 event as well as about a dozen “unofficial,” ages 5 and under newbie anglers. When combined with the parents, friends, and workers, the crowd was close to 180 people, one of the largest in recent memory. Given the warm weather, low tide conditions, and somewhat “dirty” air, the large numbers were somewhat surprising to some.
Although local towns produced most of the participants, a total of 25 towns were represented in the derby—Albany, Antioch, Berkeley, Brentwood, Corte Madera, Danville, Davis, Fairfax, Fremont, Kentfield, Mill Valley, Novato, Greenbrae, Larkspur, Oakland, Pacifica, Petaluma, Pittsburg, Richmond, San Anselmo, San Jose, San Mateo, San Rafael, Santa Rosa, and Sonoma.
The first fish — a baby leopard shark
The DeJong Family
Danika Wren and a small brown smoothhound shark
The Marin Rod and Gun Club and United Pier and Shore Anglers of California (UPSAC) brought free loaner tackle and people to help out at the event while the club provided the free bait. Assistance for the (often) newbie anglers was available as needed.
Luckily, the fish gods cooperated and the youngsters caught both a good number and good variety of fish. The various species were led by the sharay contingent (sharks and rays) —22 leopard sharks, 11 bat rays (including one reported at approximately 70 pounds), and 5 brown smoothhound sharks. Rounding out the action were 13 jacksmelt, 2 California halibut, 1 sardine and 1 crab. The action resulted in a lot of happy, smiling faces and excitement when large fish were hooked.
One notable moment occurred when a large bat ray had been hooked but was tangled on a piling. The fish was visible to the crowd of youth looking straight down through the cracks between the surface boards, which prompted the memorable shout—“Oh my God, a humongous fungus!” Not exactly correct terminology but it got the point across that it was something big.
Jacksmelt
Leopard Shark
Bat Ray (Mud Marlin) — Adam Gorczycki
Al Petrocelli and Family
It’s never too young to start fishing.
Once the fishing was completed, every youngster received a free hot dog lunch courtesy of the club, and new rods and reels from the club and UPSAC.
Rita Magdamo
In addition, each individual age group winner received a 1st Place trophy, an autographed copy of Pier Fishing in California by Ken Jones, and a rod and reel.
Age Group Winners: 6-year-old Vinny Podesta
7-year-old Sebastian Garcia
8-year-old Parker Brock
9-year-old Shayda Citarrella
10-year-old (tie) Sean McConedough
10-year-old (tie) Dustavo Pretta
11-year-old Vincent DeJong
12-year-old Adam Gorczycki
13-year-old Ryan Etter
14-year-old Danika Wren
15-year-old Thomas DeJong.
Spearheading the efforts of the Marin Rod and Gun Club this year was Al Petrocelli assisted by many, many members of the club who performed a plethora of duties—serving as judges on the pier, cleaning and fixing rods and reels for the derby, cooking the hot dog lunches, and setting up and cleaning the auditorium and kitchen. A special thanks to Ann Marie Melanephy who helped with the registration of participants.
Representing UPSAC was president Ken Jones (who helped organize the event, took pictures, handed out individual awards, and announced raffle winners), Pat Jones (who helped at the registration table), Rita Magdamo (a club member and UPSAC/PFIC member who helped at the registration table and helped handing out awards, Robert Gardner (who helped rig the equipment and filmed the awards), and Kyle Pease (who helped with the equipment and worked as a judge).
The biggest thanks of course goes to the Marin Rod and Gun Club itself that has sponsored this event for 32 years but all of the various organizations and volunteers deserve a round of applause.
“Old Ben” and Avalon
Dear Old Ben — Famous Seal At Catalina
Takes Fish Out Of Hand As Would A Pet Dog
Depends on Friendly Fishermen for Food and Waxes Fat on Albacore. Eats immense Quantities of Fish and Roams Seas as Patriarch of the Isolated Tribe
If you have visited Avalon on beautiful Catalina Island you have probably seen the statue to “Old Ben” that sits on the path from the ferry landing to the center of town. Here’s an old story that tells about “Old Ben.”
“Old Ben,” the famous old seal of Avalon, is still in his old haunts among the row boats and launches that dot the little harbor. He has been there for thirty-five years and in that time become as tame as the seals which are confined in parks and aquariums. He is as wise as the trained seals of Ringling’s circus, and were he to be captured and put with them, he would cost his keepers a tidy fortune, for he has the biggest appetite of any of his kind ever known.
