THE
Hudson River
Fishermen’s Association
E-9-20
NEXT GENERAL MEETING
SEPTEMBER 8th

We will meet again online through the magic of ZOOM teleconferencing starting at 7:00 PM.
TITLE: Overview of the Biology, Assessment, and Management of Atlantic Cod off the Northeast U.S.
All are invited to join the meeting.
Meeting ID: 812 8276 3606
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Meeting ID: 812 8276 3606
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcGuo1mxQ0
Steve Cadrin (L), Associate Professor at SMAST, and Doug Zemeckis (R), Research Associate, display cod with data storage tag. 
SOURCE: https://www.umassd.edu/smast/news/spawning-dynamicszemeckis-and-cadrin.html
SUMMARY: For many centuries, Atlantic cod have supported major fisheries in the northeast U.S. However, in recent decades, U.S. cod stocks have declined in abundance and there have been persistent difficulties in managing rebuilding. This presentation will discuss the biology, population status, and management of Atlantic cod off the northeast U.S. Included will be information from recent and historical research on migration, growth, spawning, genetics, population structure, and more! 
SPEAKER:
Douglas Zemeckis, Ph.D. | County Agent III (Assistant Professor)
Marine Extension Agent for Ocean, Atlantic, and Monmouth Counties
 




Cooperative Extension of Ocean County
Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources
New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
1623 Whitesville Road, Toms River, NJ 08755, USA 
[email protected] | 732-349-1152 (Office)
Access to the Hudson River Estuary

Interest in recreational use of the Hudson River continues to grow as water quality and access opportunities improve. The Estuary Program's River Access Project works with state and federal agencies, nonprofits, and municipal partners to create...

Read more
www.dec.ny.gov
Next General Meeting
7:00 PM September 8
Guest Speaker
Douglas Zemeckis
Executive Meeting
Date TBD
Under normal times we always meet the 1st Tuesday of every month Ridgefield Park Elks at 7:30 pm
HRFA Officers
President
Aram Setian
Vice President
Joseph Albanese
Treasurer
Frank Wisniewski
Secretary
John Malool
Membership Secretary
Arnold Ulrich
Directors
Scholarship
Board Members
Chairman Youth Anglers
Wayne Geider 
Hooked on the Hudson
Pete Musse
Environmental
Gil Hawkins
Publicity
Miguel Sardinas
Fishing Contests
Aram Setian
Scott Havner
Outdoors Shows
Dave Mercer
Janice Soto
Outreach
Dan Harrison
Director Emeritus
Tony Evangelista
Trustees
Antony Carbone (2020)
Ivan Garcia (2021)
Marius Bahr (2022) 
Nominating Committee:
John Golon
Gil Hawkins
Aram Setian
Social Media Committee:
Alex Spindelman
Editor River Views:
Joseph Albanese
Send Comments to: [email protected]
Want to help us "Fight for the Hudson"? Click here or the striped bass image & make a donation today.
The Hudson River Fishermen’s Association is a group of recreational fishermen who make active use of the N.Y. Bight and the surrounding water system and are concerned with the present and future state of these fisheries. Our objectives are to encourage the responsible use of aquatic resources and protection of habitat. We assist where possible in efforts to abate pollution and promote sportfishing and the management of that recreation. We are a IRS recognized nonprofit 501c3 organization . All donations are welcome and maybe tax deductable. 
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.
From our President
Greetings HRFA Members and Friends,

I hope that as of this writing, we find you all well and safe.

As the COVID-19 situation continues and the Elks lodge is still closed, we are conducting the HRFA General
meetings using video teleconferencing. I am looking forward to the upcoming, September meeting. Douglas
Zemekis will be presenting a scientific view of the Cod fishing/fisheries in our, Northeast, waters.

I am happy to report that under these very-difficult conditions, we successfully launched the Catfish Chaos fishing contest. For details, please see below.

