03.18.14 Happy 90th Birthday to my main man Al.......

     That's my main man Al. If you know me, know my blog, been to one of my presentations....then you know Al. I love this guy, and today is his 90th birthday, so Happy Birthday Al !!!! I will say he is my best 90 year old friend ( he his my only 90 year old friend !!). 

     I met Al 4 or 5 years ago when I first started sniffing around his usual haunts. When I say usual, I mean 50 plus years usual. I have heard and learned so much from him over the years. He told me that it took him five years to catch his first striped bass. He started in the late 1940's ( I was born in 1968) and landed his first striper in August 1952. It was 6 pounds and he caught it at 'The Pipe" at Wreck Pond. 

     I have spent so much time with Al that as I went through my archives I found so many pictures I had to edit down what I was going to share. Al will love this blog post, his lovely wife of 60 years Evelyn will hate it, not to see that Al is so loved, but that the attention will go to his head and he will be unbearable! 

     

     I remember one early morning in Allenhurst and we were fishing in July, one of our favorite things, popping up summer bass at first light. So Al catches a schoolie and I am of course going to take a picture, it would make for good blog fodder. As I am looking through the lens I get a glimpse in something I didn't notice before. His bright baggy Hawaiian swimming trunks with those two trim and 

fit legs sticking out of them. That pic made the blog, but I did shoot a horizontal, less the shorts also. 

                           

     I love to arrive in the dark and see Al's Audi already parked and non one inside, that means he's already fishing. Sometimes I will sneak down and just watch and wonder what a almost (at that time) 90 year old man thinks about as he casts a fly into the ocean. Life, family, after life?.....no Al is thinking about the bait and the bass. He has done so many things and had so many accomplishments, but his 

treasure is his family. This past weekend I had the privilege of joining them for his Surprise 90th Party at the Molly Pitcher. He was surprised, the place was great, just about everyone he knew and loved was there, and, the best part, there wasn't a dry eye in the house when his kids and grand kids got up to reminisce and thank him. His granddaughter got me with the "walk in the park feeding the ducks!".

          I remember one day Al I were on the boat. It was December and it started out slow. Then it got good, and then it got great. Beautiful day, flat water, lots of birds bait and bass. One of my favorite images of Al is him holding the below bass because both he and the fish have the same expression!

     One other thing I noticed while pouring through all of my pics of Al......I think he has one lucky fishing shirt. It's the blue, light blue and battered, Columbia shirt. The pants, shorts, waders and footwear may change but the shirt is always on. Okay, this is a salute not a roast!

     But if I had to pick some of my favorite times with Al, it would be those with the rods on our laps or the butts resting on top of our shoes. We talk a lot about fishing, but we also talk a lot about life. It is inspiring to have met such a great man. To be so passionate about his family and life, and yes, fishing at his tender age of 90 is awesome.



     I watched the other day as family member after family member spoke so highly of him (and Evelyn too) that I wondered to myself if I have, or will I ever, touch and move people to tears as he did. I hope one day to be able to listen as my adult grandchildren raise a glass and thank and cheer me.

        I hope to be so loved, and, hope to still be catching striped bass, for me, in 44 years at 90!

                                         Thanks Al and HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!!!!!

03.17.14 Happy St. Patrick's Day......all this recent Delaware talk has me itching......

                                   

     Well between the EJTU and Orvis Marlton talks on the Upper Delaware I can say I am getting jazzed up for the FUDR One Bug and the arrival of spring in the Catskills. I am spending time going through my rods, gear, and flies in anticipation of the season. For me it will start with a trip up to the West Branch Anglers "Hell or High Water" event held Saturday April 12th, HERE, where there will be plenty of reps, tyers, events, music, beer and the film tour to get you ready for the season.

     While I am up there I will grab my drift boat from Roscoe and bring it home for a tune up. Then I will be heading up April 25, 26 and 27 for the Friends of the Upper Delaware River's "One Bug". 

That's always a great weekend and Friday nights kick-off dinner, silent auctions and raffles are a ton of fun. If you aren't in the One Bug, you can still come and eat, drink and be merry Friday night! From 

then on it will be a mix of float trips on the Delaware Rivers and quick rides home for walk and wade and boat trips on the Jersey Shore. Luckily people have picked or are picking dates which makes planning a little easier then last minute. 

     While going through my gear I tried on my Orvis waders and found them to be about 3 sizes to big, the picture above shows me in a little more rotund shape then I am now. So while I was down in Marlton I was able to get a introduction to the various wader types and sizes and settled in on a pair of Silver Sonic Guide Waders, HERE. They are built to stand up to a daily walk and wade and drift boat beating and with the welded seams leakage won't be in the back of my mind. 

     It's a great time, for the fresh and salt, to pull your gear out and give it a once over....and maybe even get out and make a cast or two on the newly fallen snow of today. 

Below is a little short on the Silver Sonic Waders.....

