Salt Water Anglers of Bergen County, New Jersey
Membership Application for the Saltwater Anglers of Bergen County
Mail To:
American Legion Hall Post # 170
33 West Passaic Street,
Rochelle Park, N.J. 07622
Please enclose a check for $60 payable to the Saltwater Anglers of Bergen County for an individual membership or $65 for a family membership. Included in this Membership are 2 raffle books with a $20 value. They can be used to win club raffle prizes or sold and you keep the $20. Club meetings are held every third Tuesday of the month starting at 7:30 p.m.
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Click here to download a printable version of the membership application
History
The Saltwater
Anglers of Bergen County
75th Anniversary (1937- 2012)
Beginnings
–
The Saltwater Anglers of Bergen County’s (SWABC) history begins in
1937 with its founding by Mr. Bill Backus, writer for the Bergen
Evening Record newspaper. Seventeen fellow fishing enthusiasts, who
also wanted to start a fishing club, were asked to get together for
an initial meeting at the newspaper’s office building located at
Main Street, Hackensack.
After a long discussion on how the club should be formed, the
subject of what to name the new club became an important topic. Many
suggestions were given, but the name Saltwater Anglers of Bergen
County was unanimously adopted at this meeting. Bill Backus was also
elected to be the club’s first president.
As the years progressed and membership increased, the Saltwater
Anglers of Bergen County moved its meeting location from Hackensack
to its present location at the American Legion Post # 170 located at
33 West Passaic Street in Rochelle Park. With an anniversary of 75
years, it is one of the oldest saltwater fishing clubs in New
Jersey.
Present
– The club’s goals are to promote saltwater fishing, good
sportsmanship and fellowship, saltwater fishing knowledge and
conservation through education. These goals have not changed since
the club’s founding in 1937. However, times have changed since the
club was initially formed and now there are new threats to our
environment through pollution with chemicals that did not exist in
the 1930’s. Also, threats to the viability of saltwater fishing
continually surface such as restrictive quotas and seasonal closures
on certain species. The club’s monthly bulletin keeps members
updated on these important issues and these issues are also
discussed at the club’s meetings. The club has supported the Jersey
Coast Anglers Association (JCAA) and the New Jersey Outdoor Alliance
(NJOA) in our never-ending battles to protect our future fisheries
such as the Pots Off The Reef legislation.
Activities
– The Saltwater Anglers of Bergen County is a non-profit
organization, run entirely by volunteers. Each club meeting has an
educational segment to it so that members can learn something to
improve their fishing skills or learn about other issues concerning
saltwater fishing. Captains like Jim Freda from Shore Catch Guide
Service are invited to explain what are the best baits to use during
the Fall season. Captain Frank Tenore of Fins On Feathers was a
guest speaker to explain the best techniques to catch blackfish.
These types of speakers are the ones anglers usually pay to attend
at those “How To” seminars, but they are in the club’s regular
speaker program to improve the fishing skills of its members at no
extra cost. Speakers such as Bruce Franklin who wrote the book
“Menhaden – the Most Important Fish in the Sea” are also invited to
discuss the impact that the decline of menhaden stocks has on
recreational fishing. At the meetings, fishing charter trips and
other events are discussed for member participation. Starting at
7:30 p.m. before some of the meetings, members learn how to tie
knots and rigs for various species like blackfish. These are “hands
on” demonstrations so members can learn how to tie knots and rigs
themselves. The club also has a Big Fish contest and awards are
given out to anglers who catch the biggest fish in various
categories. Each year, underprivileged children are taken on a
chartered fishing trip sponsored by the club for a day of pure fun.
On the third Tuesday of March, all of the club’s past presidents are
honored at a special Past President’s Dinner. The club has an
approximate membership of 120 members.
The Saltwater Anglers of Bergen County are always looking for new members. The club’s meetings are held at 7:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of every month at the American Legion Post # 170 located at 33 West Passaic Street in Rochelle Park. The dues for an individual are $60 for the first year and $55 for each year thereafter (includes two club raffle books). Family membership is $65.00. More information about the Saltwater Anglers of Bergen County can be obtained by calling member Chuck Santoro at (201) 446-9047. Log on to www.swabc.org. for more information.