On Saturday, August 15, myself, and Gil Hawkins, attended the memorial for our long-time member, Fred Rung. The HRFA Executive Board and the President had the pleasure to announce the decision to officially name HRFA Annual Striped Bass contest: “The Fred Rung Striped Bass Derby”. A plaque commemorating this
occasion was presented to his son Fred Rung Jr., and the attending family and close friends.
At this time, still, many of the HRFA activities continue to be suspended or postponed. As we are closely following the current safety and health recommendations on the COVID-19 and reassessing our planned activities. We still have a few fishing trips where social distancing is possible. These trips are on the calendar for HRFA members only.

  1. SEPT 18: Annual Bunny Clark trip to Ogunquit, Maine. Contact Arnie Ulrich.
  2. OCT 18: Sound Bound Charters trip to Rhode Island. Contact Pete Musse.
  3. NOV 7: Castle Point Pier Fishing Trip, Hoboken. Contact Michael Sardinas.

All indications are that the Annual Award Dinner and Fundraiser will NOT take place this year. Therefore, as chairman of the HRFA Fishing Contest, and with agreement of the E-Board, we will be mailing the Certificates and Awards to the 2019 Winners. It should be noted that in 2019, there were two HRFA records broken. I am pleased to announce that, respectively we have two Fisherman of the Year Awards:
  1. Mike Santiago, Striped Bass from boat, kept: 47 Lbs. 8 oz.
  2. Chester Fabyanski, Fluke: 13 Lbs. 3 oz.

We would like to express our sincere thanks and appreciation to Mike Santiago, for donating the award prize back, in support of our organization and programs.

Be well and stay safe
Capt. Aram Setian
HRFA 2020 President
Fight for the Hudson
Support the HRFA with a $10 donation and you will be entered to win this Mad River Canoe.

NOTE: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic we postponed the Annual Awards Dinner and the canoe raffle until a date yet to be determined in the Fall. So, tickets are still available for purchase.
To get raffle tickets for a chance to win a beautiful Mad River Canoe in outstanding condition donated & autographed by naturalist Chris Letts contact Dan Harrison or Joe Albanese to get your raffle ticket(s).


To purchase tickets ($10 each) by check make it to "HRFA Canoe Raffle" and mail to HRFA, P.O. Box 421, Cresskill, NJ 07626.
In this month's issue of River Views
Lots to cover in this month's issue. In order they are:

  1. Meet our two college scholarship awardees.
  2. The winners and recap of the August 15th Catfish Chaos Derby.
  3. Remembering the life of Fred Rung and honoring him for his many contributions to the HRFA.
  4. Coverage of last month's ZOOM meeting. Thank you Lindsay Yoder for your excellent presentation of aquatic invasive species in the Hudson River.
  5. A link to www.riverkeeper.org to read more about invasive species in the river.
  6. HRFA's "Upcoming Events".
  7. HRFA's Catch & Release Striper Derby return. Congratulations Keith Baez!
  8. Next we share a letter, received by the Editor of this newsletter, from Gray FishTag Research. The letter gives us an update on the 2020 Northeast Striped Bass Study and provides a link to the coverage written in The Fisherman magazine. If you competed in this spring's HRFA Catch & Release Striped Bass Derby and also entered the Calcutta, by purchasing a 3R's sticker through the HRFA, you made a valuable donation to our club and helped support that study. Thanks Roxanne Willmer. Thanks to The Fisherman magazine too. Check out the video of the tagging hosted by Jim Hutchinson.
  9. A link to our Instagram posts. Thank you Alex Spindelman for growing our following.
  10. No reason one cannot learn, be entertained, and eat at the same time. I mean you can walk and chew gum simultaneously can't you? "That's Entertainment" section reports on the recent "Lunch and Learn" put on by the American Littoral Society.
  11. Links to www.littoralsociety.org and www.wreckpond.org to read more about the project to restore Wreck Pond.
  12. The "That's Entertainment!" section also has a link to an old episode of Anthony Bourdain's "No Reservations" where he is visiting the Hudson Valley. In the early minutes he interviews John Vargo, publisher of the magazine Boating on the Hudson & Beyond, as they enjoy a Hudson River blue claw crab boil with friends. Much later Bourdain is dining with Bill Murray at Xavier's X20 in Yonkers.
  13. Carl Bruger sheds more light on a few Hudson River invasives in his "Invasive Fish we have to Deal with in 2020 and Beyond".
  14. Notes from our Membership Chair Arnie Ulrich and important links to NJ/NY regulations etc.
  15. Notification of the September 24 Marine Science Festival at the Hudson River Park with a link to their website to learn more.
  16. Your fish stories/reports and photographs in the HRFA Photo Gallery.
  17. Pete Musse's "From Fish to Dish" column.
  18. The HRFA's September calendar.
  19. Surf fishing team news.
  20. HRFA's Youth Angler Program
  21. HRFA Merchandise
  22. Project to restore the HRFA Riverkeeper vessel.
  23. Announcing the winners of the 2019 Fishing Contest and the 2020 Leaderboard
  24. Thanking our sponsors.

