From Al Ristori

[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!

[Capt Sal]

Originally Posted by 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!

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]

Originally Posted by Capt Sal

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.

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]

Originally Posted by Jigman13

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 !

[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

Originally Posted by 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 !