The 20th Annual Governor’s Surf Fishing Tournament (GSFT) was a great success. The JCAA Youth Education Committee assisted with teaching youngsters distance casting on the beach, how to set up a bait rig and surf fishing bag. We had several children participate at our “Catch A Fish” booth and they received “Hooked On Fishing Not On Drugs” stickers and prizes for catching plastic fish in our JCAA cement pond. We thank the many volunteers, judges and sponsors of the Governor’s Surf Fishing Tournament that make the tournament a great success.
There is still time to submit nominations for the JCAA Youth Education Award. It takes the support of many volunteers to bring successes to the fishing community but sometimes individuals and sport-fishing organizations go above and beyond to make the future of fishing better for our youngsters. The JCAA Youth Education Committee is accepting nominations for the 2011 Youth Education Award. All nominations will be reviewed for the following criteria: Promoting “Hooked On Fishing Not On Drugs (HOFNOD),” Certified HOFNOD instructors, number of fishing or aquatic education events, materials used from the JCAA lending library, and creativity for promoting youth fishing events. Please submit your nominations by October 25, 2011. Submit your nominations in writing to the JCAA Youth Education Committee, gkucharews@aol.com and place HOFNOD in the subject line. The JCAA Youth Education Award will be presented at the JCAA Sportsperson-of-the-Year Awards Ceremony on Sunday, November 13, 2011 from 4:00-9:00 p.m. at Crystal Point Yacht Club, RT. 70 & River Rd, Point Pleasant, NJ.
New Jersey Beach Buggy Association is proud to be helping the 254th Regiment with their 1st Surf Fishing Tournament open to everybody. Location: Sea Girt, NJ. Date: October 23, 2011. Registration: 0500 – 0600 hours. Tournament starts at 0600 and ends at 1400 hours. Cost of tournament will be $20.00 and they project to have 150-200 anglers. There is a youth category for $10.00. So bring the kids and enjoy this family event. The surf fishing tournament will be at no cost to the 254th Soldiers Association, state, or the 254th Regiment. Keep in mind there will be no fishing from the jetty. For more information please click this link.
Press Release: The Future Fisherman Foundation and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission have announced a regional training seminar for all parties interested in aquatic education training. The site of this year’s event will be Camp Ocala, located at 18533 NFS 535 Altoona, Fl. 32702. This seminar is open to not only teachers from around the state but also 4H leaders, Boy/Girls Scout leaders, FFA personnel and anyone interested in getting students involved with aquatic education. Learning the principles of such successful programs as Hooked on Fishing Not on Drugs will be the focus of this two-day seminar. “The intent of this seminar is to give everyone a good working knowledge of aquatic education and instill confidence in them to train others in their respective organizations,” F3 Executive Director, Mark Gintert, commented. “We also intend to show them a host of other available resources and the ‘next steps’ for their programs once they get established.” Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will also be participating in this event, which will cover a wide variety of topics including biology, habitat, conservation, equipment operation and life skills. “The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is always interested in finding ways to reach out to, not only schools, but other organizations who deal directly with students across the state,” commented the FWC’s Angler and Aquatic Education Coordinator, Steve Marshall. “This event will bring together a diverse group who share the same goals of getting students involved with the great outdoors and learning to be stewards of Florida’s aquatic environments,” echoed Marshall, who will also help lead the seminar. A travel stipend is available for participants through a Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF) grant making the cost minimal. Visit www.futurefisherman.org for more information.
