Round valley trout association

[laketrout]

I fished and supported the RVTA for so many years. Very sad to see it dwindle to what that fishery has come to today. Lots of hard work went into that club by some truly dedicated individuals, as I’m sure it does today. We use to show that RVTA decal like a badge of honor. And during those days it was. I remember the pinnacle years throughout the early 90s with trucks and boats backed up 20 plus deep on Route 22 to get bait (in the dark) at 4:00am from Welgoss and his daughter Jody. They were good people. When folks knew what it meant to turn your headlights off on the ramp and load and unload off the ramp. It was also during a time when you could sleep in the truck with the boat for a first light bite and not be harassed. I also remember the night of midnight squalls that sank numerous along the shoreline camping during the two day RVTA open many years ago, and the generosity by others to help those in need during that nighttime event, and that time during the RVTA opener many years ago when I pulled an unfortunate capsized sailboater aboard moments before drowning in 36 degree water (fellow members even saved his boat). That period was the era of the sportsman, which has been replaced by what you have today. I will leave that up to you to perceive. IMO, it is a barometer of the entire state in general. Last time I was at the valley, it looked like the Great Adventure theme park.

In addition, the commorants started the demise of that fishery and changed it to what you have today. But that’s another story...

[Jigman13]

Originally Posted by laketrout

I fished and supported the RVTA for so many years. Very sad to see it dwindle to what that fishery has come to today. Lots of hard work went into that club by some truly dedicated individuals, as I’m sure it does today. We use to show that RVTA decal like a badge of honor. And during those days it was. I remember the pinnacle years throughout the early 90s with trucks and boats backed up 20 plus deep on Route 22 to get bait (in the dark) at 4:00am from Welgoss and his daughter Jody. They were good people. When folks knew what it meant to turn your headlights off on the ramp and load and unload off the ramp. It was also during a time when you could sleep in the truck with the boat for a first light bite and not be harassed. I also remember the night of midnight squalls that sank numerous along the shoreline camping during the two day RVTA open many years ago, and the generosity by others to help those in need during that nighttime event, and that time during the RVTA opener many years ago when I pulled an unfortunate capsized sailboater aboard moments before drowning in 36 degree water (fellow members even saved his boat). That period was the era of the sportsman, which has been replaced by what you have today. I will leave that up to you to perceive. IMO, it is a barometer of the entire state in general. Last time I was at the valley, it looked like the Great Adventure theme park.

In addition, the commorants started the demise of that fishery and changed it to what you have today. But that’s another story...

You should post more. That was awesome.

[RWole]

Well stated! Yes being courteous on any ramp is becoming a thing of the past.
I see that at the Sheds too often and alot of places are becoming amusement parks. The reason I like to fish is to get away from these clowns and it seems like they are now everywhere.

[acabtp]

i like the guide service idea, but i don't think that would work because of the rules for for-hire vessels... would need a six-pack captain unless all of the money is a donation to RVTA? maybe capt dave can chime in

i don't know about other people, but even more than going out on someone else's boat, i would love for an RV old timer to come on MY boat and show me what i'm doing right or wrong. can still take a nice donation for RVTA, gives anglers a head start on the reservoir, and avoids the problem of needing the six-pack license.

[AndyS]

Hunterdon Anglers was run by an egotistical maniac that wanted nothing more than to see the RVTA crash and burn for what ever reasons. BUT with that being said RVTA could have encompassed more of the region into their format. I think after the brown trout fishery crashed many anglers found a new love, the hybrids at Spruce Run.
And yes, many areas that were once "owned" by fishermen now look like amusement parks, and you wonder why license sales are down.

[hammer4reel]

Originally Posted by AndyS

Hunterdon Anglers was run by an egotistical maniac that wanted nothing more than to see the RVTA crash and burn for what ever reasons. BUT with that being said RVTA could have encompassed more of the region into their format. I think after the brown trout fishery crashed many anglers found a new love, the hybrids at Spruce Run.
And yes, many areas that were once "owned" by fishermen now look like amusement parks, and you wonder why license sales are down.

Brown trout fishery didn’t crash . They shocked those beautiful fish to get them out of there to promote the laker fishery .

When they started stocking Lakers the fry were crushed by the big brown trout.
Can only wonder how good the trout fishery would have been if lakers had never been brought in .

We used to throw 7/8 pound browns back nightly in their hay day .
.
Had hoped the kamaloop fishery would hold , but that never did anything either .

.

[15FOOTER]

Anyone think the KILL EM ALL motto at the valley has a wee bit to do with it as well?

[Mark B.]

Originally Posted by hammer4reel

Brown trout fishery didn’t crash . They shocked those beautiful fish to get them out of there to promote the laker fishery .

When they started stocking Lakers the fry were crushed by the big brown trout.

.

Fake News

[Hookmanski]

Originally Posted by acabtp

i like the guide service idea, but i don't think that would work because of the rules for for-hire vessels... would need a six-pack captain unless all of the money is a donation to RVTA? maybe capt dave can chime in

i don't know about other people, but even more than going out on someone else's boat, i would love for an RV old timer to come on MY boat and show me what i'm doing right or wrong. can still take a nice donation for RVTA, gives anglers a head start on the reservoir, and avoids the problem of needing the six-pack license.

Good point about the Six-Pack, I didn't even think about that. But if someone has a 12-14 foot jon boat and somebody wants to pay them to take them out on a reservoir, who would know? After reading up on the six pack license part, its no wonder we dont have many freshwater guides in the state. $600 dollars and 3 weekends of 9-5 classes is a bit ridiculous for freshwater, though i think it makes sense for the bigger party boats going out on the ocean.

Your idea is great too! $50-$100 donation to RVTA gets you 2 hours of a knowledgable angler on your boat giving you tips about the body of water? Sounds great!!

[osumms23]

sucks to see round valley numbers on the decline, however, I am not surprised. I refuse to fish round valley anymore. Cant believe im saying this, but it needs a higher park ranger/game warden influence. Launching a boat on a nice day is mobbed. people fishing in the boat launch area, taking pictures, having car photo shoots, kayaks, paddleboards are everywhere, and during the summer inflatable swans!!!

The park is over fished and need some of the recreational activites to be redirected to the actual park side.