Recreation Department plans off the hook fishing derby

By Pete Fontaine
Posted 4/27/17

Trout fishing 101. In essence, that's what dozens of children will take part in on Sunday if they show up at the pond inside Johnston War Memorial Park. The event - the Johnston Parks and Recreation Department Youth Fishing Derby - will

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Recreation Department plans off the hook fishing derby

Posted

Trout fishing 101. In essence, that’s what dozens of children will take part in on Sunday if they show up at the pond inside Johnston War Memorial Park.

The event – the Johnston Parks and Recreation Department Youth Fishing Derby – will be held for two different age groups Sunday morning beginning at 8:30.

“It has often been called our Rite of Spring,” said Vin Jackvony, the Johnston Parks and Recreation Department’s (JPRD) program coordinator. “It’s always a special time for the kids and their parents, too.”

Sunday’s annual event will feature kids casting lines in the picturesque pond in hopes of catching what in many cases will be the first trout they’ve ever reeled in. Meanwhile, proud parents are expected to form the always-interesting human circle around the pond, waiting for their son or daughter to get a fish.

Jackvony said the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management has stocked the popular fishing area with rainbow and brown trout. This year’s Youth Fishing Derby will have also have a completely new look, courtesy of Citizens Bank. The Town of Johnston’s newest corporate partner, which is building a campus off Greenville Avenue where some 3,200 staffers will soon reside – has signed on as the sponsor for Sunday’s Youth Fishing Derby.

“This is the second time in almost as many weeks that Citizens Bank will be the single sponsor for a Johnston Rec Department event,” Jackvony noted. “We were thrilled – and very, very appreciative – that Citizens served as the sponsor of our recent Breakfast with the Easter Bunny. The Bank’s sponsorship certainly adds to the prestige of this event.”

While the JPRD hosts the annual fishing contest which is open to kids ages 4 to 12, veteran participants are the Rhode Island DEM and Save the Lakes, a non-profit of individuals and associations dedicated to improving, protecting and preserving fresh water bodies of Rhode Island for future generations.

Jackvony, who said that fellow staffers Nicole Cournoyer and Mike Bedrosian will be on hand for Sunday’s Youth Fishing Derby, also announced that awards will be given for individual achievement and that there is no fee to enter.

“Please remember this derby is meant for kids,” Jackvony said. “Please let the kids do all the fishing. The adults are certainly welcome to help cast lines and release the fish, if necessary. And most of all, we want all the kids to have fun.”

There will be prizes for the biggest fish, smallest fish…longest fish and a variety of awards,” Jackvony said. “And we can’t thank Citizens Bank enough for sponsoring this event.”

He said that kids ages 8 to 12 will fish from 8:30 to 10 a.m. and children ages 4 to 7 will cast their lines beginning and 10:30 a.m. and fish until 12 noon, after which there will be a special presentation of all prizes and awards. For more information or entry, please call the JPRD at (401) 272-3460.

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