Honors Await Group That Taught Retarded Youngsters to Fish

A banquet and harbor cruise is planned Tuesday at which awards will be made to 80 members of the Assn. for Retarded Citizens who participated in the first South Bay area fall fishing derby at Queen’s Wharf in Long Beach.

Harry Vanloom, who heads many workshops for the retarded, said the four fishing trips aboard the Sea Spray introduced the retarded to ocean fishing. He said they caught many species of fish, though none of the workshop groups had ever been on a deep sea fishing trip.

It was sponsored by the Port of Long Beach, Long Beach Sportfishing, tackle manufacturers in the South Bay and soft drink companies. The workshops are being planned as an annual event.

Presenting the awards aboard the harbor cruise boat Star will be Dennis Harrah of the Rams, Lester Hayes of the Raiders, former Angel Bobby Grich and former Redskin Jeff Severson.

Fish Reports: Based on what was going on before last weekend’s windy weather, fishing in the South Bay is back to normal.

Sandy Payson of Hermosa Beach shared catch-of-the-day honors with Paul Asia of Hermosa Beach. Both were fishing on the half-day boat Redondo Special. Payson landed a 19-pound sea bass. Asia’s catch was a 17 1/2-pound halibut.

Marina del Rey Sportfishing reports that a good halibut run is building in Santa Monica Bay. Eleven were taken early this week, including an 18-pounder brought to gaff by John Jameson of Santa Monica while fishing aboard the Spitfire.

The West Side Divers had a dive trip aboard the King Neptune that resulted in a 20-pound sheepshead and 18 lobsters being brought to surface.

In fishing at the oil rigs, another International Game Fishing Assn. record could be in the making: Russ Johnson of Los Angeles caught a 12-pound mako using 2-pound line.

Redondo Sportfishing reported a boat is headed north to locate squid.

At the 22nd Street Landing, the First String is on a two-day trip to the Cortez bank to get in on a red-hot tuna bite reportedly in progress.

At L.A. Harbor Sportfishing, 30 anglers fishing on the Matt Walsh were rewarded with a full limit of bonito plus calico bass. The island boat had a catch of 124 calico plus sheepshead and blue perch.

At Long Beach Sportfishing, the Victory, fishing the Marineland area this past week, continued to reward fishermen with limits. On the 3/4-day run Tuesday a full limit of bonito headed the catch count; 76 whitefish, 34 calico bass and big sheepshead rounded out the catch.