E-12-24

REMINDER: In an effort to present the most up-t0-date information our monthly newsletter River Views will be emailed after the EBoard meeting. (The first Tuesday of every month.) This way it will also serve as a reminder of that month's meeting. (The second Tuesday of every month.)

NEXT GENERAL MEETING

December 10th

Meeting starts at 7:00 PM

Ridgefield Park Elks Lodge

21 Cedar St

Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660

At the December meeting we will be serving up FREE PIZZA & non-alcoholic refreshments. As always, the Elks Lodge bar will be open for purchase of alcoholic beverages. We also invite all to bring in any fishing tackle items for sale or to trade with other members. We will have tables set up to display your wares. Participation in the sale / swap meet is also FREE for members in good standing. (Though we wouldn't mind a small donation should you sell anything. If the spirit moves you.)

Why Donate?

The HRFA is a 501c3 tax-exempt nonprofit organization. We are an all volunteer organization. No member earns an income. Every penny donated goes to support our programs. Our Youth Angler Program continues to give people a chance to go fishing. We give scholarships to worthy college-bound high schoolers. The HRFA was the first group to find polluters of the Hudson River and hold them accountable. We continue our core mission to "Fight for the Hudson!" and promote sportfishing in the New York Bight to this very day.

Please support our mission by advertising your business in River Views. Our digital newsletter goes out to nearly 1,000 persons all 12 months of the year. (On average about 50% of recipients open and read every issue.) 

All ads will provide business card, logo or image you prefer along with a link to your business website. Pricing for 2024 is based upon size of the ad and dollar amount donated to support the mission of the HRFA; a 501c3 nonprofit charitable organization. 

CLICK HERE TO ADVERTISE WITH YOUR DONATION TO THE HRFA

• Small - $125/year (approx. $10/month)
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IMPORTANT NOTE: The full version of River Views is no longer just for members. If your emailed copy of River Views ends abruptly look for this quote "[Message clipped]  "View entire message" at the bottom of the page. Clicking there will open up the full issue.

Back issues of River Views, the monthly newsletter of the HRFA, are available for all to enjoy on our website? Click here, or the River Views banner, to go directly there and catch up on your reading.

Click HERE to make a separate online PayPal donation to the HRFA's Spectrum for Living fishing pier project.

From our Membership Chair

Arnie Ulrich updates the monthly calendar and more.

HRFA Members' Photo Gallery

Do you have a fishing story to tell? But no time to write it? Well, wasn't it Confucius who said, "A photo is worth a thousand words." Submit your photo to editorriverviews@thehrfa.org.

Social Media

We share a recent Instagram post and invitation to send photos etc. to our Social Media Chair Alex Spindelman: a.spindelman@gmail.com.

Environmental

Video (13 minutes) "the future of nuclear" or why people want to put small nuclear reactors everywhere.

That's Entertainment

• The 4th ANNUAL MONTAUK STRIPER CHALLENGE 2024 VIDEO!

Special Projects

The start of three (3) somethings BIG:

1. Building the Spectrum for Living Fishing Pier,
2. Saving the HRFA's patrol boat Riverkeeper,
3. Creating a permanent 'home' and museum for the HRFA.

The HRFA Lending Library

A complete listing of books available in our library, maintained by Michael Sardinas. Three new books donated. Check out the updated list.

2024 HRFA Annual Fishing Contest

What are you waiting for? Submit your catch.

Friends & Supporters of the HRFA

We need to increase participation in our Youth Angler Program! The retirement of Wayne Geider as Chair and aging of our core group of volunteers puts our entire program at risk. We have so much we can do for others IF we only have people available and willing to pitch in whenever they can. If we are to succeed, we must make strengthening our team a key objective of 2025.

The calendar for 2025 is already filling up. Save the dates.

• Urban Watershed Education Program with the Hackensack Riverkeeper: May 12, 15, 20, 29 and June 4, 9, 12, 17
• Bergen County Special Services: May 6, 19, 28 and June 5, 10, 18, 24

From L to R: Doug Barr, Noah Sardinas, Tim Burden, Arnie Ulrich, Michael Sardinas, Scott Havner, Tony Stellato, Dan Marfino, Chris Vargo, Matthew Reilly. Photo by Bayside Dave.

On Saturday, November 23, the Hudson River Fishermen’s Association hosted its 4th Annual Bass and Blues Surfcasting Derby. The event kicked off at midnight and lasted until noon, giving contestants a 12-hour window to catch the winning fish.

Participants eagerly cast their lines along the shorelines of Monmouth County, hoping to reel in the prize fish. 

The first striped bass submission came from President Joe A. The competition was intense, with a total of 12 fish caught, all of which were bass. Unfortunately, there were no submissions for bluefish.

At 12:30 pm , all participants gathered at the Atlantic Highlands Marina Gazebo for lunch and the announcement of the winners. 

Tim Burden secured 1st place, followed by Joe Albanese in 2nd place, and Scott Havner in 3rd place. Each winner received a 9' Rockaway Surf Rod donated by Okuma. Every participant received a Hand Crafted Icky Lure and a free copy of this month's The Fisherman magazine, NJ Edition.

