This patch was in my sock drawer. Purchased at a HRFA meeting sometime in the 1970s to support the HRFA striper derbys. I think Paul Gamba or Larry VanDyke was president at that time. The idea behind it was to support the derby. - Arnie Ulrich

• Striped Bass: Cash Prize for largest fish in length
• Bluefish: Mystery prize for largest fish in length
• Fluke: Mystery prize for largest fish in length
• Weakfish: Mystery prize for largest fish in length
• Sea robin: Mystery prize for largest fish in length

• A photograph of your catch is to be submitted by text to 201-232-5988
• Time of entry will break any ties.
• Shore/wade fly fishing only. No boats.
• The boundaries are anywhere on Sandy Hook

The HRFA is looking forward to partnering once again with The Hackensack Riverkeeper on two great events they have scheduled for 2021:

1. Riverfest (the Laurel Hill Fishing Derby in Secaucus) for Saturday, August 28th from 9:00am-Noon
2. The Reservoir Challenge (the Fishing Derby at Oradell Reservoir) Sunday, September 12th.

1. Number one is not even fishing gear; it’s your cell phone. It can serve as a flashlight, camera, video, SOS, angling map, guide service finder, food and gas locater for the trip and even more that I forgot to list.
2. Nail clippers on a lanyard around your neck for closely trimming line. You don’t need a Bowie knife or even a fillet or pocket knife to do this job. They pose a greater risk and less efficiency. 
3. A good fish rag that can be tied to a boat rail, hug off your belt loop, trailed from the pail handle, or just stuffed in your cooler until needed. This both wipes slime, blood and bait residue off your hands, but when wet, also protects the fish that you wish to release as you cover it with the moist soft towel to protect that fish out of water.                              
4. Personal sun protections (plural) Even the sun’s glare on the snow in winter with whipping wind can damage and burn skin in January! By spring a good hat with a wide brim combined with top quality sun blocking sunscreen products should help you prevent burns and future skin cancers like this old angler is currently battling. Polarized sunglasses are also a part of the wise angler’s arsenal against the assaults of old sol.                        
5. While we are on the personal let’s get the personal meds. out of the way. For some of us maybe this should have been #1 on the list and even fatal if not brought along and taken at the right times. Have everything waterproof packaged and also labeled correctly so you have quick access and availability. You might even want to have spare doses, an extra epi-pen, or otherwise preventative measures in place before trouble happens. Pack anti seasick, “anti whatever” pills for all long fishing trips so they are not ruined by personal illness.                                                                          
6. Any fishing trip starts with the feet. Even if you fly on a plane you have to start walking eventually. The type of footwear must be correct (for the task at hand) and fit perfectly for you to enjoy you fishing experience to the hilt. Starting with the obvious that flip flop fishing = fractured toes this scribe advises spending your hard earned dollars on quality name brands with products that will give you lasting and rewarding service in the field that they were designed for. Buy the best wader boots in the correct size, break them in properly and you will be blister free.                               
7. Hydration If you think that you can fish all day without drinking lots of water you are defying many rules of human physiology. H20 is essential and the hotter the day and the more we exert ourselves the more water we need to imbibe. Beer by the six-pack is NOT a substitute especially when operating a bass boat at 60 mph. The beer is best at the fish fry after the big catch is filleted and everyone is safely back at the dock!                      The cooler that holds your water bottles or beer might not be the 
8. Container you wish to carry home your catch. Huge latitude expands here from thousand dollar+ Yeti coolers to cloth bags to stringers, to leather and wicker antique creels and plain plastic buckets from the dollar store. 
9. Food is vital just like water and we need quick energy boosts that give us the strength to hang in there until the sun sets on those days when the bite is so good that lunch was just an afterthought and the only thing that you had time for was that nut bar in you vest pocket.  Peanut butter bars and nuts themselves are the best proven protein over the long haul. Fast sugar treats like doughnuts taste great but offer just short term charges and fast energy and sugar glucose drops. (Even worse for diabetics). 
10. Clothes that you need for the appropriate trip Obviously this is the most varied list of all the categories so just apply what fits the trip you’re planning and pack accordingly.  Don’t over pack for an overnight jaunt and be sure you have enough gear for a month in the wilderness.                                     
11. Identification- How many times have you left the house and you forgot to bring your license? I can fish for free in NJ because of my advanced age but I still must produce my NJ driver’s license to prove residency and age. I still need a NY state license which resides in my wallet plus I carry reservoir permits as well. Then there are trips when a passport is needed on Caribbean islands or other angling paradises. Make a list of the paperwork you will need where you are going and a 
12. CHECKLIST of what you need to bring when you leave the house. A few minutes of planning before a trip can mean a smooth event with no items forgotten and less clutter and confusion with “too much stuff”.  Two items that are not required or essential might also be considered by devoted anglers devoted to their craft and fishing safety as well. I’m referring to tagging trophy fish that are caught and released with various tagging kits and using PFD automatic self-inflating vests when angling to increase safety odds in case of an accident. I hope you got some input of value and nail some whoppers in your future trips!