Since 2022, the Fishing Club, created by 2024 alumnus Riley Frank, has been an active part of the Redwood Club community. They meet at lunch on Tuesdays in Room 128 and have reeled in 46 members this year. Led by President Cole Guerrero, Vice President Grant Grobecker, Treasurer James O’Neil and Secretary Owen Scheeline, weekly meetings are utilized to plan events and learn about aquatic wildlife around Marin County. The Fishing Club creates a unique opportunity and community for students to connect with nature, learn valuable life skills and build lasting friendships through a shared interest.
Guerrero is a sophomore, and his passion began at a young age when he and his father started fishing every weekend around Marin. Driven to enhance his fishing expertise, Guerrero looked at what the Redwood Fishing Club had to offer.
“I love fishing, so I wanted to see if there was a fishing club at Redwood so I could meet new people who love what I love,” Guerrero said.
At the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year, Guerrero and his fishing buddies stepped up to lead the club that Frank started two years ago.
“[Frank] asked people in our [ club] group chat to step up and be president. Everybody [on] the fishing board last year was a senior so [each position] got passed down. We were able to have [Grobecker, O’Neil, Scheeline] and I all step up and do our part in keeping the Redwood Fishing Club going,” Guerrero said.
The club organizes weekly fishing outings to various locations around Marin County and San Francisco, including Paradise Pier, Baker Beach and under the Highway 101 bridge along the Corte Madera Creek. Members target a variety of species including striped bass, halibut, sharks and rays. The trips provide students with new opportunities to explore diverse types of fish and new fishing grounds.
These club trips helped junior Liam Colon develop his fishing knowledge and improve his skills on the water.
“I was a saltwater bass fisherman, but when I joined, [other club members] taught me [how to catch] crabs, perch, sharks and stingrays which I had never done before.” Colon said.
For Colon, the Fishing Club’s impact goes beyond supplying fishing equipment.
“[They] create a strong community around inclusion, no matter who you are, what you look like or what financial circumstances you may be in. Fishing is for everybody, and [the fishing club] creates a very welcoming and easily joinable community,” Colon said.
Another club member, sophomore Luke Lazzareschi, was at the fishing outing at Baker Beach. He emphasized how the club helps students connect with people around the community in and outside of school.
“Joining the club is a great way to meet new people. Today, everyone is out here [at Baker Beach] working together to catch some crabs,” Lazzareschi said. “Every time there’s an outing, you always see new people, so you meet people outside of Redwood while bonding with other members in the club.”
The club also teaches students about conservation and environmental awareness. Guerrero and his cabinet aim to educate their members about the importance of sustainable fishing and preserving aquatic ecosystems.
“Our goal this year is to go on a salmon charter and go check out the salmon preservation and see how we can help keep them less endangered,” Guerrero said.
A salmon fishing charter is a guided trip where the club will hire a boat and crew to take them to desirable locations where members will catch, tag and release salmon. Guerrero plans to raise funds for the charter by going door to door asking for donations and having bake sales.
“[On the charter] we will be learning about salmon and where their movements are, how we can help save them and we’re going to tag them so we can learn more about them and follow them wherever they go. Our goal with the salmon is to learn how to preserve an animal and help with the aquatic environment,” Guerrero said.
Lazzareschi also believes that being a member of the club offers valuable lessons beyond the sport itself.
“I think [the club] teaches you to have patience. Sometimes you go fishing for eight hours, you’re not going to get a bite. Sometimes you [will] come out here for an hour, you’re going to get [a lot of fish],” Lazzareschi said.
The Fishing Club has built a large community that thrives on a love for the sport, respect for the environment and dedication to learning and improvement. Through their outings, lunch meetings and conservation efforts, the club is persistently leaving a positive impact on its members and the environment around the school. Those interested in joining can contact Guerrero at 415-599-9693. The next fishing outing is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 7, at Bon Tempe Lake.
