Friends of Caleb Smith Preserve

It was a beautiful day for fishing on June 8, 2024,and that's exactly what children with rods and bait in hand did during the Friends of Caleb Smith Preserve's Annual Junior Angler Tournament.

The Friends group held two catch-and-release fishing competitions at the preserve: one for 5- to 8-year-olds in the morning of June 8 and another for 9- to 12-year-olds in the afternoon. Throughout the day, more than 40 junior anglers caught a total of 151 fish, according to Tom and Carol Tokosh, event co-chairs. The variety of fish included trout, bass and sunfish.

"For some of the children, it was their first time fishing. For others, it was the first fish they ever caught," Carol Tokosh said. "The children would get very excited with each fish that they caught."

Morning winners included Logan Wagner, 8, who won Most Fish Caught, which was 6. Salvatore Rizzo, 5, won Biggest Panfish for catching one that was 9 inches. Easton Hodge, 8, caught a 21-inch trout, which garnered him the Biggest Other Fish award. In the afternoon, Arabella Siegel, 12, won Most Fish Caught for reeling in an 11-inch fish. Patrick O’Donnell caught a 9-inch panfish which earned him The Biggest Panfish award. The Biggest Other Fish award went to Connor Biddle, 11, whose catch measured 17 inches.

Raffles were held at both sessions. Oliver Rogeinski won a rod, reel and tackle box. The prize was in memory of Michael D'Agostino, who was one of the founders of FCSP. In the afternoon tournament, Addilynn Blaine won a reel and rod donated in memory of Peter Paquette, the Friends group treasurer, who passed away in May. Both D'Agostino and Paquette volunteered every year at the tournament.

All participants received goodie bags containing information about fishing and the preserve as well as word search puzzles, a park activity book and other fishing items.

The event co-chairs thanked the volunteers for their help during the event as well as sponsors Campsite Store Shop and The Fisherman magazine for sponsoring the junior angler tournament.

"A special thank you goes out to the staff at Caleb Smith State Park Preserve for getting the park ready so the children could have a wonderful time fishing," Carol Tokosh said. "Hopefully, the children will be hooked on fishing and will come back to the park to fish ."

Tom Tokosh encouraged junior anglers to visit the park to participate in catch-and-release fishing regularly.

"It's refreshing to see children out fishing and enjoying an activity in the fresh air," he said. "Fishing at Caleb Smith State Park Preserve always makes for a memorable day."

For more information on fishing at Caleb Smith State Park Preserve, call 631-265-1054.

Photography Contest: “The Beauty of Caleb Smith State Park Preserve”

Sponsored by: The Friends of Caleb Smith Preserve

Two Divisions: ADULT: Ages 18 and older (or out of High School)

YOUTH: Ages 8 to 18 (or still in High School)

Digital Photographs to be taken in the Preserve between August 1, 2019 and January 31, 2020

Cash Prizes will be awarded for First, Second and Third place photos in each division Winning photographs, along with “honorable mentions” will be printed and displayed, and a reception will be held, in the park museum, during March 2020, to honor the winners and finalists

Official Contest Rules and Entry Forms will be available in the park office, or may be requested by emailing calebsmithfriends@gmail.com

On one of the nicest days of spring, the sun shone on 42 young anglers and their families at Willow Pond in Caleb Smith State Park Preserve at the recent Friends of Caleb Smith Preserve’s catch-and-release 16th annual Junior Fishing Tournament. More than 300 fish, including a 14-1/2 inch trout, were caught by anglers ranging in age from 5 to 12.

Winners of the morning session, for those ages 5 to 8, were: Frankie Marcotrigiano, 5, of Brentwood, for the most fish caught: 13; Tristen Hennon, 8, of St. James, caught the largest pan fish: 9-1/2 inches; Dylan Haase, 5-1/2, of Smithtown, caught the largest “other” fish: a 14-1/2-nch trout.

Winners in the afternoon session, for anglers ages 9 through 12, were: Justo Reyes, 11, of Levittown, for the most fish caught: 38; Chase Patrie, 11, of Setauket, caught the largest pan fish: 9-1/2 inches; and Devon Gallo, 10, of Manhattan, caught the largest “other” fish: a 15-1/2-inch bass.

Another highlight of the event was the Second Annual Tom Troccoli Memorial Lottery, involving the 17 registrants in the afternoon session. The winner received a fishing rod and tackle. The drawing was held in the name of the late Tom Troccoli, of Smithtown, who enjoyed fishing and had accompanied his grandson at two junior angler tournaments. The Troccoli family donated funds for the memorial lottery, which will be continued for many years.

The late Mr. Troccoli’s grandson Joseph Troccoli, 9, of Smithtown, drew the name of angler Jack DiBenedetto, 12, of Smithtown, as the winner of the Troccoli Memorial award.

