School may be out, but fishing is in at the Oradell Reservoir, where Veolia recently welcomed young anglers.
The water, waste and energy management company provided fishing poles and lessons, to middle schoolers from the Emerson Fishing Club, and also offered hints to find the best fishing spots along Veolia’s reservoirs.
“I love to fish,” says seventh grader Dylan Miskovitz, and a member of the Emerson Fishing Club.
It was his first time at this reservoir doing what he loves and he says it’s even better than video games.
“My grandpa was a very big fisherman and I went camping with him once and I caught my first ever fish in a little bay. From then on – I loved it. During quarantine my friends were fishing and I thought why don’t I get in on it and I just started loving it even more.”
This is the first year for the club, which started when educators and parents joined together to support the program. “I was lucky enough to get the fishing club here at Emerson,” says Club Advisor Bill Bliss. ” We’ve been trying to start a fishing club for the last five years.”
Students practice baiting hooks, casting their rods and waiting patiently for a nibble. The group visited the Oradell Reservoir twice recently as part of Veolia’s Watershed Education Program.
“This is the first time we hosted this fishing club and it was a great success,” says Andrea Potto, who coordinates programs for students at Veolia. “It’s so important that the students get to experience the ecosystem, enjoy nature and actually spend time with the water.”
The club attracted students like Logan Manning, who caught a largemouth bass. “I fish a lot with my parents and my cousins,” he says. “Ever since I was 6 years old. I wanted to do that with my friends as part of this club.”
“The club is open to everyone,” Bliss says. “We have a couple kids that haven’t done a lot of fishing and a few are very involved. They are all pretty good. You don’t have to be that good at fishing to enjoy it. Just be outside.”
On one recent day, the students caught seven fish, including largemouth bass, perch and catfish. They left with Veolia fish-shaped drawstring backpacks and special memories. Advisor Bliss sees field trips like this as a win-win for students.
“They get to enjoy nature, and have a respect for the environment and learn the importance of the watershed,” he says. “The other part is having a good social experience outside the digital world.”
Potto adds, “I would definitely encourage more schools to come and do a fishing event with us.”
To set up your own school visit. Contact Andrea Potto – andrea.potto@veolia.com
About the Oradell Reservoir and Dam
The Oradell serves as the central component of a four-reservoir system extending into New York state. It receives inflows from Woodcliff Lake, Lake Tappan, and Lake DeForest, as well as water from the Wanaque Reservoir through an interconnection located 17 miles away.
On average, 98 million gallons of water per day are drawn from the Oradell and treated at Veolia’s Haworth Water Treatment Plant to meet the needs of North Jersey.
A century after its construction, Veolia’s engineering and operations teams continue their daily efforts to maintain the dam and ensure the reservoir can supply water to the ever-expanding region.
Veolia’s Watershed Recreation Program
Veolia’s Watershed Recreation Program offers hiking, fishing, and bird watching along the reservoirs in New Jersey and New York.
Members have access to trails, piers, and fishing spots around the Oradell, Woodcliff Lake, Lake Tappan, and Lake DeForest reservoirs. Veolia also offers a special program called Reservoir Rangers for children aged 5 to 12, where young participants can explore the outdoors while learning about environmental stewardship.
Throughout the summer and fall, members of all ages are invited to participate in free activities at Veolia’s Haworth Environmental Center. The company hosts a variety of local experts on birding, wildlife, beekeeping, fishing, conservation, and environmental issues. These events take place in the outdoor classroom by the Oradell Reservoir, where the public can also explore conservation and pollinator gardens.
“Our Watershed Recreation Program continues to be a great way for individuals and families to enjoy the best of the outdoors. We are happy to share our properties and our commitment to protecting the watershed with our communities,” Alan Weland, Vice President and General Manager of Veolia’s Operations in New Jersey said in a statement last September.
The Watershed Recreation Program is open now through Nov. 30. Membership information can be found here.
