Deep in the heart of Louisiana lies America's largest swamp--a million miles of inhospitable bayous, marshes and wetlands where nature rules and humans struggle to tame it. Many of its inhabitants are the hardened descendants of French refugees who were forced out of Canada in the 18th century and settled in this harsh yet majestic environment. Today, these people are known as the Cajuns, a group renowned throughout the world for their flavorful cuisine, distinctive music and vibrant culture. Resilient, self-reliant and fiercely independent, the Cajuns of the Atchafalaya Swamp still carry on many of their ancestors' trades and traditions.

HISTORY follows these swampers through a time of year that is crucial to their survival: the 30-day alligator hunting season. At its core, this is a uniquely American story of a proud and skillful people fighting to maintain an ancient way of life in a rapidly modernizing world, despite the many perils and trials that stand in their way.

For more information check out Swamp People on HISTORY.

Appearance Times
Saturday, 1 PM
Sunday, 11 AM

Drop Zone TV promises to bring a new swagger and put a unique twist on outdoor tv programming.

We have a unique concept for including the cities, towns and provinces that we visit during our big game hunting excursions. This means unheralded fan participation like our industry has never seen before. And four our sponsors this means a way to bring their products to the hands of our fans! Drop Zone TV's focus is to build a fan base that is both proactive and loyal.

We will also be high on entertainment value with the right blend of educational facts that are both fun and informative. We will strive to have a successful prostaff that range from experienced to the novice. This will show our first time fans that "everybody is not a professional."

Meet The Experts: Hal Shafer, Greg Zipadelli

dropzonehunting.com

Though primarily focused on New York state game, Team E. Outdoors will also bring the viewers along for some exciting, true to life, outdoor experiences from other parts of America and the world. We will entertain the viewers with Elk in Montana and Exotics in Africa and promise to give an inside look at the finest in wildlife
hunting and fishing experiences.

Meet The Experts: Nicole Castro, Capt. Richard J. Miick

teamemedia.com

Capt. Mike has 40 years experience in fishing, hunting and outdoor sports and is the owner of B-Fish Sportsfishing Charters since 1990. He holds a BA, a MA and CAGS in Biology and Marine Biology with 35 years experience teaching those disciplines. He is a USCG Licensed Captain from 1989 to the present and holds the distinction of the 2001 Orvis Northeast Saltwater Guide of the Year.

National archery master, coach and senior member of Pope and Young, Len is former owner of "Butts & Bows Archery" and was inducted into Bow Hunters Hall of Fame in 2001 and the Archery Hall of Fame in 2005.

http://www.bowhuntershalloffame.com/home.html
http://archeryhalloffame.org/Cardinale%20Len.html

Dino has been fishing since the age of 10, and has fished for trout in most of the local New Jersey streams. Later, he explored more local lakes and ponds and in 1986 was introduced to Bass fishing. From Bass fishing tournaments to weekend outings, Dino has managed to fish many of the popular lakes in Connecticut, New Hampshire, New Jersey and New York.

Having fished The Amazon River to most of the local waters in the tri-state area, Bass fishing still remains his favorite.

Dino’s target fishing area for largemouth and smallmouth bass includes more than 30 lakes and ponds in north and central New Jersey. An outfitting master, Dino knows just how to prep a kayak for specific fishing needs. Dino incorporates his knowledge of technology and structure into his craft.

Dino always promotes catch and release of all species of fish.

Mike Corblies is a world class teacher and videographer of the sport he has lived for over 50 years. As the International Director of American Fly Fishing Schools he heads an organization of some of the best casting instructors, fly fishing guides and member lodges throughout North America and the Caribbean.

Mike works with several sporting goods manufacturers as a consultant in product development, testing and sales. Mike also conducts classes and offers guide services from his fly shops located in Island Heights, New Jersey and Palm Bay, Florida. He is a featured speaker and casting instructor at many sportsmen events across America every year.

