Did you know that back issues (2019 & 2020 only) 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.

The return of the HRFA Catfish Chaos Derby announcement starts things off this month. You don't have to be a member of the HRFA to join in the fun. 'There's money and great prizes to be won and it's still only $20 for adult and $10 for child to enter. Click here to find out more and register.

Following Upcoming Events the EBoard's newest member, Alex Spindelman, introduces himself and what he is doing to increase our presence on Instagram and other social media.



The "That's Entertainment!" section features Friend of the HRFA John Vargo's Boating on the Hudson magazine.

That's followed by Carl Bruger's Part 2 of his "My Dozen Greatest Hard Lures of All Time".

Our Membership Chair, Arnie Ulrich, provides his updates. In our "HRFA History" section we have a remembrance of Pat Pawson written by Carl Hartmann.

If you have ever attended one of our regular monthly meetings you know that we always enjoy sharing our fish stories with one another. We do that here too in the "HRFA Photo Gallery & Fishing Reports" section. This month's full-length feature story is from HRFA President Capt. Aram H. Setian who traveled north to Alaska with his son-in-law Joe Marchese. To contribute your own story & photographs email them to [email protected].

This month Pete Musse's recipe is all about shellfish in his "From Fish to Dish" column.

Then there is the HRFA Calendar, ASAC update, HRFA Youth Angler, merchandise, RIVERKEEPER restoration project, 2020 Fishing Contest Leaderboard and partial list of sponsors.



We hope you enjoy this month's issue. Please email comments, photos, articles, news and other things of interest to members to care of The Editor.

The Editor

River Views

[email protected]

IMPORTANT NOTE: The full version of River Views is for members only. HRFA 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.

GRAND PRIZES

$500 First Place

$250 Second Place

$125 Third Place

Kids' Prizes to 3rd Place

Additional prizes awarded to participating youth anglers at each official check-in station

the day of the Derby.

All proceeds to benefit the HRFA Scholarship Fund

and Youth Angler Program.

Please patronize our Derby sponsors with your business. Shop online or call ahead for curbside pickup of bait, etc. They are:

AUGUST 15: The 4th Annual Catfish Chaos on the Hudson. For info contact Scott Havner at (845) 300-1562 or [email protected]. See above.

AUGUST 15: Remembering Fred: A Celebration of Life. 2:30pm Blairstown, NJ. See below for details or visit FaceBook at https://facebook.com/events/s/remembering-fred-a-celebration/2671037079825795/?ti=icl .

FALL 2020: It looks like the ASAC surf fishing tournaments and the Governor's Cup will NOT return in 2020. The HRFA surf fishing team is still seeking members for next year's spring season. Contact Joe Albanese [email protected] or Pete Musse [email protected].

SEPTEMBER 8: General Meeting via ZOOM teleconference.

SEPTEMBER 18: The new date for the annual trek to Ogunquit, Maine for deep-sea fishing aboard the Bunny Clark. See Arnie Ulrich or email him at [email protected].

OCTOBER 18: Travel to Rhode Island to target blackfish aboard Sound Bound Charters. Lead by Peter Musse [email protected].

Be sure to check out the H.R.F.A. Events Calendar below f or this month's member birthday notices, holidays and events.

Do you have a favorite fishing related video(s) that you would like to share with members? If so, send them to [email protected] . PG rated only please. Okay, if you insist, maybe we can accept PG-13 too. But that's it. Okay, maybe ...

Boating On The Hudson , available in print and online, has informed, educated and entertained its many readers for decades. There was once a radio program too.

Now, during these difficult times, you can help keep John Vargo's Boating On The Hudson magazine afloat by making an individual donation to his GoFundMe page.

https://gf.me/u/ygx8s3

For those who don't know, John has lived on the shoreline of the Hudson River his entire life. His passion for boating, fishing, and reporting general news happening along the entire length of the river fill the pages of his magazine. Sharing life along the river with others is truly a labor of love for him. Just like us he "Fights for the Hudson". Which is why he also is a past recipient of our Friends of the HRFA award.

Carl Bruger has been a writer for this newsletter educating and entertaining us who read River Views for a long time. Here is his latest gem. Perfectly timed to get you through these trying times of "social distancing" necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

A couple of months ago I shared a cherished list of beloved fresh and salt water lures that are in my personal Hall of Fame. You might remember my waxing with great respect over the Arbogast Jitterbug, Heddon Crazy Crawler, Bridgeport Diamond jig, Rapala minnow, K-9 Grinch from Yakima Bait, and last but not least the Deadly Dick. There was nothing obscene there except the exceptional catch rates accrued on species ranging from trout to tuna and bonito to big mouthed bass!

