FISHING STORIES: Big Fish and Big Fishing Near Nyack College

By Zach Hammond
[This article was originally written by Zach Hammond for the March 15, 2015 issue of THE FORUM, Nyack College's student newspaper. Zach is also a member of the Nyack College Fishing Club.]



       Have you ever wondered if there are sharks in the Hudson River? If the river is truly as polluted as we are led to believe? Or maybe if the fish from the Hudson are even edible? Dr. Peter Park can tell you. As an Assistant Professor in the Department of Natural Sciences here at our very own Nyack College, Dr. Park has a passion for fish and the environments that they dwell in. Having earned his Ph.D. in Evolutionary Biology with a focus of ichthyology (fish biology), he is the man to ask.  Beyond all of Dr. Park’s academic merits, he is more than approachable.

      Why am I telling you all of this? Dr. Park and a group of students in Nyack College have joined their passion for fish and fishing together to create Nyack’s first ever Fishing Club. An interesting fact is that "Nyack," in Native American dialect, may in fact mean “The Fishing Place” (http://www.nyackvillager.com/NyackMean.htm).

Official logo of the Nyack College Fishing Club.

       While this may not be your forte, I want you to imagine being on the pier in downtown Nyack and reeling in a 10-20 pound striped bass or a 20-30 pound common carp. Imagine the adrenaline and sense of accomplishment you could feel after fighting a behemoth fish and finally seeing it surfacing, knowing that you now have the bragging rights that so few have been able to obtain. While that may seem to be an impossible feat in your mind as of right now, ask around or simply go to the Nyack College Fishing Club’s new Facebook Page (see below). See pictures of your fellow classmates and teachers catching fish that you’ve never thought you yourself could catch.

Dr. Peter Park with a common carp.

       So, how can you get involved? Dr. Park and the Fishing Club meet regularly in the North Campus building Science Lab on Fridays from 3:00pm-4:00pm. Beyond the weekly meetings where you can learn basic and advanced fishing tips and techniques, you might hear from professionals from other aspects of the fish or fishing world, such as Dr. Park’s friends Michael P. Kroessig (Marine Creations Taxidermy), an accomplished wildlife artist and shark angler, Capt. Bob Rocchetta, NY’s Striped Bass State Record Holder and full-time fishing charter captain (Rainbow Charters), and Capt. Rich Tenreiro, a professional fisherman of the Northeast Angling TV show and full-time fishing charter captain (R & G Charters). 

       This semester, also consider spicing up your monotonous week on March 6th with a trip with the Fishing Club to the annual Suffern Fishing and Outdoor Expo, the Northeast Atlantic’s Premier Fishing, Hunting, and Travel Expo, which will have professional fishermen and hundreds of vendors for not only your fishing needs but all your camping and outdoor plans. On April 10th, you can even take the fishing skills you’ve learned in the weekly meetings and go fishing! You may learn how to conquer that big fish of your dreams, with the help of a true fishing expert, Dr. Park. So get involved, get excited, and come to the North Campus Building Science Lab on Fridays from 3:00-4:00pm and see what the new Fishing Club is all about!

For more info, check out Nyack College Fishing Club’s Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/nyackfishingclub) and Blog (http://nyackfishingclub.blogspot.com/).