KEY WEST, Florida Keys - A 16-year-old youth with Non-Hodgkins lymphoma recently enjoyed three days of productive fishing in the waters off the Florida Keys thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Captain José Wejebe, host of the ESPN2 fishing program "Spanish Fly."

Jonathan Nitsch of Houston had been a longtime fan of Wejebe's program before coming to Key West with his family to fish with the popular angler while the cameras rolled.

On the first day of his three-day angling adventure, Nitsch caught and releaed three large tarpon - the largest estimated by Wejebe at 110 to 120 pounds. The second day's releases included a blacktip shark estimated at 80 to 90 pounds, as well as permit and barracuda; while the third day brought more than half a dozen permit weighing up to 30 pounds.

Mike Weinhofer, another Key West light-tackle captain, used his 36-foot Yellowfin as a camera boat to facilitate filming of Nitsch's adventure.

"The only fishing he had ever done was bass fishing, and he did wonderfully," said Weinhofer of Nitsch. "He had been really weak from his radiation treatments, but once he found out about this, he worked out for three months to build his strength up to be able to fight fish."

Nitsch, who started fishing several years ago, was diagnosed with lymphoma in December 2003 and his cancer currently is in remission. He traveled to Key West with his mother Desie, father Mike and 13-year-old brother Jason to fish with Wejebe.

"It certainly is humbling to have someone like Jonathan aboard," said Wejebe, a producer for ESPN Outdoors who has hosted the popular "Spanish Fly" program since 1995.

"I think the most I got out of the experience was a simple smile. After a good fish or a funny joke, Jonathan would smile that big grin of his and you couldn't help but smile back - it would just make you happy inside," Wejebe said of his time spent with the young angler.

Prior to Nitsch's Keys trip, his largest catch was a 10-pound bass. However, he said, there's no comparison between bass fishing and the Keys' saltwater angling experience.

"The way fish fight in saltwater and fresh water is totally different," Nitsch said. "You catch a two-pound jack in saltwater and it fights a lot harder than any 10-pound bass ever could. It's like it never wants to give up."

Founded in 1980, the Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children and young people with life-threatening medical conditions.

Desie Nitsch said her son chose fishing with Wejebe over any other saltwater captain because Jonathan shares Wejebe's passion for the sport and respect for the fish and other sea life. Wejebe's knowledge of his craft also influenced the young angler's choice.

"I learned to fish from watching his shows," said Jonathan Nitsch. "On the boat, I didn't even really have to ask any questions - I just watched the way he casts or lands the fish."

Wejebe said the two segments featuring Nitsch should air on ESPN2 in January 2006.