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.

Emily is really looking forward to improving on Jeff’s already amazing program and hopes to help the program grow scientifically as well as through membership. She is always interested in any ideas someone might have to improve the program. If you’re interested in becoming a fish tagging member or getting more information about the program, please feel free to email Emily at [email protected].

IMPORTANT NOTE: The full version of River Views is no longer for members only. 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.

The stage for the first ever Invitational was Brick Beach 3, located between St. Joseph’s by the Sea & the Ocean Club at Mantoloking. The original plan was to fish the early afternoon high tide. However, the already high winds were predicted to increase to 25mph by then, with threats of rain as well. Rather than postpone the event, the start time was moved up to 7:00 AM and end at 11:00 AM then meet up at Charlie's Bait n Tackle for burgers, dogs, salads (not green :)) and drinks provided by HRFA members Pete Musse, Scott Havner & Joe Albanese. Thank you Pete Kupper for allowing us to use your shop and BBQ grill and for going above and beyond expectations by setting up tables and chairs.

With one notable exception, the rules mirrored those for the NJBBA President's Cup. The biggest legal sized fish (striped bass, bluefish, kingfish, drum, weakfish or tautog only) wins. The exception to the rule applied to striped bass only. A striper that is either over or under the legal limit of 28"-38" may count IF and only IF two photographs are presented and the fish released properly and quickly to fight again. The first photo will show the lucky angler holding his/her striper and the second photo shows the striper lying above (not on top of) a ruler with legible markings so that the size may be judged. 

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.

This writer has enjoyed fishing for blackfish for well over half a century. Admittedly much of the time allotted was for frustration, incompetence and far too much profanity compared to other salt water pursuits and strategies. Nevertheless I persisted and relished the occasional excellent results interspersed with the obligatory skunkings, throwbacks and hang-ups. Tautog are such awesome table fare that it is worth the effort to catch the slippery, buck toothed bottom dwellers. Here I will share from A to Z, my collected wisdom to help you

and anyone who reads this article, how to take tog from their sticky bottom locations. Good luck!

Arrive early to get the best spots on party boats. Move if the spots don’t produce to near where others are “hot” and you can fit in without invading space!

Bring plenty of sinkers, hooks and baits to match to the tides, sizes and appetites of the finicky tautog below.

Concentrate on your bait on the bottom. Ignore nibbles (likely bergalls), only strike on the substantive tog tug.

Develop techniques to speed baiting; basket with crabs right at the rail, shearing scissors and nail clippers on neck stringer for access, rail rag tied at ready, etc.

Explore new areas of blackfish concentrations up and down the coast to uncover additional productive resources and enjoy the travels as well.

Freeze fillets for future feasting! The flesh of blackfish is superb in any chowder recipe and keeps well for months in the freezer to be baked, broiled or even batter dipped and deep fried.

Gather varied baits to increase the odds of a better catch. Green crabs, white legs, Gulp! attractants, sand fleas, and fiddler crabs are all producers that should be considered.

Hook your crab baits through one crab leg and out another to maximize its hold on the hook. Orange / red sponge on the hook tangles teeth & looks like crab eggs.

Inspire others to join you, especially youth who already love fishing. (This is NOT an angling adventure for beginners with too much frustration involved).

Jig for tog with specialized blackfish jigs that come in all sizes (1/2 to 6 oz.) to match tide and area to be fished. Get an 8 ft. special tog rod with spine to leverage your grey chin from its lair.

Keep your sinker or jig flat on the bottom with no movement since it spooks the cautious big blackfish.

Learn from your experiences. Make a “Tog Log” record of what worked and what did not. Tog experts and sharpies did not get that way overnight.

Mold your own lead sinkers and jigs. A mold pays for itself quickly. You can save big bucks over the years.

Net all large fish head first. Never lift the tog out of the water and loose the pool fish. Wait until the mate or net person does the honors.

Organize your tackle box, have a checklist for all you bring on a blackfish trip. Have extra hooks, sinkers, jigs.

Prepare several rigs ahead of your trips. Expect many to be lost on sticky bottoms because that’s where Mr. Greychin lives and dines.

Quality gear = Trophy fish Big tog tax hooks, line, reels and rods. Buy the best you can afford so you are not betrayed by shoddy product performance.

Release fish with minimal handling. Use a wet rag and dehooking tool or long-nosed pliers to free the undersized blackfish.

Snapshots of your trip should be taken via the cell phone in your pocket. Memorialize enduring memories and offer proof of your awesome angling exploits.

Tides and timing can affect shoreline expeditions significantly. Production and bite around slack tide can be the optimal presence.

Understand and follow each state’s angling laws and codes pertaining to size, limit, and time of year for harvesting.

