By promoting a "NJ HOFNOD Summer Fishing Event," we can foster an understanding of the natural environment and instill a conservation ethic at a young age by demonstrating the joys of recreational fishing rather than using drugs and alcohol.
The Brick Township High School Fishing Club (BTHSFC), 346 Chambers Bridge Rd., Brick, NJ completed a second year of NJ HOFNOD classroom instruction and fishing workshops. Students wanted to increase their fishing experience throughout the summer months and fishing club faculty advisors decided to make it happen. Faculty advisors also thought it would be a good idea for all students attending BTHS to participate in the summer fishing event. Students can register at this link.
With the assistance from local merchants and sponsors we can help our youngsters make good choices. The summer fishing event is designed to introduce youngsters to fishing and boating as an alternative to gangs, bullying, drugs, alcohol, and violence. Ultimately we would like to expand the program to other New Jersey high schools and host an intra-scholastic NJ HOFNOD fishing competition next year. BTHS alumni and local businesses, if you would like to support this worthwhile event, please phone Greg at 732-785-9278 or email to either of the following and place HOFNOD in the subject line:
We received the following nomination from the New Jersey Beach Buggy Association: The New Jersey Beach Buggy Association is nominating Tim Burden for the Jersey Coast Anglers Association’s 2015 Youth Education Award. Tim has been a devoted youth angler advocate, promoting and assisting in youth fishing and education programs for almost four decades. His willingness to help youngsters and families learn about the fresh or salt water fishing environment in New Jersey, New York, or other traveled locations have made those anglers more informed and experienced to pay it forward.
Before joining any fishing clubs in his early fishing years, Tim worked in newspaper home delivery departments and brought paperboys freshwater fishing, promoting Catch & Release. To this day, some of those youngsters (who are now parents & grandparents) call him to go fishing with their families!
Joining the Hudson River Fishermen’s Association in 1996 and some years later pushing for more youth involvement, Tim and a couple of other Board members co-chaired the start of the HRFA Youth Angler Committee (Program). The expansion of the HRFA Youth Program and further involvement by other members ultimately led to the HRFA being JCAA Youth Education Award recipient in 2006. As a Berkeley Striper Club member, Tim has volunteered annually to help at their Youth Education Day and was on their BSC Youth Ed Committee for a couple of years, until he became NJBBA‘s Children’s Surf Fishing Tournament Chairman in 2010. During this time, his involvement has included speaking at Boy Scout/Cub Scout Troop outings, High School Fishing Clubs, arranging donations to support different youth programs, helping at Special Needs Children fishing events, and coordinating IBSP’s “Beginning Surf Fishing Clinic” where most of the attendees are youngsters. Other related endeavors include: working with different fishing clubs, conservation groups, the IGFA-Jr Angler Program (NJ Chapter), Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Kids Outdoors.
Tim’s first “Hooked on Fishing-Not on Drugs” certification was as a member of the HRFA and he was recertified upon its revival in recent years. As an active supporter of HOFNOD, Tim’s affiliations have resulted in countless aquatic and fishing educational sessions.
Tim Burden also serves on the JCAA Youth Education Committee for the past several years.
Nominations will close after the JCAA July General Membership meeting.
The JCAA Youth Education Committee is submitting a grant to the Blue Future Fund that is providing grants to non-profit organizations. On World Oceans Day, West Marine donated 5% of sales to the Blue Future Fund (up to $70,000). Through the fund they will ensure that future generations can enjoy the beauty and exhilaration of boating, fishing, and paddling as they do.
Their first grants will be made to youth boating programs. Much thanks to Dennis West, Jersey Coast Shark Anglers Association for sending the information to us.
With the help of state fish and wildlife agencies Take Me Fishing has identified more than 250 family-friendly places to fish and boat across the country. The list was voted on by more than 23,000 outdoor enthusiasts to select the top 100 places to fish and boat in the U.S. Check out the 2015 list here and find the best fishing spots near you.
Members from the New Jersey Beach Buggy Association assisted Island Beach State Park staff on June 8-10-11-12 with teaching second through fifth graders learn the joy of surf fishing. NJBBA supplied rod/reels and bait for all the youngsters that participated from 8 a.m. till 1 p.m. NJBBA is also supporting Toms River High School fishing club with their classroom instruction.
The Fish Hawks Saltwater Angler’s Club will kick off their Annual Bay Fishing Tournament on August 1, 2015. It will end on August 31, 2015. The tournament will have two divisions, adults and children (under 16 years of age.) Entrance fee is very reasonable, $20.00 for adults and $10.00 for youngsters. All proceeds go to the Fish Hawks Youth Education & Training programs.
I suggest you get some fishing practice in before the Annual Bay Fishing Tournament and learn as much as you can about Kingfish and Blowfish. The tournament is geared towards family fun fishing in the bay. Results will be posted weekly on the Fish Hawks Web Site: www.fishhawksnj.com.
