We know it will be hard for families to purchase fishing equipment in the spring for their children, let alone themselves. If you know of a child that lost fishing equipment due to the storm, please contact the JCAA Youth Education Committee or help them directly. Storm victims will need time to heal and we can assist by getting people back on the water to enjoy one of our greatest gifts, the recreational water resources of the Jersey Shore. If you would like to donate fishing equipment (small freshwater and back-bay rods and reels,) please contact Greg Kucharewski, 732-785-9278. Members of the Shore Surf Club, Point Pleasant Beach have already donated over 15 rod and reel outfits to help keep kids fishing.
We are applying for the Barnegat Bay Partnership Grant and working with Dr. Eleanor Bochenek, Director, Fisheries Cooperative Center, Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences, Rutgers University who will act as the Project Supervisor, if the grant is approved. The grant will be utilized to reprint two thousand books entitled: “Youth Fishing, Crabbing, and Clamming Guide to Barnegat Bay” authored by Eleanor. A number of the books will be translated to Spanish. The JCAA Youth Education Committee with distribute the books at 2013 Island Beach State Park surf fishing clinics and at the Interpretive Center along with providing books at JCAA member club HOFNOD seminars and other aquatic education venues.
Students in grades K - 12 are invited to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Pequest State Trout Hatchery by participating in the NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife's 2013 Trout Art Contest! This year's contest will be art only (no writing component), and will focus on the three kinds of fish raised at Pequest - brook, brown and rainbow trout. Students should choose one of these trout and using their artistic skills draw a scene of the trout they choose in a habitat where they would be found in New Jersey. Artwork should be creative and original, and incorporate accurate biological and ecological information regarding the fish's habits and habitat.
The artwork must have a finished size of 8.5 x 11 inches and can be done in acrylics, pencils, watercolors, oil, oil pastels, crayons or ink. Students might want to use the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife website as an online resource to learn about New Jersey's trout, the Pequest Trout Hatchery, and the trout stocking program for background information related to their artwork.
First place winners will be selected for each grade level. Winners receive a rod and reel plus a certificate, as well as a Youth Membership to Trout Unlimited. All winners are invited to attend a special luncheon and awards ceremony at the Pequest Trout Hatchery on Opening Day of Trout Season, April 6, 2013. Prior to the luncheon, students will have the opportunity to fish in the Pequest Fishing Education Pond, which is stocked with trout from the hatchery.
Artwork will remain on display at the Pequest Natural Resource Education Center for the year following the contest. Artwork becomes property of the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife and will not be returned. Entries must be received by Friday, March 1, 2013. For more information, see www.NJFishandWildlife.com/fishart.htm on the division's website.
The Jersey Coast Anglers Association’s Youth Education Committee is asking JCAA member clubs/organizations for a listing of scheduled youth and family events that are going to be held by your club or organization during 2013. The purpose of this request is to alert other fishing clubs and organizations that would like to participate in your youth and family event. The JCAA Newspaper is a way to get the word out about what’s happening in your club. Use this opportunity to inform others about events your fishing club/organization is doing to promote fishing. The Jersey Coast Anglers Association’s Youth Education Committee will support your event with “Hook On Fishing Not On Drugs” materials. Please contact Greg Kucharewski with your listing of youth and family events and don’t forget the Sportsmen Shows. Include your booth location, fishing club or organization that will attend. By providing this information your fishing club or organization can improve membership and increase consumer participation.
The Brick Cub Scouts will attend a HOFNOD/Passport To Fishing and Boating session every month from December 2012 to June 2013. Cub Scout Pack # 47 will learn the following: Fish Biology, Where Fish Live, Presentation of Baits, Rods and Reels, Terminal Tackle, Knot Tying, Safety & Ethics, Hands-On Casting, Hooking and Fighting Fish, Handling and Releasing Fish, NJ Rules and Regulations, and Local Fishing Opportunities in Brick, NJ. After the seven-month sessions Cub Scouts will fish during National Fishing and Boating Week. The Jersey Coast Anglers Association's Youth Education Committee will provide HOFNOD materials and loaner equipment for fishing.
