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Holiday 2018
6
Disponible en línea en español.
by
Scot t Havner
& Joe Albanese
The Hudson River Fisherman’s Association
(HRFA) was excited to participate in the 26th
Annual Yonkers Riverfest, the celebration of a
vibrant and friendly community that is bordered in
part by the shores of the mighty Hudson River. The
environmental mission of the HRFA is to “Fight
for the Hudson”. To that end the ‘Father of the
HRFA’, Mr. Robert Boyle, led some of the earliest
struggles to stop polluters from further ruining this
wonderful natural resource which he and so many
others treasured. Through the continued efforts of
many individuals like him and organizations like
the HRFA the river is getting cleaner & healthier
every year.
And in Yonkers, Bob Walters and other visionaries
of the HRFA, worked hard to liberate the Sawmill
River after decades of being hidden beneath a
parking lot. Making it once again a hospitable
tributary to the river and a great habitat for a
variety of flora and fauna. Yes, Judy, they paved
paradise and put up a parking lot, but now a little
piece of paradise has been returned for all to enjoy.
A big part of the charitable mission of the HRFA
includes introducing children to the joys of fishing
and the wonders that live below the surface of
the water. We also provide similar opportunities
for America’s veterans. In fact, the HRFA ran
more than twenty-eight such outings providing
all the necessary tackle, bait and instruction to
the uninitiated. The HRFA was already in Yonkers
twice this year. On June 2nd we gave many children
a chance to catch a few fish and win a few prizes.
Then, on August 19th the HRFA’s 2nd Annual
Catfish Chaos Tournament had 10 different log-
in stations located at marinas, docks and piers
that spanned a significant length of the river.
Volunteers Joe Albanese and Mona Mak worked
the bulkhead around the Yonkers Science Barge.
Joe and Mona were welcomed and assisted by local
residents like “Mike the Fisherman” and the great
bunch of kids who volunteer with Bob Walters at
the Science Barge. Jackson Velez even gave Joe
1. Cairo Parker who caught a 14.75” catfish and won the first session.
With Volunteer Andrew Ward
2.Cairo with his sister and the fishing rod he won. With Volunteer
Andrew Ward
3. Elijah St Louis who caught the biggest fish of the day a 16” catfish.
With Volunteer Andrew Ward
4. Elijah with his winnings. With Volunteer Andrew Ward
5. Noah Fernandez took First Place in the HRFA Catfish Chaos
Tournament
6. Jackson Velez took Second Place in the HRFA Catfish Chaos Tournament
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The HRFA
does Yonkers Ri ver fes t