Sole-Man Sportfishing - Experiences and Transformation for San Francisco Youth Artwork

Outdoor Adventure Series

The Outdoor Adventure Series is an award-winning podcast produced by Fox Coaching, Inc. It celebrates individuals, families, entrepreneurs, and organizations that seek out and promote the exploration, conservation, stewardship, access, and enjoyment of the outdoors. We are also profoundly interested in the connection between Nature and mental Health.

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RADIO/PODCAST Excellence in Craft Awards from the Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA):

2024 CONSERVATION or NATURE (Sponsored by The Pew Charitable Trusts)

Second Place: Protecting Coastlines and Waterways: Dr. Chad Nelsen on the Surfrider Foundation’s Mission.

2024 FAMILY PARTICIPATION/YOUTH OUTDOOR EDUCATION

Third Place: Jackie McGonigal – Artful Adventures: Kayaking, Painting, and Connecting with Nature at the Orange Beach Wind and Water Learning Center

2023 - FAMILY PARTICIPATION/YOUTH OUTDOOR EDUCATION
(Sponsored by Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation)

Second Place: Jeff Gray, Superintendent at the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Third Place: Tracy Hajduk, National Education Coordinator for the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries.

2022 CONSERVATION or NATURE
(Sponsored by Pew Charitable Trusts)

First Place: Kris Millgate, Outdoor Journalist
Third Place: Matthew Dickerson, Outdoor Enthusiast

2022 FAMILY PARTICIPATION/YOUTH OUTDOOR EDUCATION

(Sponsored by Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation)

First Place: Isabelle (Izzy) Edwards, Wildlife & Nature Photographer, Artist, and Conservationist

2022 OUTDOOR FUN & ADVENTURE

First Place: Travis Puglisi – Wandering Mojave Hiking Services

2022 PRESIDENT’S CHOICE AWARDS

Isabelle (Izzy) Edwards: Wildlife and Nature Photographer, Artist, and Conservationist

All Episodes

Outdoor Adventure Series

Sole-Man Sportfishing - Experiences and Transformation for San Francisco Youth

July 17, 2025 • Howard A Fox, Captain Don Franklin • Episode 7051

Sole-Man Sportfishing - Experiences and Transformation for San Francisco Youth.

Welcome back to the Outdoor Adventure Series! In today’s episode, we sit down with Captain Don "Sole-Man" Franklin, a longtime San Francisco Bay fishing guide and the heart behind Sole-Man Sportfishing. Don has been fishing the San Francisco waters for over 41 years and has spent the last 14 leading unforgettable charters from iconic Fisherman's Wharf.

During their conversation, Don shares his journey from childhood fishing trips with his father to running one of the Bay Area’s top fishing operations. He reflects on the lifelong passion that steered him toward the water, the evolution of SF’s fishing scene, and the joy of teaching the next generation of anglers through innovative youth fishing camps sponsored by the San Francisco Recreation & Parks.

DISCUSSION

04:35 Discovering Passion for Fishing

07:20 Fishing Adventures with My Dad

12:20 Recreation and Police Youth Program Merge

13:46 Later Start Boosts Day Camp Success

17:58 "Safe Boating Basics for Beginners"

21:11 No Knives for Kids Policy

24:05 Exploring Don's Website and Instagram

28:23 Joyful Experiences and Sharing

32:39 Fishing Passion: A Lifelong Journey

37:53 Whales Breaching Near San Francisco

39:57 Sole-Man Fishing Adventures

LEARN MORE

To learn more about Captain Don and Sole-Man Sportfishing, visit his website at https://solemanfishing.com or on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/solemanfishing.

To learn about the Rods & Reels Camp, visit San Francisco Recreation & Parks for more information and current camp opportunities.

NEXT STEPS

If you enjoy podcasts devoted to outdoor adventure, find us online at https://outdooradventureseries.com. We welcome likes, comments, and shares.

KEYWORDS

Captain Don Franklin, Sole-Man Fishing, Fisherman's Wharf, Howard Fox, Outdoor Adventure Series, Podcast Interview

#CaptainDonFranklin #SoleManFishing #Fisherman'sWharf #OutdoorAdventureSeries #Podcast #PodcastInterview

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