VIEW FROM THE PIER
by
Herman Sillas
After I have fished on the pier for twenty years, a person named Erin suggests the city ban pier fishing because we make a “huge mess out there.” Ever see the mess sunbathers leave? Erin argues that the beach and pier area is beautiful and could even be better -especially with the renovations. Apparently Erin is not arguing that the beach, pier, and waves, should be without people. Erin’s criticism is focused on us fishermen. Erin “Saw a fisherman smoke two cigarettes and then throw the butts into the ocean like it was a giant ashtray.” I’ve seen folks without fishing poles walking the pier doing the same thing. Why single out a fisherman? Then Erin claims fishermen leave huge smelly messes on the pier. This is true sometimes during lobsters’ season, when night fishermen unintentionally bring seaweed up in their nets. Most throw the seaweed back or into the trash bins. Bait left on the pier occurs because friendly anglers leave surplus bait for the next fisher-person. Erin argues it seems like a lot of vagrants congregate with fishermen. How can you tell the difference? Fishermen’s clothes are in their last stage before becoming dust rags. Erin complains that fishermen “block the areas for patrons to enjoy the view.” “Patron” refers to persons who pay. The pier is free to all who care to venture out or stand at the rail and get a view. It’s the last place that a parent can take a child for a day of fun and not be charged.
Our mayor, Lori Donchak, responded to Erin by pointing out the pier was built for the sole purpose of fishing. The mayor did a commendable job in describing the location of fish at the pier, but we regulars know better.
She failed to mention all the good work we do for the city at the pier. We serve as ambassadors of goodwill giving tourists directions to the City Hall, Police Station, Library, Fire Department, and Life Guard Headquarters. We also serve as food connoisseurs directing tourists to the best restaurants in town. In addition, we provide assistance to amateur anglers and non fishing parents bringing children to fish for the first time. We entertain crowds that form when we land fish onto the pier. Local, Don Owens, performs daily by hand feeding a hungry pelican waiting on the pier rail, to the glee of spectators. We rescue drowning pigeons by lowering our nets into the water to haul them up. Experienced from answering so many questions from tourists, we fishermen are known for our tall “tales” to the delight of the crowds. Our presence conveys the impression that fish exist in our waters. What would a pier without fishermen convey? We remind folks when necessary that smoking, dogs, and bicycle riding is prohibited on the pier. Sometimes we get angry looks. Hey, that’s life. We counsel others when their catch is illegal to keep. We become science teachers as we fillet our fish in front of wide eyed children who have never seen the insides of a fish. All these services we do at no cost to the city or state.
Our reward is to breathe fresh sea air, enjoy each other’s company, meet some nice folks, and view God’s beautiful gift all around us. Occasionally, we take home fish. Fisher-persons are friendly independent folks but don’t attack our pier presence. We might unite, take our fishing poles, bait, hooks, sinkers, and march in fishing clothes to City Hall demanding a stipend for all we do.
Erin, join us any weekend morning, I’ll have a pole ready but wear old clothes — you’ll fit right in. That’s the view from the pier.
***30***
(Sillas, a San Clemente resident and L.A. attorney can be found most weekend mornings fishing on the pier. He can be reached at sillasla@aol.com)
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