HOOKING KIDS WITH FISHING; CHARITY DERBY BRINGING CHILDREN INTO RECREATION.

Byline: BRETT PAULY Angling

Call me a sucker for kids with fishing poles, but there is something entirely magical about those beaming faces when a flip-flopping trout is brought in at line's end.

As a father whose son is too young yet to participate, I can only watch and admire in hopes that someday he will be as entranced as the youngsters I saw fishing during Saturday's trout derby at Castaic Lagoon.

Those wide eyes may speak volumes, but it's those mouths that utter some real gems.

``It felt slimy. I caught him in my net,'' said 6-year-old Hannah Nespral of Canyon Country after landing her very first fish. ``He's tired. He needs to take a nap.''

Nearby, 4-year-old Valencia angler Taylor Tilston had just reeled in his inaugural catch. ``It felt good. I thought I'd never catched one,'' he explained.

His 2-year-old brother, Trevor, had also reeled in his first fish, but was clutching his father's leg and sobbing at the thought his trout would somehow wriggle off the stringer. Dad's promise that he wouldn't let it swim away wasn't much consolation.

Erica Leary, 14, of Valencia, was on hand to catch rays, not fish, and oversee her two younger brothers. While she enjoys angling from a boat, bank-fishing is too slow for her. But she noted that there's nothing quite like observing children fish:

``It's nice when you see their faces when they try to pick up the fishes and they slide out of their hands and sometimes the fish whacks them. That's the best part.''

Other answers to the question ``What's the best part about fishing?'' are often predictably similar from many shy kids: ``Catching fish.'' One can expect the usual, ``It's fun,'' ``Eating the fish,'' ``I dunno'' or nothing at all.

Of course, responses can be more revealing, like that of 10-year-old Ryan Whelchel of Newhall, who said, ``Gutting it.'' It matters little how eloquent children express themselves; they'll always cherish the experience.

It doesn't take much to get children started in fishing. As recommended by Hooked on Fishing International - which established a nationwide kids fishing derby program and estimates nearly 800 youth fishing contests will be held throughout the nation this year - there are a few simple guidelines. Start a child with tackle properly sized to the child's stature and skill level, said Gordon Holland, co-founder of Hooked On Fishing International.

``A small youngster needs small tackle,'' Holland explained in a recent release. ``Consider a very short rod, trying to match the rod length with the child's height. Also, be sure the reel is small and very light so as to fit comfortably into a child's small hands.

``Proper tackle makes for a more enjoyable fishing experience - making for a lifetime fishing partner.''

If you ever lose sight of how fun fishing can be or if your competitive nature gets in the way of having a good time, spend a morning at a kid's trout derby; you'll get grounded again real quick. Saturday's derby drew more than 400 anglers ages 15 and younger. It was part of a larger charitable event known as Bassing for Abused Kids, which includes a bass-fishing team tournament (see results in Outpost) and raises money for organizations that assist abused, abandoned and neglected children in Southern California and around the country.

The seventh annual project collected $38,000 for its beneficiaries - Santa Clarita's First Nurturing Touch and Royal Family Kids Camp of Costa Mesa - and eclipsed the previous record of $22,000 established in 1996. Since its inception in 1993, Bassing for Abused Kids Inc. - the charity's umbrella agency - has raised more than $132,000 through the generosity of sponsors, bass anglers, raffle-ticket buyers and other contributors.

``It's something to help somebody else out and have a better life,'' said Char Arial, whose daughters Sarah, 6, and Angela, 10, had landed three trout by 10 a.m.

Indeed, there is something very gratifying about a kids fishing event that aids other kids.

GOOD TIME TO START

One of the best times to introduce kids to rods and reels is during the state's semiannual Free Fishing Day, the first of which is June 12, coinciding with National Fishing Week (June 5-13).

While anglers ages 15 and younger never need a state fishing license, adults must always have one, except on this day and Sept. 25. With that requirement - and expense - out of the way, Department of Fish and Game officials surmise, there is one more reason to wet a line with a youngster.

``It's a great opportunity for familes to spend time together,'' said Jackie Kourassis, coordinator of the state's ``Fishing in the City'' program for Los Angeles and Orange counties.

The DFG has two free events slated for June 12:

Juneteenth Fishing Derby: From 8 a.m. to noon anglers can vie for trophies for the heaviest fish caught at Magic Johnson Lake (formerly Willowbrook Lake), 905 E. El Segundo Blvd. in Los Angeles, (323) 586 - 6543. More than 1,500 pounds of catfish will be planted for the contest. A carnival will begin at 1 p.m.

Family Fish Day: More than 2,500 pounds of catfish will be stocked for the 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. event at Santa Fe Reservoir, 15501 E. Arrow Highway in Irwindale, (626) 334 - 1065.

Meanwhile, the 22nd annual Kids Fishing Derby for ages 15 and younger will be held from 8-11:30 a.m. June 5 at Cerritos Regional County Park, 19700 S. Bloomfield Ave. in Cerritos, (562) 924 - 5144. Some 2,200 pounds of catfish will be planted, and trophies and prizes will be presented for the best catches. A pancake breakfast will be begin at 7 a.m., and lunch will also be available; neither is free. (Following the event, the lake will be open to adult anglers, who must have a license on this day).

For further information on any event, call the DFG's ``Fishing in the City'' hotline at (562) 590 - 4835.

- Brett Pauly

CAPTION(S):

2 Photos, Box

PHOTO (1--Color) A cold and sleepy Josiah Davis of Sylmar, 5, waits for a bite Saturday at the Castaic trout derby.

(2) Chase Lindvall, 9, and Chelsea Bragdon, 6, both of Newhall, marvel at a trout during the fishing derby Saturday at Castaic Lagoon.

Eric Grigorian/Special to Daily News

BOX: GOOD TIME TO START (see text)