03.16.14 Long Branch gets it....and an important protest this Friday at 8th Ave

     Out today decided to check out Long Branch. Guess what...they're still pumping sand on the beach. After working behind St. Alfonso's the jumped West End and started back up at Cottage Place and Bath Aves. Don't want to harp....but it's still horrible.
     On my way home I got a call from Asbury ParkFishing Club president and longtime beach, flume, herring, striped bass and fisherman activist Joe Pallotto and we talked about the beach replenishment and groin modification plan (Elberon to Loch Arbor)  "protest" being held this Friday March 21 at 5pm at 8th Ave in Asbury Park. Here''s a short list of who will be attending the Bradley Beach, Berkley, Shark River and Asbury Park Fishing Club, Clean Ocean Action, Surfers Alliance, Deal Lake Commission and hopefully Rep. Frank Pallone. I will be really impressed if Mr. Pallone makes it. If you are an angler, a swimmer, a surfer you should be there if you can make it..........

     Below is just a quick shot now and past looking north from West End Ave. I didn't know exactly where I had taken the earlier image so it's off a set of groins, but you can see the difference. 

And then below looking south from West End Ave towards St Alfonso's....

03.15.14 Great kick-off in Marlton for Orvis Spring Fishing Days.....

     Had a great time with a great group of people down at the Orvis Marlton store. Today kicks off "Orvis Spring Fishing Days" and it was a good way to spend a Saturday. I must first thank fly fishing manager Andy Hamilton for setting things up and getting the food and refreshments and new store manager Kathy Gannon for having me. Not only did Andrew help me with the talks, he helped me out with a plethera of spey knowledge and information. This spring I will be using my spey rod a lot more so it was perfect timing to talk with him about it. Thanks again Andrew.

     I went on at 11 and talked about the Upper Delaware and had a great audience with lots of interest and questions. The group was a mix of beginner and experienced fly fishers and I think all have put a float trip on the Upper D on their to do list. I look forward to fishing this spring with those that booked a trip with me up there in May. After about an hour and some change we broke and finished off the drinks and eats before settling down for the afternoon saltwater presentation. 

     I was surprised that all of the morning group stuck around and we were joined by a few more people that pulled a nice comfy leather chair and sat in. The presentations ended by 230 and then the crew mingled around checking out the store. Not only is the store stocked with the latest Orvis has to offer it has great help in Andrew and Marc in the fly fishing department. 

     Orvis will be running their Fly Fishing 101 classes starting April. Below is the schedule for Marlton but check on the Orvis website and your closest store will have their schedule posted or call them for details. It's a great way for beginners, novices, and experienced anglers (Orvis 301) to learn just about everything fly fishing.

Again I would like to thank everyone that came out and I look forward to fishing with those that booked trips on the Delaware and in the salt. Have a great spring!

03.15.14 Sometimes no color is cool too....

     Up at it early getting ready to head down to Orvis Marlton for the day. Couldn't pass up a sunrise so I headed down to the beach. First light was overcast and blue, which was cool in it's own way. Love to see the white water....soon the stripers will be prowling the shallows looking for breakfast....can't wait!

03.14.14 While the boat gets a facelift I picked up her new bed......

     With my boat up on the blocks and getting pretty much getting a facelift from bow to stern it worked out perfect that my NEW, SWEET and SHINY, Load Rite trailer came in. It's a beauty. All aluminum- well 90%. LED lights. Dual axle. Vortex hubs. SS brakes. Balanced radial tires. Just perfect. My older trailer was in serviceable condition but needed to get refurbished. I could have done that, but would have been left with a single axle trailer. I went with the dual axle trailer for those long commutes to the office. I really like putting in at Barnegat Light and now I feel that much more confident. I also hope to guide in Montauk in the next couple of years and this fall I will start bringing my boat out there.





     So for the boat. Every Clouser ding, every screw hole, every scrape, oh yeah- and when I ran aground in the middle of the night on the Navesink last summer, that too, will be fixed and getting gel coated. The Jones Brothers 19'10 Cape Fisherman is a 1998 and is in sweet condition. There are some stress cracks along the compartments that will be gone and the floor will get some love also. I had originally wanted to install dual electric trolling motors on the engines cavitation plate, but the used unit I had was dead and couldn't be used. So the boat will look brand new, and the trailer will be brand new.

     And don't forget I'll be at the Orvis Marlton store tomorrow, Saturday March 14 from 11-2 talking both fresh and saltwater. Hope to see you there.

Here's some more boat and trailer pics.....

03.13.14 Great night with the EJTU and come join me this Saturday at Orvis Marlton.....

     Come join me this Saturday March 15th at the Orvis Marlton store for a day of greet and meets and a few presentations that I will do on fly fishing the Upper Delaware and the Jersey Shore. This is part of the Orvis Spring Fishing Kick-Off and the day will include the presentations, lunch, good discounts and giveaways. Plus its a great chance to come and check out the latest Orvis has to offer. I will be doing the Delaware thing at 11 and then the salt thing at 1. Hope to see you there.