As always 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
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.
HRFA Awards Scholarships
"This year our EBoard of Directors will issue college scholarships to two worthy high school applicants. The names of this year's winners are Gwenevere Vargo and Justine Tarabocchia. Each recipient will receive $500.00. Gwenevere will be attending school for visual arts in New York. Justine will be attending The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) to earn a degree in nursing." - Dan Harrison
Gwenevere Vargo
Justine Tarabocchia
4th Annual HRFA Catfish Chaos Derby
This Catfish Chaos Derby was a great success considering all the hurdles the pandemic posed this year. We had 138 participants between the adult and youth division. There were several nice size catfish caught up and down the river.

The Albany area proved to be the hot spot with the top three adult winners catching their fish there. Kevin Peter came in with the big fish of the day at 30.25” and repeated as champ beating last year's entry by an inch. Doug Defriest and John
Pruyn rounded out the top three with a 30” and 29.25” channel catfish.
1st & 3rd Place winners Adult Division Kevin Peter and John Pruyn
The Haverstraw Bay area of the river was very busy with eleven of the top twenty fish
being caught there. The biggest was Dennis Kooney’s 28” channel catfish which landed him in fourth place. There were three generations of the Kooney clan fishing in Croton on the Hudson with two of them finishing in the top twenty and Dennis’ grandson Logan Dinis taking second in the youth division with a 25.5” channel cat. Logan’s brother Matteo was last years youth champ. This crew is a force to be reckoned with.

The Newburgh area produced some nice fish with Bill Walsh his son William and their friends Frank Donovan and Ronald Dickson all making the top twenty this year. William Walsh had the biggest at 27.5” which got him fifth place this year. Also fishing the Newburgh area this year were a contingent of veterans and their families. Thanks to William Kaplan and his property manager Steve Kufman they had a great spot to fish with many cats landed. This crew is sponsored by the Wounded Warrior Project and it was their
third year participating. There was a crew of thirty this year and hopefully more next.

This year's youth champ was Saige Cody who landed a 25.5” channel catfish while fishing with her mom and dad in the Catskill area. Third place this year was Isabella Sanabria who has finished in the top three in the youth division for the past three years. She has two previous second place finishes.

Overall it was a great day with 75 fish checked in and hundreds more caught. The HRFA would like to thank all the sponsors that helped make this years derby a success. This year's
sponsors are as follows: Daiwa Corporation, Ramsey Outdoors, Art's Tackle and Fly Shop, Lee’s Sporting Goods, Marius Behr, and a few anonymous donors. The following business supported this years derby by providing the space for check stations, Westerly Marina, Riverfront Marina, Riverview Marina, Coeyman’s Landing Marina, and the Village of Piermont.

A big thanks to the HRFA club members that volunteered to man the check stations this year. They are Wayne Guider, Al Miller, Mona Mak, Joe Albanese, Danny Harrison, Linda Havner, Marius Behr, and Scott Havner.

If you've been following the Derby on social media you know we shared a ton of photos on FaceBook and Instagram. Many of which are shared in this month's River Views. Scroll down to our Photo Gallery to see them.