This month’s sextet of winners are lethal killers too with most capable of catches on sweet water or brine. That’s because the manufacturers built so many various size and color patterns that the savvy angler could pick and choose from ultra-lite to several ounces of metal to heave at the target quarry.

SEVEN: Case in point is the venerable Hopkins spoon. My dad and I were throwing Hopkins spoons in the Jersey surf in the 1950s and I believe my first decent bluefish from the suds was on a Hopkins No=EQL. I even jig for pike and pickerel through the ice with a Hopkins Shorty as several tackle box battle veterans can attest. The hammered brass is a top notch quality product and casts like a bullet into the wind. One of my Hopkins is over 60 years old and only the hooks and rings have been replaced!

EIGHT: An even simpler slab of metal that catches every fish from trout to stripers with bass blues and just about everything else in between is the ubiquitous Acme Kastmaster. They come in all sorts of colors, patterns and sizes, but one streamlined air piercing slice of metal that casts further than any lure of similar weight. Again they can be used under ice, ripped through schools of blues, used to fill buckets of white perch or vertical jigged for deep water trout and salmonids.

NINE: The only spinner in my Hall of Fame is no surprise; MEPPS. While this famous French company has been making awesome spinners since just after World War II the best of the lot is the Aglia. Once again you can purchase sizes measured from 0 to the big boys at 5 and 6 that tame muskies and pike if you are lucky enough to piss off a water wolf with your spinner offering. Silver, gold and copper are standard offerings while bare hooks or feathers or squirrel tails are popular options. New holographic spinners are available and of course there are still more varieties of blades such as Colorado, Indiana, Willow leaf, Chopper, and Fluted blades just to list the most common of as many as 17 on the market today! You can catch every species of fish on a spinner that feeds of minnows since that is what they imitate. My weirdest success was a 17 pound channel cat off my lake Ontario dock on an Aglia while I was seeking bronze backs in early spring.

TEN: I can’t tell you how many copies, imitations fakes, and knock-offs have been foisted on the angling public since Bill Lewis came up with his awesome lure, the Rat-L-Trap in the early 1960’s. But his company has sold 150 million lipless crank baits all over the globe. The noise of the rattles and the special vibrations of the body are a singular attraction to predator fish of all kinds. I have caught stripers in the East River on bunker pattern Traps, Largemouth bass have fallen for perch pattern lures and smallmouth go nuts over the crayfish versions especially when you retrieve them just over the round rock piles where the fish and their favorite crustaceans coexist.

ELEVEN: The most famous spoon in fresh water with the weirdest “correct” spelling is the Eppinger Dardevle spoon. This authenticity is clearly noted by the stenciled devil on the real product, a brass based heavy curvatured chrome and colored side spoon. The red and white on one side with the concave chrome is the multi-million seller that has caught more pickerel pike and muskies than any other spoons ever made! Like bulls these thee species seem to love striking at red and if you want action in waters where they stalk then you must have dardevles in your tackle box. I suggest a few since teeth of these guys enrich tackle shops quickly.

TWELVE: In my opinion I saved the best spoon for last because it has caught me thousands of pounds of salmon over the years! I am referring to the very round and heavy Little Cleo made by Acme the same folks who also made the Kastmaster. While it can also fool blues and stripers as a bunker imitation, Cleos are a lethal alewife replica that gets salmon on the troll, in the rivers on their redds (spawning beds), and just about any time you can put one in front of the other! ¾ 0z. Blue silver Cleos with glow ladderback tape is deadly at night where this is legal and during the day time any color that will piss off the salmon that day is the right call.

HRFA Members stuff

NOTE!: Trip to Maine moved to September 18th. Spots open!

HRFA free money (split 50/50) and the HRFA meeting.

  Currently there is $34.00 HRFA free dollars sitting in the jar for the next HRFA Meeting, whenever that will be.   

  The HRFA Welcomes the following new members Fighting for the Hudson > Welcome aboard, Kevin Whelan, Montebello, NY,  Fight for the Hudson.

