For Tyler Rosvally, casting a line and reeling in a striper is only part of the experience of fishing. The Newtown High School senior this spring started sharing his passion with children who not only can use fishing pointers — such as technique and location — but also benefit from having someone with whom to talk about various aspects of life while enjoying nature.

Rosvally can be seen connecting his lure and connecting with other fishing enthusiasts at various ponds throughout town, along with doing some saltwater fishing in Fairfield and Norwalk. He fishes solo or sets up fishing catch and release clinics with children ranging in age from 3 to 14.

"Many of my students just want to have a safe space and a place to talk to someone who isn't a parent or coach. I have had some real deep conversations with some of my older kids about trouble they may have with friends and planning life or entering high school and feeling scared. I can relate to them as many of the things we talk about I also have dealt with. So for me, while fishing is the reason we're been brought together, I also feel like it is another way for kids and teens to feel heard and connect with someone," Rosvally said. "I really wanted this and needed this growing up."

Rosvally was introduced to fishing as a young child by his grandmother, Jo Anne Mulligan, and continues to fish with her to this day.

"I have always had a passion for fishing, but because I was highly involved in baseball and football until my junior year, I never truly had time for it. I always found fishing to be a calming activity that helped silence some of the outside noise and pressure for me as a teen," he added.

Rosvally said he was always driven to do well academically and was 100% committed to playing sports since the age of 4. "But, because of that, I never really had time to work on my passion projects — the things that brought calmness to me.” This year, he had that chance after his internship with Elidah, a medical equipment manufacturer in town. Rosvally will attend University of Kentucky to study biomedical engineering.

He will make time to fish while in college, but, for now, is making the most of what Newtown/Sandy Hook have to offer at Warner Pond, Hattertown Pond, Lake Lillinonah, and Curtis Pond. Rosvally shares knowledge about the best locations depending on such factors as temperature, cloudiness, and spawning time. He also teaches passive and aggressive methods of fishing. Simply being on the shore of a lake, pond, or the sound is the most important aspect of fishing for Rosvally.

"I love it so much — just being with nature, it's really peaceful, really calming," he said. "You come here to get a break from the rest of the world and enjoy the simplicity of throwing out a line, working a lure, and hopefully catching a fish."

For information, contact Rosvally at newtownfishingclinic@gmail.com.

Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.