Here is the list of this year' s Catfish Chaos Derby winners. Congratulations to all!
ADULT DIVISION
1. Kevin Peter             30.25"
2. Douglas Defriest         30"
3. John Pruyn             29.25"
4. Dennis Kooney          28"
5. William Walsh           27.50"
6. Patrick Conroy          27"
7. Bill Walsh              26.25"
8. AR Swan               26"
9. Stephanie Hess          26"
10. Alex Spindelman       25.25"
11. Stan Drezbek          24"
12. Frank Donovan         23.75"
13. Pat Murray            23.50"
14. Lydia Gielow           23"
15. Brett Hough           22.50"
16. Chris Vargo            22.50"
17. Sue Dickson           22.50"
18. Ronald Dickson         22.25"
19. Jason Salo             21"
20. Austin Havner          21"
YOUTH (UNDER 16) DIVISION
1. Saige Cody             25.50"
2. Logan Dinis            25.50"
3. Isabella Sanabria        24.25"
1st Place Youth Division winner Saige Cody.
Please patronize our Derby sponsors with your business. Shop online or call ahead for curbside pickup of bait, etc. They are:
  • Ramsey Outdoor Store (https://ramseyoutdoor.com), 835 NJ-17, Ramsey, NJ 07446, Call: 201-327-8141 and 281 Route 10, Succasunna, NJ 07876, Call: 973-584-7798
  • Art’s Tackle & Fly (https://www.artstacklenfly.com), 161 Main St, Nanuet, NY 10954, Call: 845-215-5470
  • Tackle World (https://www.tackleworld.com), 174 Route 17 North, Rochelle Park, NJ 07662, Call: 201-587-0011
  • Lee’s Sporting Goods, 238 So. Rt. 9W, Haverstraw, NY 10927, Call: 845-429-3254
  •  The American Littoral Society 
  • The Fisherman Magazine
The HRFA formally renames its annual catch & release striped bass derby "The Fred Rung Striped Bass Derby"
From L to R: HRFA Presidents Gil Hawkins (past) &
Capt. Aram Setian (current) with Fred Rung Jr.
On Saturday, 15th of August, family and friends gathered to commemorate the passing of HRFA’s long time member and past Vice President Fred Rung. We, Capt. Aram Setian, President, and Gil Hawkins, past President of HRFA, were also present, participating in reflecting on Fred’s life, family, contributions to the HRFA, his boating and fishing experiences.

At the conclusion, we formally announced that the HRFA’s annual Fishing contest will be named in memory to Fred, The Fred Rung Striped Bass Derby. An award plaque was presented to Fred Rung Jr. and family. It reads as follows:

“In memory of Fred Rung, past Vice President and longtime board member, of the Hudson River Fishermen’s Association, and in recognition of his valuable contribution to the establishment and support of Fishing Contests on the Hudson River, we, the President and the HRFA Executive Board, do name the Annual Fred Rung Striped Bass Derby in his Honor. August 15, 2020”

Capt. Aram Setian
HRFA President 2020
August's General Meeting
A small but highly engaged group joined last month's ZOOM meeting to learn from Lindsay Yoder about non-indigenous species in the Hudson River. These aquatic invasive species include both flora (water chestnuts, hydrila, etc.) and fauna (zebra mussels, snakehead, Asian shore crab, etc.) and their numbers are growing.
A species of particular concern is the spiny waterflea. It is extremely small and exists in some areas in significant numbers. Fishermen might see them when they latch onto and gunk-up their fishing line as a gelatinous mass.
Spiny waterflea closeup.
Aquatic invasive species can negatively impact the environment (compete for food and habitat, prey on native species, disrupt the food web and impair water quality, etc.), the economy (decrease property values, damage infrastructure, reduce tourism, etc.) and human health (drown from vegetation overgrowth, bioaccumulation of toxins, spread of parasites, algal blooms, etc.)
The phrase of the night was "Propagule pressure".
Propagule pressure is a composite measure of the number of individuals of a species released into a region to which they are not native. It incorporates estimates of the absolute number of individuals involved in any one release event and the number of discrete release events. SOURCE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propagule_pressure
LEARN MORE: Invasive species trying to take over the Hudson.

Aquatic invasive species are threatening the ecology of the Hudson River and the tributaries that flow to it by displacing, competing with or feeding on native aquatic species. At least 50 aquatic invasive species are either established,...

Read more
www.riverkeeper.org
Upcoming Events
FALL 2020: The ASAC surf fishing tournaments will not return until Spring 2021. Contact Joe Albanese [email protected] or Pete Musse [email protected] if you want to join the HRFA team.

