Finding Success through Fishing

Finding Success through Fishing
Shattering Chains for Rods
The Beginnings;

“We here with The Island Anglers, have an impassioned plea for young people to shatter the ‘contemporary slavery’ of chains, drugs, illegitimacy and ignorance. Helping yourself by helping others in participating in the in sport we all call fishing through mentoring.”

Sitting on the end of the pier, watching the sunset and in waiting for the lunar eclipse to happen later in this evening, I had a chance to recall a time awhile back when, like tonight, young people were scattered about in wait for a bite out on the boards at Sharky’s on the Pier. Memories are but what keep us alive and this memory is one I will never forget:

On a sucker bet, a number of the people were talking about how it was impossible to hold down a gallon of milk for one hour if drank within 30 minutes. Joe explained that the body’s lactose intolerance to such a large quantity of milk in a short period would not be able to hold down the content... A sound disgusting does not it. After much serious debate Chris went to the store a purchased a gallon of milk while some one else ordered pizza delivery.
Know matter what our age, you put a bunch of guys together and you get a bunch of kids having fun! Michael Riccio , age 15, took that bet along with eating two pizza's because he was hungry and 45 minutes into the game, green and all, Mike was chumming the waters below the pier for bait. From that infamous day on, Michael has never been called by his real name; he has been dubbed The ‘Milkman’.

Mike the "Milkman' was born in upstate New York, a short distance from the Mohawk River, Crane Pond, or the Adirondacks where he did a wide variety of freshwater fishing. In Mikes own words,” I have spent more than 2500 hours on the Venice municipal fishing pier. I have walked more than 500 miles on its weathered planks, and during this time, I have observed countless people casting lines over its carved ledger boards. Because I possess the scrutinizing eyes of a curious angler and a sociable disposition, I have been able to gain keen insight as to why people fish. Due to my acute observations, I have discovered three very distinct facets of the general fishing population. I have come to the conclusion that there are those who fish for subsistence, or perhaps less dramatically, sustenance; those who fish because they genuinely enjoy it; and also, those who fish for the novelette."
Milkman started fishing with us, The Island Anglers before we were an official club along with his father. I sold him his first open conventional fishing reel, A Mitchell, manufactured for catching large predator freshwater fish found like in the Great Lakes at deep depths and helped him land his first shark. The Mitchell is a great reel to start with before wasting ones money on a true saltwater legend like an EverolUSA, only to find your not really into big game fishing or sharks. The Mitchell will last a good period if equipped right and kept oiled and cleaned. Once you have been bitten by that sport called Shark Angling, you will never go back and catching them on equipment like and Everol is comparing an Volkswagen to a Porsche; both of the same breed but one is much more fine tuned, costly and guaranteed for a lifetime, EverolUSA is a name you can trust for ever, truly an innovative machine matched only to its self.
Mike has helped countless others down the path of finding themselves through fishing or as we call it "Fishing for Success". Building self-esteem, helping others, learning about out marine surroundings and teaching leadership, The Milkman, Michael Riccio, is respected by all. As time fleeted by, children with their Mickey Mouse rods & reels upgraded to open faced spinning reels and the Milkman was there to guide them along. From spinning reels to conventional reels, these younger members formed a bond of teaching others, of any age, all they could of the sport they have learned to love. Milkman does not get to spend as much time with us as we or he would like anymore because he is now attending the University of Miami working on a degree.

