LIFE LESSONS

A two-day Hooked on Fishing-Not on Drugs program helps fifth-graders at
Stafford Intermediate School build a variety of skills that go beyond fishing.

Our children have so many forms of entertainment in modern society. The
Internet, video games, Gameboy and X-Box, have seriously impacted the
number of young anglers.

Busy schedules have taken their toll as well, with fishing far down the
list of activities for many families.

To combat this, the Future Fisherman Foundation created the Hooked on
Fishing-Not on Drugs program, designed to educate children on all aspects
of fishing as well encourage them to avoid drug use by providing alternate,
positive activities.

It's a thought that the Stafford Township School District has taken to heart.

Last week, the district's 14 fifth-grade classes took two days out of their
regular daily class schedule to participate in an expansive, two-day Hooked
on Fishing-Not on Drugs program that combined classes in the Stafford
Intermediate School and out in the field at Manahawkin Lake.

And the students gave it rave reviews.

Danielle Andriani, 11, enjoyed getting to fish at the lake, but she learned
a lot more:

"We learned about all the cool species we have here," she said, "and how
the fish have slime, that you have to have your hands wet to touch them."

According to Karina Monanian, the district's public relations coordinator,
the program was introduced two years ago by sixth-grade teacher Cathy
O'Leary and Jeanette Lloyd. They

received a grant and proceeded to work with many groups, including the
school's parent-teacher association and its Drug Abuse Resistance Education
officers, to contact local businesses and organizations within the fishing
industry. They also contacted Pequest Trout Hatchery in Oxford, the state
Division of Fish and Wildlife and received help from the Ocean County Parks
and Recreation Department.

The program had 12 stations -- six at the school, six at the lake -- and
the students were split into two groups, half at the school on Wednesday,
May 11, the first day of the program and half at the lake. On Thursday, the
second day, the groups switched places.

The stations covered topics from fishing equipment and safety to
environmental topics, as well as how to prepare and cook fish.

"We decided on classes," O'Leary said, to remind the students that this was
not just two days out of the classroom. "It was an outdoor classroom. I
think the kids reacted accordingly and did very well with that."

And beyond the obvious, the program encompasses a variety of skills, said
Kathy Coates, a fifth-grade teacher at the school, explaining that each
student received a journal filled with exercises designed to make them
think about the things they'd learned.

"You're tying in art, you're tying in writing, you're tying in reading,
you're tying in math," she said, as her students worked on a follow-up
project last Friday, tracing shapes that reminded them of some of the fish
and sea creatures they learned about the previous two days. "Part of their
homework was to share with their parents what they'd learned," Coates said,
to encourage them to get involved in fishing as well.

Each student also made his or her own fish-imprinted canvas fish bag, or
creel, to put their information and fishing tackle into.

"It has the feel of a trade show," said Monanian, referring to the way the
students gobbled up any information and floated wide-eyed from station to
station.

"The students are not only learning about fishing, but they are trying out
new and diverse life skills to apply to other anglers and the public in
general," Monanian said.

"These are the things that will make a difference for the kids," said
Coates, a self-proclaimed "city girl" who lived at the Shore when she was
young, then moved to Philadelphia for several years before returning to the
Manahawkin area as an adult.

"I'm very into this," she said.

And so were the students.

Brennan Thiel, 10, said he enjoyed seeing all the fishing equipment. He
fishes often with his father in Barnegat Inlet, catching striped bass and
bluefish.

"I like catching the fish and getting in a good fight with them," he said,
and he also enjoyed making his own fish rig under the watchful eyes of
state conservation officer Wayne Tonneson.

The biggest lesson Brennan learned was about safety.

"To always go fishing with a partner, have a first aid kit, and sunblock,"
he said.

Tonneson, the state coordinator for the Hooked on Fishing program,
encouraged the district to apply for a grant through the Future Fisherman
Foundation, and the $5,000 they received "gave us our initial supplies,"
O'Leary said. And Tonneson, who can be found at children's fishing derbies
around the state, was one of dozens of volunteers from state agencies as
well as local ones who staffed the stations to teach the children, O'Leary
said. PTA volunteers ushered the students from station to station, and the
DARE officers, Richard J. Sinopoli Jr. and Ronald Brummer, donated more
than 500 hoagies for the students' lunches. Jersey Mike's supplied the
hoagies at a discount to the Stafford Township PBA chapter, which donated
them to the program.

"It's brought everybody together for the kids," O'Leary said. The school
program was also timed to coincide with the township's Hooked on Fishing
children's fishing derby, which was held Sunday at Manahawkin Lake.

"We want to let them get a taste (of fishing) and want more," O'Leary said.

Ryan North, 11, who fishes often already enjoyed seeing his classmates
learning some of the things he enjoys about fishing, including the feeling
of a fish on the end of the line:

"It's a lot of pressure and it's moving so it's hard to reel them in," Ryan
said. "My friend Brian said he thought fishing was boring, and then caught
his first fish. Now he said he really likes it a lot."

Ryan's favorite part of the two-day program?

"When we learned how to fillet the fish," he said, and learning how to cook it.

"And he let us taste it," Ryan said, "it was really good."

It's safe to say he'll be back for more.

* Staff writer Karen E. Wall contributed to this story.

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ABOUT THE PROGRAM Hooked On Fishing -- Not on Drugs, a program developed by
the Future Fisherman Foundation, is used widely in more than 30 states and
territories. In addition to teaching all the basics of safe and ethical
angling, this program combines long-term mentoring and positive life skills
with conservation education in one powerful and adaptable package.

HOW IT WORKS: Children learn angling skills necessary to fish safely on
their own in a variety of settings, and the ability to teach others.

They are empowered by a new, fun activity and positive life skills, such as
creative decision-making, problem-solving, goal setting, patience and
camaraderie. They gain confidence and find a new sense of respect and
responsibility for themselves, their friends and family, and their community.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: If you're interested in teaching Hooked On Fishing --
Not On Drugs, contact the Future Fisherman Foundation. It will put you in
touch with partners in the state who can help you adapt the program to
fulfill your particular interests and needs. It offers a variety of support
materials, as well as access to brand-name beginner fishing equipment at
huge discounts off retail prices.

WEB SITE: www.futurefisherman.org

TELEPHONE: (703) 519.9691