Pequest Programs

[sqerl]

Hey everyone, long time no see!

Question for the TU folks here... i was at the Pequest Open House (mar 29) and picked up a copy of Riffles (monthly newsletter of the East Jersey Chapter of TU).... anyway, I had completely forgotten that I had picked it up and read it except for a chance encounter with a gal spin fishing the South Branch. We were talking fly fishing when she mentioned that the Beginners Fly Fishing Class at the pequest was was cancelled. usually these are run by members of TU and then I recalled an article in Riffles that also mentioned the class was cancelled.

While the cancellation may have been due to lack of interest, the article in Riffles states "a reevaluation of the pequest will occur in June to determine the future of hatchery programs."

Is there something going on? Is it truly just a lack of interest and no one is signing up or are there a lack of instructors, or something larger happening?

With the gov'nor talking about closing parks and what not, I didn't know if there was a lack of funding which may be contributing to this as well... so, whats up with the programs at the pequest?

Thanks all!

sqerl

 

[Rusty Spinner]

Sqerl,
While I don't know our East chapter's specific program, I do know that Pequest had to stop with weekend programming at least for this year. There are a couple of problems (and I caused one of them). First is a severe shortage of staff and the never-ending hiring freeze by King Corzine. Then there is the fact that one (of 3 I&E naturalist staffers) is out for a long time with surgery. Another took over for me as state coordinator for TU's Trout In The Classroom program when I went to work for TU as their Musconetcong Home Rivers Project Coordinator. That forced her to switch her hours to Monday - Friday to work with our teachers and schools all over the state. That leaves just one person right now who splits her time between Pequest and the Hayford hatcheries.

Hope that helps answer your questions.

Brian

 

[sqerl]

Thanks for the info Brian! I think that answers the question
Part of me would love to volunteer to fill the void because I think many people lack the contacts, ease of access or time to learn about fly fishing/fly tying/ trout fishing/ fishing in general... BUT!!! work, family, time constraints make it nearly impossible... heck, I havent even had time to catch a trout this season!

maybe i'll quit my job and become a part time instructor

thanks for the info!

 

[Rusty Spinner]

Thanks for the info Brian! I think that answers the question
Part of me would love to volunteer to fill the void because I think many people lack the contacts, ease of access or time to learn about fly fishing/fly tying/ trout fishing/ fishing in general... BUT!!! work, family, time constraints make it nearly impossible... heck, I havent even had time to catch a trout this season!

maybe i'll quit my job and become a part time instructor

thanks for the info!

Or do what I did (much to the wife's horror) and quit your high paying job and go to work for TU:rofl:

At least I'm on the water everyday even if I rarely take time to fish. I've managed to swap a suit and tie for waders and polarized sunglasses!

 

[sqerl]

Or do what I did (much to the wife's horror) and quit your high paying job and go to work for TU:rofl:

At least I'm on the water everyday even if I rarely take time to fish. I've managed to swap a suit and tie for waders and polarized sunglasses!

:fish:
wait, what?! work for TU? Spend all day on the water? Get paid?!
I really need to change my work environment... or create a "bubble" that one can place in the water and work from..... hmmm.... i think I'm onto something...

<begin patent idea> I want to create a large see-thru 3/4 (may 3/5) sphere that you can place in the water, it must be clear and open on top.... it'll have a desk and chair built into it... utilizing cellular technology, it's a mobile office that allows you to work from the stream! I can think of a few places where there is no worry about it getting sucked down stream (i.e. do NOT use it on the delaware) and you can watch all the marine activity around you... maybe include a little water-driven generator on the side to power the refridgerator.... or you can just use the cool stream water as a fridge...
the sphere would keep the foot print on the stream at an absolute minimum and wouldnt adversely affect stream flows... hmmm.. i may be onto something </end patent idea>


then again, I could just launch my canoe into round Valley and work from there....