Rocky Cicogna was one of Milkman's understudies. At age 12 he had mastered the art of catching and releasing no less than three sharks in the 200 pound class range, that's between six and eight feet long. To all here in The Island Anglers, he is "Rocky".
Born in 'The Bronx', New York, he lives in Osprey, just north of the pier here in Venice, Florida and attended Laurel-Nokomis Middle School playing the drums on the line in the Marching Band and holds good grades too. He was proud of that! So are to all of us who know him.
Rocky says he started with a Zebco 202, not a Mickey Mouse Rod, and progressed to a Garcia Millionaire. He uses to go fishing with his dad at the shore. Now he fishes here on the pier with a Penn International and is equal to all regardless of age. "It's all about fish! Not girls, or games or me, just about the fish," 'Rocky' said. "Fishing brings people together. It gives them a common bond where everybody is the same and we all win." The Rock puts his money where his mouth is too. At one time, The Pier Anglers Association, another fishing club here in Venice, sponsored a Family Fishing Tournament which a number of Island Anglers members were volunteers. Rocky was an official in taking measurements and helping in identification of the caught fish. An event that took up most of his Saturday morning. Not an activity you will find many adults doing on their day off but when asked of the Rock he said, "Why not? It's fun!"
When Rocky grows up he hopes to go to college like Milkman but he wants to be an engineer. He wants to be remembered by building great things. Rocky is building great things right now. Trust, friendships, loyalty and the wiliness to give; something we all could learn from.
Where there is fire there is smoke. Where there was Rocky, there was Josh and Dennis. The Three Musketeers! All for one and one for all and no fish is too small. Oh boy.
Josh Zgrabik, age 15, moved here from Avon Lake Ohio. He was a member of the state Skeet &Trap Team and says it is one of the reasons he has kept to the straight and narrow. “Know matter what the sport; stick with it, something good will comes of it." Josh attends Venice High School and wants a career in the marine industry as a Charter Captain, like his Dad, when he graduates. Josh too has landed large sharks but is skillful in handling Cobia as well. Josh does well in school and saves his hard-earned monies for some of the best equipment one can buy. Impressive and not because of the cost but of the sacrifice in a love for a sport. Josh would give you the shirt off his back and is there to help all on the pier with his knowledge.
Finally yet importantly is Dennis Cavallo. Moved down from New York City, Dennis attends High School at a Military Academy in Sarasota. Dennis is in competition with all and is out to catch the largest fish, outcast anyone, and is willing to prove it. His knowledge of the sport of shark fishing is vast for his age of 16 years old. He, like Josh and Rocky, is everywhere on the pier if someone is in need of advice or is in need of help in rigging of there equipment. Need a hook, run out of bait or your just plain thirsty, "one hand washes the other out here", Dennis replied, "It's just good Carmen!" "I want to work a family business when I get older", said Dennis, "like maybe a seafood restaurant."
These three guys come all from different lifestyles and all with a common bond, fishing. Rich or poor, fat or thin we all except each other as we are and grow with the ability to learn from our teachers. Who are your teachers I asked, to which Milkman replied "We Are." A couple of years have passed now and all, at times still run into one another out here on the boards, with each growing older and different avenues have they ventured down but all have a single conveyance which stills bonds them like brothers; fishing.

A common bond, that brings us all together is becoming individuals in an event and participating with an idea; catching fish. People are the same the world over. We may speak a different language, dress a bit differently, and have ever-changing political views, but when it comes to fishing and enjoying the outdoors together, all our differences seem to fade. Just think what the world would look like if everyone just took the time to step back and smell the roses, putting your differences aside and becoming a member of the human race. Fishing is not just in catching the fish. It is a time to chat, listen and form bonds. Its a team, where individuals play the parts of helping each other out and if you catch fish, "that's gravy!" Our group, 'The Island Anglers', was established to introduce adults, children, and youth in need or at risk, physically or mentally challenged person and socially isolated individuals to the sport of fishing and the outdoors. We here at, The Island Anglers', wish not only to give positive mentoring but to foster a total understanding of the sport of fishing by teaching responsible stewardship and enjoyment of our environment and surroundings. We here at theislandanglers.com are committed to forming a Memorandum of Understanding and creating a Unique Partnership that will generate new outdoor recreational opportunities for all citizens with or without physical disabilities. So the next time your here in Venice, Florida, come on down to our City Pier and join in some fun for a day you will always remember!
By Gary A. Anderson

‘Positive Mentoring through Fishing!’

“FISH ON!”
™