Tank Full of Trout Hooks Kids on Fishing

Standing on a foot-high platform of artificial turf, Ryan Accornero, 8, of Camarillo, and his 5-year-old brother, Anthony, cast lines in their first attempts at fishing.

And with 2,300 trout swimming in a 12,000-gallon tank, suffice it to say the fish were biting.

“It was really cool,” Ryan said Wednesday after catching a fish. “I’m going to give my grandpa a big hug and kiss” for taking him to the “fishin’ hole.”

His grandfather, Louis Romanos, 57, of Camarillo said he was just pleased that his grandsons enjoyed their first fishing experience.

Catching fish in the tank was a sure bet for children age 12 and under at the Fred Hall Tri-County Sports Show that opened at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. Such a good bet that some grown men were playfully trying to pass as 12-year-olds.

But more often, the anglers would simply cheer the children on.

“You got one! That’s a big one! Good job,” exclaimed Allen Hawthorne, 44, of Ventura when his 6-year-old son landed a trout after several tries.

Joshua Hawthorne, 6, gleefully held the wiggling fish, admonishing it to “hold still.”

Kelly McCormick, 10, of Ojai, was practical about her fishing venture: “I like eating the fish.”

Fishing with her father and siblings a few times a year, Kelly said it normally requires a lot of patience.

“If you’re not the type of person who can sit for five minutes, it’s not for you,” she said. “It’s both hard and easy but really fun. I feel sorry for the fish but I think it’s a nice sport.”

The “fishin’ hole” and the outdoor recreation show will continue through Sunday. The Tri-County Sports Show also features fishing seminars and more than 600 exhibits of rods, reels, lures, electronic items, clothing and other items for sale.

Booths on travel from Alaska to Mexico and boats, camping and travel trailers, motor homes, trucks and sport-utility vehicles are also displayed.

The sports show runs from 2 to 9 p.m. today and Friday, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $6 for adults and free for children under age 12.