THE HARBOUR LIGHT

The Official Newsletter of the
Village Harbour Fishing Club


PO Box 1026
Manahawkin, NJ 08050

VOLUME # 101                ISSUE # 2                    May 2001

E-mail Address: VHFCInfo@aol.com

Upcoming Events

Friday May 4:  Board Meeting
    8:00 pm: at the Community Center

Friday May 11: Monthly Membership Meeting at the Community Center.
    7:15 pm: Come early and help with setup.
    7:30 pm: Business Meeting including Fish of the Month Award, Fishing Reports (bring one of your own to share) and a short Break
    8:00 pm: Presentation by Butch Colvin and Capt. Mike Corblies on "Light Tackle Fishing in the Bay During Spring/Summer". 
 
May 26, 2001 - Holiday Weakfish Tournament
    Chair: Maurice Piergrossi

President’s Message

bulletClick here to see the 2001 VHFC Calendar.
bulletThirty seven people attended the 13 April membership meeting.
bulletThe April hands-on sessions went very well. Special thanks to our hands-on team including Steve Cook, Don Longstreet, John Nonnenmacher and Paul Turi for the efforts that made the April hands-on work so well.
bulletAs a special treat, Sean Murphy (from Fisherman's Headquarters) showed up at the meeting with two tables of his own gear and, after giving a great fishing lecture, stayed for the hands-on session until the end of our meeting. Thanks Sean. 

Winter Flounder Fish-of-the-Month Report (by George Fruh)

bullet

Congratulations to Marcy Roshelli for a 2.04 pound Winter Flounder on 9 April 2001. Your prize will be ready by the 11 May meeting.

3rd Annual VHFC Holiday Weakfish Tournament and Social, Saturday May 26, 2001

Please think about participating. The sign-up sheet for this, our first 2001 tournament, was included in last month's newsletter. We will have spare applications at the 11 May meeting. 
bulletMaurice Piergrossi is chairing this tournament and hosting the social at his home.
bulletFor those of you who have never participated, I want to assure you that the social alone is worth the entry fee.
bulletLast year we had only 17 participants.
bulletIf you try this one you will like it.
bulletClick here for the sign-up sheet.
bulletSee you there.

Reminder: Dues are overdue

bulletThe up-dating of the club data base has slipped into May so there is still time to pay your dues and get your name in the Membership Directory.
bulletPlease complete all parts of the enclosed membership form and return it with your 2001 dues as soon as possible. 
bulletThanks.

Rally to protect Bunker from Reduction Boats in NJ State Waters: Monday, May 21st (by Paul Turi)

bulletA bill has been introduced in the senate (S2252) and in the Assembly (A3467) to prohibit the taking of Menhaden (bunker) in state waters for the purpose of reduction into other commercially saleable products. 
bulletThese boats come from out of state into NJ waters to net bunker along our beaches. 
bulletNo NJ job is at stake if this bill were passed. 
bulletThe bill does not apply to bait boats which are NJ based boats that net bunker to be used as bait. 
bulletLast month, the NJ Marine Fisheries Council, under pressure from out of state commercial interests, for whatever reason voted to defeat a measure that would have moved the menhaden reduction boats out of state waters. 
bulletAs a result, the Jersey Coast Anglers Association and the Recreational Fishing Alliance had introduced into the Senate and Assembly the bills mentioned above to keep these reduction boats out of NJ waters. 
bulletIn order to apply pressure on the legislature to pass these bills, a rally and march on Trenton is being planned for Monday, May 21st from 12:00 to 3:00PM. The rally is being organized by a newly formed organization of concerned fishermen who call themselves "The Salty Dogs of War." 
bulletThis is an internet-based group of fishermen who became enraged when the NJ Marine Fisheries Council voted to defeat the measure to remove the reduction boats out of state waters. 
bulletThis organization has joined forces with the Jersey Coast Anglers Association and the RFA to conduct this rally and march on Trenton. 
bulletAlso as part of the rally the closure of Holgate to fishermen and the new fluke regulations will also be addressed. 
bulletIt is important that the VHFC do its part and get as many of its members as possible to the rally on May 21st. 
bulletFor more information contact Mike Doebley mdoebley@yahoo.com organizer of the event or Paul Turi pturi@cybercomm.net (609) 597-3193 for the VHFC.

Recipe: Maple Basted Bluefish

  1. Gather ingredients:
    (a) 1/8 cup of Maple Syrup
    (b) Approx. 3 lbs. of Bluefish fillets
    (c) Allspice
    (d) 2 tablespoons of Corn Oil
    (e) Salt and ground pepper 
  2. Pour maple syrup in a shallow bowl. 
  3. Add the bluefish filets and turn to coat thoroughly . 
  4. Sprinkle with spices 
  5. Set aside to marinade; at least 1/2 hour. 
  6. Lightly grease broiling rack or grill with corn oil. 
  7. Broil or grill bluefish about 6 inches from heat for 2-4 minutes on each side. 
  8. Baste fish with syrup once or twice until fish flakes & the outside is lightly caramelized. 
  9. Enjoy !

Club Discounts

bulletSeveral local merchants offer discounts on merchandise to club members.
bulletClick here to view this year's VHFC Club Discounts