May kicked off with a dazzling celebration as the Fiesta Flambeau Parade lit up San Antonio’s streets—and the Fin Addict Angler Foundation proudly walked away with 1st Place in the Walkers Division! The energy from the crowd was electric, with parents and children showing excitement and support. San Antonio truly knows how to celebrate community, and the love shown to our organization was nothing short of heartwarming.
The Brooks Board also gave us an excellent platform to present our mission and programs. We shared the importance of our June events, designed to bring families and friends together through fishing. Their warm reception and support reflected the board’s forward-thinking vision and community-first spirit.
At the Mission Stadium, over 2,500 school children joined us on Educational Day during a Missions baseball game. It was a home run event—combining the thrill of the game with hands-on learning about fishing and conservation. Engaging with the students and their chaperones brought joy and a renewed sense of purpose to our work.
A special shoutout to Where’s Cleto, which featured our founder, Oscar Castillo, in a fun and insightful interview. Laughter filled the room as Oscar spoke about the heart and soul of the Fin Addict Angler Foundation. He also spotlighted our exciting June events at Greenline SA and Medina River Natural Park—designed to deepen the connection between nature and community.
Another highlight was our trip to the TPWD Hatchery at the Marine Development Center in Corpus Christi’s Flour Bluff. There, kids and families learned how hatcheries support Texas’s coastal ecosystems by restocking fish populations. The day wrapped with some fishing at the hatchery’s ponds—education and recreation at its best!
Back in San Antonio, our school programs made a huge splash:
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Price Elementary’s Fish Club celebrated the end of their year with a fishing-themed game day and certificates for completing the Basic Angler Education program.
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Zamora Middle School Fishing Club wrapped up their program with a fun day at Padre Park, thanks to sponsorship from the San Antonio River Authority. Every student caught a fish and learned the value of camaraderie and ethical angling.
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Harlandale Middle School’s 6th, 7th, and 8th graders were honored for excellent attendance, reinforcing our commitment to promoting good academics, attendance, and sportsmanship.
We also held our 2nd Annual Fishing & Camping Day at Medina River Natural Area—an open, family-friendly event where attendees received free fishing education and gear. Mark your calendars now for the 2026 edition—it’s an ideal introduction to the great outdoors.
Wrapping up a month full of milestones was the 5th Annual Rockport Youth Fishing Tournament. Hosted at the Fulton Convention Center, this event brought out youth anglers across the region. It wasn’t just about competition but sportsmanship, learning, and inspiring the next generation of responsible fishers.
Want to get involved?
We welcome volunteers, sponsors, and participants with open arms. To learn more about our programs or to support our mission, reach out to Rosemary Bernal at [email protected] or visit our website at www.finaddictangler.org. Fish On! 🎣Article by Fin Addict Angler Foundation.