“Old Ben” feasts on the big fish brought in by the hundreds of anglers that visit Catalina each summer. At each meal he will consume a half-dozen big albacore or skipjacks, aggregating 125 pounds in weight. When he is hungry he swims up near the boat landing, where his favorite befriender, Charles Tompkins, has his boat stand. After a glance at the fish rack, he sets to barking and diving about until he has attracted the attention of those on the pier. He will crawl clean up on the float after food, but even when extremely hungry he cannot be induced to remain there. As soon as he has seized his fish, he dives back into the bay, rising to the surface now and then to give his food a vicious toss as he tears out mouthfuls of flesh. At these times he is often followed by other smaller seals which are too timid to approach the landing. Gulls also pursue the old sea lion and seize the morsels, which are torn loose from the fish as it s being consumed.
This old pet of the bay has attained a great weight from the constant easy supply of food within his reach. He has never been on a scales, but estimates of his weight, made by causing him to cross planks up to a size that would no longer break, give it close to 1400 pounds. His sleek, gray-brown back is often seen dashing between the bathers, who scatter in wild commotion whenever he appears. He has an utter disregard for people and things, and roams about the bay whatever place suits his fancy.
Before Catalina was made a resort, “Old Ben” is supposed to have been the chief of the colony on Seal Rocks. Presumably he was vanquished by some younger rival, and now leads the life of an outcast. He seem to find this entirely agreeable, however, he has succeeded in coaxing several others of the colony into the bay with him. His face is scarred with the marks of many battles, and he has lost the sight of his right eye, but he rules his little band of in the bay as supremely as his successor on the rocks governs the colony. — Los Angeles Times, August 18, 1918
2019 Trinidad Pier Youth Fishing Derby
Saturday, October 5, 2019 saw youth assemble at the Trinidad Pier in the beautiful redwoods north of Eureka to participate in the 6th Annual Trinidad Pier Youth Fishing Derby.
Free loaner rods and reels, free terminal tackle, free bait, free hot dog lunches and drinks, raffle prizes, and a winner in each age group helped generate excitement.
Although the wind picked up a little in the afternoon, the day’s overall weather was gorgeous and the 40 young anglers and the crowd estimated at about a hundred people agreed it was a fun day at the pier.
Ruby Broese with a small cabezon
Of course catching some fish also helps and though the fishing was a little slower than the prior year (no lingcod this time), the mix still included kelp greenling, cabezon, buffalo sculpin, brown rockfish, walleye surfperch and jacksmelt. When a nice school of jacksmelt showed out at the end of the pier toward the end of the day, it provided a nice finishing touch to the tournament.
Ruby Broese with a kelp greenling
David Shigematsu with a small brown rockfish
Buffalo sculpin
Joe Polos, a retired member of the USFWS, set up a touch tank with specimens he collected before the tourney, and put a couple of fish in the tanks for the kids to look at.
Jonathan Pitcher with a buffalo sculpin
Jack Broese with a kelp greenling
What is this?
Is it a starfish? No, a sea star.
A baby cabezon
A little larger kelp greenling
CDFW Wildlife Officer Norris
Everybody ready for some hot dogs?
There was a fundraiser for the custom rod made by Daniel Troxel of “Bass Man Dan’s Custom Fishing Rods”
Dan Troxel and a rod
Next up was the announcement of the individual age group winners.
Ed Roberts of the CFGD and some of the prizes for the winners
The 6-year-old (and under) winner was Ruby Broese, of Eureka who caught two kelp greenling and a cabezon.
The 7-year-old winner was Taylor Holt of Arcata.
The 8-year-old winner was Mannie Guerrero of Trinidad.
The 9-year-old winner was Daniel Galan of Arcata.
The 10-year-old winner was Lucie Bertrand of Arcata.
The 11-year-old winner was Jovani Galan of Arcata.
The 12-year-old winner was Kieryn Wolfe of Trinidad.
The 13-year-old winner was David Shigematsu of Davis who caught a kelp greenling, buffalo sculpin, brown rockfish, large walleye surfperch, and three jacksmelt. David was the overall winner of the tournament, and this is his third victory in a row.
The 14-year-old winner was Jonathan Pitcher of Arcata who caught a buffalo sculpin.
Last but not least was the raffle with prizes for all contestants.
The sponsors of the derby were the Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community of the Trinidad Rancheria, Humboldt Area Saltwater Anglers, Pacific Outfitters, the International Game Fish Association (IGFA), United Pier and Shore Anglers of California (UPSAC), Pier Fishing In California (pierfishing.com) and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The main organizer was Edgar W. Roberts of the CDFW (California Fish and Wildlife Department). 
