Results of the 2nd Annual NJ FLY FISHERMAN of the YEAR

As The Jersey Angler said in his recent post "He Could Have Been a Contender...", well I was a contender.  All kidding aside, I recommend reading his post.

The New Jersey Fly Fisherman of the Year competition is the brain child of Bill Asdal owner of the the Raritan Inn Bed & Breakfast, Shannon's Fly & Tackle Shop and New Jersey Trout Unlimited (NJTU). 

The 2011 Contestants:

• Hacklebarney Chapter -  Jeff Kurt;
• East Jersey Chapter - Paul Reithmeir;
• Fred Boroughs Chapter - Warren Weglinski;
• Ridge and Valley - Fredy DeLeon;
• Ken Lockwood - Bill Silvia ;
• Central Jersey - Lou DiGena (a.k.a. Fly and Fin);
• Ray Neirle Chapter - Bob Powel;
• Jersey Shore - Bob Simpson;
• Rahway River - Mike Appello;
• Ernest Schwiebert Chapter - Angelo Conti;
• Headwaters Raritan  - Bill Kibler;
• Musconetcong Watershed - Stewart Shafran.

It was a cold morning, 28º F at the start of the event, a low 50º F by the final round.  Each participant drew a number which gave them times and beats to fish. Each fisher had two beats to fish in the morning.  The 3 top scorers would advance to the finals.

The first beat for was was slow - only one 14.75" Rainbow. This gave me 20 points for the first session.  The second morning session was much better.  I hooked 4 fish and landed 2. This  gave me an additional 38 points to put me in second place.

Official Score Board

Warren Weglinski was in first.  I was second, and Angelo Conti was in third.

In the final session, the points from the morning didn't rollover like last year's and the fishing was slow.  We all rotated through the same three 20-minute beats. Warren was the only one to hook and land a Rainbow in the first rotation, worth 14 points. We all went fish-less in the second session.  In the last session with around 5 minutes left, I hook and landed a 13" Brookie worth 18.2 points.  Around the same time my fish was landed, Angelo hooked and landed a 19" Rainbow worth 19 points.  With that, he won the 2nd Annual NJ Fly Fisherman of the year for 2011.

Here's a shameless video shot of "me only" during the event.  

It was truly a fun event.  I'd like to thank all the judges, Bill, Shannon's and NJTU for all their hard work.

Thank you,

Fly and Fin

2nd Annual NJ Fly Fisherman of the Year and New Jersey Trout Unlimited 40th Anniversary

The 2nd Annual NJ Fly Fisherman of the Year one fly contest is this Saturday November 12, 2011.  Like last year's event it will take place at the Raritan Inn Bed & Breakfast, in Califon, NJ.  The contest is held on the Inn’s mile of private waters on the South Branch of the Raritan River.  This year 10 New Jersey chapter of Trout Unlimited and local Watershed Associations, select one angler each to participate.

New Jersey Trout Unlimited (NJTU) along with Shannon's Fly & Tackle  Shop and the Raritan Inn in Califon will be hosting the 2nd Annual New Jersey Fly Fisherman of the Year Competition. 

Last year The Jersey Angler represented the Central Jersey Chapter of TU.  This year I have the honors of and will represent CJTU.

Wish me luck and tight lines.

Here is a clip I put together of The Jersey Angler from last years event.



A banquet will follow follow the competition in celebration of NJTU's 40th Anniversary.

Come out for an evening of fun, auctions and tales of lore as we celebrate the winner of the one fly contest review 2011 fly fishing year or the "rain / water year" as we have come to know.

Tickets are $60 (and strictly limited to 60 people) and available at Shannon's Fly & Tackle - 908 832-5736. www.shannonsflytackle.com

Details available at www.njflyfisherman.com and www.njtu.org

New Jersey’s First Annual NJ Fly Fisherman of the Year Contest

The New Jersey’s First Annual NJ Fly Fisherman of the Year Contest took place on November 6, 2010 at the Raritan Inn Bed & Breakfast, Califon, NJ.  The contest was held on the Inn’s mile of private waters on the South Branch of the Raritan River.  Each New Jersey chapter of Trout Unlimited and three Watershed Associations, the Upper Raritan, Musconetcong and South Branch select one angler each to participate.  A total of 13 participants headed out on a beautiful fall day.  After the morning round three anglers emerged as the point leaders. Bart Lombardo of Central Jersey TU was leader fishing the CE Crayfish pattern next was Keith Bologno representing the Uppper Raritan Watershed and finally Bill Silvia from Ken Lockwood TU landed an 18" Rainbow in the final minutes. 

After lunch the three anglers set off for the final round.  Bart’s best fish of the afternoon was disqualified because the fish threw the hook, and then was re-hooked in the dorsal fin. As time ran out Keith Bologno was the leader, but in the last minutes Bill Silvia tied Keith with a 21" Rainbow creating a dramatic tie.  The judges Jim Holland, Brian Cowden, and Don Tredski  determined to end the tie with a fish-off.  It took an epic two and a quarter hours to end the tie, with may fish hooked but not landed. Until Bill Silvia landing an 18" rainbow to capture the honors of 2010 NJ Fly Fisherman of the Year. 

The 2010 Contestants:

Hacklebarney Chapter -  Rich Tullo;
East Jersey Chapter - Bruce Seiden;
Fred Boroughs Chapter - Susan Reed;
Ridge and Valley - Tim Johnston;
Ken Lockwood - Bill Silvia ;
Central Jersey - Bart Lombardo;
Ray Neirle Chapter - Steve Moody;
Jersey Shore - John Clark;
Rahway River - Chris Martino;
Ernest Schwiebert Chapter - Angelo Conti;
Upper Raritan Watershed - Keith Bologno;
South Branch Watershed - Fred Puelle;
Musconetcong Watershed - Stewart Shafran;
NJ TU State Council - August Gudmundsson;

Sponsored by Hardy North America.

A very special thanks needs to be given to Bill Asdal of the  Raritan Inn Bed & Breakfast for hosting the event and dinner and Jim Holland of Shannons Fly and Tackle, Califon, NJ.

Here is movie of Bart (a.k.a The Jersey Angler) during the final round.

 

New Jersey’s first Annual NJ Fly Fisherman of the Year

As many may have read on The Jersey Angler's blog that he is participating in the New Jersey’s first Annual NJ Fly Fisherman of the Year. This is a catch and release one fly" tournament held on South Branch of the Raritan River at the Raritan Inn Bed and Breakfast, Califon, NJ. The event is being sponsored by Hardy North America

Beside the One-Fly contest The day's events will include: Casting demonstrations; Entomology presentation; Reading the stream; Stream enhancement case studies and South Branch restoration plans; Fly tying; Bamboo rod construction; Streamside techniques; NJ fish habitats and a Silent auction to benefit NJ Trout Unlimited.

Well I wanted to do my part so I tied up 3 of my CE Crayfish for the The Jersey Angler for the one fly event.  Lets wish him all the luck and let his skill do the rest.

CE Crayfish for the The Jersey Angler

 

I'd met up with The Jersey Angler this after noon where I presented him with the flies and a discription of the water he was going to fish (I've fished that private streath in with my boys).

I plan on attending, photographing and filming the event. Conditions look good for him to do well with the CE Crayfish, a good soaking rain on Thursday and off color water today.  The levels should be good for taking some nice fish tomorrow.

Again lets wish him all the best.