The Plainsboro PBA 319A and the WW-P Alliance for the Prevention of Substance Abuse will be holding their annual youth fishing derby at the pond at Woodland Drive in Plainsboro on Saturday, May 31, from 9 a.m. to noon. The event is open to ages 7 to 12 in both Plainsboro and West Windsor.##M:[more]##
Children will be fishing for bass, sunfish, and bluegill in the pond, and prizes will be awarded for those who catch the longest fish, the shortest fish, the first fish, and the last fish.
According to Plainsboro Lt. Rick Furda, the members of the PBA used to fish together a while ago, but now, “the reason we do it is more about having a venue to have the kids be exposed to something positive, and so that they can learn a skill that becomes a hobby.”
He said the idea to begin holding the fishing derby came from Plainsboro Department of Public Works foreman Chuck Rogers, who is himself a semi-professional fisherman.
Rogers, who belongs to the NJ Bass Federation and who participates in various tournaments, says a lot of the programs in which he is invovled also try to get kids interested in fishing. “It just seems like a lot of parents today do not know how to fish, so the kids don’t go,” he says. “We teach the kids the right equipment to use and what they can catch.”
Rogers, who grew up in Plainsboro and who had lived in the township for 29 years before moving 11 years ago, says he began fishing when he was five years old with his father. He says he grew up fishing in the Plainsboro Pond and in the Millstone River, and he eventually joined the Mercer County Bass Anglers Club, where he learned more about the hobby. Now, he says, he wants to share his hobby with the children so they can enjoy it as well.
“It seems like in our town, a lot of the kids are from the city, and their parents pretty much grew up in the city, too,” he says. “They’ve never done it.” He says he sees that a lot of parents seem to enjoy the hobby with their children at most of the tournaments he has attended. And in addition to being fun, “it keeps kids out of mischief, and it’s something a little more than just being on the computer the whole day.”
In previous years, the state Division of Fish and Game previously stocked fish for the event, but there are fish that naturally live in the pond. “We’re starting kids off with anything they want to catch,” said Rogers.
Rogers says he was approached by the PBA a number of years ago about his idea for the fishing derby, which is how the event came to fruition. In addition to the t-shirts, reels, and a whole morning of fishing, Rogers says he will probably bring his bass boat and let the children see what a tournament boat looks like.
The event itself is not a fundraiser, but a $10 nonrefundable donation is used to help offset the costs associated with holding the event. “Each child will receive a new fishing pole, reel, line, bait, and T-shirt for participating in the derby,” said Chris Weidman, also a member of the PBA, says. The WW-P Alliance provides the funding to help offset the costs with the event, equipment, and prizes, Weidman says.
Advanced registration is required, as space is limited.
The WW-P Alliance educates the public on abuse related topics, provides leadership in policy issues, and advocates and promotes community prevention programs. As part of a statewide initiative, the Alliance receives funding through the NJ Governor’s Council on Drug & Alcohol Abuse, matching contributions from Plainsboro and West Windsor townships, and donation. — Cara Latham
Kids Fishing Derby, Plainsboro PBA, Pond at Woodland Drive, Plainsboro, 609-799-8887. Register. $10 donation. Saturday, May 31, 9 a.m.