Thank you to everyone who participated, like always, all enjoyed the camaraderie this event fosters. 

We look forward to doing it again next year!

M.Sardinas

Winners Circle: 1st Tim Burden, 2nd Joe Albanese, 3rd Scott Havner

L to R: Tim Burden, Doug Barr & Bayside Dave Etelman.

A Prez and a Vice Prez.

Chris Vargo and his cousin Matthew Reilly traveled the furthest to be with us.

Scott Havner, Arnie Ulrich and Tony Stellato over at the Jeep chuckwagon.

The dynamic father & son duo put together another fun one-day derby .

HRFA’S “CODFATHER” SPILLS THE BEANS

By Carl Bruger

The lucky HRFA members and guests who were present at the November general meeting were the bonanza beneficiaries of bottom fish wisdom thanks to a half century plus experience shared by our longest active member, Arnie Ulrich. He is a master angler dispensing sage advice on every piscine species from panfish to pollack and bass (large and smallmouth} to bass (striper).  

                                                                  

From New Jersey to Maine the ubiquitous cod has been a fishery mainstay of both commercial and recreational anglers. The flakey thick white flakes of cod are superb as a whole fish, in chowders, or crammed into fishcakes. Even salted cod, which has been traced back to the earliest written histories worldwide, has provided life sustaining protein for humanity’s millions. Sadly cod are deemed overfished so anglers pay the price with closed seasons or just one keeper fish allowed. Wise fishermen in search of “meat for the freezer” must make do with haddock, pollack or other available species. 

The best way to get these fish is by party boat and Arnie, along with many other HRFA members including this scribe, have fished for over thirty years on Maine party boats like the Ugly Anne, Nor’easter, and mostly the Bunny Clark out of Ogunquit. The best rig to use to catch cod, pollack, haddock and other bottom dwellers is to send down a 12 to 16 0z. Viking jig along with two teaser flies. Be sure each teaser fly has its own swivel so that twisting fish being hauled from the depths don’t twist off or create a Gordian knot out of your terminal tackle. The hot spots on Jeffry’s Ledge are 28 miles out and from 180 to 375 feet deep! Have at least forty pound test Power Pro as your main line with forty pound fluorocarbon leader for your jig and teasers.             

If you are serious about a jaunt to Maine there are three types of trips available on the Bunny Clark. $90 will book you on the regular day trip, $135 covers the fare for the longer extreme trip and $185 pays for the longest Marathon trip. All gear is supplied if you lack the deep sea stuff required. Along the shore you might try for flounder from May to August where a 12” 8 fish flatfish limit applies. Slot limit stripers are also available from 28” to 31”. Clams, gulp worms and real sand worms will nail the former with live bait fish, bunker or mackerel, and paddle tails tricking the linesiders.

Arnie clarified that best times for cod are in the fall when a one fish 23” minimum is in effect from September 1st. to Halloween. Spring fishing in April is awesome for Haddock with a 15 fish limit and minimum size newly set at 21 inches. Slow days may require the addition of clam, squid or shrimp baits to ensure a better catch.

To experience success you can up your odds by using a long stiff 7-8 foot conventional rod to get the long sweep required that gives your Viking jig the best and most action. A quality high speed retrieve reel helps when you crank up from the depths. Talk to Arnie or me if you need any additional information on a prospective venture to Maine or just a bottom fish foray in the local seas.

Weird Fish We Catch: Wolffish

By Carl Bruger

During the last election cycle both sides seemed to use the word weird to describe their political opposition. It was so overused that I chose to associate it with my writing theme for future HRFA River Views articles. Snakeheads, blowfish, Congo eels, skates and angler fish… are also going to be future monthly topics of discussion as we enter 2025. Each has their own “weird niche” in culinary potentials and angling entertainment.

The Wolffish has to be one of the ugliest denizens of the deep, truly a fish of nightmares and terror. They are almost as repulsive as my old crone algebra teacher except she had more wrinkles and warts surrounding her yellow toothed grimace! (This was very therapeutic to write since I’ve never fully recovered from failing the subject and rotting in the eternal hell of summer school as punishment). The blue faced creature with fins is in a famous oil painting, I think by Winslow Homer, savagely biting the oar as a sailor looks on in horror.

This scribe recently dined on a superb meal of Icelandic wolfish served at our Heath Village community. The awesome flavor was a cross between crab and lobster due no doubt to the fish tasting like what its diet was; crabs, lobsters and other crustaceans. Sadly we no longer can keep wolfish caught in our New England ocean waters due to poor management and lowered overfished populations. Years ago I caught several on Maine and New Hampshire party boat outings, with a 13 pound “oar biter” the largest specimen of the lot. I remember the flaky white meat being a true delicacy and all the fish eaters in my family pronounced the dinner delicious.

