The Arc and Rotary Annual Fishing Derby aims to provide opportunity for disabled community

Steve Roberson helps pull a channel catfish out of the lake at Wilderness Park in Downey during The Arc and Rotary 25th Annual Fishing Derby on May 16, 2025. (Photo by Vince Medina)

Wilderness Park Lake was filled with 500 pounds of channel catfish in preparation for The Arc and Rotary 25th Annual Fishing Derby Friday morning.

The Rotary Club of Downey set out with volunteers and partnered with The Arc Los Angeles and Orange County to put together the event, which aims to provide an opportunity for disabled adults to learn and experience fishing.

"(The volunteers) do the casting, and then the participants, those that can, will help reel (the fish) in," said Emilio Sosa, CEO of The Arc. "The reason why we need the volunteers is that a lot of times people with disabilities are unable to cast the fishing line. We want the participants to gain the full experience of their fishing. For many of them, this is their first time being around fishing."

By coordinating with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, hundreds of pounds of live catfish were released into the lake the day before, according to Fishing in the City coordinator Brian Young.

Volunteers and members from the CDFW were present to pull the large fish out of the water with nets and help store them in coolers for the rest of the day. Fishing derby participants are expected to bring their catch home with them at the end of the day.

By noon, the coolers were filled with nearly a dozen catfish.

"This is just part of our regular community outreach; this is a vulnerable area of our community that is most often overlooked," said Thomas Hutchinson, incoming president of the Rotary Club of Downey. "In the government, they're starting to call people (the R-word) again, that was a label from 50 years ago. Now people understand it's a developmental disability or an injury, they just experience life a little bit differently."

For some, the event marked their first time holding a fishing rod, including derby participant Chris Rocha.

"I like fishing, but it was difficult learning," said Rocha. "I'm getting the hang of it. I haven't caught any fish yet, but I'll get some."

Gil Legaspi helps Chris Roca cast his fishing line during The Arc and Rotary 25th Annual Fishing Derby at Wilderness Park in Downey on May 16, 2025. (Photo by Vince Medina)