JCAA

      

Youth Education Report

by Greg Kucharewski

(from Jersey Coast Anglers Association March 2004 Newsletter)

ART AND WRITING CONTEST

School children enter the DEP Fish Art and Writing Contest.  The (DEP) Division of Fish and Wildlife announces its fourth annual Fish Art and Writing Contest, sponsored by Trout Unlimited. For the art portion of the contest, children in grades 4 through 8 submit an original drawing depicting a New Jersey fish in its habitat. Each entry must also include a short biography of the fish depicted in the drawing.  Biographies are limited to 500 words and will be judged along with the drawing.  Each winner will receive an engraved plaque and fishing equipment.  In addition, each winner will be invited to the Division's Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center in Warren County to fish on the Opening Day of Trout Season, April 10, 2004.  Entries must be postmarked by March 5, 2004 and must include entrant's name, home address, home telephone number, grade, and school name.  For complete contest rules, and to view winners' art from the past three years, visit the Division's website at www.njfishandwildlife.com.

 

NJ BOAT SHOW

Get ready to have a great time at the New Jersey Boat Show, Convention & Exposition Center February 26-29, 2004.  Don’t miss the special fishing seminars hosted by The Fisherman.  The show will feature programs for novice boaters and plenty of family fun. Stop by and learn about the new Passport to Fishing and Boating program.  On February 28 and 29, a special Fishing Clinic room will be set up for fishing clubs and interactive presentations.  Presenters will explain the how to catch big fish and charter captains will focus on boating tips. The New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife along with Sea Grant and NJMTA will have space at the show to introduce the new “Passport to Fishing and Boating” program to organizations and fishing clubs.  Volunteers are welcome and you will receive free admission to the boat show.  For more information about volunteer hours that need to be filled, please phone 732-785-9278.

 

NEWARK BAIT AND FLYCASTING CLUB

On Tuesday, March 2, 2004, the JCAA Youth Education Committee will join members of the Newark Bait and Flycasting Club and celebrate their fishing fun night for children. Youngsters will learn about the following topics: Water Works Wonders, FFF “Hooked On Fishing Not On Drugs”, and a safe boating exercise featured in the new Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation’s Passport to Fishing and Boating program. The Jersey Coast Anglers Association’s Youth Education Committee will demonstrate two stations from the "Passport to Fishing and Boating" program. The two stations will include 1. Fish Habitat and Handling-Building a watershed and habitat helps participants understand how to promote healthy places to fish and boat. As part of this activity the participants also learn where to look for fish in the habitat. The second section is about the parts of a fish, how to handle a fish, and how to safely release fish you do not want to keep. 2. Boat Smart, Boat Safe-Oh no, we forgot to make our boat safe! On a virtual boat ride, a scramble for life jackets results in a lesson about the importance of wearing a life jacket and the way to select the proper one to wear. The second activity gives participants a chance to practice some rescue techniques through Reach, Throw, Row, and Go.  The Boat Smart, Boat Safe is an improvement from my presentation last year and all I can say is that the Newark Bait and Flycasters membership and guests helped to improve the Boat Smart, Boat Safe materials by letting me field test the crude boat mat materials last year.

All children attending the Fishing Fun Night for Kids will receive goodie bags that contain  “Hooked On Fishing Not On Drugs” drug awareness material, terminal tackle, fishing books, and toy prizes.

 

FLY TYING DEMONSTRATIONS

The NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife offer a variety of outdoor programs and some require pre-registration.  Every Saturday in March, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., expert tiers from the East Jersey Chapter of Trout Unlimited will be tying their favorite patterns in the exhibit hall.  Learn new fly tying tricks and ask questions to get the most out of this FREE workshop.  The Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center is located on Rt. 46, nine miles west of Hackettstown in scenic Warren County.  It is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily and admission is free.  For more information about registration, phone 908-637-4125.  For online help visit www.njfishandwildlife.com

 

JCAA YOUTH EDUCATION COMMITTEE

The JCAA Youth Education Committee is currently working to develop a special advertising plan for announcing JCAA events during National Fishing and Boating Week.  Our committee is utilizing materials from the Water Works Wonders Event Planning Kit to target the fishing and boating community.  We will receive 1,200 Water Works Wonders 2004 coupon books from the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation to reward NFBW participants.