The Manville Rod and Gun Club is urging children
to "get hooked on fishing, not on drugs"
By:Laura Pelner
The Manville Rod and Gun Club is urging children to "get hooked on fishing, not on drugs" through its annual event, the Millstone River Youth Fishing Derby.
The derby is for children ages 7 to 14 and is free to attend. Participants simply need to bring three cans of food, which will be donated to the Manville Food Bank, and they can fish throughout the morning.
The derby, which is scheduled for Sunday, June 10, at the Rod & Gun Club building on Millstone River Road across from Sacred Heart Cemetery, is a very local and family-oriented event, according to Ed Chernesky, the event coordinator. Mr. Chernesky said that on average 75 to 100 kids participate every year and every child goes home a winner.
When the children register, Mr. Chernesky said, they each get a ticket, a pin and a book on how to fish. At the end of the event, door prizes such as a free haircut, a fishing pole or a gift certificate to a restaurant are given out.
Mr. Chernesky said the Manville Business and Professional Association "really supports (the derby) in soliciting prizes, donations or money to purchase prizes." He also said Millstone Sporting Goods heavily supports the event.
For many of the children, if fishing isn’t enough motivation to participate, receiving a prize at the end is. Jane Miller, who deals with advertising for the derby, said many of the young participants really enjoy the prizes. "You’re not walking away from this without getting something," she said. "Manville contributes like crazy."
Though she is not a member of the Rod & Gun Club, Ms. Miller has helped organize the event since it started, about eight years ago. She got involved because she used to live next to the club and she wanted to support the community.
"I have two boys who love to fish," she said. "I wanted to help out."
Ms. Miller said the fishing derby offers quality family time, a chance to fish and an opportunity to learn what it is to give back to the community. She also said the motto "Get hooked on fishing, not on drugs" is important for children to remember.
"It’s nice to say ‘here’s something you can do, here’s something literally in your own back yard,’" she said.
While their children fish, many of the parents stay at the event to watch and mingle with other area residents. Mr. Chernesky said it’s important that a parent be there when his or her child catches a fish.
"It’s a very important time for a kid," he said. "If a kid catches a fish, me, as a parent, I want to share that experience with a child."
Registration for the fishing derby begins at 9 a.m. and all participants must be registered before 10 a.m., when the fishing actually begins. Ms. Miller said there is a lot of excitement at the river as the children get set up to fish. "It’s very charged up, the kids have a ball. … They get there early and are running all over the place looking for the best spot (to set up)," she said.
The fishing ends at noon, at which time prizes are handed out. In addition to the door prizes, other prizes are given based on the heaviest weight of total fish caught.
"We weigh every fish the kids catch," Mr. Chernesky said. "We take all the ounces and add them up. The total gross weight of fish wins."
The fish are all thrown back into the water afterward.
For children too young to participate in the derby there are games such as bowling and Frisbee offered. Mr. Chernesky said that if some of the younger fishers begin to lose their interest, they can play the games as well.
After the derby is over, hot dogs and root beer are available.
"It’s a casual atmosphere," said Ms. Miller.
Anyone interested in attending the derby simply needs to be at the Rod & Gun club at 9 a.m. June 10 to register. The event will happen rain or shine.
Mr. Chernesky said the derby has experienced growth over the years and he urged people to participate.
"Where else can you go fishing and get wonderful prizes for three cans of food? … It’s for nothing really. To me it’s a way our organization can give something back to the community, that’s the most important thing."