I am moving to North Carolina !

[AndyS]

The wife is already down in Apex near Durham at the rental house. Funny after 26 years in one spot, but it sure is easy to move when you have an empty nest.
Don't see much fishing on the Piedmont but I may be wrong, looks like the Eno is close to Durham, maybe a few Rock Bass. They got all kinds of gators and snakes down there so it should be really interesting. Looks like good trout water 3 hours to the North of me in Virginia or 5 hours West in the Smokies. Sea Trout and Reds are hot right now down the shore AND they are in a tizzy because fluke seasoned is closed !! Maybe I will will post if I get out but moving is a lot of hard work and I have already made 2 trips down with rental trucks. Going down again with my truck this time but hopefully the house sells soon and I can come and get the last of it. I am going to try to stash my canoe at my sister in laws in Bridgewater. It's an 8 hour drive down 95 to 85, not too bad, if I take the scenic route and take 81 down it's about 11 hours drive.
I'm already liking it as winter really doesn't happen, my cable bill down there is 150 bux vs 300, car insurance is half of what I pay up here and property taxes, well let's just say I won't be getting bent over any more.
I will post more info as it becomes available like the house listing in Middlesex.
I guess Gerry with have to get a new FW moderator :)
I will also keep in touch with my FAMILY here at NJF.com !;)

[huntcountypussbuck]

Andy - Nj waterways will
Miss you ! Raritan especially . Enjoy the south thanks for your dedication

[thmyorke1]

We are proud of all the hard work you've done throughout our rivers, Andy! I also appreciate all the guidance and experience with fishing that you have offered me. Please DO keep us updated on what fish you nail down there. I bet plenty of Jerseyans are looking to move out of state too, I already know multiple family and friends that have settled down in that state for the same reasons. So keep us informed about the fish :cool:

Hope the move is easy peasy....but what did you do with all the tires youve been hoarding all these years???? :D

[Cape Cod]

Good luck my friend. Spent quite a bit of time in good old Jacksonville/Onslow County NC if you know what I mean ����
I believe better fishing opportunities further south from Charleston SC - Beaufort SC and Hunting Island.
Did ok with sheepshead along the piers in Onslow County. You also have the winter tuna fishery in the Outerbanks.
For a kayak/canoe/environmentalists/fisherman the Wando River SC might be a good place to start.
Now a days we vacation at Folly Beach. I was bumped by a VERY large shark while on my Hobie kayak in Charleston Harbor last summer.
Redfish and trout are the primary inshore fishery. I’ll reach out to you next time we’re in town. Oh yeah the flounder fishery is really good as well!
Enjoy life ����

[AndyS]

Looks like a bit of a drive out to the Smokies but well worth it from what I've seen on the internet. I'll be 58 in April and hope to retire at 62 if I should live so long.

https://www.wncfishing.com/guided-trips/

[Esox Luciano]

Wow, I saw the title and said wtf! Glad to hear everything is going to be a lot smoother down there but Jersey will definitly be missing you brother. Hope they treat things down there a bit better than up here so you can ease back and cast more.😉 Can say before joining this forum and reading not just all of your posts but others' posts as well; Dakota560, FastEddie, BunkerDunker etc., it's taught me how to be more responsible with my connection to the environments I choose to practice angling in...as well as be a better fisherman. To shadow what Thmyorke1 posted, we will miss you but do expect some water reports from down there!!! Good luck with everything Andy and God Bless.

[Hookmanski]

We all will miss you! I'm sure you'll find a river down that way to clean :D Thank you for everything you've done for the waterways of NJ, and for the kindness you've shown and the advice you've given to me and others. Enjoy North Carolina! :D

[Lard Almighty]

I fished Jordan Lake south of Durham many years ago, good for largemouths, if you are so inclined.

Happy trails, my friend! You'll be making your mark on the Tar Heel State angling scene, I'm sure.

[dakota560]

Andy first you will be missed. Your dedication to the environment is second to none and as others have already mentioned thanks so much for your efforts and successes. Your commitment has inspired many others and that my friend is one of life's greatest legacies!

Your post didn't say you weren't still going to be leading clean up efforts on the Raritan and other rivers so I assume you'll be traveling north every other weekend during the summer!