Recent trips with Arnie Ulrich to Ogunquit Maine to fish aboard the Bunny Clark have yielded minimal catches of small wolfish that were released back into the depths. Arnie shared that old specimens mate for life and this was proven when a large pair of twenty plus pounders was taken years ago in the same spot. Apparently they do not grow quickly and just like blackfish they do some serious chomping with some formidable dentures. This fish will shred any crustacean it fancies and shrimp or clam baits are often what catches them as a by-catch to cod, haddock and pollack.

We are now able to get wolfish fillets from Icelandic waters thanks to their impressive fisheries management techniques. It’s viewed in Reykjavik, the capital, as “poor man’s lobster” and is a popular restaurant menu item. Participating commercial anglers have a TAC or total allowable catch for each year. Each vessel gets their allotted share and must use appropriate gear such as long lines and trawling nets with every type of by-catch required to be kept and used in some shape or form. They waste nothing from the sea and eschew fishing in spawning areas or during times of the year when fish are vulnerable. Most of the envious countries see Iceland as the most advanced and organized fishing country in the world.

This has almost erupted into wars over fish like cod in debated waters involving Great Britain. This scribe is booked with my wife, Pat, for a future cruise to Iceland and Greenland. I hope all remains cordial so our plans do not wash out.

If you find a fish market or supplier on the computer that carries this delicacy a basic pan searing is great as is air fryer cooking. Flaky dips and fish cake balls can be superb dishes made from wolffish as well. Served with white wine and kimchee, my Korean friends and I feasted with cleaned plates the obvious ending. If Iceland keeps supplying the USA with wolfish I hope some of you readers get the chance to enjoy this deep sea delight. 

We need to pass A-4816. This is an NJ Assembly bill that prohibits towns from requiring beach tags/badges for surfers and fishermen to access the beach to fish and surf below the mean high tide line.

The bill will provide a consistent public access policy for anglers in all tidal waters.

You are being asked to send an email or make a phone call to your state assembly representatives.

You can find the legislative district you live in by clicking on the link below.

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/district-map  

·    This is an interactive map of all NJ legislative Districts. 

·      Enter your address to find the district you live in. 

·      A location pin will appear on the map to show your district. 

·    Click on the pin for your district details including phone number, email link, or mailing address contact your assembly representative. 

If you decide to send a letter or email, you can use the text below. You can also use it as a script for your phone call.

A bill that has been introduced in the NJ Assembly that would prohibit the requirement for beach tags for anglers and surfers to access the area below the high tideline for the exclusive purpose of fishing or surfing. The bill is A-4816. We need your support to get this bill passed. 

As a constituent and a saltwater angler, I am asking you to:

1.        Support the passage of A-4816

2.        Sign-on as a co-sponsor of the bill

This bill has no significant cost to any municipality and would clarify the application of the public trust doctrine as it relates to fishing and surfing.

New HRFA member Robert Armati, Croton on Hudson, NY 

What? The HRFA 2025 cards are ready to go out. Pay your dues at the upcoming club meeting!! Our current membership is at 160 HRFA members. The HRFA does not run on wind pudding and air pie!

HRFA Membership Information. If you don't have a 2024 or lifetime member card you are losing out on great HRFA member benefits.

Pay your dues. Get your 2025 membership card.

The generous grace period ends renewals on March 31st. Those not renewed are on the stale list and are removed from the membership rolls. Note , If you do not have a 2024 or life time membership card , you are not a HRFA member.

For those people who join(ed) the HRFA in October (or later) of a given year, their new or renewal membership also is covered for the following new year. There is also a generous grace period (3 months) for those who are unable to update their membership in January, however paying your dues late puts a strain on the records maintenance and consequently the ability of the executive board’s planning of activities and events.

If you have any questions, suggestions, or want to help (time, skills, or financially) on any particular club projects or events, feel free to email me, Arnie Ulrich (kavester@aol.com) or call me at 1-201-304-4691.

HRFA members competed in both the Berkeley Striper Club's and Charlies Bait N Tackle's Turkey Tournament. For the most part the bait and stripers stayed out of range for surf casters. But there were sporadic episodes of explosive action within reach. Scott managed to enter a couple of bass. The winning bass from the surf division was a 50" cow! The awards dinner at Used-To-Be's was a fun night out together.

What's a morning in IBSP without a box of OP-CO's finest donuts? Joe Albanese, Scott Havner, Glen Williams and Tim Burden.

Tim Burden, Glen Williams, "Tyler" and Pete Musse.

A creature from the depths of the sea? Nope, it's Pete Musse.

Tim Burden & Joe Albanese

Scott Havner & Stephanie Hess, Pete & Michelle Musse, Glen Williams, Janis Cavanagh

The George Brown contingent. That's George on the left and Lou DeFontenay on the right.

The striped bass fishing in the Hudson this year was not as productive as the past few years. However, Scott Havner and son Austin rustled up some nice ones from the Hackensack River.

The 4th ANNUAL MONTAUK STRIPER CHALLENGE 2024 VIDEO!

Hudson River Fishermen's Association

PO Box 421, Cresskill, NJ 07626 • PO Box 421, Piermont, NY 10968