PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. -- More than 100 children and parents attended Picatinny Arsenal National Hunting and Fishing Day on Sept. 26 sponsored by the Picatinny Rod & Gun Association.
The weather was perfect and the children were eager and ready for the start of the fishing contest.
Around 325 trout were stocked, courtesy of the rod and gun club and the Civilian Welfare Council. The fish were stocked in Picatinny's North Basin due to very low water levels at Lynn's Pond, where the contest is normally held.
The bites on the lines were a little sluggish at the beginning, but picked up for some of the anglers.
Prizes were awarded to the children in three age groups. The 6 and under group was won by Carson Gutierrez, 5, from Sparta, with a catch at .81 lbs. There were no other entries in this age group.
The 7 to 11 old age group was won by Syaney Lee, 10, from Irvington, with a catch weighing in at 1.98 lbs,, followed by Dallon Churchhill, 7, from Picatinny, weighing in at 1.23 lbs. Katrina Churchhill, 11, from Picatinny, took third place with a trout weighing .72 lbs.
In the 12 to 15 year old group, Nicholas Ashlock, 15, from Picatinny, reeled in a fish weighing 1.15 lbs. Nick Thomas, 13, from Roxbury, caught a fish weighing one pound, while Nicholas Forsythe, 13, from Rockaway, took third with .84 lbs. Winners received rod and reel combinations, tackle boxes, nets and lures.
Each participating child received a small prize, so everyone went away a winner.
Picatinny's Senior Commander, Brig. Gen. Patrick W. Burden, stopped by to wish the young anglers success. The prizes were presented by the Garrison Commander, Lt. Col. Ingrid Parker, along with Maj. Michael Martin, President of the Picatinny Rod & Gun Club Association.
In addition to the trout contest, the children had the opportunity to learn safe handling of firearms with Chuck Horvath using pellet guns. Safety instructing with a bow and arrow on the archery target range was provided by Art Reimer, Jim Welsh, John O'Neil and JoAnne Keane from the Dover Sportsmen's Club.
There was also a deer and bear mount display by Roger Williams.
John Rogalo Jr.'s labrador retrievers, Dory and Nalla, demonstrated waterfowl-retrieving techniques.
A special thanks goes to representatives from Morale, Welfare and Recreation--Chris Kunkel, Hans Karlsen and Chris Brown for assistance in planning this event.
Thanks also go to those who helped prepare the pond for stocking, stocked the fish, assisted the children in fishing, those who ran the pellet gun and archery ranges, and those who prepared lunch (Jim Huff, Roger Williams & Tony Yermal).
A tip of the hat goes to Tom Hartigan, Chairman of the Fishing Committee, and to all the sponsors and volunteers that made this year's National Hunting and Fishing Day a great success.
Without them this annual event would not have been possible!
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