Hundreds of Kids Cast Their Lines at Wyckoff Fishing Derby

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Wyckoff’s 30th Annual Fishing Derby sponsored by the Township Committee and the Environmental Commission was a great success!  We had a great turn-out of anglers trying their luck at the recently stocked Zabriskie Pond Park by Musky Trout Hatchery. There were approximately 120 children who participated in this catch/release event.

Environmental Commission members Chair Harriet Shugarman, Alex Cascardo, Liaison Frances Piskadlo and Township Administrator Robert J. Shannon, Jr. along with Township Committee members Kevin J. Rooney, Mayor Christopher P. DePhillips, and Rudy Boonstra were at hand to register participants and measure the fish.  Alex Cascardo thanked all the participants, the volunteers for all their help and the Township Committee members for their continued support.  Ramsey Outdoor Store in Ramsey donated bait and helped supply the prizes for the winners in each age category. Alex Cascardo announced the following children that caught the largest fish in their respective categories:

Ages 11 & up:

• 1st prize – Kristine Hihke
• 2nd prize – Anthony Christiano
• 3rd prize – Matthew Chagares

Ages 7-10:

• 1st prize – Julianna Murray
• 2nd prize – Nicholas Prihoda
• 3rd prize – Drew McNamara

Ages 6 & under

• 1st prize – Chris Werkley
• 2nd prize – Salvatore Gigante
• 3rd prize – Sophia DelBuono

Participants who caught the largest fish received a rod and reel set, a fishing vest or a tackle box.  Congratulations to the derby winners and many thanks to all the participants and their families.  Many of the families continued fishing after the derby concluded. 

This event also serves to remind everyone of the importance of keeping our water clean.  Non-point source pollution a.k.a. “people pollution” results from everyday activities such as fertilizing lawns and gardens, walking pets and littering.  With each rainfall pollutants generated by these activities are washed from the streets and yards into the storm water drains that flow into our waterways including brooks, rivers and ponds as well as the ocean.  These objects affect the balance in these vital waterways and we need to be more cognizant of our everyday activities.

This event is also part of the Township’s comprehensive recycling effort which also includes every other week curbside collection of Single Stream recycling; curbside grass collection and the Township’s Nifty Fifty Recycling Program – to improve our recycling rate to 50%.  Nifty Fifty is another step the Township Committee is taking to reduce the amount of household solid waste which must be transported to landfills.  For a comprehensive list of items and how to dispose of them visit www.wyckoff-nj.com and click on Recycling & Trash, then clink on Reference Table: Disposal of Solid Waste/Recyclables.  

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