Volunteers included CDFW’s Natural Resource Volunteers John “Grondo” Grondalski and Patricia Figeroa, and from HASA (Humboldt Area Saltwater Anglers) Joe Polos. Other volunteers: Daniel Troxel, Russell Janak, Lucas Janak, and Daniel Roberts. CDFW Wildlife Officer Norris kept watch over the proceedings.
Special thanks goes to Grant Roden of the Rancheria, Scott McBain and Joe Polos of HASA, Daniel Troxel of “Bass Man Dan’s Custom Fishing Rods,” and Aaron Ostrom of Pacific Outfitters for making this happen.
Marin Rod & Gun Club — 31st Annual “Kids Day On The Pier”
August 10, 2019 saw the 31st Annual “Kid’s Day on the Pier” at the Marin Rod & Gun Club on San Quentin Point in San Rafael, California. The event was co-sponsored by the club, UPSAC (United Pier and Shore Anglers of California), PFIC (Pier Fishing In California), and the IGFA (International Game Fish Association).
Although the number of youth was down from prior years, the event still saw an enthusiastic group of 37 youngsters and a crowd of roughly 110 people who thoroughly enjoyed the 74-degree weather and slight breeze.
Ethical Angling
UPSAC /PFIC members—Robert Gardner, Bob Griffin and Kyle Pease
Rita Magdamo and family
Interestingly, although the number of youth was down (probably due to school starting in two days), the participants continued to represent many different areas and towns (20): Marin County—San Anselmo, San Rafael, Novato, Larkspur, Kentfield, and Fairfax. Bay Area—San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, San Bruno, San Leandro, San Carlos and Hayward. NorCal and CenCal—Sonoma, Santa Rosa, Hidden Valley, Davis, Roseville and Fresno. Out of state—Bronx, New York.
Omar Medrano and a striped bass
Even better was that the kids caught a good number of fish— 124 jacksmelt, 17 striped bass and two bat ray. Less variety than normal but more fish, which meant a lot of happy, smiling faces.
Loaner rods and reels were available as well as free bait and assistance when needed. Combined with the fishing was a free hot dog lunch and every participant received a rod and reel from the club.
David Shigematsu and a striped bass
Adam Peltola and a jacksmelt
E. J. Stowe and a striped bass
Adam Peltola and a striped bass
Hans Jones Jr. and a striped bass
Kyle Pease and a bat ray
Club members
Robert Gardner and a jacksmelt
The Marin Rod and Gun Club, United Pier and Shore Anglers of California (UPSAC), and Pier Fishing In California (PFIC) brought tackle and people to help out while the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) provided certificates for the winners.
Each individual age group winner received a 1st Place trophy, a beautiful IGFA certificate, and an autographed copy of Pier Fishing in California by Ken Jones.
Prizes
Audience
Rods and reels for the raffle
7-year-old-winner Axel Young
8-year-old-winner Sofia Medrano
9-year-old winner Hunter Rodriguez-Olson
10-year-old winner Abigail Wehm
11 year-old-winner E. J. Stowe
12-year-old winner Omar Medrano
13-year-old winner David Shigematsu
15-year-old winner Adam Peltola
Representing the Marin Rod and Gun Club were Chairmen Gary Colmere, Vice-Chairman Roy Jackson, John Evans and more than a dozen club members who performed a plethora of duties—serving as judges on the pier, cleaning and fixing rods and reels for both the derby and the raffle, cooking the hot dog lunch, setting up and cleaning the auditorium and kitchen, and helping announce the results of the raffle.
David Shigematsu and E. J. Stowe
A special thanks goes to club members Mary Ellen Smith (who helped at the registration table and with the cooking) and Rita Magdamo (who helped at the registration table and took pictures at the awards ceremony). Both stayed very busy!
Ken Jones and Gary Colmere
Ken Jones and John Evans
Raffle
Raffle
Rita Magdamo
Representing UPSAC: President Ken Jones, Vice-President Robert Gardner, and Rita Magdamo.
Representing the Pier Fishing in California (pierfishing.com) website family were the above UPSAC members as well as Melvin Kon, Bob Griffin, Kyle Pease, and Hans Jones. Special thanks goes to Barbara Ungersma aka Fishmom1 who couldn’t attend but dropped off several rods and reels for the kids to use prior to the derby.
The biggest thanks of course goes to the Marin Rod and Gun Club that has sponsored this event for 31 years but all of the various organizations and volunteers deserve a round of applause.
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