SEPTEMBER 8: This month's General Meeting on ZOOM will feature Prof. Douglas Zemeckis' research on codfish in the Northeast Atlantic.

SEPTEMBER 12: The HRFA will assist the Hackensack Riverkeeper organization with its Fishing Derby. It will be at Laurel Hill Park in Secaucus and run from 9am until noon. Please email if you want to volunteer. Or, call our Youth Angler Program Chair Wayne Geider at (201) 384-8046.
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].

OCTOBER 25: CANCELLED 29th Annual Governor's Cup Surf-Fishing Tournament, Island Beach State Park

NOVEMBER 7: Castle Point Pier Fishing Trip, Hoboken. Contact Michael Sardinas.
Coming September 18th. Our annual Bunny Clark trip. Check with Arnie Ulrich at [email protected].
Coming October 18th. "SOUND BOUND CHARTERS!" cried Peter Musse in his outdoors' voice. Check with him at [email protected].
Castle Point Pier Fishing Trip
November 7, 2020
The Hudson River is one of the most productive and diverse fisheries on the northern coast. And it’s no secret that the lower part of the Hudson River is the excellent location to catch a trophy striped bass.

On November 7 th , all HRFA members are invited to come and fish off Castle Point Pier in Hoboken, NJ. The pier stretches out 125 feet into the river, has the best possible view of Manhatten from the Jersey side and provides excellent fishing structure. Striped bass is not the only fish on the menu. You will have the opportunity to fish for blackfish, ling, tomcod, and more.

This trip is a must for those that have never cast a line towards The New York City Skyline. (The Captial of the world).

Fishing time: 8 am – 12 pm??
Save the date because you don’t want to miss this event.
If anyone has any questions on tackle, baits, etc. reach out to: Michael Sardinas at 201-232-5988 or, [email protected]

GPS Address:: Castle Point Skatepark, 9 Castle Point Terrace, Hoboken, NJ 07030
The HRFA encourages tagging fish for science.

American Littoral Society tagging kits can be purchased from Kevin Morgan at the monthly general meeting. Tags may also be purchased from the American Littoral Society by clicking here.
HRFA Catch & Release Striper Derby Return
Congratulations Keith Baez!
Keith Baez's letter & patch from the American Littoral Society for the recapture of the striped bass he tagged in last year's Catch & Release Striper Derby. (Now to be known as the "Fred Rung Striped Bass Derby" starting in 2021.)
Keith's striper traveled from Croton Point on the Hudson River to Chequestt Neck Wellfleet, MA. Where's that you ask? It is on the inside arm of Cape Cod right on Cape Cod Bay. Perhaps it ran the gauntlet through the Cape Cod Canal to get there. Just wondering.

Congratulations Keith for your first tagged striper return!
Be sure to check out the H.R.F.A. Events Calendar below for this month's member birthday notices, holidays and events.
Update on the Northwest Striped Bass Study
Hi Joe:
 
I hope this finds you well. 
 
Back in June, we reported that our Northeast Striped Bass study looked different than originally planned but was happening. As you know, the Covid 19 pandemic hit the Northeast with great force and our original planned expedition study scheduled for May was in jeopardy. However, realizing the importance of the annual migration period and the desire to build on the astonishing results from last years Striped Bass study we assembled two teams of extremely knowledgeable captains and took to the water deploying three satellite tags to once again track the migration of this well sought after species.
 
One satellite tag was deployed on May 28th offshore of Sandy Hook, New Jersey and named “Rona”, another tag was deployed on June 3rd offshore of Sea Bright, New Jersey named “Cora” with the third tag on July 3rd offshore of Montauk, New York which was named “Independence.” Our goal was to locate healthy candidates over 38 inches and each of these candidates were over 45 inches! In addition to the three satellite tags, there were over 20 plus Striped Bass tagged to carry our green GFR spaghetti tags. 
 
If all goes well, we should expect reporting in October and November of 2020 and we will be sure to share the finding.
 
Below is the link to the story and video of “Cora” and “Rona”. The story on “Independence” will follow shortly.
 
 
Thank you again…. We appreciate your clubs generous support !!
 
