If you’re an adult fisherman, chances are you smiled big if you passed by Highland Falls Roe Park last Saturday morning. The park was filled with families, and the majority of them were surrounding Roe Pond, fishing away.
It was the Village of Highland Falls’ annual Fish On fishing derby, the brainchild of Trustee Jim Ramus. He most certainly had a huge smile on his face all day!
Now that he’s come down from his fishing high, Ramus took some time this week to talk about the very successful event.
“First and foremost I would like to thank all the families that participated in National Outdoor Day this past Saturday, June 10, at the Village of Highland Falls’ annual “Fish On” Children’s Fishing Derby at Roe Park Lake. It was a great turnout with over 80 children signed in for the event in the company of friends and family that cheered them on all the while enjoying a beautiful day outside.”
The day started with the young anglers being treated to Entenmann’s snacks, and receiving goodie buckets filled with hooks, sinkers, bobbers, lures, towels, pens, pencils, sweet treats and the opportunity for parents to browse a table full of information about wildlife.
After registration and before the first cast, fishing “rangers” — volunteers from the Thruway Sporting Store and local residents (Michael Anzalone, George Ramus, Dean Jaeger, Dave McCormick, Tim Green, Liam, Bill, Jack McLusky and his wife) — spent some time teaching the children how to set up their poles along with casting and baiting techniques.
“And,” Ramus conceded, “some kids even took advantage of the swings and other playground equipment!”
Once at the side of the pond, “the children were greeted by the resident geese, frogs, turtles and even a few snakes”.
The event ran until 11 a.m. The winners included:
— Largest fish – Tyler Truncale and Logan Cody
— Youngest angler – Josephine Wolf
— Most inches of up to 10 fish (four age groups) – Luna Camper, Grayson Mahellaio, Hudson Coronato, Micheal Sanchanz, Jake Flynn, Samantha Wolf, Logan Cody. Tyler Truncale, Gavin Rostron, Alex Dovall and Madeline Miller
Ramus said that some lucky participants received randomly drawn prizes — six bicycles given away that were donated by the following: George Ramus, Matt Johnson, Ken and Jeannette Scott, the Highland Falls PBA and himself.
He is grateful for those who made the day a success.
“At this time I would like to thank the following businesses and individuals who donated and volunteered making the event a success for tall that attended,” he said. “Supporters included, first and foremost, B. Rose Hardware and Hoffman’s True Value for the white fish buckets; Neighbors Landscaping and Thruway Sporting Goods for their generous donations; NY State DEC ENCON Officer Snyder for the Kids Conservation Literature and brochures; the DA’s office for literature on Orange County’s summer long fishing contest; the Town of Highlands Ambulance Corps and Village Police patrol for their watchful eyes keeping everyone safe; the DPW for clean up before and after the event; along with Mayor Joe’s help with the fliers and the village staff for their support.”
Ramus said there were several “above and beyond” volunteers:
— “A huge shout out goes to Kathy Beach and Brian Aylward who worked the registration and tally tables, the most important and essential part of making the day run smooth.”
— Kathy Jones, for doing the photo shoots around the lake and at the winners table
— The chefs who donated, cooked and served lunch, Gary Phillips, James DiSalvo, Johnny Jones and John John Washington.
“Again let me reiterate, a special thanks to all of the derby participants, their families and friends who came out to support the event, making it a success,” Ramus said. “Throughout the derby many photos were taken with smiles that money will never be able to buy and which will have a lasting memory for generations to come as reiterated by the parents reminiscing about their first cast with their parents at the local lakes.”
And, one final thing from Ramus: “Remember anglers keep those fishing lines tight!”
