Hook, Line and Sinker: Fishing Derby Draws Crowd

The Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs held a Fishing Derby Saturday morning, at Branch Brook Park in Newark.

The Derby officially kicked off at 10 a.m. but children, accompanied by their parents, started looking for good spots by the lake as early as 8 o’clock.

Five-year-old Allen Nieves and his brother Kenneth, 8, residents of Newark, were settled by the lake early, hoping to catch a few fish. Allen’s mother, Blanca, said he almost caught a trout but the fish got away. The kids’ father, Jose, is into fishing himself, and has caught huge ocean fish in his four years of fishing. It’s a hobby he wishes to pass on to his sons, so they’re starting them early.

Six-year-old Johnny Czepurko of Irvington was excited to cast the line, after being able to catch some fish before, during a previous derby in Verona.

Jillian Czepurko, 11 years old, also from Irvington, said she loves fishing, “Because it’s fun.” Jillian has been fishing since she was five years old in a river by her house.

The fish were somewhat elusive that day though, giving the children a bit of a hard time.

Thirteen-year-old Tamesha Harris, a member of the Boys and Girls Club of Newark, said she still hasn’t caught any by noontime.

Carmen Ginorio of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs said they stocked the lake with about two to three hundred fishes the day before.

“It’s hard to catch fish here because it’s such a huge lake, unlike those in other parks,” said Ginorio.

Still, the children’s hopes were up, especially with much encouragement from their parents.

Eleven-year-old Brian Gaillard of East Orange was evidently having a great time bonding with his dad. Brian has been joining fishing derbies all around Essex County for seven years now and has already won twice. His father said he encourages him because it’s a great experience and a great bonding time for them.

Ruth Herrera, mother of eight-year-old Adrianna Herrera, couldn’t agree more.

“This kind of events is nice for the kids because it allows them to do something positive,” said Ruth. “It’s also a good activity to teach them about patience,” a trait she said most kids of today lack.

County Executive Joe DiVincenzo said they’ve held the derby for several years now.

“It’s something that brings families together,” said DiVincenzo. “We want this not only for the kids but for the entire family; to make them part of what’s happening in the park, for the kids to know about our environment. We’ve got the best park system in the country so we just want people to be able to utilize our system.”

About 160 participants turned up for the derby, all receiving free shirts, lunch and popcorn, courtesy of sponsors Prudential and the Branch Brook Park Alliance. There was also live music, face painting and fish painting booths at the park grounds for everyone to enjoy.

At noontime, the following winners were awarded:

First Catch:

Male: Quajim Battle, 12, from Newark; and RJ Pope, 8, from Bloomfield

Female: Kiya Washington, 14, from East Orange

Most Fish Caught:

Female, 6-10 years old Category: Stacy Diaz, 9, from Newark; and Jovannah Bohler, 10, from Newark

Male, 0-5 years old Category: Joshua Astor, 3, from Newark

Male, 6-10 years old Category: Nicolas Gironio, 10, from Newark

Male, 11-15 years old Category: Edwin Camacho, 12, from Newark

Prizes were also raffled off after the awarding, which included fishing nets and poles, bobbers, and iTune cards.