With appreciation, 
 
Roxanne Willmer
Gray FishTag Research
954-785-6456 X 301
Follow the HRFA on Social Media
Submit fishing photos & news of interest to Alex Spindelman.
Click on the logo to visit our Instagram pages.
That's Entertainment!
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 ...
American Littoral Society Hosts "Lunch and Learn"
By Joseph Albanese
On August 27th the American Littoral Society hosted a "Lunch and Learn" on their ambitious project to restore Wreck Pond which lies between the borders of Spring Lake and Sea Girt along the Jersey shore.

Four of the American Littoral Society's Staff Members - Capt. Al Modjeski, Hillary Critelli, Zack Royle and Julie Schumacher - hosted the meeting.

The project was funded by the US Fish & Wildlife Service, the Atlantic Coast Fish Restoration Partnership and others. Restoration of Wreck Pond is important to sustaining alewife and blueback herring populations. While numbers of alewife are trending upwards the same isn't true for herring. The last significant herring migration was in 2007. Hurricane Sandy opened the pond up completely to the ocean. Key to the restoration was closing it again and placing two culverts in 2016 as more permanent and reliable pathways for these diadromous fish to reach their spawning site each spring. The culverts (one 6oo' and the other 800' long) are open only in springtime. The culverts have "windows" to allow diffused daylight to enter making them a more attractive passageway for fish to traverse. They remain closed during the beach season because sometimes, during hot summer days and high water runoffs, the bacterial levels in the pond's effluent may exceed healthy levels for people enjoying the ocean surf. The NJDEP tests the water quality periodically. The salinity of the pond can vary widely from lows of 1-15ppm to highs of 20-35ppm closer to its connection with the ocean.

The restoration program includes sampling fish populations in the pond by fyke net (Spring) and seine net (Fall) surveys. The pond is home to many fish species, snapping turtles and much more. They have found some unexpected visitors to the pond including juvenile mahi-mahi and bigeye capture in the seine net. They also addressed concerns about the invasive species along the shoreline of the pond and efforts to remove same.
Its a challenge to learn what factors drive fish movements. Besides time of year, tide, moon phase, current velocity, salinity, time of day, etc. must be considered. Whatever signals their mass exodus in droves is yet to be fully understood. Micro-tagging fish gives further insight. For example, they learned that alewife spend about one month in the watershed, are mostly active at night, do indeed move into and out of the pond through the culverts, return the next year to spawn again and reach as far west as the Old Mill Dam. All data indicates that the restoration of Wreck Pond is a success.

At the conclusion of the session they proudly showed a video of the newly installed fish ladder to give alewife and herring a way to get over the Old Mill Dam at the western end of the pond. They hope to see fish 'climbing the ladder' in the Spring of 2021. (As of this writing the video was not yet available on YouTube.)

Due to concerns about COVID 19 the spring 2020 survey could not be done. They are looking for volunteers (aka "Citizen Scientists") to help when things open up again post pandemic. Just saying. If interested, here are their emails:

The complete online session was recorded and will be made available on their YouTube pages soon. In the meantime, to learn more, you can watch the short videos here. Part 1: Restoring Wreck Pond, Part 2: Fish Sampling and Monitoring, and Part 3: Citizen Scientist Monitoring Program. Then click on the Read more links below.
About

​Our coasts are dynamic. Natural processes continually act upon our shorelines altering their shape and position. These recurrent changes are punctuated by storm events that further reshape our shores, and potentially damage our homes,...

Read more
www.wreckpond.org
Fish Passage

In order to restore connectivity between the Pond and the Ocean, we are working with various partners to construct a secondary bypass box culvert 5.5' x 8' x 600' north and parallel to the existing pipe. The box culvert was specifically designed...

Read more
www.littoralsociety.org
Anthony Bourdain - No Reservations S06E05 - Hudson Valley, NY
In this old episode of Anthony Bourdain's "No Reservations" he visits the Hudson Valley. In the early minutes he interviews John Vargo, publisher of the magazine "Boating on the Hudson & Beyond", as they enjoy a Hudson River blue claw crab boil with friends. Much later Bourdain is dinning with Bill Murray.

