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Youth Education Report
by Greg Kucharewski
(from Jersey Coast Anglers Association November 2006 Newsletter)
The JCAA Youth Education Committee reviewed nominations for the 2006 Youth Education Award and selected the Hudson River Fishing Association to receive the award. They completed the following criteria: Promoted several HOFNOD events throughout 2006, four members were HOFNOD certified as instructors through a JCAA grant, and HRFA utilized materials from the JCAA lending library. The HRFA submitted a list of their youth programs and accomplishments that meets all aspects of the 2006 Youth Education Award criteria. We look forward to presenting the award to their group at the JCAA Awards Dinner Dance on November 19, 2006. Come to the Awards Dinner Dance and learn how the HRFA members work to promote HOFNOD and youth fishing. Past Youth Education Awards were presented to: Absecon Saltwater Sportsmen, Shark River Surf Anglers, Rosemary Beales Marine and Environmental Science, Shore Surf Club, Friends of Island Beach State Park, Tom Fote, New Jersey Beach Buggy Association, Newark Bait and Fly Casters, and Dr. Eleanor Bochenek.
NJ DIVISION F&W MARINE DIGEST
The JCAA Youth Education Committee is working on an article for the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife's 2007 Marine Digest. It will feature information about marine fishing programs that are open to children and their families, crabbing, and plenty of how-to's.
JCAA MEMBER CLUB YOUTH FISHING PROFILE
This is a new bullet for the JCAA Youth Education Report. Each month the JCAA Youth Education Report will write about JCAA member clubs, marine organizations, and individuals that support aquatic education youth fishing programs. This month we will tell you about some accomplishments of the Hi-Mar Striper Club. This is also posted on their website. Hi-Mar sponsored five trips for 2006 and the last one was just completed. After all the small craft warnings and everything else this trip turned out to be one of the best. No, I didn't try to talk Captain Dave into running to Shark River for Porgies. But we did find some Weakfish, Porgies and Croakers around the TC Buoy. It was a very slow start, actually a very slow day, but the kids from the Arthur Johnson H.S. Fishing Club Loved it. We had about 16 kids, and 6 adults that put together a catch of two nice size Weakfish, maybe a dozen Porgies and half a dozen Crokers. You would have thought that every fish was made of gold by the smiles when they reeled one in, keeper or not. Wish we could do more but to do that we have to raise more funds. We had 6 trips scheduled but, unfortunately, the veterans had to cancel the two trips we had for them. Seems they couldn't find funding for transportation to Atlantic Highlands. So we had to make some hasty phone calls and found a group from the Essex County Salvation Army to fill a slot. Other groups we hosted included: Big Brothers - Big Sisters of Monmouth County, Pt Pleasant Fire Explorers, and a group from Hooked on Fishing Not Drugs with C.O. Wayne Tonneson. All are great groups and very appreciative. These members work hard to get things done. Special thanks goes out to Captain Dave Dzielak, Big Ralph from Slater's Deli, and Gene Nigro for chairing the committee, and the Hi-Mar members that took the time to go on the trips and offer some help and encouraging words. The Hi-Mar Striper Club also made donations to other groups that are involved with getting kids into fishing. Gene Nigro has resigned as chairman of the Committee but Mike McLean stepped right up to fill his spot along with assistance from Mark Stanick. As you can see, this is a good example of hard work that promotes youth fishing. Good job everyone, keep it going for 2007.
If you would like to help with our youth education efforts and offer some of your time to teach children the joy of fishing, please phone 732-785-9278 or e-mail Gkucharews@aol.com .