By Bill Degnan
(from Jersey Coast Anglers Association June 1995 Newsletter)
The JCAA/Trump Plaza Jersey Coast Fluke Tournament is history. A field of 742 boats participated with an estimated 4.100 anglers dropping lines in the water. Not too shabby for our first tournament. Everyone who worked this tournament has a right to feel proud of the work they did in making it a success and keeping any problems to an absolute minimum. Three people in particular deserve a hearty WELL DONE and a big THANK YOU. Conrad and Ruth Treusch for their undivided attention to recording all those applications, mailing the affidavits and keeping track of all the entries and Don Kamienski for getting out the word and for directing a highly organized and extremely successful tournament. Without the dedicated efforts of Don, Conrad and Ruth, this tournament would not have gone off as well as it did. I would also like to recognize the work of the tournament committee, weigh masters and weigh stations for what they accomplished. Everyone worked together to make this a huge success.
It was estimated that 2,000 people showed up at Trump Plaza in hopes of winning the $5,000 grand prize or one of the other excellent prizes given away to persons holding lucky ticket numbers. Trump Plaza went out of their way to make everyone feel welcome and like a winner. My hat is off to their staff and the management of Trump Plaza Casino Hotel for their enthusiastic participation and for being such a great co-sponsor and host for the awards night event.
There is one more group we can not forget for their excellent contribution to this tournament. The Fisherman Magazine (New Jersey Edition) was kind enough to publish feature articles and actually print our entry form in the magazine twice.
It accounted for 229 registrations. Without their generous support, this tournament would not have been as big a success as it was. Thank you Andy Dear, Editor, and the staff of The Fisherman for your help, confidence and support.
Update: Handicapped Access Ramp
The Access Ramp for physically challenged fishermen at Island Beach State Park (Area A-7) is progressing very nicely. As of this printing, all the pilings are in place, the stringers are finished and the decking has been started. It sure is looking good! Last month, I mentioned that we would be building the "portable" part of the ramp that runs from the end of the permanent ramp to the water line with volunteer help and our funds. Well, we started soliciting bids for the lumber and one of the companies we contacted called some of their suppliers and they decided to DONATE the materials and also BUILD the ramp sections that were needed for this project. John S. Falconio, a New Jersey Beach Buggy member and operator of the Riephoff Saw Mill, Inc. of Allentown, NJ, coordinated the procurement of materials and assembly with the following companies:
Anderson Lumber Company
Mr. Ted Anderson
P. O. Box 6754
Jersey City, NJ 07360
Roberts Lumber Company
Mr. Steve Roberts
50 Clements Bridge Road
Barrington, NJ 08007
New Jersey Wood Treating Corp.
Mr. Ed Potter
P. O. Box 1366
Burlington, NJ 08016
Duo-Fast
Mr. Vic Corsello
Eastern Sales & Service
20 Corporate Drive
Orangeburg, NY 10962
Riephoff Saw Mill, Inc.
763 Route 524
Allentown, NJ 08501
It’s people and companies like the ones listed above that can make you feel good and realize that all can be right in this world. John made a point of telling me that when he contacted these companies and people, there was no hesitation in their offers to participate in this worthwhile project. Don’t forget the names of these companies if you need a service or product they provide and personally thank them for their generosity. To these companies, on behalf of the "Governors Cup Surf Fishing Tournament Committee" I say THANK YOU and GOD BLESS YOU.
The next Governor’s Cup Surf Fishing Tournament will be held on Sunday, October 1, 1995 at Island Beach State Park.
Bill Degnan, President of JCAA, is a member of the New Jersey Beach Buggy Association