Here is the 2020 Nw Jersey Marine (saltwater) Digest.

 https://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/pdf/2020/maregsum20.pdf

                                                                                                                   Arnie Ulrich

Membership Chair

HRFA Membership Information

If you are one of the folks who still have not yet renewed your HRFA membership the 90 day grace period is over, however due to the coronavirus circumstance we will still be sending the River Views to our 2020 still unpaid members until we meet again. HRFA expenses to operate STILL go on! Please renew your dues for 2020 if you have not done so.

Many thanks to those HRFA members who have already renewed their membership for 2020. This helps tremendously. The membership list and the information you fill out on the membership form is completely private. The HRFA does not make its membership list available to anyone. You need a current card (or life time membership card) in order to take advantage of the great local area discounts at local tackle shops and stores that are HRFA members themselves, and HRFA member benefits.

Membership dues are renewed annually at the beginning of each year.

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 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 ( [email protected] ) or call me at 1-201-304-4691.

Fishing Licenses and Saltwater Registry for NJ & NY, Hudson River Regulations, etc.



Click on the buttons below for the:

NOTE: To order your NY State Fishing License by phone call 866-933-2257

NOTE: To get the New York Saltwater Registry you must first register for a free Citizen Access account, then log in and Buy Sporting License(s) (the Saltwater license is free)

Remembering

Pat Pawson

By

Carl Hartmann

It is with deep sadness that we learned of the passing of Pat Pawson last month. She and her husband Butch are both long time members of the HRFA, NJBBA and other clubs. Pat was a big factor in the success of these fishing clubs throughout New Jersey. This is especially true for the HRFA who acknowledged the couple's efforts with their highest honor - the Pete Barrett Award. Pat along with Butch, were a vital part of the HRFA’s Hooked on the Hudson festival each spring. Not only volunteering but also donating fishing products for the kids, clams for bait, etc. Pat was always there with a smile and a spoon in her hand dishing out the wonderful delights she prepared that they always brought to the events. Usually always quiet but sometimes laughing aloud and just being herself. Pat was a staple part in a lot of fishermen’s lives, mine included. Loved by all, she was always soft in her words, sitting behind the scene doing what she enjoyed most ... volunteering her time and talents to help others. She was passionate and very supportive in Butch’s Tackle, the couple's business that thrived from the 80's to today. She backed Butch on his every adventure from North Jersey to where she now rests in South Jersey. The best part was that Pat and Butch loved each other so much and were joined together in marriage for 52 years. May she rest in peace. Butch, please know that you will always remain in our thoughts & prayers.

Have a photograph and/or fishing story you would like to share with the club? If so, we'd love to hear from you. After all, no one wants to see the same members over and over again. Email it to [email protected] and we will do our very best to squeeze it into an upcoming issue of River Views .

Adventure Fishing for Salmon & Halibut

Being retired, time was of no challenge for me, but finding a partner was. Happily, my son-in-law, Joe Marchese, was able to convince my daughter to let him go on this trip. The anticipation and preparation were in full force when the world came down with the COVID 19 Pandemic. We stayed on track, convincing family members that we will take all safety precautions. It was especially difficult for my daughter, Joe and their 2-year-old; my grandson Joey-Aram. My own wife simply demanded I self-quarantine after the trip, which gave me the opportunity to write and share the experience with you.

Thankfully, as in past trips, I placed a lot of effort on preparation. I booked the flights, for best routes and cost. I'd been to Fairbanks, Alaska during my employment. So, I had some idea what to expect, weather-wise. I gathered all the available information on where to fish and the suitable gear and tackle. I made several calls to the organizer, confirming the process. Based on the information, I created a detailed map with the coordinates of the suggested “Hot Spots”. We had to travel light, expecting to have “heavy” luggage back. I packed my handheld marine radio, marine GPS, binoculars, and compass. For back-up I had the smartphone GPS and compass.

Nonetheless, despite all the preparation, unanticipated surprises did arise.

For starters, the adventure began with unpredictable events. First, the state of Alaska issued mandatory COVID 19 testing, with negative results within 72 hours of arrival. For convenience, they had free testing facilities at the arrival, baggage claim area. We took the test three days before departure, not to waste time upon arrival in Petersburg. Next, checking and confirming the air travel schedules, I discovered airline schedule changes, without any notification, that would have caused missing our connection in Seattle. After a few calls and hours on the phone and online, we were back on track.

