Feb. 11: The Fishing Line, Spring is coming

Spring officially arrives in 36 days and while we await the nicer temperatures and wind conditions, the fishing scene has remained active and legislation is a hot topic once again. Everyone is waiting to see what new regulations are in the works and how the angler registry will take shape.
For now, keep busy, work out, get your gear cleaned and ready, no matter what happens, we will fish.
Captain Ray Szulczewski sent in this report from the Fly Show held in Somerset on Jan. 23, 24 and 25. It is the biggest and the best of its kind to hit our area each year.
Primarily geared toward the fly fisherman, both fresh and saltwater, there is everything that a fly fisherman would want: Rods, reels, equipment, flies, fly tying materials, factory reps, and free seminars on how and where to fish.
“Fly fishermen are a small part of the overall fishing community, but for this show they all come out of the woodwork,” Ray said. “The show is always packed. You would not believe how many fly fishermen there are when they all show up at one spot.”
For those interested in tying their own patterns, there are professional tiers demonstrating how to tie patterns that work for them.
“It is hard to walk through without finding something you need,” Ray added. “I ended up with about $80 worth of fly tying supplies. Being a saltwater fly fisherman, I mainly tie larger flies, but took the opportunity to tie a few small fresh water flies, which was a first for me. Gosh those buggers are small!”
South Jersey Coastal Fly Anglers has a table at the show each year where they promote the club and fly fishing in general. Last year they tied flies and gave them away free with a donation to the fight for breast cancer.
Later this year the club, partnering with Casting for a Cure, will sponsor an event where they will work with cancer survivors in a three-day program. Participants will learn how to cast a fly rod, tie up some flies and go out and catch a few fish.
Offshore fishing report for the Atlantic Star, Wildwood Crest: Bruce Mattner, Philadelphia, Pa., Efren Bautista, Woodside, NY, Nino Pierdipimo, Maspep, NY, Peter Yi, Norwood, and Kil Song, Englewood Cliffs, all limited out on sea bass up to 6.2 pounds. Mike Yung, NYC, won the pool with a 6.8-pound sea bass. They were fishing 70 miles offshore, describing the day (Jan. 30) as perfect, with winds-light and variable. Ninety percent of anglers limited out with the average fish weighing 5.8 pounds.
On Feb. 1, Mike Parisano, Malaga, caught 15 sea bass with the 7-pound, pool winner. Conditions were not so great with SW winds at 35-40 knots and 6 to 12 foot seas. Some anglers still managed to get dinner. Bruce Mattner, Philadelphia, 18 sea bass; Jesus, Cherry Hill, 16 sea bass; Tom Pievzga, Farless Hills, 12 sea bass and John Dertouzos, Philadelphia, 17 sea bass. Fish were all around 6-pounds.
NEWS:
Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Management Board approved an increase to the 2009 scup TAL from 7.84 million pounds to 11.18 million pounds, with the commercial quota revised to 8.4 million pounds and the recreational harvest limit revised to 2.6 million pounds.
The Board’s action is based on the results of a recent review of the scup stock assessment which indicates that the scup resource is rebuilt and overfishing is not occurring.
For more information, contact 202- 289-6400 or tkerns@asmfc.org.
NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife is holding a public forum on freshwater fisheries research and management, culture and recreational angling Saturday, Feb. 28, 10 a.m., Batsto Village Visitors Center, Burlington County, pre-registration appreciated, 856-629-4950 or e-mail Christopher.Smith@dep.state.nj.us.
Trout stocking public meeting, Pequest Trout Hatchery, Feb. 14, 10 a.m., opportunity for anglers to ask questions, voice their opinions, and give suggestions, njfishandwildlife.com/peqdirct.htm
Safe Boating Class: one-day, eight-hour class, Saturday, Feb. 21, Price Hall, Academy and Seashore roads. NJ Safe Boating Certificate is required by law for any person 16 years of age or older who intends to operate a vessel 12 feet and over. For reservations, class schedule, call 609-889-8575 or e-mail dcs1406@hotmail .com.
Please e-mail me with your thoughts about a salt-water fishing license for New Jersey.
Check out SeeMyBigFish.com and be sure to send your fish stories and pictures to Be My Guest reporter. Send info to cmiller@cmcherald.com. This column appears first on capemaycountyherald.com.