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Youth Education Report
by Greg Kucharewski
(from Jersey Coast Anglers Association September 2004 Newsletter)
SURF FISHING TOURNAMENT IBSP
Get ready to enter the largest surf fishing tournament along the Jersey Shore, the Governor’s 13th Annual Surf Fishing Tournament, Sunday, October 3, 2004. Don’t miss a day of family fun! Pick up a brochure about the tournament at Island Beach State Park or at your favorite tackle dealer. The contest is reasonably priced. Register early and save. For information about disabled access and surf fishing beach chair reservation, please phone Greg Kucharewski, 732-785-9278 (leave message & phone #).
WE NEED YOUR HELP. The JCAA Youth Education Committee is helping novice anglers at the Governor's 13th Annual Surf Fishing Tournament.. This will require extra volunteer hours from member clubs in JCAA. If members in your fishing club would like to help others learn the joy of surf fishing, please phone 732-785-9278 or e-mail: gkucharews@aol.com and place IBSP in the subject line. Help is needed to provide assistance for disabled, youth, and novice anglers. This is a fun day. Come out and share your surf fishing expertise and help cast a line of caring.
OHIO CAMPERS LEARN TO FISH
Campers attending the National Youth Sports Program NYSP at the University of Toledo enjoyed fishing at Olander Park. Approximately 250 children ages 10 to 16 participated in a week long fishing workshop that featured freshwater fishing and classroom instruction that supported Water Works Wonders (WWW) “Passport to Fishing and Boating Program” and the Future Fisherman Foundation’s “Hooked On Fishing Not On Drugs” (HOFNOD) program.
The Ohio Division of Fish and Game supplied loaner fishing equipment for the campers to learn the joy of fishing. Volunteers from the Merickel-Farley Trout Club donated funds to purchase prizes. The Merickel-Farley Trout Club, family members, and friends spent three days at Olander Park teaching children casting and angling basics. We thank the Merickel-Farley Trout Club and friends for supporting this event and giving the gift of time to make the event a success. Neighborhood children were grouped together to create fishing buddies so youngsters could fish with each other for the remainder of the summer. The JCAA Youth Education Committee also provided a special presentation about outdoor job opportunities for teens seeking employment during the summer.
2004 HOFNOD
On August 16 – 20, 2004 the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife will host the 2004 HOF-NOD facilitator’s workshop at Sandy Hook State Park, Fort Hancock. The JCAA Youth Education Committee will support the 2004 Facilitator Training Workshop by providing a Surf Casting demonstration. Wayne Tonnesen, NJ HOFNOD Coordinator and Laura Jerome, National Coordinator for the Future Fisherman Foundation, will kick off the facilitator workshop objectives ceremony at 7 p.m., Monday evening.
YOUTH FISHING ACTIVITY BULLETIN BOARD
FAMILY PIER FISHING
During July I stopped by the Seaside Heights Casino Fishing Pier and I was surprised to see the amount of families that took time this summer to fish together at the pier. The Casino Fishing Pier is open daily from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. and offers rental equipment, bait and good how-to fishing tips for novice anglers. When you think about it, it’s a great place for a family to learn about saltwater fishing without spending a lot of cash for equipment. Rod and reel rental fees are minimal and there is a chance you will catch a fish during your first trip to the Casino Pier. The day I visited the Casino Pier, anglers were catching three to five pound fluke. As you walk on the fishing pier you will be surprised at the size of the spray-painted Striped Bass and Fluke outlines on the boardwalk leading to the front of the pier. I spoke to one family that started fishing at 6 a.m., went swimming at 11 a.m., returned to fish on the pier at 1 p.m., went on the boardwalk rides at 3 p.m. and were leaving the pier to fry their catch for dinner at 6:30 p.m. What a complete day of fun. If you want to check out the fishing on the pier it will cost you $1.00. One day, I took advantage of the low admission and noticed other anglers were into a fluke blitz. Not having my equipment with me I rented a rod/reel and I was in on the action. Stop by and visit the Casino Pier. Hopefully, you will have a fun day fishing and enjoying the many activities for the entire family.
NJBBA YOUTH FISHING TOURNAMENT
Hey Kids, place this date on your calendar, Sunday, September 19, 2004, at Island Beach State Park. Registration is from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Clinics begin at 8:30 a.m. and the tournament begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 1 p.m. Prizes and lunch will begin around 1:30 p.m. and the contest is open to all youngsters 16 and under. The tournament is sponsored by the New Jersey Beach Buggy Association. For more information check out their website: http://www.njbba.org .