What once started as an idea for Mr. Miguel Lopez, a six-year special education teacher at the Islands, eventually became the Reel Raiders Fishing Club. One night, Mr. Lopez was out fishing with his brother in 2020, when he ran into a CI student who inspired him to put together a club. To his surprise, many students were very interested in fishing, but right as the club began growing, quarantine began.
“In the meantime, I volunteered with fishing nonprofits that work with veterans because I’m a military veteran myself. I got inspired by some of the stuff I saw,” Mr. Lopez says.
Despite COVID-19’s impact, he continued to make connections and gain support to start up the club again, once we returned to in-person school.
The Reel Raiders Fishing Club is an outlet for students to go out and fish.
“This is really a place to chill and relax… you know, it’s stressful being in high school,” says Mr. Lopez.
Additionally, he shares that the club provides team-building experiences and opportunities for students to help the community such as beach clean-ups. The Reel Raiders Fishing Club introduces students to the blue economy and expands work opportunities for the future, he added. They also do fundraisers to help fund their boat trips.
Although it’s a very hands-on club, no experience is needed. Brianna Bernal, the vice president of Reel Raiders, shares, “The club had a fishing workshop during Saturday school. That was really information for new people.” She shares that one of her favorite memories was fishing last year, and meeting students from another school.
“I like being on the water, and this is the only club I can actually do that with,” she said.
In past years, the Reel Raiders have gone on more than just trips on the water. Peter Dominguez, Reel Raiders club president, shares one of his favorite memories was crab fishing on the pier.
“We had some pretty wacky times… we caught like a whole netfull!” he says. Dominguez says he wants to “enjoy time with friends and family, and experience more with my boy Johnny.”
Mr. Lopez shares his favorite part of being the advisor for the Reel Raiders Fishing Club is seeing the growth in his students. He says, “To see their confidence building never gets old.” He hopes to see CI’s fishing club impact other schools and have a club at every school, which would bring students and the community closer together.
One of the most recent Reel Raiders fishing trips was May 21, when they fished between the Channel Islands and the Anacapa Islands. Dominguez says that they got to keep the fish.
Mr. Lopez gives thanks to the staff here at the Islands.
“I could not do this without their support,” he said. “Staff buying shirts and sweaters, even cash donations. They really believe in what we do, that really makes me cry. It’s my little passion project and people see that.”
