10 HOLIDAY 2013 boatingonthehudson.com
The Hudson River Fishermans As-
sociation is a 40 year old organiza-
tion totally devoted to fishing at a
grass roots level. More specifically
encouraging fishing in the Hudson
River!
Over the years they have created
and sponsored some of the largest
striped bass fishing derbies ever
held on the Hudson River. In ad-
dition their “Hooked on the Hud-
son” a one day yearly gathering,
encourages families to bring their
children to the Hudson River so that
they might enjoy a totally free day
of fishing. All bait, rods and reels
and other equipment needed is
provided. At some of these events
as many as 300 children have
fished in one day.
Most recently last years spring
HRFA striped bass fishing derby
held with headquarters at Billy
Joe’s RibWorks, in Newburgh, NY,
and another weigh station at the
CrotonYacht Club, had, as a fea-
ture a childrens fishing contest. The
HRFA provided fishing equipment,
bait and expertise an volunteers
from the HRFA to anyone interested
in having their children try fishing.
This was an outstanding success!
The most recent occasion to do
the same thing was at the Croton
Yacht Clubs “River Day” one day
program held in September this
year. Again the HRFA provided the
expertise and the volunteers with
grateful participation by Croton
Yacht Club volunteers.
In all of these events the predomi-
nant fish caught by children was
catfish. They will bite on just about
anything thrown their way, are easy
to catch, and very hardy to abuse
by children not used to catching an
handling fish.
That leads us to the idea that we
think can increase participates in
the striped bass fishing derbys,
introduce total strangers to your
yacht club, and generally bring
new people to the Hudson River
for one reason above all others,
fishing. Even the Governor of New
York recognized the value of fish-
YOUTH CATFISH CONTEST TO
ENHANCE THEVARIOUS STRIPED
BASS FISHING CONTESTS
By John H.Vargo
“EJ” (Ivey’s daughter) with catfish
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