COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. — There’s something truly special about catching your first fish. For many people, it’s a core memory that they will never forget.

That’s why in Collier County, the Parks and Rec Department is hosting “Reel with a Ranger” as a way to introduce both kids and parents to the joys of learning to fish. 

At Freedom Park in Naples, Senior Park Ranger Christina Carson led the way to her special fishing spot. 

“It’s a great way to get kids introduced to the outdoor activity of fishing,” Carson said.

This is a program that was pre-covid and had stopped for a while and just now are getting lots of requests to bring it back.

The Collier County Parks and Rec Program is called “Reelin with a Ranger” and it’s a free way for parents to introduce their kids to the joys of fishing without all the costs. 

“It’s a way so people don’t have to invest a lot of money or effort, it kind of removes that barrier of entry to see if its something they would be interested in,” Carson said. 

For some, it’s a chance for their young children to catch their very first fish. 

“Well my wife told me about it,” said Derek Martin of Naples.  “And I thought it would be fun to come out with my boy on his first fishing trip! It’s fun!”

And while the fish might not be very big, here that doesn’t matter so much. 

“This is open to everybody, we don’t do registration, it’s just come on up. We have had people visiting from other states, we’ve had people from Immokalee come visit…” Carson said. 

And for kids like Thomas Giordano, it’s the chance to try something that could someday become a passion.