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Youth Education Report
by Greg Kucharewski
(from Jersey Coast Anglers Association May 2004 Newsletter)
SHARK RIVER SURF ANGLERS HOST ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL TROUT CONTEST
On the opening day of trout season, members of the Shark River Surf Anglers ran another successful trout contest for children fifteen years old and under. At 7:00 a.m. I personally witnessed five hundred plus anglers who entered the contest and were circled around Spring Lake waiting for the start of opening day. Anglers were parking along the side streets of Spring Lake and walked a great distance to choose the lucky-spot that might render a trophy trout. This event is a favorite for children, because the Shark River Surf Anglers work hard to make sure quality trout are stocked for the tournament and young anglers have a better chance at catching their first fish. The membership of the Shark River Surf Anglers spent a lot of time and energy to make this event a success. Early in the year they begin soliciting donations, sponsors, prizes, and coordinate the stocking of trout. You can tell by the smiles on the children’s faces that everyone had fun fishing and sharing refreshments at the awards tent. We look forward to seeing our Shark River Surf Anglers friends again next year at the 2005 Trout Contest. Great job!
LANES MILL SCHOOL READING RALLY
On Friday, May 14, 2004 the JCAA Youth Education Committee will present a fishing and aquatic education program at Lanes Mill School, Brick, NJ in support of the schools annual Reading Rally. Dr. Eleanor Bochenek, Rutgers Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory, will conduct a presentation about a healthy watershed and teach children basic fish biology.
TOMS RIVER CUB SCOUTS
Several weeks ago Doug Tegeder contacted the JCAA Youth Education Committee and asked if we could provide a “Water Works Wonders”, “Hooked On Fishing Not On Drugs,” Learn to Fish and Boat seminar for the Toms River Cub Scouts. On Tuesday, April 20th the JCAA Youth Education Committee will teach Cub Scouts the basics of saltwater/freshwater fishing and local fishing opportunities in the Toms River area. The JCAA Youth Education Committee will supply Water Works Wonders, HOFNOD materials, and tackle boxes with terminal tackle to support this seminar.
STAFFORD TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT
Stafford Township is planning their first annual “Hooked On Fishing Not On Drugs” event. Cathy O’Leary and Debbie Seitz will coordinate the event for over 340+ fifth grade students. The JCAA Youth Education Committee will support the event by providing loaner fishing rods and reels. The event is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, May 12 and 13, 2004. The program is geared to introduce youth to recreational fishing while emphasizing angling skills, environmental education, stewardship, and drug prevention. Please phone Greg Kucharewski 732-785-9278 if you would like to become a volunteer for this event.
NATIONAL FISHING AND BOATING WEEK (NFBW) JUNE 6-12, 2004
Take advantage of FREE STUFF. Plan to maximize awareness about your event by taking advantage of free publicity for your fishing, boating and aquatic stewardship celebrations. NFBW's ready-made public service announcements (PSAs) are an easy way to create a buzz. Free and easy? Here's how it works! PSAs are non-commercial announcements that media place free of charge as a community benefit. Newspapers and magazines sometimes donate advertising space to PSAs. Local media sometimes use PSAs to inform the community about an issue or event. These PSAs tie perfectly into the national Water Works WondersTM campaign. You can find the PSAs - along with everything you need to publicize your event - in your Event Planning Kit or download from http://www.nationalfishingandboatingweek.org/publicity_materials . Make Sure Your NFBW Event Is Registered. The Water Works Wonders advertising has just begun, so be sure your event is registered at www.NationalFishingandBoatingWeek.org/register . Don't miss this valuable opportunity to get the word out about your event! Contact RBFF for more information at shussey@rbff.org or 703-519-0013, ext. 101. There's only 60 days until NFBW begins! You can never prepare too much!
HOOKED ON THE HUDSON
Hey kids, don’t miss this one, Saturday, May 23, 2004. This club does a great job of directing families towards outdoor recreation. Hosted by the Hudson River Fishermen’s Association, their fishing contest is always fun. Just come down to Ross Dock, throw your line in the water and enjoy yourself. If you need help, HRFA members will be there for both adults and kids. This is their 19th year of providing this contest. The HRFA NJ will provide fishing instructions to all that ask. Parents who know nothing about fishing will be assisted as much as possible by one of their members to give personal assistance. You must bring your own fishing rod and reel with line. Members of the HRFA NJ will show you how to tie a proper knot, bait a hook, remove a fish and tag a fish.
Free Assistance to all! Free fishing Instructions! For more information please see their web site - http://www.hrfanj.org .
NEWARK BAIT AND FLY CASTERS
On April 17, 2004, over a dozen members from the Newark Bait and Flycasting Club ran a very successful fishing event at Echo Lake Park in Mountainside. The weather cooperated and everyone enjoyed the warmer temperatures at the lake. Al Marantz, former NB&FC president informed me attendance was over 200 anglers and most of the prizes were rods and reel combinations. Due to the cold water temperature at the lake the trout were not biting often, but one angler did manage to catch a prize trout of 8 pounds.
TEEN ANGLER NEWS
The angling community always welcomes new ways to introduce kids to the joy of fishing and a promising program to reach teens has come to New Jersey. The non-profit national Teen Angler organization is starting several fishing clubs in New Jersey middle schools and high schools and hoping the program will take hold and expand in the near future. Teen Angler clubs are organized by volunteer adults who provide a structured, long-term program in fishing education, aquatic stewardship and what kids love most - fishing. A strong emphasis is placed on teaching safety, personal responsibility for our actions as anglers and becoming environmentally conscious citizens. Teen angler members are required to maintain a minimum grade point average to remain active in the club. Teens eventually compete for local and national honors through a point system based on completing education sessions and structured fishing tournaments. Each club has the option of conducting their own fishing tournaments or competing in tournaments with other Teen Angler chapters in the area or even nationally. The tournaments often rely heavily on participation and partnerships with local angler clubs. More information on the Teen Angler organization can be obtained at www.teenanglers.org . Adults interested in becoming Teen Angler volunteers or fishing and boating clubs that would like to assist in providing fishing opportunities for the clubs should contact the organization president Captain Al Bernetti at 772-468-0824 or via email alb@teenanglers.org . Interested individuals can also contact the following New Jersey Teen Angler chapters in their area.