Captain Mike still fishes and teaches from his kayaks, flats boats and his 26' Dusky for any fish that can be caught on a fly. Learn more about him at www.americanflyfshingschools.com

The 2nd Annual New Jersey Fly Fisherman of the Year competition was held on November 12th at the historic Raritan Inn on the South Branch. The event was conducted by the N.J. Council of TROUT UNLIMITED and it's 10 Club Chapters located throughout N.J. The on the water fishing competition was very close but Angelo Conti a 17 year old college freshman won it all. Angelo competed against some of the Garden States best trout fly fishermen, all of which were much older and experienced. Angelo was officially named N.J. Fly Fisherman of the Year at the banquet/ fund raiser that followed the competition. You can meet Angelo and talk to him about his sucessful techniques at the A.F.F.S display at the N.J. SPORTSMEN SHOW in Edison, N.J. on Jan. 12-15 2012. Angelo will be one of the featured fly tiers at the A.F.F.S. FLY TYING THEATRE and will assist Capt. Mike Corblies for a special seminar at the SIMUL-CAST POND on Saturday and Sunday.

Also A.F.F.S. member guide and instructor Bart Lombardo won the distance casting competition at the event. Bart will also be on hand at the Show as a featured fly tier and will be demonstrating his skills at our Casting Pond.

Mike Gogal founded Gogal Publishing Company in 1993 after being frustrated with how difficult it was for him to find new places to fish.  He produced a series of detailed trout fishing roadmaps for both New Jersey and Pennsylvania that directed anglers to the exact location of streams and lakes that were stocked with trout.

During this same period, the Internet was in its infancy and Mike recognized the value of this emerging technology. He created one of the first websites dedicated to New Jersey anglers named "NJ Fishing Information." The site quickly developed a large following even at a time when few had heard of the World Wide Web.  Unfortunately in the late '90s, a personal tragedy forced Mike to suspend all company operations.

In 2009 after recognizing the new technological opportunities offered by GPS navigation and Smart Phones, Mike partnered with neighbor, Mark Burdack and reopened Gogal Publishing,   Their new goal, to create a series of quality fishing apps making it easier for anglers to find quality fishing and providing turn-by-turn directions to thousands of fishing spots. 

Gogal Publishing currently offers fishing apps for iPhone, iPad, Android and Garmin devices covering NJ and PA under the brand name Ultimate Fishing Maps™.  App development is under way for other states and Gogal Publishing also markets a new series of  printed fishing maps in association with Franklin Maps.

Mike Gogal is a member of both the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association and The Professional Outdoor Media Association.

Randy is a past president of RVTA and currently holds the secretary position. He has participated in many seminars on fishing for Trout and has fished Round Valley and all over North America for 35 years.

Bio:

Born and raised in Central Ohio, Adam Hays was destined to be a whitetail hunter. " My father was a bowhunter, when he was 4 years old he stuck a small fiberglass bow in his hands, 39 years later he's still flinging arrows!" After graduating high school in 1985, Adam worked in the construction field for nearly 20 years before leaving a successful career with Columbia Gas, to work in the Hunting Industry full time.

Adam got his start as a freelance videographer for Wolf Creek Productions in the early 90's, hunting and filming for the American Archer and Outdoor America. Adam then went on to work in production, spending two seasons producing "Hunting on the Horizon" for Skyline Camoflauge Adam went on to work with Lone Wolf Treestands where he produced "Whitetail Addictions" for 4 years. In 2009, Adam landed a prestigious spot with ESPN and outdoor legend Tom Miranda, working as a field producer and showcasing his efforts on Dominant Bucks, the number 1 rated show on the Outdoor channel.

Adams love for the outdoors and his passion for hunting big whitetails has led to a wall of over Two Dozen Pope & Young class bucks.  Adam continues to pursue his passion with a goal to be the first bowhunter to harvest 4 wild whitetails over the 200 inch mark!

Seminar:

My seminars will be given on the topic of hunting specific, mature animals and the best time of the year to harvest them. Concentrating on hunting during the early season, I have taken all my biggest animals during the pre rut phase of October and I will highlight on the tactics of pre and post season scouting, monitoring bucks all year long through use of trail cameras and observation stands, along with finding a big bucks weak spot ( the best place to harvest him) and how to use the wind and the moon to your favor to help you score. Tips on suburban hunting and filming your own hunt will be included.