The travel there was calm, the airports and planes were nearly empty. The 5 hour stop-over in Juneau, at a small 5-gate airport was uneventful. Arriving in Petersburg, we presented the CV19 test papers to the health inspectors and climbed on a small IPL shuttle bus, accompanied by a few other fishermen from our flight, that we did not know, who were also guests at our lodge. A few miles ride and we stopped at the East bank of the Wrangell Narrows where a boat was waiting to take us to the lodge, located a few minutes on the opposite bank. We learned that there are no connections or roads on that side. In general, there are no land connections, bridges, to the mainland. There is a ferry, but it was not in service. Also, there is no main electrical power station anywhere around, all runs on diesel generators. Looking around, dazed, we realized that we are in the wilderness, but not off the grid. The scenery was spectacular, dense pine tree forest, bald eagles, glaciers, snow on the mountain elevations.

Arriving at last, we met the IPL staff members. There were three boat, equipment, and fish handlers as well as two kitchen administrators. During the formal introductions we learned that fellow anglers hailed from the states of Washington, Oregon, Florida, Michigan, Philadelphia, Maryland, and Florida. There were couples & families too. Some of whom were return visitors. After wishing everyone a successful trip, we headed to our cabin, picked out rods, reels, and tackle, changed to more suitable, warmer clothes (the temperature was in the 60’s) and started off to explore on our own.

Included in the cost of the trip were airport transportation to and from the lodge, breakfast & dinner, and since we were expected to fish all day, provisions to make your own sandwiches for lunch. We also found out, when by chance we had to return to the lodge, they served soup or stew at lunchtime. The accommodations included either rooms in the main lodge or a cabin for 4 with bunkbeds. Since there were only two of us in the cabin we were wonderfully comfortable. The rooms had bathroom, shower, and sink.

The fishing rods, one for the Halibut, heavy rod and one reel for trolling rod and reel, level-wind with counter. We had to rent ($75 deposit) the spreader-bar, weights (2-pound balls) for the Halibut and trolling lures for Salmon. Halibut bait – frozen herring, free, and special sardine type $5. An aluminum boat with a 60 HP, gaff, safety equipment, net, a harpoon, and GPS-Sonar on the boat. If we were a group of 4, a bigger boat with a cab would be provided.

The fishing method for halibut was relatively simple, get to the location, find the spot “Bump” 60’-70’, with a sharp (to greater than 100’) drop and set the anchor, drop line and bait and wait 1, 2, or more hours through tidal change. Fishing for salmon trolling or mooching, and for those with fly fishing skills, beach the boat at the mouth of the river, walk and wade 1-2 miles.

We were assigned a boat and a few instructions (totally insufficient if one is unfamiliar with boating), advised of the danger of hidden rocks (demonstrating a few damaged props and fins), we headed out. Right off the dock – the first challenge, there was no wind, but the tidal currents were significant. The Narrows were well marked and there was light boat traffic. However, there was no boating curtesy, boats were sailing at full speed in the narrows, creating dangerous wakes.

The first day was not productive. In the morning we decided to troll for salmon. We were told that fishing for salmon is restricted to a certain area. We set out following the tidal current and struggled, trying to clear and keep clear a very stubborn kelp. We reached the end of the restricted area, one bite, an ugly looking, big mouth small body, spiny (poisonous) fish – Sculpin, also known as Scorpion and Lionfish. Through the trip, this very annoying, like the sea robin in our area, was eating our Halibut bait. However, it is reported to be a very tasty meal, needing skillful removing of the spines.

We shared our disappointment with our new fellow fishermen and one of them suggested a "Sure” spot. The following day, we started our trip confident, traveling carefully through the narrows, avoiding the accumulated kelp, and debris. A hidden log could have ended our trip abruptly. We were navigating through the picturesque wilderness, on both sides, heavy, jungle-like, impenetrable forestation, spotting a few bald eagles. After nearly a half an hour later and passing a few crabbing vessels, we were on the open waters. 

Surprisingly, the seas were calm, with no waves giving us a smooth ride. Passing a few buoys and small islands, we spotted sea lions and seals, resting, and making strange noises. We also passed by a few otters, enjoying a swim and munching on their backs. Finally, we arrived at the recommended spot. The sea calmness was misleading covering the extraordinarily strong, outgoing tidal current. We had no competition; no other boats were visible. We anchored at 60 feet depth, lowered the lines, (the 2 lbs. balls were a necessity to hold the bottom) and wait in the serenity begun. 

I had my audio books and Joe had his books on-line. Following the advice, we waited, checking the bait every so often. Over an hour later - were able to succeed. When the time came, we were hot, we limited – the allowed, 2 Halibut each. We were quickly gaining the halibut biting behavior knowledge, a noticeably light tap followed by a hard pull. The larger ones were powerful fighters, taking line but eventually pulled near the boat, and hammer hand gaffed, (newly learned skill). 

