TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON—The tireless Knights of Columbus Mother Seton Council #5427 on Saturday, Aug. 24 made quite a splash with a youth fishing introduction at the Knights’ hall, 79 Pascack Road in the Township of Washington.
The event welcomed 20 parents and their children from the township.
Sponsored by the Knights and the Ike Foundation (Together, we can hook ‘em early!), the clinic provided participants with hands-on lessons in fishing. The children learned about equipment, techniques, and tips for hooking a big fish, and each received a new rod and reel. The class was led by Mike Fusco, a Mother Seton Council officer and a professional angler with more than 25 years of experience plying local waters.
Founded by professional angler Mike Iaconelli and his wife, Becky, the Ike Foundation says it is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that began by shipping lightly used fishing gear to deserving local groups. Today, the group says on its website, it distributes new Abu Garcia Ike Dude rods, Flambeau tackle boxes, and a variety of soft plastics to schools, fishing groups, Boy/Girl Scouts, and many other organizations across the country.
The foundation’s mission is “to introduce urban and rural children to the wholesome sport of fishing while instilling in them a love and respect for the outdoors.” The foundation, based in Elmer, in Salem County, says it plans to continue expanding its reach by partnering with groups nationwide to hold “Ike AmBASSador” fishing events and clinics and to increase the number of scholarships awarded to graduating seniors pursuing further education.
Fusco told Pascack Press on Aug. 26, “I’ve been a fan of Mike Iaoconelli for a long time. Professional fishermen always seemed to be from the Southern U.S., so having an angler from New Jersey drew me to him when I was younger.”
Fusco said of the Knights’ initiative, “We’re always looking for different ways to reach out to the community and I thought something to do with fishing was something that kids would be interested in. The kids (and adults) we had at the event seemed really interested in the topic and asked some great questions. I’d like to offer the event again next year and expand on it to include some kind of nature component.”
He said, “I learned to fish at an early age but really got hooked when I was I high school and started going to ponds and lakes all over Bergen County. To me, fishing is a way to experience nature right here at home. We’re lucky to have a list of great fishing spots right here in the area.”
Asked for the insider’s angle on the best waters, Fusco said, “My favorite spot is Schlegel Lake, here in Washington Township, because it’s where I taught my kids how to fish.”
He added, “The best fishing in the area is wherever you got your last bite.”
The Knights of Columbus, founded in 1882 by Blessed Michael McGivney, a young parish priest in New Haven, Conn., began as a small fraternal benefit society focused on serving the needs of a largely immigrant Catholic community. Today, it has grown into one of the world’s leading international charitable organizations, with 2 million members in more than 16,000 local councils.
The organization reports that, over the past year, Knights worldwide donated more than 48 million service hours and $154 million to worthy causes in their communities. Locally, in 2023, Mother Seton Council contributed $52,500 to charities and awarded $4,000 in scholarships.
Qualified individuals interested in joining the Knights of Columbus are welcome to apply. For more information, call (201) 664-0422 or visit kofc5427.com.