Paul Healy is the owner of the JIM THORPE FISHING COMPANY based in the scenic Pocono Mountains close by his home waters of the Lehigh River. JTFC offers fly fishing and light tackle trips on well-known streams like Penn’s Creek, Pine Creek, Fishing Creek and the Brodhead to name just a few. Plus New Jersey streams like the Raritan, Musconetcong and the Pequest along with many lakes and ponds.

Paul is also an accomplished surf fisherman and has expanded his guiding to include trips along the Jersey Beaches and Back Bays in search of Stripers, Blues, Fluke and other game fish.  Paul is a member guide and instructor for AMERICAN FLY FISHING SCHOOLS and belongs to T.U. and several other conservation organizations.

You can contact Paul at 610-349-0883. Go to www.jimthorpefishingcompany.com and read his blog or through the AFFS national office.

Jim Hutchinson, Jr. is Managing Director of the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA), a national political action organization dedicated to safeguarding the rights of saltwater anglers. Prior to joining the New Jersey based angler advocacy organization fulltime in February of 2009, Hutchinson was executive editor of The Fisherman Magazine. Hutchinson is also president of the New York Sport fishing Federation and is on the boards of the New Jersey Sea Grant Advisory Council, Citizens Action Committee of the Long Island Sound Study, Partnership for Mid Atlantic Fisheries Science and the Tuckerton Seaport.

Fly fishing for big brown trout on small streams Is Chip's specialty and as a N.Y.State Licensed Guide he does exactly that. Chip offers wading trips throughout the Lake Ontario N.Y. and Lake Erie PA. tributaries. With both fly and light tackle, Chip fishes for Salmon, Steelhead and trophy Brown Trout. Chip is a fly casting and tying instructor at many A.F.F.S Schools and seminars and he stared in the documentary "Combat Fly Fishing in New York". He is a featured tier at the A.F.F.S. FLY TYING THEATER and will be giving casting instruction and fishing tips at the "SIMUL-CASTING Pond".

A saltwater fish expert, Mike has been enjoying fishing for over 40 years. Having collected a wealth of information from his time on the water, he can outfit and rig a boat for fishing in creative, efficient ways. Mike arranges gear with an experienced eye, and the results speak for themselves.

Mike fishes strictly saltwater these days, targeting fish within a twenty mile radius of his home. With the correct gear fishing is a year-round sport, and Mike is currently targeting stripers, blues, fluke, and blackfish.

Raritan Bay is his favorite fishing area, which houses an abundance of fish. Mike says, “Spreading the fun and excitement of this sport is not only a pleasure but an honor. If you're not kayak fishing you're missing out on a huge part of your life.”

Allan Johnson has been teaching beginners to cast and fly fish for over 30 years. Allan has won four All Around National Championships as a professional caster, including fly accuracy and distance. He was a member of the Professional Casters All American Team for four consecutive years and is an American Casting Association Certified Casting Instructor. Allan an active N.J. member of American Fly Fishing Schools will be presenting casting demonstrations and offering tips at the "SIMUL-CASTING POND".

Jimmy Kennedy, a spokesperson and demo/test kitchen chef for Cabot Creamery Cooperative, was raised and educated in Mississippi. After graduating from Ole Miss, Jimmy was a Legislative Assistant for a U.S. Congressman from Mississippi and received an appointment to the U.S. Fish Wildlife Service before moving to NYC where he started a fish distribution business and became partner in two successful restaurants. Craving more fishing opportunities, Jimmy relocated to Vermont in 1986 where he has flourished ever since. Jimmy owned and operated River Run Restaurant, which became a local institution, for 19 years and now runs JDK BBQ Catering.  Jimmy is a professional chef, and is a bass fisherman on the B.A.S.S. and FLW circuits, a Let’s Go Fishing Instructor with Vermont’s Fish Wildlife Service, and the driving force behind a television/web series for fishing and cooking with kids. His most important job? Proud father of two daughters, Josephine and June, and husband to his wife, Emma.

