1,200 YOUNG ANGLERS HOOKED

FORT ERIE -- A crowd of more than 1,200 anglers at Windmill Point Park
in Ridgeway didn't mind last weekends rain showers.

Hooked On Fishing Not Drugs, held May 13-14 at Windmill Point Park's
12-acre spring-fed quarry, is an annual family event with licence-free
fishing and the option to release or take home the day's catches.

"The fish were biting," said Mike Rose, program manager, adding fish
caught were the largest ever, and there was a variety of species. "It
was our ninth year of stocking the quarry with rainbow trout and
holding this event, and it was the largest yet."

Connaire Campbell, 12, of Ridgeway reeled in at least eight pounds of
bass the first day. He said it was fun keeping his dad and uncle busy
cleaning and cooking the fresh fish.

Rose said 261 rod and reel sets were loaned out over the two days and
100 white pine trees were given to the first 100 moms on Mother's Day.

The event also featured draws every hour for prizes donated by local
and regional businesses. Every child registered also received a grab
bag with age-appropriate fishing information. The event, which
combines the teaching of sport fishing, environmental conservation and
drug prevention also helps to bring families closer together, said
Rose.

The goal of the program, he said, is to provide a positive alternative
to drugs through the sport of fishing. The program is used
internationally in a variety of ways by schools, churches, police
departments and youth groups.

Land Care Niagara sponsors the two-day event with support from the
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Windmill Point Park. Other
partners include Meridian Credit Union, Kid's for Cops-Canadian Tire
(a new sponsor this year in conjunction with the Regional Niagara
Police Association) Canadian Niagara Power-Fortis, Berkley, Pizza
Pizza, and volunteer Erno Rossi of Port Colborne, a retired teacher,
author and outdoorsman.