Chapter Communications President's Message (Tom Kemp, March 2010) JERRY GAFF – 2009 CHAPTER ANGLER OF THE YEAR The chapter is pleased to announce that Jerry Gaff is the 2009 Angler of the Year. The contest lasted nine months and ended in December 2009. The purpose of the competition is to honor the participant who fishes often, catches frequently, catches big fish, catches a variety of fish, supports chapter activities, uses various fishing methods, and fishes with other chapter members. Jerry, of all those who participated, did it all. Jerry took many members fishing on his boat and went with various chapter members while supporting chapter activities. Jerry’s victory came down to the final week of the striped bass season as he competed against his two closest competitors. When it was all over Jerry, who truly deserved to win, came out on top.  Jerry is a retired university professor who lives in Lusby, Calvert County. Jerry enjoys trolling and jigging from his 21-foot boat near Cedar Point, buoy 77 and the gas dock. Jerry’s other interests are volunteerism and social/political analysis. He also serves on the MSSA Scholarship Foundation Board of Directors. For the 2010 Angler of the Year the chapter will be expanding the competition. The chapter will be adding divisions for youth, young adults and ladies. In addition there will be awards for segments of the fishing season and for the largest fish caught in selected species. SOLOMONS FISHING FAIR Final arrangements are taking place for the chapter sponsored “SOLOMONS FISHING FAIR” the weekend of March 27 & 28, 2010. All vendor spaces sold out very quickly for this year’s fair. Various boat dealers and individuals have been making arrangements to display their boats. Those interested in purchasing that perfect boat for fishing the rivers and bay this year will have many choices. The Solomons Fishing Fair is highly regarded by both the vendors and the anglers of the region. It’s a great time to purchase those final needs for the opening of the Rockfish season. Vendors will have available the latest in pacman and bugeye lures, as well as all the rod, reels, rigs, and tackle. This year the chapter will continue its commitment to providing children of the Southern Maryland with fishing opportunities. The chapter plans to continue its involvement with the summer camps of the St. Mary’s County Department of Recreation and Parks and the Greenwell Foundation at Greenwell State Park. For 2010 the chapter will be sponsoring two fishing camps, each a weeklong. We will be continuing our program of providing children with their own rod and reel. WHO IS THE MSSA-SMC? The following are some of the active members who make up your chapter. TOM MEISER lives in Lexington Park, St. Mary’s County. Tom works for the Department of Defense. Tom enjoys fishing from his 22-foot Sea Hunt center console in the lower Patuxent River. Top water and jigging are his favorite methods of fishing. In addition, his other interests are photography and sailing. DAVE ALLAIRE is a retired software development manager for the State Department and also lives in Lexington Park. Dave enjoys trolling and live lining while fishing with other chapter members. Dave is a very active volunteer with Hospice of St. Mary’s and manages a homeless shelter. He frequently donates his catch to the shelter’s kitchen. Newsletters (FISH TALES)   PLEASE RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP AND ATTEND CHAPTER MEETINGS March 2009        October 2008          October 2007          August 2007          February 2007 Chapter Calendar-- 2010 (updated February 10, 2010) Date Description Location 11-Jan Executive Committee Meeting 7 pm, TK 21-Jan Chapter Meeting SVFD 1-Feb Executive Committee Meeting 7 pm, TK February 5-7 State Convention Ocean City 6-Feb Tri-State Marine Flea Market 7:30 AM 18-Feb Chapter Meeting SVFD 1-Mar Executive Committee Meeting 7 pm, TK 18-Mar Chapter Meeting SVFD 26-Mar Fishing Fair Set-up SVFD 27-Mar Fishing Fair SVFD 28-Mar Fishing Fair SVFD 29-Mar Fishing Fair Clean Up SVFD 6-Apr State BOD State Office April 10 & 11 Bay Country Boat Show Hollywood Firehouse 12-Apr Executive Committee Meeting 7 pm, TK 15-Apr Chapter Meeting SVFD 17-Apr Spring Rockfish Season The Bay 3-May Executive Committee Meeting 7 pm, TK 20-May Chapter Meeting SVFD 1-Jun State BOD State Office 7-Jun Executive Committee Meeting 7 pm, TK 17-Jun Chapter Meeting SVFD 5-Jul Executive Committee Meeting 7 pm, TK 7-Jul Greenwell Fishing Boat Day Greenwell Pier 15-Jul Chapter Meeting SVFD 16-Jul Hooked On Fishing Pt. Lookout July 19-23 Greenwell Fishing Camp (Full Week) Greenwell SP 21-Jul Fishing Camp Boat Fishing Greenwell Pier August 2-6 Greenwell Fishing Camp (Full Week) Greenwell SP 3-Aug State BOD State office 4-Aug Fishing Camp Boat Fishing Greenwell SP 9-Aug Executive Committee Meeting 7 pm, TK 19-Aug Chapter Meeting SVFD 13-Sep Executive Committee Meeting 7 pm, TK 16-Sep Chapter Meeting SVFD Sept/Oct TBD Chapter Picnic TBD 5-Oct State BOD State Office 11-Oct Executive Committee Meeting 7 pm, TK 21-Oct Chapter Meeting SVFD 1-Nov Executive Committee Meeting 7 pm, TK 18-Nov Chapter Meeting SVFD 7-Dec State BOD State Office 12-Dec Chapter Holiday Party Lenny’s 13-Dec Executive Committee Meeting 7 pm, TK   Communications     Fishing Reports     Fishing Partners    Chapter Supporters     Home      About Us     Topic  Areas      Photos       Links