On May 9, 2026, the Crowley Fish Foundation (“CFF”) chalked up yet another successful kids fishing event. This time though the Foundation wasn’t the only organization supporting the youth. The sunny morning on the blue waters on Crowley Lake was an all-community event supported in part by a grant from the Mammoth Mountain Community Foundation, which provided CFF with financial support for the rental of pontoon boats.
Eleven Mammoth-area kids spent half a day on the waters of Crowley Lake under the supervision and instruction of eight CFF adult volunteers. The future anglers ranged in ages from seven to eighteen. The volunteers were composed of CFF board members and volunteers, including some Southern California residents who traveled up for the weekend to assist with the program.
The morning on the water was inclusive and representative of all types of fishing. Some kids caught trout while trolling, as others stung fish with fly rods in hand. The weather for the morning was perfect. All the kids had some action with the fish.
CFF Board Vice President Danny Corral said of the event, “Our objective was met. We wanted kids to have fun, and they did. We got them stoked on fishing.” Corral and volunteer William Hoefft were on the water with local 8th graders Leo Slitcha and Brendon Zhang. Zhang said his objective of the morning was to “get addicted to fishing,” and Slitcha has already asked his mother if he can buy a boat.
CFF Board Secretary Chris Leonard asked 12th grader Kevin Miranda on the pontoon about how he feels about graduating soon, and if he is anxious at all about joining the adult world. “Not at all. I’m ready for summer. It means I can go fishing more,” replied Miranda. It’s evident the kids had a great time on the water, and only want to fish more.
CFF wishes to thank all the volunteers, and to give a heartfelt “thank you” to the Mammoth Mountain Community Foundation for its generous financial support.
CFF will continue to host future kids fishing events open to the community. One such upcoming event that the CFF is co-sponsoring is the 37th Annual Kid’s Fish Festival in Mammoth Lakes on July 25, 2026. This popular event will be free for all kids 14 and under, and will run from 8:00 am to 1:00 p.m. Volunteers will be there to teach casting techniques and fisheries staff will be on hand to teach the kids about California’s trout fisheries. For more information on this exciting upcoming event, go to www.kidsfishfest.com.
Anyone who would like to support these programs and the other programs conducted by the CFF are invited to donate here. Please also follow the CFF on Facebook or Instagram to learn about outings.
