Bryan’s Fishing Camp Enjoys Fifth Year

NEW FAIRFIELD — Bryan’s Fishing Camp, a camp founded in 1998 for children ages 7–15 under the auspices of the Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut’s Great Hollow Wilderness School, enjoyed its fifth year at the shores of Candlewood Lake.

Campers can participate free of charge; all costs are covered by the Bryan V. Kerchal Memorial Fund, Incorporated. The fund was established to support and foster sport fishing activities for youth. Bryan Kerchal was a Newtown High School graduate who died in a plane crash in North Carolina in 1994 at the age of 23; he was a national bass fishing champion. Objectives of the camp included teaching campers proper fishing techniques while fostering an appreciation and respect for environmental protection and preservation. Counselors also sought to create an environment in which children could enjoy the experience of fishing independently or with others — beyond the perimeters of Bryan’s Fishing Camp.

Newtown resident Charlie Bronson caught a 3.55-pound bass during the camp’s fishing tournament, winning second place in the Big Fish category. For more information about the Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut, visit www.regionalymca.org or contact the Great Hollow Wilderness School and Conference Center at 746-5852.