I confess that I know absolutely nothing about fishing. The closest I have ever come to a live trout was at the L.L. Bean store in Freeport, Maine where there is a trout pond right smack in the middle of the store. That is probably why I have never written a sentence about trout fishing — until now.
Jim Greco told me that there is a Potomac-Patuxent Trout Unlimited Chapter that focuses its attention on trout waters on the northern fringe of the Washington metropolitan area which includes the Upper, Middle and Little Patuxent rivers. Then I was told PPTU stocks a trout stream near Eden Brook Drive, which is not that far from where I live, and that got my attention.
The role of the PPTU is the protection, restoration and improvement of trout habitats. The organization has a program called Trout in the Classroom which links students to their watersheds, teaching a deeper appreciation of the importance of clean water, the concept of ecosystems, protection of the environment and maintaining a healthy trout population.
Trout in the Classroom programs are held at Hammond, Swansfield and Triadelphia Ridge elementary schools and Burleigh Manor, Oakland Mills and Murray Hill middle schools.
PPTU also participates in Project Healing Waters which is done in conjunction with the Fort Meade Warrior Transition Unit. PPTU volunteers meet with wounded warriors and share their knowledge of fly tying, casting, knot tying and trout fishing. Some of the soldiers are taken to Burba Lake at Fort Meade where they enjoy catching blue gills and bass on flies that they tied.
These two programs sound pretty worthwhile to me.
Joey Vennari golf event is Aug. 8
The second annual Joey Vennari Golf Tournament will be held Aug. 8 at Fairway Hills with registration at 8 a.m. and a shotgun start at 9 a.m. The tournament is in honor of one of our great amateur golfers. Joey Vennari started playing golf at the age of 5, won the state golf championship and in 1978 was ranked in the top 10 nationally for players 13 and younger. An Atholton High School graduate, he went on the excel at golf at Marshall University. Unfortunately, Joey died at age 38.
The proceeds from the tournament go to the Weber Addiction House of Howard County. If you are interested in playing go to the Joey V. Memorial Classic website at http://www.joeyvmemorialgolfclassic.webs.com.
Kudos to Kidz Triathlon committee
I applaud tournament director Rob Vigorito and the Columbia Triathlon Committee for putting the health of the young triathletes first and foremost by starting the Kidz Triathlon at Clemens Crossing July 24 an hour early in case the heat became overbearing.
As I saw it, 408 triathletes, ranging from age 6 to 14, took part in the triathlon which is a part of the Maryland Youth Triathlon Series. The number of entrants represents an increase of 60 over last year's total.
What I have come to like about the Kidz Triathlon is that parents and volunteers have joined to encourage these youngsters rather than criticize their performances. This bodes well for the future of this event and for triathlons in general.
Coaches finish certificate program
Earl Lauer and Philippe DeRosier, who coach track at River Hill and Long Reach, respectively, recently completed the USATF Coaching Education Level 2 Certification Program in Atlanta. The program gives coaches in-depth knowledge in a specific event. Earl concentrated on endurance events; Philippe concentrated on sprints.
"We both survived and learned a great deal," Earl said.