Articles

BRYAN’S FISHING CAMP 2004
Candlewood Lake – August 16-20
By Ray Kerchal

Bryan’s Fishing Camp was held at the Girl Scout Camp on Candlewood Lake in New Fairfield, CT during the week of August 16th. The camp program teaches fishing techniques and an appreciation for the protection and preservation of our water and fishery resources. Thanks to our 46 volunteer boat captains, 58 children, ages 7 through 13, participated in the largest camp to date. At the end of the week, all new participants received a tackle box from PLANO, a spinning rod & reel and a bag containing hooks, artificial lures and other miscellaneous items. The advanced anglers received an assortment of hard plastic and wood lures.

Since the second year of the program, we have had youngsters who wanted to help in some way after they reached the maximum age for a camper. In 1999, we started the “junior fishing councilor” position – minimum age of 14. Since that time, we have added positions of “fishing instructor” and “fishing program coordinator” for all classes except for the advanced group(C). In 2004, the design of the fishing program and the instruction contents were produced by these youngsters. This has greatly improved the reception by the campers. Mike Schmitt, Jr. led the effort in developing the instruction blocks. (Mike fished on the New York State junior team in the 1996 Invitational, sponsored by the Fund). This year, Mike had six junior instructors all of whom came out of the camp program. The advanced program (for group C) was designed and taught by Chris Bielert and Terry Baksay. Both are professionals on the BASS circuit.

On Friday, Alan Rogers of Hyde Park, NY took 1st place in Group C (bass fishing only) in the camp tournament. Alan’s five fish limit weighed in at 8.82 pounds. He also took 1st place for lunker with a 3.75 pound bass. Second place lunker went to Jason Boileau of Middlebury, CT with 3.05 pounds. Cameron Blossom of S. Royalton, VT finished in 3rd place.

In Group B (any species of fish allowed), Michael Jeffco of Barkhamsted, finished 1st for most fish caught (40). Tyus Buckley, age 12, of Haddam Neck, CT caught the lunker, which weighed. 2.29 pounds.

In Group A (any species of fish allowed), Esdras Guzman (age 13) of Danbury, CT placed 1st in the big fish category with a 2.40 pound bass. Adam Reifenhauser (age 10) of Southbury won the 1st place trophy for most fish caught (32). Second place finisher, Jesse Blankschen of Danbury had 30 fish.

The trophy for Big Bass caught during the week went to Colton Sposta, age 9, of Newtown, CT with a 5.0 pound bass. This was Colton’s first year at the camp.

Companies donating products included LUCKY CRAFT, LUHR-JENSEN, PRADCO, DARTER BAITS, GAMBLER-BANG FISHING PRODUCTS, TOURNAMENT FORCE TACKLE, STALKER BAITS, PURE FISHING, HOOKERZ TACKLE, LEVINE AUTOMOTIVE and N.E.H. TROPHIES. STOP & SHOP again donated food and drinks for the Friday weigh-in and Patrick Mohan at CANDLEWOOD BAIT AND TACKLE of Danbury donated the live bait used during the week.