March madness is hitting the fishing scene and hopefully we’ll see the end to those February winds and heavy rains. Captains are anxious to get out and you may want to check with your favorites as to their upcoming plans and schedules.
With the cold windy winter weather there has not been much opportunity to even do some freshwater fly fishing. But the South Jersey Coastal Fly Anglers keep busy getting fishing gear ready for the coming season. A few weeks ago they had a fly tying gathering where Brad Buzzi, a distinguished fly ‘tyer’ from North Jersey, a member of the local club, showed members methods for tying bunker and popper fly pattern. Each session lasted about four hours. It was a great way to spend the time on a cold Saturday, tying flies and talking fly fishing with friends.
At this month’s regular meeting South Jersey Coastal Fly Anglers celebrated their 10 year Anniversary with a cake provided by some of the women from Casting For Recovery in recognition for all that the club does to support the Casting For Recovery program. The club provides individual river guide instruction each year for the South Jersey gathering. SJCFA has also has had a number of the women join the fly club after being introduced to fly fishing. Great day all around.
Teachers, if you are looking for a globally significant ecological and current real-world resource management challenge into your classroom, sign up for the Green Eggs and Sand Workshop coordinated by the NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife, May 10 – 12, in Cape May. The project will delve into the connections between horseshoe crabs and shorebirds, and the challenges encountered in managing this resource. Field trips to Delaware Bay beaches are a special highlight and include the opportunity to observe nighttime spawning of horseshoe crabs, and a day trip to a beach to observe horseshoe crab eggs and shorebird feeding. Participants will receive the updated Green Eggs & Sand curriculum pack. Deadline for registration is April 10. The cost is $100. Registration at
http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/greeneggs.htm
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Mark your calendars and plan to attend the Cape May Fishing Flea Market, April 7, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Cape May Elementary School, 921 Lafayette St., Cape May. New, used, and antique, rods, reels, lures, nautical, and boating. Admission $4, kids 12 and under free. Includes two free seminars: Deep Water Fluking with Capt. Harvey Yenkinson at 10 a.m. and Mid-Range Tuna with Capt. Darren Dorris at 11:30 a.m. Vendors $30 for 8 foot space. Sell some of your unwanted fishing tackle and buy some new. Hourly door prizes. Food and refreshments. Call 732.330.5674 or hiflier.com
The NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife has announced the winners of the 2012 Skillful Angler Awards Program. The program honors anglers who catch both freshwater and marine fish that are not quite record size, but are large enough to have tested the angler’s skill and be worthy of recognition. In 2012, 163 applications representing 24 different species were officially processed. For information about the winners, visit http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/skwinn12.htm . To learn more about the Skillful Angler program itself, visit http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/skflang.htm .
The Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) says the issue with commercial traps littering New Jersey’s artificial reefs may soon be addressed comprehensively by Governor Christie’s office. Find all the latest details at www.joinrfa.org/Press/PotsOffReef_030812.pdf
Send your reports and pictures to cmiller@cmcherald.com. Column and pictures are posted online at www.capemaycountyherald.com.
West Wildwood – The Harris/Trump debate was like Rock ‘em Sock ‘em robots and Harris knocked his block off.
