Who ever thought going to the library could be fun – and make you a better fisherman? Now it can, because in connection with the Playa Vista Public Library, Southern California-based fishing club Marina Del Rey Anglers (MDRA) has instituted an ongoing series of free seminars designed to make better, safer anglers out of all who attend.
The next MDRA Fishing Seminar takes place May 27 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. An expert from Furuno USA in Camas, Washington, will provide hands-on instruction on how to find and catch more fish using the company’s leading echosounder technology.
The brain child of MDRA Vice President Joshua Gerson, these seminars are open to the general public (not just club members) and feature hands-on advice and instruction from top experts in the field. Previous classes have covered the important “technical” topics of knot tying and rigging for Southern California fishing, as well as top techniques for local surf fishing and targeting pelagic gamefish such as tuna, yellowtail and dorado.
These classes are held at the Los Angles Public Library in Playa Vista, 6400 Playa Vista Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90094. The library provides a comfortable learning environment for up to 70 students, complete with Audio/Visual support. MDRA not only arranges for expert instructors, but also provides any necessary materials – so anglers don’t to bring anything but their desire to learn and catch more fish.
“The initiative it takes to put a program like this together shows just what a forward-thinking non-profit organization MDRA is,” said United Anglers of Southern California (UASC) President Steve Fukuto. “We strongly support this educational and instructional program and hope our participation can make it even more successful. We encourage UASC members and all Southern California fishermen to take advantage of this great learning opportunity,” added Fukuto.
MDRA is a long-standing affiliate member of UASC and has been instrumental in the support and success of the Hubbs Sea World Research Institute (HSWRI) white seabass replenishment program. For many years, MDRA volunteers have helped raise and release juvenile white seabass by staffing the Marina Del Rey growout pen, contributing to the addition of 1.5 million tagged white seabass to Southern California waters.
Gerson is planning many more free seminars for 2009 and beyond, giving anglers the chance to sharpen their skills in many areas. To learn more, anglers should contact Gerson at (818) 439-1157 or email joshuagerson@gmail.com.
