Governor Trout Fishes Opening Day

[Billfish715]

Will Governor Phil be a "no show" at any stream or lake on the trout opener this Saturday? I believe the last governor to put on a vest and waders for opening day was Christine Todd Whitman. I can remember a time many years ago when then Governor Meyner would join the fishermen in the famous "circle" below Saxon Falls on opening day. Even though he did not fish, I seem to remember that acting governor Don DeFrancesco made an appearance at opening day ceremonies in his short stint as governor.

My, how far we've come! Now we're lucky to find any elected official casting a line or rubbing elbows with the trout fishing family. If you see any or hear of any, please let us know.

[thmyorke1]

I don't mess with politics much, but I doubt any nj governor will nowadays. Some group of people will find the act "wrong" and in the end it's just a loss of public relations / votes.

[Billfish715]

We have had politicians who were fishermen and women and were not afraid to show it. They actually liked fishing and wanted to participate. I don't expect a politician to make a fool of himself or herself by standing in front of the cameras with a fishing rod held upside down or getting a boot full of icy water. I would like to see some politicians holding a fishing rod, though. Maybe we should take a politician fishing.

[Gerry Zagorski]

Hmmmmm - Pretty sad state of affairs when politicians avoid by most accounts the most popular sport in American so they don't offend some special interest groups...

Seems a lot of these special interest groups get offended very easily and that offends me.

Time to take back our country

[Chrisper4694]

Originally Posted by Gerry Zagorski

Hmmmmm - Pretty sad state of affairs when politicians avoid by most accounts the most popular sport in American so they don't offend some special interest groups...

Seems a lot of these special interest groups get offended very easily and that offends me.

Time to take back our country

yeah really!

[NJSquatch]

Originally Posted by Gerry Zagorski

Hmmmmm - Pretty sad state of affairs when politicians avoid by most accounts the most popular sport in American so they don't offend some special interest groups...

Seems a lot of these special interest groups get offended very easily and that offends me.

Time to take back our country

WELL SAID!

Even YouTube has given in. They recently demonetized the fishing videos because of some PC nonsense.

[Mark B.]

Every Opening Day, NJ Government Officials fish the Fishing Education Pond @ the Pequest Hatchery.

[Billfish715]

Mark, The term "Government Officials" covers a multitude of people, most of whom are not elected by registered voters. There will be a few officials there for the breakfast and to say a few words prior to going to the pond. The council members will be there as well as representatives from some of the various committees. Mr. Martin might be there along with the Director and various other department directors or chairmen. That's all good. I'm curious to know if anyone from the governor's office will be there or any elected politicians and their families. Those are the "officials" we need to have on our side and who need to see and feel what NJ fishermen do.

I hope that the photo ops are published on the division's website afterwards and there are follow up articles online and in the papers. I'm proud that I'm a fisherman and I hope that our pride can generate some interest in fishing by at least one person who has never touched a fishing rod.

[Drossi]

If that moron jumped in the pool next to me, I'd slew foot him and give him a bath!