From Al Ristori

[BobbyK]

The Star-Ledger and nj.com put an end to fishing coverage today. I took over the Saltwater column when Bob Duffy died in 1984 before taking a buy-out a few years ago-- but have been free-lancing the Friday column plus a daily blog since then. It wasn't so long ago that I shared the page with Howard Brant, as he did fresh water and hunting -- and sometimes a
boating writer. Now nothing. What a fall.

[jigmup]

That is real disappointment AL to hear of yet another stupid cutback. We always looked to you for the most up to date information and you provided us with current reports. Your insight will surely be missed.

[Detour66]

I always looked forward to reading Al's reports. It's a end of an era! Thank you Al for all the years of great reports and giving me something to look forward to reading and also info to help me catch fish. I hope you continue to put out reports via a blog etc. All the best to a legend!

[cukes]

another reason not to buy that biased useless paper, a lot of fisherman in this state and now by-passed, screw them

[Tomm24]

What a shame not even given the chance to write a goodbye column/blog Starledger has no class.

[Capt. Debbie]

The opposite was actually true. If you wanted the fishing column you would read that paper.

No fishing column- irrelevant


another reason not to buy that biased useless paper, a lot of fisherman in this state and now by-passed, screw them

[togzilla]

They need to make more room for their liberal indoctrination articles. Worthless paper

[Capt Joe]

and... for our area....APP is worse!:mad:

[NoLimit]

I had no idea - I am canceling the subscription today - its worthless to me now. We used to have the Newark Evening News and the Star Ledger hunting/fishing columns.

[Capt. Debbie]

I remember Al in the Star Ledger along with the Friday paper's party boat ads.

Helped you plan your fishing weekends. or at least me. Where to go and what to go for.


I had no idea - I am canceling the subscription today - its worthless to me now. We used to have the Newark Evening News and the Star Ledger hunting/fishing columns.

[AndyS]

I used to look forward to the Friday write ups in the Star Ledger, back in the day that is all we had before the internet came along.

[duranautic al]

only reason i got it delivered...subscription cancelled!

[dfish28]

Keeping this at a PG rating, damn... gonna miss you in the paper Al, at this point I’d love to give a shout out to you, and John Geiser, you guys are legends, I for one will remember you!

[Matt A.]

thanks AL for the memories, used to run out to get the paper to check for your column, 25 years ago!

[hammer4reel]

sad to see the end of an era.
only part of the paper I ever looked at.

[tjd24]

Al will be missed, but there's still hope.

I just contacted him with regards and he told me he's trying to start a Blog on his own.

[Jigman13]

Did you guys miss the part where Mr Ristori opted to take a buy out a number of years ago? The buy-outs offered prior to their merger and after were SIGNIFICANT. They were hard to pass up for anyone over 50 or nearing retirement age. He then took a gig freelancing. Its not like hes getting kicked to the curb or disrespected.

The Star Ledger circulation used to clear 700k on Sundays. It's now down to a tad less than 300k on Sundays. It also used to be biblical in thickness on Sundays. It's a third of that now. Sign of the times.

The internet now drives content and LOTS of it. Why read the paper AND pay for an internet service provider when the same exact content/articles and more can be read on NJ.com? If you don't like ads, install an ad blocker.

Regardless of your opinions on the paper's political agenda and where you may feel it falls, you have to understand that the masses are no longer waiting until Friday to get reports. We come to places like njfishing.com and get WAY more info.

I personally enjoyed reading his stuff the last 20 years. Yet, full disclosure, my interest has lessened as I rely on more digital resources. It'd be great if he started blogging! That'd would quickly enter my list of things to read!

[parrotinct]

Misconception's here. Site's like NJFishing take readers and advertisers away from print and online news. Fishing report's now are instantaneous. Enjoyed Al, when print was the medium of choice. He be missed, but sure welcome to post here.

[bassnblues]

Print media is having a rough time nowadays. I used to subscribe to two news papers, and several magazines. I can't remember the last time I bought a news paper and I don't subscribe to any magazines.

There's better and more timely content available online.

[Capt Sal]

Did you guys miss the part where Mr Ristori opted to take a buy out a number of years ago? The buy-outs offered prior to their merger and after were SIGNIFICANT. They were hard to pass up for anyone over 50 or nearing retirement age. He then took a gig freelancing. Its not like hes getting kicked to the curb or disrespected.

The Star Ledger circulation used to clear 700k on Sundays. It's now down to a tad less than 300k on Sundays. It also used to be biblical in thickness on Sundays. It's a third of that now. Sign of the times.

The internet now drives content and LOTS of it. Why read the paper AND pay for an internet service provider when the same exact content/articles and more can be read on NJ.com? If you don't like ads, install an ad blocker.

Regardless of your opinions on the paper's political agenda and where you may feel it falls, you have to understand that the masses are no longer waiting until Friday to get reports. We come to places like njfishing.com and get WAY more info.

