Nothing Else To Do This Week? Go Fish!!!

As part of the Patch quest to find activities to keep you happy and busy this summer, we'd like to introduce you to Paolo Federico-O'Murchu, a 13-year-old fishing wunderkind who will be hanging out every day at Edgemont Park Pond to teach kids to catch a big one.

Indeed, Federico-O'Murchu will be holding his "School of Fish" at the 2.5-acre Edgemont pond every day Monday through Friday from about 12- 3 p.m. for fishing fun and companionship and informal lessons for beginners up to age 12. He said he'll have a few folding chairs available for parents plus an array of books such as "Moby Dick" and "The Old Man and the Sea."

His mother, Linda Federico-O'Murchu, said she'll be in the park some days, but insisted that the School of Fish is entirely her son's idea.

The man-made pond is located within Edgemont Memorial Park, situated on 15.5 acres between Valley and Edgemont roads — the fourth largest of Montclair's 17 parks.

In an effort to be environmentally friendly, Federico-O'Murchu said that he always throws the fish he catches back into the pond and encourages his fishing buddies to do the same.

Federico-O'Murchu said that he's fished often, generally near the Point Pleasant beaches, but usually without garnering a nibble -- a process he's found frustrating.

"However, after reading about the fishing derby at Edgemont I went out and caught 10 sunfish within two hours," he said. "This was a thrilling experience compared to my previous outing at Verona Park where my record catch was four sunfish in four hours."

Federico-O'Murchu was referring to the free fishing derby sponsored by the Montclair Police Athletic League and Policemen's Benevolent Association Local 53 at Edgemont Park Pond on Saturday, August 14 for kids ages 6-12.

"I love catching fish there especially catfish and bass, but for littler kids sunfish are great too," Federico-O'Murchu said.

Federico-O'Murchu added that fishing seems to attract all sorts of people and that a bucket of water filled with the "catch of the day" proves to enthrall anyone no matter what their age.

"It's great seeing their faces light up when they catch their first sunny," he said.

Federico-O'Murchu, a young and bright entrepreneur headed into the eighth grade at Glenfield Middle School, said he's been fishing at Edgemont for weeks and has "the equipment to catch from the smallest sunny to the biggest bass."

Indeed, Federico-O'Murchu confirmed that he's purchased some equipment for his fishing students and says that his lessons are free, even though donations will be greatly appreciated. For more information, contact Federico at 201-953-9042 or 973-746-4575, or email him at damaestro11@live.com.

Advance reservations are welcome but it's also okay to just show up on the day.