Page 7 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 136

www.sportsenergynews.com Issue #136 May 2024 7

Wishin’ I was Fishin’...

19442 Hwy. 2, SUMMERSTOWN Tel. 613-931-1443 • www.rogersmarina.ca

PJ Burns talks about his “Kids for Fishing” Annual Tournament

By Molly Kett “They come in and talk to the
youth about hypothermia, different
J Burns, a seasoned law strategies to keep safe on the water,
Penforcement officer and avid their PFDs, and navigating vessels,”
fisherman, has been making waves in said Burns.
his community for over a decade with
his “Kids for Fishing” tournament, They also talk about flow plans,
aimed at bridging the gap between and why it’s important to let
somebody know where you’re going
youth and law enforcement through
the power of fishing. when boating, who you’re with, what
time you’re going to be back, and
Burns, a member of the Saint Regis what your starting point is.
Mohawk Tribe police department, Photo Submitted
and his partner Norman King, of “That way if there’s ever an
emergency, when they call us, the The highlight of the day is the group gets fed a large meal before
the Akwesasne Mohawk police
department, have teamed up for this police, they say, okay, well they left interactive fishing workshop led by hitting the water to do some fishing
incredible event. from this location and they said they industry professionals. and are given lots of fantastic fishing
were going in this direction for this goods.
“The day goes like this. So, the first many hours and they’re not back “They do a presentation on how
part of our day, we have presentations. yet,” said Burns. “So, it gives us to use the rod and reel, different “They get rods, they get reels,
We talk about drug prevention,” said (police) a starting point.” fishing techniques like drop shotting, they get tackle boxes with tackle in
Burns. “They talk about vaping, wacky style with a sinkhole with a it, life jacket, hats and t-shirts, and
The third presentation of the day worm, using crankbaits,” said Burns. whatever else the different agencies
they talk about tobacco, alcohol,
covers environmental awareness, “They’ll give an overview of all donate to our fishing events,” said
cannabis, and whatever other
questions or whatever other trends with experts discussing threats posed different techniques and different Burns. “It’s like Christmas for these
by invasive species like gobies, zebra types of rod and reels that they’ll be kids, and they get all of this good,
that are being seen in our community
mussels, and the recently encountered using.” brand name stuff. Once that’s done,
and surrounding community.”
tench. Burns stresses the significance Each presentation is tailored to then we have all the boaters get into
After this section of the day, the of preserving local ecosystems and their boat and I have the kids lined
team moves on to the topic of water instilling a sense of responsibility for engage young minds and foster a up. And so, we will have 40 kids
safety, covered by representatives environmental stewardship among love for fishing and safety. lined up, ready to get in a boat. I put
from the United States Coast Guard. participants. After these learning sessions, the Continued on page 10

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