Children and adults participate in a fishing expedition at Pitts Pond in Caroline County, sponsored by Caroline's Promise and Caroline Parks and Recreation Department. Caroline's Promise is a program that helps area young people. SUZANNE CARR ROSSI/THE FREE LANCE-STAR View More Images from this story Visit the Photo Place

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Caroline clinic hooks residents on fishing OUTDOORSVETERAN ANGLERS PASS ON REEL SKILLS

Caroline fishermen working to hook youngsters on the thrill of dipping a line

BY KAREN FALLEN RHODES

Date published: 5/30/2007

BY KAREN FALLEN RHODES

Fish in Caroline County take note: There are several new anglers in the area to worry about.

And more will probably be on the way, thanks to a popular fishing clinic recently sponsored by Caroline's Promise, an organization that helps area youth.

Mac McManus, a professional fisherman who has won fishing tournaments and appeared on ESPN, organized the clinic. He was helped by other fishermen equally eager to see a younger generation put down their video controllers and enjoy the outdoors.

"My dad started taking me fishing as a kid," McManus remembered, "and those are some of my fondest memories. But a lot of people have such a busy life now, working so many hours, spending more time in traffic, there's not a lot of time for fishing."

For four nights this spring, more than a hundred residents, from second-graders to adults, took the time to learn about tying knots, casting lines, and identifying fish.

The classes ended with a "graduation ceremony" last week at Pitts Pond, where the participants put their skills to the test. They used rods, reels and tackle boxes provided through a $1,000 donation from the Caroline Rotary Club and discounts by Greentop Sporting Goods in Richmond.

David Chewning, whose children David and Gracie were in the clinic, praised all the teachers who worked without pay.

"You could tell the instructors wanted to be there," he said. "They were all die-hard fishermen, and it made it exciting for the kids to hear their stories."

McManus would like to see Caroline develop its own competitive fishing program, much like one already offered in Orange County. The enthusiastic response of the community has encouraged that idea.

The beginner and intermediate classes filled immediately, while the advanced class grew from week to week as word spread. "Almost to a man," McManus said, participants promised to come back for the second clinic he hopes to offer next spring.

This year's "fishermen" included a lot of girls, some of whom McManus said "out-fished" the boys "because they listen a little bit better."

"This is definitely something that crosses boundaries," said Darlene Keener, head of Caroline's Promise. "It promotes a lot of family interaction. I talked to one father who said, 'Even when my son turns 18 and is too old for soccer, we can still go fishing.'"

McManus agreed. "Fishing is a great pastime that has no yelling or screaming. There are no losers in fishing, only winners."

Several professional and tournament fishermen joined Mac McManus in spreading the love of the sport he calls "part of our national heritage." They include Donald Satterfield, Louis O'Berry, Tom Toews and Skutter Lee, who is also a fish biologist. Local angler Todd McVay, sheriff's Deputy Justin Cecil and state Trooper Chip Rosemond also provided instruction. Toews drove every week from Locust Grove to help. The others are local residents. The professionals in the group were sponsored by various companies, including Mercury engines, Legend boats and Ranger boats. Sixteen-year-old Jelani Hennessey of Caroline High School was also there to offer inspiration. Hennessey plans to make fishing his career and has already won some tournaments.

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Date published: 5/30/2007

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