Junior and Taro Back in Fishiness!!

Posted on December 18, 2009

#Summer is always a fishing filled part of the year for me. This past Summer I had a blast fishing but the highlight for me was being able to meet up again with one of my best friends from childhood, his name is Junior Robinson aka "Studda' Rap". The two of us go back like "Michael Jackson and Jerry Curls", lol! I remember when Studda'/Junior used to wear his red and black Michael Jackson jacket just to take out the garbage, I hope Junior doesn't read this, lol! The teachers at school always tried to split us up on field trips and in class due to how we had a little too much fun when we teamed up, lol! When we got in trouble we always took the blame for one another and always stuck together.

#Anyway now that you know how "old school" we are lets get on to the fishing part of this blog. We used to fish a together when we were in grade school but back then we didn't have much but a worm and a bobber. We used to take the street car or ride our bikes to local fishing spots in Toronto to try and catch anything that swims. Here we were almost 10 year later! We hadn't seen each other since high school ( the world can blame Facebook for reuniting "Double Trouble", lol! ). This time it was great to get out fishing in a nice boat with Studda'. I think it was his first time fishing out of a boat so I could tell he was pretty excited. It was hilarious jumping three foot waves and seeing my old school brother laughing and freaking out.

#On this day we got out at about 6pm and fished until dark. We fished out of Ashbridges Bay on Lake Ontario. We ended up with five Chinook and one Rainbow with the biggest being 24lbs. It was awesome seeing Studda' fighting these beasts, I think the last fish he fought was a Sunfish so it was a big difference from what he was used to, lmao! All the fish were caught on flasher and flies in different hues of green.

#On that night we both looked at the city from the lake and agreed that it would be great if more kids from inner city could have chance to see the streets from a new angle while fishing. We both both grew up as "troubled youth", Studda' Rap was from the Oak Street buildings in Regent Park (Toronto) and I lived on top of a store on Parliament Street (Toronto), for those of you who don't know these areas, they were/are hot spots for trouble. Many of our friends from our childhood are locked up or dead. I use to hang out at the arcade down the street now and then but luckily I was fishing most of the time when my friends were getting into it with the police. #Being a fishing addict at a young age has definitely changed my life for the better. When my friends were chasing street money I was chasing big fish. The inner city can be a trap for kids because they see the older guys/street hustlers with the flashy cars clothes and jewelery. They don't have a chance to get outside out of that. I was fortunate to have a Grandmother who took me fishing. From my experience I believe fishing can help kids see life in a different light and to get out of the trap. If someone came up to me right now or even back then and offered me ten million dollars to quit fishing I would tell them to take a hike. More kids need to see there are more important things like fishing that are more valuable than material things. When I say "Get Fish Or Die Tryin'!" what I'm trying to say is live by you passion or die tryin'!, whatever that may be.

#

When I saw this pic that Junior posted on Facebook his comment on it really got to me, it read

"When we were smaller we said they could never tear down Regent Park because it was too big, too much crime, too much people and too many 'bad mun'. After the project is done in around 2017 I want to have a better position with the contractor Daniels, buy a condo from them, have a family, be a better person and never look back."

#My brother Junior made me really think and go back in time with this one. We need to get kids fishing period!!! If you are reading this please take a kid fishing, it could change their life!

Here is a video/song link dedicated to my brother Junior/"Studda" from our Rap Traxx days, lol!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IBRbzf3Fws

Gotta' bounce for now and Get Fish Or Die Tryin'!

Peace,

T

http://fishcitytours.com

Comments

Posted by Phil Bruno From Chicago on Jan 18, 2010

Just launched a new line of Urban Fishing Products called N Gage Outfitters. Check it out at: http://www.ngageoutfitters.com

Posted by Junior Robinson From Toronto on Jan 12, 2010

Reading this article gave me a moment of thought and inspired me to make me believe that one's purpose in life can be based on their accomplishments. Taro is like the "Johnny Appleseed" of fishing where his purpose wasn't to fish but spread the word and the opportunity to fish. The thing about fishing that can be so healthy in our lives is to be patient, to be appreciate and keep an open mind. Man! It's about time I get some new fish pics.

Write a Comment

Your Name *:

Your City *:

Your Comments *:

WFN Bloggers

Bio

Taro Murata

Passion best describes Taro Murata. Introduced to fishing at the age of 3 by his grandmother, Taro's love of fishing remains unchallenged!

Growing up in downtown Toronto, Taro had limited access to rural fishing experiences. Taro then began exploring and fishing every body of water that was accessible in downtown Toronto. He challenged the myth that good fishing was only found in northern locations. Taro's experiment of fishing urban waters quickly proved to be an overwhelming success! This philosophy of fishing urban waters even influenced where he went to university! Talk about passion!! He researched various universities that didn't meet his criteria of being next to a body of water until Taro chose Carlton University in Ottawa. His decision for going there?, "because it's located along the Rideau River and the Rideau Canal!" He quickly proved his theory correct once again. His enthusiasm and passion for fishing quickly spread across campus introducing the sport to a new generation.

After completing university, Taro found himself teaching English in Hong Kong. Surrounded by water, fishing was never far from his mind. It was during this time that Taro began to combine his love of fishing with his natural ability to teach. Taro's passion and energy transformed fishing into an art form! He wanted to spread the word that you could catch fish in urban waters! Taro has taken this philosophy all over the world; from monster Sea Bass in Hong Kong to Stripers in the Bronx!

Taro created Fish City TV to introduce urban fishing to the masses. He wants to share his wealth of knowledge with the hope that they too will be inspired! Like Taro always says, "get fish or die trying!"