Orvis Marlton is located in the Promenade at Sagamore at 500 Route 73 South in Marlton. You can get directions HERE.

NOTE - This outdoor mall, and several others along Route 73 are loaded with just about every store and outlet imaginable, so if you'd like to bring your better half there's plenty to do while you're in fly fishing mode.

     Last night I had the privilege of speaking at the East Jersey TU's monthly meeting. The chapters impressive up and down, lots of members at the meeting, good coffee, active "store" with flies, TU, and chapter "stuff" and apparel for sale, and a welcoming committee for first time attendees, and I liked the name tags everyone gets as you walk in the door.

     The meeting started with a presentation by Kelly Buchta about the Trout Unlimited Women's Initiative. She rolled a nice movie that included one of my images of one of my favorite female clients, Victoria, who fishes with me in the salt and knows how to get it done. Below is Vicky with her first Raritan Bay spring bluefish.


 

     I spoke on "Fly Fishing the Jersey Shore" and included a lengthy segment on the beach replenishment projects going on up and down the shore. It was reaffirming to see a larger freshwater crowd shake their head and sigh as I explained what is going on down here. Had some great questions throughout and a ran through some Upper Delaware slides just so the trout-lover side of them didn't feel slighted. 

     Two lucky anglers will win a walk and wade trip that the chapter purchased for a raffle prize at their upcoming banquet. I look forward to spending time on the beach with the winner. 

03.12.14 Speaking tonight at the East Jersey Trout Unlimited meeting.....

     Tonight I'll be heading north to Rochelle Park to present 'Fly Fishing the Jersey Shore" at the EJTU meeting at the American Legion in Rochelle Park. The meeting starts at 730 and you can get info and directions HERE

03.11.14 Great ASWF meeting....

     Great Atlantic Saltwater Flyrodder's meeting tonight. Tonight we had fly rodder, fly tyer, spin fisherman, and plugmaker (RV Plugs) Gerry Fabiano give a presentation on early spring fishing the power plants and back bays. Perfect timing as anglers that fish both ways are bursting at the seams with a need to get out early in the spring to do some fishing.
     One thing that's great about these clubs, and the experienced members that are part of them, they all are free with the information and enjoy passing their knowledge onto others. In a world filled with spot burns and secrets its refreshing to find a place where you can go and learn and shorten the learning curve.

03.11.14 Thanks to the Asbury Park Press' John Oswald.....

     On Sunday at the Asbury PArk Fishing Flea Market I ran into John Oswald who writes the Hook, Line & Sinker section for the Asbury Park Press. I asked him if he had seen the Army Corps press release regarding proposed changes to the Elberon to Loch Arbor beach replenishment project and the open public hearing period. I must first give thanks to Joseph Wichnick who sent it to me late last week.
You can see that blog post HERE.
     Yesterday I got a call from John asking for my comments on the proposed notching of the groins and extensions to the outfalls in that 'Jetty Country" stretch. You can read the article above, or see it HERE. Also, if you are on StripersOnline, a thread has been started picking apart the information provided by the ACOE, especially about the environmental impact to the proposed project.....lets jjust say they mention tuna......and not tautog or striped bass!!!! Are you kidding me.
     In that tread and posts are sample letters anglers have written, some are really good. Give it a browse before you send yours in, please do!



     As I was talking to John on the phone, while looking for sea glass with my daughter, a survey boat was making its rounds around the groins surveying the landscape. The project is underway already.....there will be no stopping it, but maybe we can get it scaled back a bit.

For those that are in the know, here are the groins that will be affected.....

Whitehall
Phillips
Brighton
Roseld
Marine
Allenhurst

That makes me sick to my stomach

03.10.14 I think we've turned the corner.....

     Yes, I think, but what do I really know, that we're on the downward slide of winter and soon-ish things will be getting going. Anglers look for 50 degree water temps to as their gauge to get out and go fishing. The last two winters we fished into March with declining water temps into the lower 40's. It's a little different when water temps are going down, then when they are coming up. Fish will stick around if the water temps, and food, keep them in a comfort zone, even if it's on their lower end of tolerance.
     The air temps are in the 40's and some days of 50 are predicted, but its the water temps that we need to pick up to have the striped bass and bluefish get moving north.

     I, like others, are starting to look for signs that some fish have arrived, or started to eat. And, with a lack of anglers out, there;s no better place than to look, then the internet. The forums have been abuzz with lots of false reports and jokes of big catches and blitzing fish, along with pictures of scantily clad women holding big fish, with claims they were caught in New Jersey. It's all in good fun.
    But Dave Dave Showell of the Absecon Bay Sportsmen's Center posted a pic of the first keeper to arrive at his shop. It was caught this past weekend in The Great Bay, on a plug! The fish was 30 inches and weighed 19 pounds.
     So while you wait, its a great time to go through your gear, and make any early season purchases now so you don't just "go with" what you already have. Check your waders, check your fly lines, and either start tying up or purchasing some flies, the right flies, so you'll be ready for your first trip.