You're not kidding about empty nest syndrome! We've been in the same house for 32 years and it's going on the market tomorrow. Last of three children moved out a few weeks ago. Nothing really prepares you for how the household changes. Not moving south but boy does it get eerily quiet when the kids move out. You never really give it much thought until it happens but it really is a big change filled with many emotions.

I wish you and your wife the best and look forward to posts from NC. Florida didn't stop Steve from continuing to be an active and valuable member and since NC is a lot closer I'd expect no less from you. Hope all goes smooth even though as you said it's a lot of work. For the last month all I've been thinking about is George Carlin's routine "More Stuff"! It's amazing how much we accumulate along the way and never realize it until it's time to move or down size. Garbage men needless to say hate us right now!

Safe travels and best always.......Tom!

[Sako1]

Andy,

Wishing you all the best in NC. Thanks for all your efforts cleaning up the waterways.

Ok, so let's see the list of your top 5 fishing spots. Maybe an auction is more appropriate given the high value.

Dave

[Wilson]

Farewell Andy, we have had quite a few fishing and non fishing adventures.
Remember that time I locked the keys in your truck after a day of club fishing?
Good thing I had AAA, they unlocked the truck in like seconds!

I will always remember your posts on the old board of your Tuna trips and the spreads of sushi and grilled Tuna steaks. It was what gave me the courage to pm you and ask you to go fishing with me in the first place.

After you settle in and get bored we will do a trip to Hancock for some real Trout fishing.

Good luck and stay in touch.

G.

PS. You will have to hook up with Billy Ray Bob, a LM bass local sharpie and become a rat fisherman!!!

[Gerry Zagorski]

Wow Andy - Hard to picture the NJ Fishing Community with out you :confused: How long has it been since you started posting and moderating here? Got to be almost 20 years, right?

I’ve had a few other friends move down that way for work over the years and a few who moved there to retire. Yes a lot less expensive to live but not sure they have everything that good old Dirty Jersey has to offer and even after they’ve move, it still stays in their blood.

Not going to remove you as a moderator, just can’t bring myself to do that and if you hadn’t noticed LAB and River Rat are still listed here..

Best of luck with the move, sorry to see you go but hope it all works out for you Andy... You deserve all the best!!

[hartattack]

Are you ready to pay the 'NJ Exit Tax'? I hear it's worth it :p

NJ's loss is NC's gain, you will be missed Andy. Wishing y'all health and happiness down south.

[Mikey topaz]

The wife is already down in Apex near Durham at the rental house. Funny after 26 years in one spot, but it sure is easy to move when you have an empty nest.
Don't see much fishing on the Piedmont but I may be wrong, looks like the Eno is close to Durham, maybe a few Rock Bass. They got all kinds of gators and snakes down there so it should be really interesting. Looks like good trout water 3 hours to the North of me in Virginia or 5 hours West in the Smokies. Sea Trout and Reds are hot right now down the shore AND they are in a tizzy because fluke seasoned is closed !! Maybe I will will post if I get out but moving is a lot of hard work and I have already made 2 trips down with rental trucks. Going down again with my truck this time but hopefully the house sells soon and I can come and get the last of it. I am going to try to stash my canoe at my sister in laws in Bridgewater. It's an 8 hour drive down 95 to 85, not too bad, if I take the scenic route and take 81 down it's about 11 hours drive.
I'm already liking it as winter really doesn't happen, my cable bill down there is 150 bux vs 300, car insurance is half of what I pay up here and property taxes, well let's just say I won't be getting bent over any more.
I will post more info as it becomes available like the house listing in Middlesex.
I guess Gerry with have to get a new FW moderator :)
I will also keep in touch with my FAMILY here at NJF.com !;)

Best of luck Andy, thanks for the fishing gear man ! Ps if you need a place to keep your canoe your more then welcome to keep it at my house

[MudCat08]

Thank you Andy for your undying dedication in improving the environment of NJ.
We'll all miss you. Wish you good health and a great life living in NC.

[AndyS]

WOW, thanx for all the kind words ! The last 6 or so years have been pretty amazing. Glad I ran into Central Jersey Stream Team that day on the South Branch. I also ran into the Rutgers people doing the American Shad study on the Raritan river about the same time I watched all sorts of dams come down.
Yeah I can drive up in my spare time and hit up a few clean ups, I guess I will have to purchase a non-resident fishing license too :D
Wilson look into these float trips in the Smokies !
Thanx for the offer on the canoe storage also Mikey.
I have a ton of photos and I could go on and on.:)

[Duffman]

WOW man! End of era for sure!!!