We did just as well on the following days. On the last fishing day, we decided to follow another tip, for 70+ pounders. The weather was not cooperating, rain and moderate seas. The rain felt like ice picks on the face even though we were going slow. We anchored; we were rocking but not preventing us from fishing. After 2 hours and catching noting but the annoying Sculpins, we moved to the “Sure” spot. The seas and the rain have become unpleasant. In concern for safety, even though we were wearing our PFDs, we moved to a calmer location. Surprisingly, the little bay, joining the 2 Level islands, and only about 20 minutes away, was calm. After about an hour, we started catching our Halibut. We limited but sadly we had to return in preparation for returning home. Like every day, the fish was promptly processed after landing at lodge, packaged in plastic and paper, marked, and placed in a deep freezer. Routinely, every day during the dinner and breakfast, everyone was sharing their experiences. However, the days were very demanding and by 9:00 PM we were sleeping.

HRFA President Capt. Aram Setian and his son-in-law, Joe Marchese, went to do a little fishing in Alaska the week of July 10.

On the last day, we had our breakfast and when our turn came, we loaded the boat to the main island. On the way to the airport, we stopped to pick up our boxes with the frozen catch that was stored in the large freezer. The boxes are filed to 49 Lbs. each, just under the weight limit and could be checked in as luggage. We had 2 boxes with about 75 Lbs. of frozen fish.

We checked in at the Petersburg airport, where we noticed that there were more boxes, meaning, there were mostly fishermen traveling. The fish transportation was amazingly well-organized. Probably because that was especially important to the local industry. Upon landing in in Seattle, overnight freezers were available at Air Alaska arrivals terminal, and fee free. The return arrival at Newark Liberty International was hectic.

The amazing adventure was over, and as in all such instances with long lasting memories and enriching life experiences. The story to told and shared with friends and fellow fishermen. One last wish is to re-experience, but this time with my grandson Joey-Aram.

The fluke were cooperating around the bayshore of IBSP early to mid-July for a few of our members. Anglers are allowed to keep two fluke of 16" from the waters of the state park. Elsewhere in NJ it's a minimum size 0f 18". Pete Musse's 19" fluke was the largest. See Pete's recipe below.

Mid-July three HRFA members got into the action as striped bass continued their annual northward migration taking the shortcut through the Cape Cod Canal. Joe's personal best of 40" was edged out by Carl's 41" bass. Joe's striper was the Week 13 winner caught from shore in the On the Water Striper Cup . Currently, Carl's striper is in the lead for the largest one captured & released from shore in the 2020 HRFA Fishing Contest.

Past HRFA President Rick Englesbe was fishing up in Nantucket when he landed this doormat fluke. He now sits atop the Leaderboard for that species. This nine-pounder dropped Alex Spindelman's 4lb. 7oz. fluke into second place.

Easy Peasy Grilled Summer Flounder  

By Pete Musse

Preparing & serving fish whole rather than as fillets enhances flavor for the same reasons that "bone-in" meats taste better. It also minimizes waste.

Youth Angler Program

 By Wayne Geider

Currently, due to the CV19 pandemic, there are no planned outings.

Want to volunteer?

Just call Youth Angler Program Chair Wayne Geider at

(201) 384-8046.

HRFA Merchandise



Newly redesigned HRFA baseball caps are now available. Pick one up at the next monthly meeting. Or, click on the photo to order yours today. Wear it proudly!

Other apparel with our logo are also available. Like this handsomely designed and practical UPF shirt. Wear it proudly when fishing and save a little on the sunscreen too. For members only. Ask Ivan Garcia for one. 

Due to the CV19 pandemic, efforts to refurbish the HRFA's RIVERKEEPER to her former days of glory when she was the world's first and only r iverkeeper vessel have come to a grinding halt. To offer your time and talents when we start up again contact Dan Harrison at [email protected].

The HRFA hosts an annual fishing contest which runs from January through December and is open to all HRFA members. You have 30 days from the day you catch a fish to send in your entries. So, the deadline for submissions is January. As a member of the HRFA you and your immediate family are eligible to enter fish in any of our categories. Various divisions are available for prizes presented at our Annual Awards Dinner in March of the following year. Website updated daily. River Views newsletter updates below are done around the first the month. * indicates a new club record.