The video is not on YouTube so you must cut & paste this link to watch it:

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5wbcmf
Carl's Column for August
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.
Invasive Fish we Have to Deal with
in 2020 and Beyond
By Carl Bruger
The year 2020 will always be remembered as the pandemic year when we were invaded by an invisible COVID 19 virus that originated somewhere from a market in Wuhan China. This country has had thousands of plant and animal invasives enter invited and uninvited from all over the globe as long as humans have traveled.

The origin of the weeping willow tree is also from ancient China and can be seen on their ancient scrolls and other art works as well as along their waterways today. Similarly all the carp species we are afflicted with had their origins in China and spread variously to Europe and here as some misguided yet well intentioned people felt carp should be introduced to Western hemisphere waters.
The common carp has been here since batches were brought over from Germany in the early 1870’s to be raised in private fish ponds for eventual sale that fetched a lofty buck a pound for an entrepreneur named Julius Poppe of Sonoma, California! People from Europe had a taste for quality farm raised common carp so the demand in the USA was so great that eventually Dr. Spencer F. Baird of the Smithsonian Institution and head of the United States commission on Fish and Fisheries responded to over 2000 letters requesting carp for private ponds by importing several hundred from Germany to Maryland research ponds and the spread really began.

At first all the states wanted carp to replace or add a food fish to their “menu”. The fact that the pollution, river straitening, soil erosion and overfishing of the native species all were destroying the water quality did not sink home until folks realized most of the carp they were eating in the US waters tasted like mud instead of the quality raised carp they were used to from Europe. Once carp were established only total draining, absolute poisoning, or other absurd expensive measures are required to get rid of 100% of old bugle mouth.

We are left with the fact that carp are a huge ubiquitous presence that can be a sporting fight on rod and reel, nailed by bow and arrow shooting, can be food in certain places, but probably is best removed from the ecosystem when caught because they will never be fully
eliminated in any event.
I never even yet mentioned the new invaders that have escaped from the carp clan; the silver, big head, black, and grass versions of the gang, who escaped into places like the Illinois River where they are so prolific that they leap out of the river whenever a
motor boat roars by. This has actually killed a water skier who was smacked in the head by flying double digit carp!
Others have made competition of the chaos by staging netting “rodeos” where the boat with the greatest poundage takes first prize. There is even a dog and cat food market being developed for these fish, beyond interest from Asian consumers too, but also a fear and
terror that they could reach the Great Lakes!
Much more recently we have been seeing reports of a large fresh water fish called a snakehead being caught in places like the Potomac, Delaware, and several other water bodies near where we do our angling. Also a native of most of Asia, this aggressive predatory fish closely resembles our native species called bowfin. No government invited this vicious slim stalker that replaces bass and other desirables in the food chain. More likely aquarium owners and pond escapees are the original culprits here. The snakehead can grow to a size of four feet but most are half that and have the ability to breath out of water for hours and walk on their fins. A few years ago the state of Maryland offered $200 gift cards to any angler who turned in the head of a snakehead! Sadly they are also entrenched in many places along the East coast from Virginia to Maine. They are a hard fighting fish on rod and reel and have a nasty set of dentures that require careful handling when the lure is unhooked.
We have the Caspian Sea to thank for the invasive little twerp called the round gobi. It arrived in the ballast waters of ocean going cargo ships. This slimy small bottom fish barely reaches six inches long but now carpets the bottom of the Great Lakes with millions of
pounds in biomass! His neighbors, the quaga mussels and zebra mussels also snuck in the same way; unwanted, uninvited and certainly unwelcomed. This Gummi Bear of a fish is so stupid that it can’t find it’s way out of a maze and is lower on fish brain intelligence tests than a yellow perch, which is a dumb as wet mud! The good news is that the food chain now has a new favorite snack. Soft, fat, squishy, slow, stupid, easy to suck in gobies have made smallmouth bass grow larger than ever and supplanted crayfish as a favorite food. Largemouth, walleye, the pike family, the trout family, and even large perch all join in the gobi feast. The problem is these mini devils are egg stealers and will wipe out an untended bass nest in minutes with the same going for other predator sport fish eggs in jeopardy.

