Garden State Trout

Hi everyone,

2023 marks 15 years since Garden State Trout was started back in 2008, while I was still just a kid in college drinking Appletinis (long story)…

As many members know, I started GST to fill the void after NJ Trout announced that the forum would be shutting down. Back before BookFace, InstantGram, and all that, internet forums were the best way to share stories and information about our fishing exploits. Given the “Forum Wars” at the time, the loss of NJ Trout would leave a hole in the NJ fishing community so I started GST before it’s retirement (RIP and tight lines Denis F!!).

For a decade and a half I have come to know many of you, some even longer! I deeply appreciate the support and friendships that have grown from GST and NJT. I have known many for close to half my life at this point and consider you all lifelong friends. The NJ fishing community is a strong one as we do constant battle with developers, regulators and more to preserve that which we hold dear. Our rivers, streams and outdoor spaces. We are the few that know NJ can still be an outdoorsman and sportsman’s paradise despite what everyone else thinks of our 3rd state. Our TU chapters and other sportsman’s society do amazing work preserving that we have.

To everyone else who I have yet to have the pleasure of meeting, thank your for posting and contributing to GST. I simply bought a website and forum, you all have built it. I look forward to more years to come. I may not be that active these days as I grow my family and have more responsibilities but I love knowing that there is still this corner of the Internet dedicated to those that love NJ’s trout fishing and all it has to offer.

Sincerely,
Tom Twism

*Here is me and my buddy and long time member Tim, I’m on the right.

Thank YOU, for 15 years of GST

Twism - thank you for creating this, your Board and the members helped a 50 year old guy get into a hobby that he always wanted to do.

This Board is fantastic and look forward to another 15!

Great to see the board back up-I thought I had somehow been kicked off for not living in NJ anymore! In all seriousness its great to see the continuity of the site over the decades!

Its a relief to see the board back up - you had me worried for awhile. Thanks for a great 15 years and hopefully many more.

thank you!!!!!!!!!

I thank you for keeping this forum running, I know it;s a labor of love and pretty much thankless. I've learned a lot from the posts here.

Dave

Thanks for keeping this site going! Due to health reasons I have not been able to fish in the last year or so, but I still enjoy checking in every day and seeing what’s going on. Thanks for your support and the service you provide.

Ah yes, the Appletini night....

Thanks for keeping GST going. It's odd how other social media has taken over the fishing side of my life, but hunting remains largely forum oriented still. At least my mod duties here are a walk in the park. The odd picture that needs flipping or the occasional double post that needs deleting, but never a time out or an all out ban like the good old days when NJ Trout was a full contact sport.

I haven't been here that long, but last week, I thought I said something wrong and got banned...nice to see the site up and running again.

Appletini night!!

I"m glad you got the site back up. Even though there are other choices out there now I still check in from time to time. That pic was a few years ago for sure. I see Ege's truck in the background!

Your fishing buddy Tim (The Royal Coachman)

I've got to dig out my GST shirt and rock it for Twism.

Thank you for starting this community. It has expanded and enhanced my view of people from backgrounds different than mine. I have learned quite a bit from members of this community. Thanks!

Thanks for providing us this resource all these years. It is much appreciated Tom.

Tom, I always enjoy reading GST. You have done a great job of connecting fishermen in one space. Congratulations on the anniversary and Thanks.

Thanks for your years of time! Great site, user friendly, place that I visit daily to see ideas from like (and unlike) minded people.

Thanks Tom!! Been a great 15 years

Thank you Tom! I don't post much but found the site super helpful when I stepped up my trout fishing.

Thank you for this great resource, and your cotribution fo the NJ Trout fisher community.

I usually have a policy of not joining any club that would have me as a member, but I love the site and have made some good friends. Thanks Tom.