Chesapeake Bay News

On September 19, 2009 approximately $70,000 in prizes and merchandise were presented to lucky anglers at the 2010 Maryland Fishing Challenge closing ceremony. Approximately 2,000 people, including sponsors, anglers and their guests attended the sixth annual closing ceremony held at Sandy Point State Park.

More than 1,900 anglers from as far away as California qualified to participate in the grand prize drawing. As an added youth component, children participating in various fishing rodeos across the State qualified for a unique category for the chance to win guided fishing trips.

Walking away with the grand prize was 13 year-old Garret Boylan of Finksburg, Md. Boylan caught a white perch, nearly 15 inches long, in the Liberty reservoir in Baltimore County on June 10, which qualified him for the boat, motor and trailer from Bass Pro Shops and Tracker Boats.

“I’m speechless,” said Maurice Boylan, the winner’s father. “It was a shot in the dark. We drove an hour and a half (to attend the finale), and now my little boy won a boat!”

Additional winners included James Vogel III of Conowingo, Md., Howard James of Georgetown, Del. and Paul Gilbert of Unionville, Pa. who won thousands of dollars in prizes from Bill’s Outdoor Center. Kurt Hofschild of Pasadena, Md. won an all expenses paid fishing trip to the Island of Tobago provided by the World Fishing Network.

In addition, during this year’s contest, five lucky anglers also caught specially tagged rockfish.  Devin Singer, of Bethesda, Md.; Billy Beale of Jarrettsville, Md.; Leo James Jr. of Annapolis, Md.; and Tristen Blake of Federalsburg, Md received checks for $500 each for their catches, which were confirmed as Diamond Jim imposters. Bill Heisterhagan of Easton , Md. who caught the only possible Diamond Jim tagged striped bass in the challenge learned at the event that he too had caught a $500 Diamond Jim imposter.

Lucky young anglers from across the State were awarded guided fishing trips:

* Michale Nutter of LaPlata, Md. and Tyler Bishell of Earleville, Md. will receive a trip from the Mid-Atlantic Council of Trout Unlimited.

* Taylor Mae Edwards of Essex, Md. and Ben Shiner of Nittingham, Md. will receive a trip from the Maryland Saltwater Sportfishermen’s Association.

* Adam Szarko of Catonsville, Md. will receive a trip from the Maryland Charter Boat Association

* Austin Bible of Cumberland, Md.; Bradley McDowell of Rising Sun, Md.; Jacob Gambrill of Whitemarsh, Md.; and Cody Wheeler of Bel Air, Md. will receive trips from Bass Federation Nation.

* Cheyenne Sawyer of Greensboro, Md. and Bryan Brochu of Rising Sun, Md. will receive a trip from the Legislative Sportsman’s Foundation.

* John Duarte of Baltimore, Md. and Micaela Rogers of Elkton, Md. will receive a trip from the Coastal Conservation Association.

* Omar Peay of Silver Spring, Md. and Austin Shires of New Cumberland, Pa. will receive a trip from Bill’s Outdoor Center.

* Jason Mukendi of Landover Hills, Md. will receive a trip from Captain Richie Gaines

* Nadirah Offord of Baltimore, Md. will receive a trip from Skip Zinck.

* Eryk Vincent of Stevensville, Md. will receive a trip from Captain Tom Hughes.

* Timmy Patschorke of Ballwin, Mo. will receive a trip from Captain Mike Benjamin.

* Nayel Camper of Salisbury, Md. will receive a trip from Captain Monty Hawkins.

Created to promote recreational fishing in Maryland, recognize angler efforts and inspire natural resources stewardship, the 2010 Maryland Fishing Challenge started June 1 and ran through Labor Day, September 6, 2010.

At the finale, The Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Foundation presented Natural Resources Police (NRP) with a $5,000 check, the proceeds from the sale of Maryland’s first lifetime hunting license.

Three batches of nearly 200 specially tagged striped bass (one genuine Diamond Jim and 199 imposters) were released into the waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries this summer. Diamond Jim’s value increased each month: $10,000 if caught in June, $20,000 if caught in July and $25,000 if caught in August, and nearly 599 Diamond Jim imposters are worth $500 each for the duration of the contest.

Through the citation component, more than 60 species of fish, including large and smallmouth bass, trout, walleye, musky and panfish in the freshwaters of Maryland; rockfish (striped bass), bluefish, drum, sea trout and perch in the Chesapeake Bay; and tuna, marlin, flounder, kingfish and sea bass caught in Maryland waters off the Atlantic Coast, were eligible for the grand prizes.

“Catch a fish” is one of the Maryland Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights, issued by Governor Martin O’Malley in April 2009. The Bill is part of the Maryland Partnership for Children in Nature, an initiative to ensure all Maryland young people have the opportunity to connect with their natural world and grow to become informed and responsible stewards.

source: MD DNR

Mike Lyons of Denton, MD will find out if his recent striped bass catch is worth $500 or $25,000 at the 2009 Maryland Fishing Challenge Finale on September 19, 2009. Lyons caught the fifth tagged striped bass in the Fishing Challenge while trolling off Benoni Point in the Choptank River near the mouth of the Tred Avon River.

“I want to congratulate Mr. Lyons as a winner in the 2009 Maryland Fishing Challenge,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “Our State’s wonderful, recreational fishing opportunities are accessible to and affordable for all Maryland families, and a great way for everyone to enjoy and connect with our great outdoors.”

The Fishing Challenge started June 1 and ran through Labor Day, September 7, 2009. Throughout the summer, three batches of specially tagged striped bass – each including one authentic Diamond Jim and at least 49 imposters – were released into the waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. By the end of the Challenge five stripers were caught; all but the most recent have been verified as imposters, carrying a $500 prize.

Lyons will also be entered in the grand prize drawing at the award ceremony during the finale. The grand prizes include a boat, motor and trailer from Bass Pro Shops and thousands of dollars in prizes from Bill’s Outdoor Center on Deep Creek Lake. All eligible winners will receive their rewards at the ceremony in September.

“I thought it was joke [when I pulled in the striped bass]. I’ve never seen a fish a tagged like that,” said Lyons. “[Fishing is] supper on the table, but it’s good to get away. I’ve fished most of my life.”

Through the citation component, more than 60 species of fish were eligible for the grand prizes, including large and smallmouth bass, trout, walleye, musky and panfish in the freshwaters of Maryland; rockfish (striped bass), bluefish, drum, sea trout and perch in the Chesapeake Bay; and tuna, marlin, flounder, kingfish and sea bass caught in Maryland waters off the Atlantic Coast.

Anglers making qualifying catches took their fish to any of the 88 official citation award centers located across Maryland. Fish are then measured and certified, and anglers receive documentation for their award citation. Anglers are then automatically entered in the contest final awards ceremony and are listed on the DNR website.

For a complete list of citation centers and entrants go to http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/fishingchallenge/index.asp.

As an added youth component, children participating in various fishing rodeos across the State qualified for a unique category and win a guided fishing trip.

“Catch a fish” is one of the Maryland Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights, issued by Governor Martin O’Malley in April. The Bill is part of the Maryland Partnership for Children in Nature, an initiative to ensure all Maryland young people have the opportunity to connect with their natural world and grow to become informed and responsible stewards.

source: DNR press release