Time will tell how the ecosystem will balance out and Mother Nature will make her adjustments.
From our Membership Chair
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, Ashton Pastore, Oradell NJ, Antonio Tamborra, Hoboken NJ, David Gutschmit, Tarrytown, NY, Fight for the Hudson.

Here is the 2020 Nw Jersey Freshwater Digest.
                                                                                                                   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)
SUBMERGE Marine Science Festival - Hudson River Park

SUBMERGE Marine Science Festival celebrates New York City's coastal waters by bringing marine science to life. This year's virtual festival (Thursday, September 24 11:00 AM) will showcase dynamic...

Read more
hudsonriverpark.org
H.R.F.A. Photo Gallery
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.
Scenes from the Catfish Chaos Derby
Meanwhile Out at Sea ...
Some excellent fishing days were shared by a few HRFA members as they brought home keeper fluke, sea bass and porgies for the table. Spanish mackerel too.
Dave Tunis
Wayne Geider
Dirk VanEverdingen
From Fish to Dish
Shrimp & Scallop Skewers
on the Bar-B-Que 
By Pete Musse

I decided to get away from fin-fish and share a shellfish recipe this month. When grilled the sweetness of the pineapple chunks & Maraschino cherries added a wonderful flavor.

I served this up with a nice green salad and a side of pasta salad too. Accompanied with a ice cold IPA that quenched the thirst on a hot summer's night.
INGREDIENTS
  • Fresh scallops & shrimp
  • Herb & garlic olive oil & vinegar blend
  • Cherry tomatoes
  • Red peppers
  • Canned pineapple chunks
  • Maraschino cherries
PREPARATION
  1. Make sure every skewer has some of each ingredient
  2. While grilling baste the skewers with the blend
  3. Be sure not to overcook
HRFA Calendar
Calendar | Hudson River Fishermen's Association

Our calendar system is currently being developed. Please check out the most recent River Views newsletter for for our upcoming events.

Read more
thehrfa.org
ASAC Fall 2020 Tournaments Cancelled
JOIN THE HRFA SURF FISHING TEAM

The HRFA Surf Fishing Team is now forming to compete in the ASAC tournaments anticipated to return in Spring 2021.

To get in on the fun, learn from experienced surf anglers and compete for valuable prizes contact Joe Albanese [email protected] or Pete Musse [email protected].
H.R.F.A. Youth Angler Program
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.
H.R.F.A. 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. 
Back
Front & Sleeve
The Pride of the H.R.F.A.
Project to Save our Historical Heritage
Due to the restrictions imposed on our lives by the CV19 pandemic our plans are on hold. We hope and pray that in the Spring of 2021 volunteers may start working to refurbish Riverkeeper to her former days of glory when she was the world's first and only riverkeeper vessel. To offer your time and talents contact Dan Harrison at [email protected].
2020 Fishing Contest Leader Boards
(only listing 1st, 2nd & 3rd place)
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.
Saltwater Species
Striped Bass Released
Caught From Boat
(leaders determined by length)
Rick Englesbe 50.5"
Striped Bass Kept
Caught From Boat
(leaders determined by weight)
Wai Lui 42"
Striped Bass Released
Caught From Shoreline
(leaders determined by length)
Carl Hartmann 41"
Striped Bass Kept
Caught From Shoreline
(leaders determined by weight)
Howard Pawson 10lbs 14oz
Bluefish
Alex Spindelman 4lbs 5oz
Flounder
Butch Pawson 1lb 7oz
Fluke
Rick Englesbe 9lbs 0oz
Blackfish
Carl Hartmann 4lbs 13oz
Black Sea Bass
No Entries
Scup (Porgy)
No Entries
Open Category 
Salt Water
No Entries
Freshwater Species
Catfish
Carl Hartmann 12lbs 8oz
Carp
No Entries
Trout  - Local
Scott Havner 3lbs 14oz
Trout - Great Lakes
No Entries
Smallmouth Bass
No Entries
Largemouth Bass
Austin Havner 6lbs 10oz
Salmon
21lbs 13oz
YOUTH ANGLER DIVISION

No Entries
Open Category 
Fresh Water
No Entries
Partial list of Friends & Supporters of the HRFA
(Click on any image below to visit their website.)
HOH Stop n Shop