Pope Airman brings fishing to local middle school

Published May 29, 2008
By Staff Sgt. Jon LaDue
43rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Volunteerism is something expected of today's Airmen. A little bit of time and effort can have long-lasting effects to the base and the local community.

Tech. Sgt. James Poirrier, 743rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, devoted off-duty time to a great cause, helping children in the local community all while doing something he loves.

He got involved with Harnett Central Middle School's "PhyshEd" program, helping to deliver an American past time, fishing, to local children.

"I thought it was something that was needed in our area since it is a healthy, lifelong activity that can help prevent childhood obesity by getting students to get out and move and can be enjoyed with family and friends," said Gayle Glover, physical education teacher at HCMS.

"The opportunity the base gave Sergeant Poirrier and his friends to be allowed time to come and help us with our program is very appreciated by the physical education department," Mrs. Glover said.

Sergeant Poirrier spoke to the students at HCMS about common fishing practices such as practicing catch and release, asking permission to fish on private ponds, and other general information about fish and "pond fishing."

"Mr. Poirrier was by far the most outstanding speaker. He was very interesting, informative and he held the attention of about 1,100 middle school students," said Mrs. Glover, "Our students are still talking about the day he visited, stood on his boat and gave them great information about a pro's experience fishing."

In all, Sergeant Poirrier spent four total days with the students. The first day talking to them, and then later he spent three days at Lake Rim in Fayetteville for the "Fishing Experience."

To assist him with the amount of students that would be participating, Sergeant Poirrier invited a few fishing friends from the base, Tech. Sgt. Shawn Teague, 3rd Aerial Port Squadron, Master Sgt. Weiland Tarpley and Master Sgt. David Wright, 743rd AMXS, to help. They were more than eager to come out and help the children learn to bait hooks, untangle lines and take the fish off the lines, said Sergeant Poirrier.

There were more than 1,000 students divided among the three fishing days, during which some parents also spent time learning and fishing with their children. The fishing days were split in half with each child getting a half day of education and a half day with actual fishing.

Kristopher Smith is the center director at the Pechmann Fishing Education Center across from Lake Rim and assisted with the education portion of the day. He said the students learned about boating safety, age and growth of fish, fish anatomy and fishing history. Mr. Smith said the event was a success and hopes that the children take away a physical connection to the outdoor environment.

"I think it went very well. Most kids caught a fish and several caught a fish for the first time ever. Lots of smiles and laughs," Mr. Smith said.

Sergeant Poirrier then worked with the families one-on-one and has had the support of the families and faculty ever since.

"Parents have been overwhelmingly supportive of this event. Hundreds have volunteered to chaperone and have asked that the school make this a yearly event," said Mrs. Glover.

Sergeant Poirrier says he's been fishing since about the time he's been able to walk. As a semi-pro angler, he currently fishes in the Bass Fishing League, National Bass Circuit and competes in the American Bass Angler Tournament Trails. All of which have brought him to fishing tournaments all over the country.

He has aspirations of becoming a professional angler one day and he was honored to pass down the sport he loves so much to younger children.

"If I can plant a small seed in a child's life to either get them going in the outdoors or maybe keep them from getting in trouble ... then I have accomplished what I set out to do," said Sergeant Poirrier, "If I can get one child to grab a rod and reel and walk down to a farm pond instead of walking down the wrong road, that's my reward."

Being a semi-pro angler, Sergeant Poirrier has his own sponsors. He contacted two of his sponsors and was able to get T-shirts, spinner baits and hooks for the students. Sergeant Poirrier said going to the sponsors was a no brainer for him because it involved children and his sponsors feel the same way about children as he does - they are the future so teach them now and watch them grow.

"His efforts will not be forgotten by me or our students. He is a very special person and I am looking forward to working with him in the further as we expand this PhyshEd program," said Ms. Glover, "Mr. Poirrier's involvement was tremendous and invaluable to the program."

Ms. Glover got the program started with a grant from the Future Fisherman's Foundation, one of only 95 awarded by the throughout the country.

Once received, HCMS went all out to get the students excited. The fishing portion of the school's PE program taught students about knot tying, casting, bait and lure selection, fish habitats, conservation, and even how to use fish finders. Being awarded the grant allowed the school to purchase rods, reels, tackle and other fishing equipment, Mrs. Glover said.

The fishing experience even spilled out into other subjects for the students. They made fish art, fish kites, written journals and graphs and charts for math.

"Although there was a huge amount of preparation for a field trip for more than 1,000 students, the expressions on the faces of the students while they were fishing made all the effort worthwhile," said Mrs. Glover.

Sergeant Poirrier couldn't agree more.

"I love to see the look on the children's faces, the excitement, when they catch that first fish. That in itself is very rewarding to me."

News Search

Volunteering

Pope Airman brings fishing to local middle school