Fish Out of Water: From Indoor Enthusiast to Scouting for Seafood
Kelly Guerriero
My relationship with fish has always been… complicated. As a child, I didn’t really care for the taste of fish, nor was I big on the act of fishing itself, despite growing up in a family that fished. I have fond memories of camping every summer with family and friends at Pinecrest Lake in the Sierra Nevada mountains, which would inevitably include outdoorsy activities - hikes around the lake, nightly campfires, and yes, fishing.
When I was 12 years old (2003), we moved to Anchorage, Alaska from our home in Lodi, California. As a pre-teen described as “indoorsy” by her family - I remember my panic at the thought of this major change to our lifestyle. During our years in Alaska, my dad and older brother took full advantage of the world-class fishing that was practically in our backyard. They would keep our garage freezer stocked with salmon, halibut, and other local species they brought straight from the water to our dinner table. At the time, I didn’t fully appreciate how lucky I was to have a close relationship with my seafood.
‘The Wall’ - images displayed in the author’s family home.
My father had a collection that I began to refer to as “the wall” - dozens of photographs framed on display, capturing the proud smiles and glistening fish that chronicled my dad’s greatest catches over the years. Many of these photos included old friends, family, and my brother, who has always enjoyed the sport of fishing as much as my dad. What they didn’t include - was me! For some reason, despite the childhood camping adventures and an adolescence in Alaska, I had managed to never be photographed with a fish, making me ineligible for display on “the wall.” At one point, I even searched through old family photos, questioning how this could be possible. While I didn’t care about the fact that I wasn’t involved in all the fishing trips, anyone who knows me knows that I don’t like being left out - especially from a photo op! Over the years, my absence from “the wall” became a good-natured inside joke in my family.
I moved to San Diego in 2017 and immediately started exploring all the amazing things that the city has to offer - activities, historical sites, and lots of good FOOD. This was the start of my journey as a foodie, leading to the creation of my Instagram account @thesandiegoscout, where I share all the must-eat, -drink, -see, and -dos in America’s finest city. By this time, I had cultivated a new appreciation for eating fish, but all the same, when Fishful Future reached out with a project on local seafood education, my first reaction was hesitation. I thought, 'Why me? I'm not an expert.' Nor did I know much about San Diego’s local seafood scene, which was very different from what I had experienced in Alaska. But the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. I could share my journey with people like me, people who are still learning. They could watch me discover restaurants serving local catch (like in this reel I posted from Mitch's in October 2024), meet the actual fishermen at weekend markets, and puzzle my way through cooking attempts at home (check out the links to my videos!). And if I can figure this out, anyone can.
A San Diego special - whole rockfish.
There's something deeply satisfying about how my relationship with seafood has come full circle. Shortly after starting my Fishful Future collaboration, my dad arrived for a visit. I took him out Downtown where we enjoyed a nice dinner on the bay, including the weekly special - a whole rockfish. Enjoying this meal together was special —the man who once filled our freezers with his catches was now watching his daughter appreciate seafood on her own terms.
Even more recently, while digitizing old photos as a gift for my mom, I stumbled across a picture of myself holding a fish during a childhood camping trip. I immediately texted my dad: "I can finally be featured on THE WALL!"
After 33 years, it doesn’t feel like a coincidence that this is finally happening. It’s a personal victory that feels so much richer now that I am investing the time to learn more about local seafood. Who would have thought I’d someday be writing about my lifelong relationship with fish? That local seafood would create so many fun and meaningful opportunities for connection with my audience, my family, and with my own memories? At this point, who knows… maybe I’ll get a second feature on “the wall” some day!
The author with her father, brother, and their fresh catches.
All images, Kelly Guerriero.
One month after writing this blog: the author poses with a rockfish on a visit to the Fishermen’s Market of North County. This image was vetted and accepted by Kelly’s dad as a second addition to “the Wall.” Congrats Kelly!
Meet the Author
Kelly Guerriero
Kelly works as an Academic Advisor and has a passion for helping others discover and reach their potential. She is also a content creator who loves sharing all things San Diego, from the hidden gems and local favorites, to the newest hot spots. Her digital work blends her passion for educating others with her creative talents, allowing her to deliver messages about important causes like supporting local fishing communities through engaging short-form videos.
Find Kelly on instagram @thesandiegoscout or on her website at www.thesandiegoscout.com
