Fishing in the Central Valley: Community comes together to create unforgettable memories
The Fresno fishing community came together to create an unforgettable experience for 35 students receiving specialized services from Roosevelt High School at the Sycamore Park pond on March 31. For most of the students, it was the first time they were able to land a fish. Event organizer, Michael Murphy of the Sierra Bass Club was overjoyed.
“When you look at the happy faces when the students catch their first-ever fish, it will change your life forever,” he said.
Murphy took inspiration from Cast 4 Kids and teamed with Michael Spencer, teacher and advisor for the Roosevelt High School Bass Fishing Club (RHSBFC), two Roosevelt special education teachers, Jake Salimbene, Operation Director from the River Parkway Trust, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Some 1,200 pounds of rainbow trout were planted for the event, and the pond was closed off to allow for the best conditions.
“We had a total of 35 students, and for at least 25 students, it was their first-ever fish,” Murphy said. “I was so impressed with the students since, instead of immediately grabbing a rod with a fish on, they deferred to other students who had yet to land a trout.”
“Getting the opportunity to volunteer and give back to my community a small portion of what they have given me is really important to me,” said Carlos Frias, a Roosevelt high senior and Bass Club president. “Our trip with the Special Education students from our school was amazing. Helping to put a smile on their faces when we caught a fish was the highlight of my day.”
In addition to the highlight of fishing on the dock, there were two additional activities as the students were organized into three groups to alleviate crowded conditions on the dock: a clean-up walk, and a watershed science project.
“The event was timed nicely with a couple plants of rainbow trout over the weekend, and there were a lot of happy anglers,” Salimbene said. “We’re very proud to work with Michael Spencer and the Sierra Bass Club and provide opportunities for our community to get to the river so they can foster a relationship with it and develop a love for the outdoors.”
Outdoor adventures open doors for both the disabled and those without disabilities as it creates opportunities to understand that people are people, and we all need to be treated with respect and care.
Bass Fishing club members were perhaps among the most influenced students.
“Being able to volunteer at an event like this means so much to me because we are able to give the special education students a chance to experience all the fun stuff our club does,” club member Mariela Melena said. “We know how lucky we are and it’s great to include students who don’t normally get the opportunity to get outside and go fishing.”
Added Murphy, “this was just the start, and we plan on involving more and more disabled youth in our community along with adding additional features from the outdoors community.”
For me, it’s coming full circle as I started my 46-year career in public education as a special education teacher. Giving back to others is perhaps the most important part of life, and the Fresno fishing community must be commended for making lifetime memories for a special group of students.
Dave Hurley is a longtime educator, fishing writer and member of the California Outdoors Hall of Fame.
This story was originally published April 11, 2025 at 12:00 PM with the headline "Fishing in the Central Valley: Community comes together to create unforgettable memories."