Fifty-one young anglers and their families enjoyed the serenity and beauty of Willow Pond at Caleb Smith State Park Preserve at the recent Friends of Caleb Smith Preserve’s catch-and-release 16th annual Junior Fishing Tournament. Nearly three hundred fish, including a 16-inch trout, were caught by anglers ranging in age from five to twelve.

Winners of the morning session, for those ages five to eight, were: Ryan Green of Brentwood for the most fish caught: 17; Shelby Lloyd of Smithtown caught the largest pan fish: 10-1/4 inches; Ayden Zebrowski of Northport caught the largest “other” fish: a 14-1/2” trout.

Winners in the afternoon session, for anglers ages nine through twelve, were: Anthony DiBenedetto of St. James, for the most fish caught: 22; Jack DiBenedetto of St. James caught the largest pan fish: 9-3/4 inches; and Matthew Bonnell of Smithtown caught the largest “other” fish: a 16-inch trout.

Another highlight of the event was the Tom Troccoli Memorial Lottery, involving the twenty-six registrants in the afternoon session. The winner received a fishing rod and tackle. The drawing was held in the name of the late Tom Troccoli of Smithtown, who enjoyed fishing and had accompanied his grandson Joseph at two junior angler tournaments. The Troccoli family donated funds for the memorial lottery, which will be continued for many years.

The late Mr. Troccoli’s sons, Christopher and David, drew the name of angler Anthony Giambone of Centereach, as the first winner of the Troccoli Memorial award.

“Fishing was my father’s favorite hobby,” said Christopher Troccoli. “He especially loved teaching his grandsons. He started by teaching them to cast in his swimming pool. They got a real kick out of that. When we were young he would often take my brother and me fishing at Caleb Smith or Blydenburgh Parks.” Chris Troccoli’s two sons, Joseph and Vincent, participated in the morning fishing session.

Tom Tokosh, chairman of the tournament, said he wished to thank Carmine Petrone, Huntington manager of Campsite Sports’ fishing department, who donated fishing poles for a raffle for the younger group of anglers; and The Fisherman magazine, which donated worms and tackle for the event.

Despite 90-degree temperatures, nearly one thousand visitors of all ages spent the day at the Friends of Caleb Smith Preserve’s Fourth Annual Fall Festival on Sunday, September 24.

Children fished on the peninsula at Willow Pond, played Colonial and Native American games, made dreamcatchers and painted free pumpkins at the Crafts table and enjoyed nature events with popular naturalists Eric Powers and Jan Porinchak. Antique cars, Three Bees Aviary and other exhibits were on hand. Musicians, including singer/pianist/songwriter Mike Tedesco, played on the back lawn as festival attendees listened, and enjoyed lunch at tables under tents.

Peter Paquette, as George Washington, spent the day walking the area, speaking with children about the history of the park, and the Revolutionary War. At one point, a child was heard to say: “Mommy, I just met the president!!!”

2017 Junior Anglers Fishing Tournament

The fish in Willow Pond were biting at Caleb Smith State Park Preserve in Smithtown June 10 and as a result the Friends of Caleb Smith Preserve’s catch-and-release 15th annual Junior Fishing Tournament hit a record with a total of 259 fish caught by 30 anglers, ranging in age from five through twelve. All anglers caught at least three fish per person.

Winners of the morning session for those ages five to eight: Angelina Saeiocca, 5, from Bay Shore, won first prize for the most fish caught: 10; Thomas Lozada, 6, Massapequa Park, caught the largest pan fish, a 9-3/4-inch sunfish; Mia McGivney, 8, Rockville Center, caught the largest “other” fish, a 13-inch bass.

Winners in the afternoon session, for anglers ages nine through 12 were: Erik Trovitch, 12, from Smithtown, first prize for catching the most fish: 53; Matthew Cira, 9, Smithtown, caught the largest pan fish: a 10-inch sunfish; and Christopher Bellinger, 12, Smithtown, caught the largest “other” fish: a 14-1/2-inch bass.

For Eric Trovitch, who won first prize last year as well for catching 17 fish, the day began with immediate good fortune.

“He caught a total of 53 fish, and that’s the truth! He threw in his line and caught a fish within a minute!” said Carol Tokosh, whose husband Tom was chairman of the tournament.

There were 19 anglers in the morning session who caught a total of 116 fish, and 11 in the afternoon session who caught a total of 143 fish. All participants received a free tee shirt and goodie bags.

The Fisherman Magazine provided worms, bobbers, hooks and two rods for prizes.

From left, Christopher Bellinger, Matthew Cira and Eric Trovitch celebrate a successful day of fishing during the afternoon session.

colonial crafts and games were popular fun at last year’s event.

The Friends of Caleb Smith Preserve are

dedicated to preserving the natural environment,

historical structures and collections

of one of the last great places on Long Island

The Preserve The Museum

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