Anthony P. Mauro, Sr, (also known as “Ant” to friends and associates) is Chairman and co-founder of the New Jersey Outdoor Alliance, New Jersey Outdoor Alliance Conservation Foundation, and New Jersey Outdoor Alliance Environmental Projects. Ant’s commitment to the principles of sustainable use of natural resources and environmental stewardship helped to create the New Jersey Angling & Hunting Conservation Caucus (NJA&HC). The NJA&HC is the first outdoor caucus of its kind in New Jersey and is designed to educate opinion leaders and policy makers about the principles of conservation; the foundation for healthy ecosystems, fish and wildlife.

Ant is a public speaker on the topic of conservation and the ways anglers and hunters can become involved in shaping outdoors related legislative policy. He has authored three books on conservation, hunting and the great outdoors including the controversial and highly regarded, “Color The Green Movement Blue” (available as ebook). His other books include; “Take Me on Safari: A Family Affair” (available as ebook) and  “The New Age Hunter”. He also wrote the children’s book “Where is Wildbeary?”

Michael McAuliffe is owner, lead guide, lecturer, and instructor for Rise Form Guides, the solely endorsed service for Ramsey Outdoor in NJ and the Poconos. He began fly fishing at the age of ten with his father on the famed Battenkill in NY and VT.

Michael fly fishes for a huge array of warm/cold freshwater and saltwater species including; Steelhead, Carp, False Albacore, Striped Bass, Pike, etc. all across the USA and Canada.

Michael’s fine/commercial art background has led him to several forms of visual expression thru fly fishing. He is the creator of the hugely successful Rise Form Studio Fly Fishing/Tying Video Podcast. The podcast www.riseformstudio.tv has featured some of the biggest names in fly fishing and fly tying such as Charles Meck, Fishy Fullum, Eric Stroup, and Dave Brandt.

Michael is also is active in other forms of digital fly fishing media including; web design, photography, and print advertising for small and corporate businesses. Always looking for new avenues to teach fly anglers, Michael has begun to write, and has been featured in several national fly fishing magazines.

Blaine Mengel Jr. owns The Backwoods Angler, a Smallmouth Bass guide service on the Delaware and Susquehanna Rivers since 1999.  Blaine is also host of Backwoods Angler TV, which airs in Eastern PA and Western NJ, as well as via the internet at www.backwoodsanglertv.com. 

Blaine contributes freelance outdoor writings to several publications, including The Reading Eagle Newspaper.  He has been profiled in In-Fishermen, Bassin and BASS magazines for his expertise on Delaware River Bronzeback fishing.

Jeff Merrill has fished the inshore and offshore waters from New Jersey to Florida, the Bahamas and St. Thomas as well as Mexico’s west coast.  Jeff is an avid outdoor writer whose articles and photographs have appeared in numerous local, regional and national fishing and boating publications.  He is an IGFA representative for his home state of New Jersey and is a recipient of the organization’s prestigious Conservation Award.  When not traveling or writing he enjoys fishing with his wife Kathy and son Steven aboard their boat Boyz Toy.

Captain Pete has a 100 ton Master license and operates a charter boat in NY, NJ & NC year round.  He has fished all around the world in tournaments and for pleasure.  Some of his prize catches are a 900 lb Tuna, 800 lb Marlin, 500 lb Sword, 356 lb Halibut, 70 lbs Dolphin but his best fish of his life is a 20 lb 6 oz Black Fish. My life is now complete. The Black Fish has done it!

Captain Richard Miick has been fishing since the age of 3. Capt. Miick has been fishing as a professional fishing guide/charter captain for 15 years in the Northeast area, specifically for Steelhead, Salmon, Brown Trout, Walleye and Smallmouth Bass on Lake Ontario, Oneida Lake and Finger Lakes and of course the famous Salmon River in Pulaski New York. Capt. Miick is host and fisherman of the critically acclaimed outdoor shows Reel Monsters and Team E Outdoors. His seminars will be on Salmon, Steelhead and Centerpin Fishing.

www.trophydreamcatcher.com
www.centerpinfishing.com
www.teamemedia.com

Jack Montague is a Federation of Flyfishers Master Certified Casting Instructor. Owner of Wolf Glen Fly Fishing Schools in Punta Gorda and the lead casting instructor for American Fly Fishing Schools in Florida. Jack has over 50 years of fly fishing experience from New England to the Keys including six years teaching at Katmai Lodge on the Alagnak River in Alaska Jack will amaze you with his fly tying and wooden fish carving demos at the AFFS FLY TYING THEATRE. You can contact Jack at wolfglen@wildblue.net

