HILTS: Take a kid fishing today, for tomorrow

By Bill Hilts Jr.
Greater Niagara Newspapers

July 04, 2009 10:10 pm

— The importance of taking a kid fishing — the future generation of anglers — can’t be emphasized enough.
They are the future gate keepers of our natural resources and ultimately the ones that will be passing on the baton to the next generation of outdoor users and natural resource stakeholders. It’s an important part of our heritage, an outdoor legacy and tradition that needs to continue. Sportsmen are the true conservationists. Every penny of their license dollars, special stamps and excise tax on their equipment is used to protect and enhance those natural resources. Without them, Mother Nature would be taking a serious hit.
As we look around Western New York, some magnificent strides are being made to educate the next generation of sportsmen and expose them to the outdoors. One excellent case in point is the kids fishing derby in the Town of Newfane, the same weekend as the state’s Free Fishing Days.
The Town of Newfane Tourism Committee, along with the Newfane/Olcott Lions Club, spearheaded a fun day for the kids that is centered around fishing. The fishing took place at the marina in Olcott, and there wasn’t one kid that walked away unhappy. Thanks to the Buffalo Sabres Alumni and Bob Cinelli, Inc., every participant received a rod and reel combination. It was certainly a big hit with them, but that only scratched the surface on how the community pulled together.
Sheriff Jim Votour was on hand to assist with all the festivities, spending a couple of hours of quality time with the youngsters. The Sheriff’s Department’s Canine Unit was also on hand. Jim Hildreth had his new dog “Sarge” to offer up demonstrations for the kids.
The Olcott Volunteer Fire Department also got into the act by bringing one of their trucks down and giving rides to some of the kids. More than 125 kids participated in the fun contest, and the winning catch was a 30-inch northern pike that was reeled in by 9-year-old Jacob Dolan of Lewiston. He also caught a 29-inch pike.
And after all the fishing was complete, there was a hot dog roast and pop for the kids. A great time was had by all. Hats off to the local community for a job well done. Contest chairman Ron Kelley was quick to emphasize the large number of volunteers that turned out for the event.
Hats go off to the Buffalo Sabres Alumni, who donated funds to help support the derby through their annual fishing fundraiser that they held on June 4 this year. Combined with the matching donation from Bob Cinelli, Inc., a large amount of kids prizes were purchased for not only the Newfane derby, but also the kids contests in Niagara Falls, Wilson, Youngstown and the Town of Niagara this year. It’s really all about the kids. Keep up the good work everyone!
Canal Derby starts Tuesday
And if you’re looking for an event to get those kids out fishing, enter the 19th annual Erie Canal Fishing Derby. The fishing competition starts Tuesday and runs through July 19th. Once again there will be over $20,000 in cash and prizes up for grabs, and the Grand Prize is a boat, motor and trailer. There’s also up to $10,000 in additional cash and prizes in tagged fish. Divisions include bass, walleye, pike, bullhead, carp, sheepshead and catfish. Entry fee is $6 for kids, $11 for adults and a family pass for $21 — the best deal in town.
For a complete list of rules and registration outlets, visit their Web site at www.eriecanalderby.com. Steve Harrington of Gasport does an excellent job with this derby, another example of someone going above and beyond the call of duty for the future of fishing.
At the same time, he is helping to create a better awareness for an underutilized resource — the Erie Canal. This recreational waterway has some pretty darn good fishing available, and one of the best ways to spotlight it is to hold a derby.
DEC Summer Camp slots open
One of the best ways to expose kids to the outdoors is through the Department of Environmental Conservation’s Environmental Education Camps around the state. The camps focus on conservation education, including things like fishing, shooting and a wide variety of outdoor activities. Hunter education certification is also an option. These summer camps are available for youngsters ages 12 to 17, and one of the camps is located in nearby Rushford. Cost is $325 for the entire week and many of the local sportsmen/conservation groups have been sponsoring kids for years.
To find out what weeks are still available, visit www.dec.ny.gov/education/2013.html. To register your child, log on to www.dec.ny.gov/education/29.html. You can also e-mail DEC at edcamps@gw.dec.state.ny.us, or call 518-402-8014.
Fishing tip of the week
This week’s fishing tip comes from Capt. Vince Pierleoni of Newfane. The veteran charter skipper passed along an important tip when trailering your boat:
“When trailering your boat and making a turn around a corner, be sure to swing wide enough to avoid a collision with anything that might be near the corner, like a fire hydrant.”
Apparently, there’s a particular corner in Olcott that is a bit difficult to maneuver and Capt. Vince has been working on perfecting it to show that it can be done. And no fire hydrants were harmed in his maneuver.
NYPA parking area open
The New York Power Authority’s Niagara Project has announced that they have officially opened the newly renovated parking area adjacent to the Fishing Platform at the base of the hill. As part of their relicensing agreement, the parking area was expanded to include 10 regular parking slots in addition to four handicapped slots. As a result, anglers will not have to park at the top of the hill and walk down to the platform.
Bear sighting
Joe Homesberger sends word that he sighted a black bear on Fisk Road in the Town of Royalton (Wolcottsville) last weekend. There have also been sightings in the Hartland Swamp area and elsewhere around the county. In light of these sightings, DEC has been holding public hearings to educate the general public. The next Black Bear Public Informational Meeting will be at the Lancaster Municipal Building, 5423 Broadway, Lancaster from 7-9 p.m.

(Bill Hilts Jr. is a former president of the New York State Outdoor Writers Association. Contact him at billhiltsjr69@cs.com.)

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