I personally enjoyed reading his stuff the last 20 years. Yet, full disclosure, my interest has lessened as I rely on more digital resources. It'd be great if he started blogging! That'd would quickly enter my list of things to read!
Wrong!Nothing better tan getting the paper delivered and he wrote three articles a week not just one.NJ Fishing is a good source of info but not the only source by any means.

[Jigman13]

Wrong!Nothing better tan getting the paper delivered and he wrote three articles a week not just one.NJ Fishing is a good source of info but not the only source by any means.

Ok... nothing better? It's especially awesome in the winter under a foot of snow then ends up as frozen mache in the snow blower. But hey! Nothing better!

And I never said NJF was the only source of info. That'd be absurd...much like your assumption.

[dakota560]

World's not only changing, it's changing at a faster pace than what got us here. I love the term social media, the only thing social about it is it connects the world for all the good and bad that brings with it. It also isolates the world in the sense it's replaced local communities and small businesses as we've known them for years with on line commerce. And it's taken the "personal" out of personal experiences. Social interaction, the character it builds, the experiences it causes and the relationships it fosters is now mostly done remotely or online. The word social is disappearing from society and being replaced by technology.

Al and others mentioned, thanks for many years of writing and the good you did for the sport and fishery and the memories created along the way.

[Capt Sal]

Ok... nothing better? It's especially awesome in the winter under a foot of snow then ends up as frozen mache in the snow blower. But hey! Nothing better!

And I never said NJF was the only source of info. That'd be absurd...much like your assumption.
Think you need a vacation or something?What is up your ass?

[emcjim]

At the Saltwater Show, Al announced that he no longer wants to own two houses -- one in Florida & the other in Manasquan Park, NJ.
So the house in NJ will be up for sale, and there will be a fishing-tackle garage sale on April 14 & 15.

[Captain Rich]

I think this is a blessing in disguise for Al, I'm a big fan of relocating to Florida, he's going to have a blast....too bad I'm going to miss the garage sale...that should be interesting ! :eek::eek::rolleyes:

[butcher boy don]

I am also sorry to read this news. I always read the ledger and park press for the fishing columns.The mention of Howard Brant brings some great memories back.It was his articles that got me into freshwater fishing and hunting. I remember meeting both of them at the outdoor show.It was a pleasure to shake both guys hands.like the song says "mercy mercy me things ain't what they used to be. " thanks for everything Al and I hope you don't go far.

[Capt. Debbie]

Yes Florida is heaven's waiting room. LMAO


I think this is a blessing in disguise for Al, I'm a big fan of relocating to Florida, he's going to have a blast....too bad I'm going to miss the garage sale...that should be interesting ! :eek::eek::rolleyes:

[june181901]

I must be getting very old as I recall Nelson Benedict's column in the then Newark Star-Ledger.

[Captain Rich]

Yes Florida is heaven's waiting room. LMAO


Let's see...we fish year round....more species to fish for....less closed seasons.....Yes this is heaven. Now I'm LMAO !

[Capt. Debbie]

It is great . Alas some still have to work. :mad: Although fishing all year round (to me) kind of takes the special out of fishing. That and all the ridiculously old people. LOL



Let's see...we fish year round....more species to fish for....less closed seasons.....Yes this is heaven. Now I'm LMAO !

[slammer]

Times are changing. I always looked forward to Al's reports.Social media has changed that for most people now.I think news print will be gone in the next 10 years.I was born and raised in n.j. and I cant wait to move to florida in a few years so I can fish and dive year round.You don't have to shovel sunshine:D

[Capt. Debbie]

Well put.

If Al called it a blog he is now hip right? That's ridiculous!!

His reports were gold because he was very well connected to those in the boats who fished. Good info from someone who knows fishes too, is very valuable.

Fishing trips are expensive. So when out you'd like the best of yesterday's intel to plan with.

Al was the guy that people told what happened to. He has no replacement and will be sorely missed.


Times are changing. I always looked forward to Al's reports.Social media has changed that for most people now.I think news print will be gone in the next 10 years.I was born and raised in n.j. and I cant wait to move to florida in a few years so I can fish and dive year round.You don't have to shovel sunshine:D

[Capt. Lou]

Well said Capt Frank very true ! Having known Al for many years and fished with him on several occasions he will not be replaced by any arm chair internet expert
He walked the walk and talked the talk and very early in the game he was right on point on many fisheries issues before they became issues .
Hats off to you Al enjoy Fla u deserve it !

[Bob T.]

Thank You Al Ristori! I read many of your columns in the Philadelphia daily news and Inquirer. Fished with you once when you hopped on an open boat charter, I think you had the only keeper striper that day and you caught it on a hook you "borrowed" from me. Glad I could help. Please write a blog, it is the next step in your progression, go show em how it's done Middle East Coast style.

[jerseyhunter]

Al was ok, but the ones I truly miss were Henry Shaffer and Howard Brant.

[WESTWIND]

Always read that fishing column from the days of Bryant. Everyone also advertised there. The rates became so ridiculous, plus the internet... it all went down hill. In the old days couldn't wait for the Friday report and looking to see if Duffy got the report straight. Great days and great column...