Wish-A-Fish reels in smiles
Kain O’Neil Crockett showed up at the Sandy Point State Park marina Saturday morning with a hand counter and a goal: to be the most feared fisherman on the Chesapeake Bay. 
By noon, the 11-year-old boy from Sparrows Point had the fish quaking. With veteran angler Mark Lagana guiding him, Kain reeled in 40 bay residents—white perch, spot and even striped bass.
He yelled and clapped his hands with each fish. His grin stretched from Annapolis to Kent Island. If not for the burgers and hot dogs waiting back at the marina, he would probably still be fishing.
Kain and his mom, Amy O’Neil, were one of the 36 families taking part in the annual Wish-A-Fish event, which began in 2000 with just a handful of recreational anglers who wanted to do something for handicapped and seriously ill children and the mothers, fathers and siblings who care for them.
The rules, then and now, are simple. Families show up, get fitted for life jackets, hats and T-shirts and are introduced to the captain and mate of their boat. Tackle, bait and cold drinks are supplied. A catered cookout awaits them on their return. Each child gets a photo, a prize bag and a trophy with a leaping fish on top.
The cost to the families: Nothing. The payoff for the volunteers? Well, let Phil Krausz of Essex sum it up.
“I spent a lot of time in the hospital myself once--five months and three days,” said Krausz, a five-year WAF volunteer. “I understand what those families are feeling. This gives them a break from the day to day stuff they have to endure." 
This year, the flotilla of pleasure boats attacked Hacketts Bar, a popular fishing spot just south of the Bay Bridge and within sight of Annapolis. An early-morning scouting mission had confirmed a fish population ready to hold up its end of the bargain. Within minutes, rods began bouncing and bending toward the water.
Rod Rice, who founded the non-profit WAF Foundation but relinquished the leadership role several years ago, said he’s been overwhelmed by the staying power of the event and its volunteers.
“To be honest, I never thought it would get this big. At the beginning it was just, ‘Let’s just get through this year.’ It just ballooned. People are always willing to do the right thing but they don’t always know what it is,” he said, standing at the dock. “You just point them in the right direction and let their good hearts take over.”
The WAF Foundation goes hat in hand to outdoors shops and corporate sponsors for prizes and gear. It holds a fund-raising banquet every year and relies on boat owners to pay for gas and supply bait and tackle. All of the money it collects goes back into the program.
“We do it because we love it. It works because of all these people,” said organizer Skip Zinck, waving his arm in the direction of scurrying volunteers. 
Carter Richardson and best buddy Gregory Yancey, both 5 and from Annapolis, could barely stand still as they waited to board a boat. Their moms, who learned of the fishing trip through the Anne Arundel County special education program, wrestled with all the free stuff volunteers handed out.
“They’ve been fishing, but not, like, FISHING,” said a smiling Yolanda Yancey. “They woke up this morning on time. That just doesn’t happen.”
“This is like an expedition,” added Lauren Richardson. “They provided everything.”
For more on the Wish-A-Fish Foundation, go to: wish-a-fish.org
Photo No. 1: Kain O'Neil Crockett, 11, of Sparrows Point, reels in a white perch while aboard Mark Lagana's boat during the annual Wish-A-Fish Foundation event.
Photo No. 2: Carter Richardson and fishing buddy Gregory Yancey, both 5 and from Annapolis, get ready for a trip on the Chesapeake Bay, courtesy of the Wish-A-Fish Foundation.
Photo No. 3: Each young angler at the Wish-A-Fish Foundation event received a prize bag, fishing gear and a trophy.