Big big thanks for the intro to canyon fishing so many years ago! Those NJF trips were a massive pia for you to put together but the memories will last a lifetime.

Wish ya nothing but the best bud. Ever need anything don’t hesitate to reach out.

[Chrisper4694]

take care andy, enjoy the lower cost of living haha

[Detour66]

Good luck with you move and your new life. Thanks for all you have done.

[FASTEDDIE29]

North Carolina? You mean little Jersey? Well there’s plenty to do down there so you’ll be a busy man for sure. Lots of mountains and babbling brooks, streams, creeks and rivers to explore. Safe travels and hope you have a good relaxing time down there. Man, it’s gona be weird not having you around that’s for sure. Good luck you River Nazi!!!:D

[AndyS]

Here is the listing if you know anyone.

https://www.zillow.com/homes/7-Edward-Ave-Middlesex,-NJ,-08846_rb/39092971_zpid/

[Jigman13]

Good luck Andy. Enjoy the lower cost of living. That listing wont last with the diminishing inventory on quality homes in the market. You'll likely get over list price!

[NJSquatch]

Best of luck on the next phase of your life. A ton of jerzy folks have been relocating to NC for the lower cost of living and less hectic life style.

The work that you have done has certainly made a positive impact and a lasting impression on many.

[bassnblues]

Good luck!

[dales529]

Best of luck Andy and family. Your contributions to this site, the fishing community as a whole and our waters quality are greatly appreciated and never went unnoticed. I am sure NC will benefit by having you there and some trout up here will rest more easily with you down there.

On a side note I hear NC has a fantastic saltwater registry system:p

[Chrisper4694]

heard they don't have as many tires down there...you'll be back!

[RAMMFISH66]

Andy, it was nice to have met on one of the Tuna trips and appreciate your help Your dedication to the environment is incredible. All the best to you in NC and post when you get settled. I am kinda stuck here in NJ but at 77,wrong time to move anywhere.I still have one grown son at home who helps out and my younger is out and married. He is close enough to visit with my granddaughter often. Again, good luck and keep on fishing, Rammie.

[icebadger]

the river king moves on to another kingdom god bless you andy hope you are blessed in your new home. we are going to miss the tire photos some of them were incredible, thank you for all of your efforts... i bet those people throwing those statues in the river won't miss you:rolleyes: looking forward to some posts from down there TIGHT LINES ANDY:cool:

[reely]

good luck and thanks for all your hard work on our waters.

[ScowardNJ]

All the best in Cackalacky Andy! Your legacy on the Raritan will never be forgotten. Thanks for all the hard work!!!

[Skunk City]

NJ and its rivers will miss you my friend. Best of luck!

[Billfish715]

Thanks, Andy. We've never met but I certainly appreciate your devotion and passion to and for the environment and health of our rivers especially the underappreciated and overlooked Raritan.

As for freshwater fishing in the Tar Heel State........my brother was transplanted there quite a few years ago and enjoys the trout fishing in western N.C. on the Cherokee Indian Reservation. They raise their own trout and stock the many streams very liberally throughout the year. He lives near Charlotte/Concord and takes the three hour drive out there just for the trout fishing. A night's stay at the Harrah's Casino Hotel on the Reservation is just a bonus.

Just a heads up.........If you live near Durham, you will have to make up your mind if you'll follow Duke or U.N.C. during the basketball season. If you don't follow basketball, you'll have to go fishing.........or learn how to "do some N.C. shag dancing." (Google it)

[ALS Mako]

Best of luck andy. You will surely be miss back here in joisey

[kcritch]

Hey my friend. I know we will keep in touch...and my guess is you will be posting on here just as much from SC anyway HA!...but wanted to say thanks for good times and all the advice over these years. Lord knows you are a crazy grumpy old bastard but one would be hard pressed to find a better person to have as a friend. All the best for sure...and don't be surprised if there is an NJ Meet and Greet that pops up in your back yard one day! These guys are just as crazy as you!

As you know...if you need anything just ask... and as Mikey said I got a place for your canoe if you need it as well. NB/SB and Confluence right around the corner! HA!

Talk soon buddy...enjoy your new adventure.

Ken

P.S. I'm pretty sure they intentionally put tires in the rivers down there for cat fish habitat...this is going to be fun to watch!!!:D