End of a era. Farewell Newark Star Ledger!

[AndyS]

I actually met Howard Brandt and Al Ristori at the banquet the State threw for the Skillful Angler Awards. Back in the day it was the only fishing info we got. I did make Howard's "bragging board" a few times. Then came the New Jersey Fish Finder magazine followed by the Fishermen magazine.

[jbigtime]

I think my parents subscribed to the Star Ledger just to see me read something! Salt got in by blood early and I eagerly consumed every column Al Ristori wrote (I still read his blog!). I especially enjoyed when they published the party and charter boat advertisements. Simple things like this fueled my curiosity and allowed me to dream about what it would be like to get out on all of them. When I got old enough to drive I started going out on party boats by myself. I don’t know if kids can do that anymore with the price of fares, but at that time pizza delivery or fast food earnings went farther and I could get on the boat, buy lunch, tolls and gas with some money left over. One day we were striper fishing and Al Ristori maneuvered his boat a few yards from us. This caused considerable excitement and even some cheers. He smiled and waived. That’s about as close to a papal visit or seeing the Beatles as I’ll get…..is it spring yet??