SUGAR NOTCH â In May, 17-year-old James Scholten accidentally snapped his fishing rod during a trip to Frances Slocum State Park.
The mishap was devastating for Scholten, who has Down syndrome and other medical challenges. On the water, however, Scholtenâs focus shifts away from the medical issues to just one thing: âI want to catch a really big fish,â he said.
And he wants to do it with a fishing rod of his own.
Thanks to local charity Fishing for a Cause, Scholten is back on track toward his goal of landing a big one. Hanover Twp. resident George Bowers, who founded the charity, visited Scholten on Dec. 17 with a few early Christmas presents. In addition to a fishing rod, Scholten received his own tackle box stocked with lures and a new fishing buddy in Bowers, who also gave the family a $1,250 check to help with medical expenses.