Value the TOG angling knowledge of others and add it to yours by observing, asking questions, and copying what you see producing for the “sharpies”.

Watch your terminal gear for signs of line wear and dulling hooks after several trips to a sticky bottom or a fight in a wreck with a whopper Greychin. You just might lose the next monster because you didn’t retie!

X is the great unknown in blackfish angling. Why do they bite like no tomorrow today and skunk you tomorrow? What are they eating on this tide? Why are they not on this wreck anymore? The questions persist.

Yank that tog out of the wreck. The bigger the bulldog blackfish the faster you better get him cleared from his lair and headed toward the surface. Crucial good hook sets and rod lifts are the foundation for landing pool fish.

Zero in on productive “hot spots” and record them on your GPS if you are a private boater. Also jetty areas and canal walls always have areas where fish congregate based on the bottom configurations. Learn them and use them to your catching advantage.

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

In Nov. 2019 the HRFA received FBW's Riparian Award. It was given to thank us for our support of their effort to save the Union Dry Dock. It also was given in recognition of the HRFA's rich history. Never forget that it was our organization that started the “riverkeeper” movement and its mission to "fight for the Hudson" for more than 50 years. President Dan Harrison & VP Capt. Aram Setian accepted the award for the club.

Congratulations to Jim Vance for receiving the prestigeous Riparian Award for 2021. Watch the video to see why he is so deserving of the honor.

On the last HRFA trip to Ogunquit Maine to fish aboard the Bunny Clark for haddock, cod and pollock we lost count of how many dogfish we caught. We certainly caught more of them than the more desirable species we were targeting. Their habit of twisting and turning as they are being reeled up from the depths gets the leader wrapped around them multiple times. The unwelcomed task of untangling them delays getting the bait/lure back down for the fish we want. What is more, "doggies" are considered a "trash fish" and not many respectable fisherman would take one to proudly show off to friends or even hide in their cooler to later fillet for the dinner table.

While on the Bunny Clark it was noted by several that dogfish are, in fact, what is used in England for preparing their famous fish & chips. Considering the vast numbers of dogfish available, perhaps it is time to think about giving them a try. That is exactly what the guys at On the Water did in this taste test video when they compared dogfish to fluke.

2022 HRFA membership cards are available now. Plan to pay your dues at the December meeting or if you joined in the last few months pick up your 2022 card at the December meeting. Those members are Arthur Dalton, Sandy & Dee Federico, Ryan Hunter, Walter Lypowy, Dan Marfino, Stephen Morgan, Kevin Morgan, Pete Orenzo, Anthony Stellatto. Fight for the Hudson

What is HRFA Free Money?

 At every HRFA in person meeting, half of the HRFA portion of the 50/50 money goes into a virtual jar. At the end of the meeting, a paid HRFA members name is picked (from a jar of all paid HRFA members) to receive the money. The name is announced three times. If the HRFA paid member is not present, the money goes back into the jar for the next months meeting. The process continues and is repeated at the next HRFA meeting.

HRFA Free money (split 50/50) for Nov 9, 2021 was $169.00 ($143.00 plus, the split 50/50 of $26.00). From the bucket of HRFA paid members, a name was picked by speaker Capt, Scott Kulaszewski at the meeting.

 HRFA member Capt William Schlette’s name was picked and announced to all present. Capt. William Schlette was not there, so the $169.00 HRFA free member's money goes back into the jar with the names of all HRFA paid members for the December in person meeting. Note: Treasurer holds the $169.00 HRFA free money. Will you be there at the December 14, 2021 HRFA meeting to collect $169.00?

Arnie Ulrich Membership Chair

HRFA Membership Information

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.

Hudson River Fishing and Boating Public Access <--- click here

So how old is your fish? <--- click here

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.

From L to R: Richie Wheels (the HRFA's newest member!), Chris Hoops, Aram Setian and Dirk VanEverdingen. Photo by Jerry Crean.

The tog fishing in the Point Pleasant Canal has been hot, hot, hot since the day the season opened. The photos of these lucky HRFA anglers can attest to that fact.

November 21st Scott Havner, Andrew (aka "Andy") Ward & Mike Quevedo put the boat in the water up at the confluence of the Catskill Creek and the Hudson River and had themselves a good ol' time.

The fall migration of striped bass finally started this last week of November, giving anglers plenty to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. We are getting photos from the meadowlands, Hackensack River and the beaches of Ocean County.

The bite is ON! Considering the late start to the season it's likely to continue well into December. Maybe. Maybe not. Tight lines!

By Wayne Geider

Just call Youth Angler Program Chair Wayne Geider at

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].

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.