New Jersey's Automated Game Check System

We have been processing deer since 1962. It's been a family business ever since, striving to produce an assortment of products from homemade recipes for the deer hunter to enjoy.  We also have a full line of products available for the do-it-your- self butcher at home.

www.gamebutcher.com

Shad fishing and the name John A. Punola are synonymous. Little wonder, as John has been fishing for and catching Shad for the past 30 years and no one does it better. Since 1983, when John presented his Shad Fishing program at the World Fishing Expo, he has appeared from Manhattan to Scranton, to Bethlehem, to Edison and many points in between. Everywhere John appears he attracts large crowds of enthusiastic anglers, who come to lean all about Shad fishing.

John is also a noted outdoor writer and each spring he authors informative magazine articles about the spring appearance of the Shad in the Delaware River. He has also appeared on numerous TV shows fishing for Shad in the fabled Delaware River.

Capt. Al Ristori has been fishing for well over 60 years, and has covered the globe from the U.S. to Central and South America to Australia and Japan - where he won the first World Cup Fishing Tournament in 2001.

One of his favorite areas is right here in Highlands, N.J., where he charters the Sheri Berri from Baker's Marina on the Bay in Highlands along with Capt. Hans Kaspersetz for everything from stripers to tuna and sharks.

He's been writing the saltwater fishing column in the Newark Star-Ledger since 1984; is a regional editor of Salt Water Sportsman; and Conservation Editor of The Fisherman. His latest books are The Outdoorsman's Edge Guide to Saltwater Fishing, and The Complete Book of Surf Fishing.

Jim has been Turkey Hunting since 1981 has been a member of THE NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION since 1985, a Sponsor member from 2000, on the NJ Chapter Board of Directors for11 years and currently serves as V.P. and is Chairman of Shows and Sales. With help of Chapter Members they will present an informal presentation on Turkey Calls and Turkey Hunting.

Skip is a New York State Licensed Guide and has been fishing the northeast United States waters for 50 years. His understanding of the ecosystem coupled with his knowledge of fluid dynamics with respect to the habits of fish and their movements during rest, feeding and migration has gained him the respect to be referred to as a “Guide’s Guide.” Fishermen from around the world seek his understanding of the waters from Cape Cod to Cape May. These waters are known for Stripers, Blues and Albacore. Skip is also sought out for his fishing knowledge of New York cold and warm water fisheries.

Professional Bass Fisherman and Master Lure Designer Bobby Uhrig teaches anglers how to catch bass by separating Fact From Fiction. Bobby elaborates on basic and advanced fishing techniques and tricks of the trade. With over 35 years experience watching fish in their natural environment; Bobby shares their reactions and natural eating habits. Learn what variables affect which arsenal to choose to be most effective when catching bass!

Jim Vitaro, Wooster, Ohio - Tournament Fishing over 25 yrs.  Federation Regional & State Qualifier, Northern Division Qualifier, 2 time BFL Winner, 9 time regional qualifier, Everstart Series top 20, and numerous wins and top ten finishes, Great Lakes Smallmouth Expert.

USCG Inland Licensed Captain, Multi-Species Fishing Enthusiast specializing in trophy musky hunts, day and night walleye fishing, crappie and panfish, giant stream trout, anything that swims! Published Author: Salmon Trout Steelheader Magazine, Esox Angler, Mid-Atlantic Game and Fish, The Fisherman, On the Water the Angler's Guide

1st Place Fall Tournament (2000) Muskie's Inc. Greenwood Lake
1st Place (1995) Tournament Hawg Heaven Bassmasters Hudson River
30+ Graduate Credits: Fisheries Science  Iowa State University
B.S. Biological Science  William Paterson College of NJ
Certificated Teacher of Secondary Level Biological Science
Teacher of Biological Science Passaic High School

I will talk about musky fishing in NJ....places, equipment, techniques, etc.  Have mounts of a 48 and 51 incher I will bring and a very thorough power-point presentation covering all aspects.  Also will raffle off a free trip and offer discounted trips.