Fishing derby returns for 5th year
By:Eric Schwarz
Ed Cherneski’s family fishes together. He was born into the sport.
The three children of Mr. Cherneski and his wife, Felicia, will be among about 100 participating in this year’s fishing derby, where every child is a winner.
Mr. Cherneski was born into fishing and hunting. His grandfather, Stanley, was one of the founders of the Manville Rod and Gun Club more than 50 years ago.
The derby, for children ages 7-14, will be held at the club on Father’s Day, June 18.
Members of the rod and gun club will be on hand to answer questions of the children and their families about fishing and good places to fish.
The fishing derby is a draw for the whole family, Mr. Cherneski said. “A lot of mothers bring their children there,” he said. “I have a daughter and two sons.
“My daughter loves fishing. She’ll pick up worms quicker than my sons will.”
When the derby started about five years ago, he said, “I was hoping that other kids would share this same feeling that my kids were having with me.”
Mr. Cherneski’s children are stepson David Thomas, 7; Jessica Cherneski, 7; and Jeffrey Cherneski, 5.
Children participating in the derby need to bring a fishing pole, hooks and bait, sold at sporting-good stores.
The state will stock the Millstone River with abut 100 fish: sunfish, catfish and some bass. They’ll all be released after they’re weighed.
Special prizes will be awarded to children in two age groups with the biggest fish and highest gross weight of total fish caught, but every child who participates will get a prize, Mr. Cherneski said. The contest will run from 10 a.m.-noon, with prizes awarded at noon.
Check-in and registration is from 9-9:45 a.m. Children younger than 7 will have a smaller, segregated area from which to fish.
The Manville Food Pantry will benefit from the derby. The entry fee is three cans of food.
The event serves to introduce children to fishing, said Mr. Cherneski.
The club works with the Future Fishermen’s Foundation, whose motto is, “Get hooked on fishing, not on drugs.”
“If we can introduce children at an early age to get involved in fishing, they’ll be by the stream rather than being involved in drugs and alcohol,” Mr. Cherneski said.
The rod and gun club is on Millstone River Road across from Sacred Heart Cemetery.
Junior members start at age 12.
“It’s not only a fishing club, but also a hunting club,” Mr. Cherneski noted. “Any club or any hunter or fisherman is a tool of the state.”
Without them, he said, populations of fish and wildlife would grow too numerous.
Call (908) 359-8366 for information on the derby.