Chapter Communications President's Message (Tom Kemp, January 2011) The Southern Maryland Chapter represents the anglers of the counties of Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s. However the chapter has members all over the state and a number of other states. Chapter membership averages 650 anglers with an active group of approximately one hundred. The chapter is involved in a number of activities throughout the year, which we think makes the chapter special. During the year we participate in a number of social, fishing, youth activities. The chapter puts the vast majority of its time and financial resources into developing the next generation of anglers and stewards of the Chesapeake Bay. MSSA Scholarship Foundation – Chapter financial support, helps provide scholarships the graduating high school seniors planning to major in marine studies. These selected seniors may reapply each year through graduation from college. Kid’s Casting Activity - Bay Country Boat Show is sponsored by the Hollywood Optimist Club at the Hollywood Fire House. Children are provided with door prizes and entered into a rod and reel giveaway, while learning to cast with chapter members. Greenwell Foundation Summer Camps (for mainstream and special needs children). - The chapter members provide their boats and take the children fishing on the Patuxent River. The chapter provides all fishing equipment and supplies. Each child is given its own rod and reel to encourage future fishing. “Hooked On Fishing” - The chapter provides a fishing experience for all children attending the St. Mary’s County Department of Recreation and Parks Summer Camps. Up to 200 children use the fishing pier at Point Lookout State Park, with the chapter providing all equipment and supplies. In addition, up to 50 children are given a rod and reel combination to take home. Greenwell Foundation Fishing Summer Camps - The chapter has donated to the Greenwell Foundation all rods, reels and supplies to allow the Foundation to offer two Fishing Summer Camps at Greenwell State Park. The chapter and members are completely sponsoring these camps. As part of this camp, members also provide a day of boat fishing on the Patuxent River. In addition to supporting youth through the above activities, we are involved in a number of other activities. Maryland Department of Natural Resources:  Maryland Artificial Reef Initiative – Chapter donations provide financial support. Locally this program has created two reefs made from the old Wilson Bridge in both Calvert and St. Mary’s counties. Their creation has provided fish and oyster habitat. Survey Fishing Trips – For the past three years chapter members have participated in fishing the new artificial reefs as well as natural structure. The purpose is to compare the various species, for quantity and quality, on these different types of structure. During the year the chapter has activities that are inclusive to spouses and family members. One chapter meeting per year is considered “Ladies’ Night.” This meeting has a special speaker for the ladies, as well as special door prizes. We also have an annual chapter picnic and holiday party. Finally are the monthly chapter meetings. These meetings are devoted to fishing. Where to go, what’s biting, what bait to use, and how to rig your rod. You can always find a fishing buddy at the meeting who is willing to teach you or one that wants to learn. Newsletters (FISH TALES)   FISH TALES – MARCH 2011 CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS:             FISHING FAIR                             MARCH 26 & 27 FISHING RODEO                         MAY 14             GREENWELL BOAT DAY             JULY 6             HOOKED ON FISHING                 JULY 22             FISHING CAMP BOAT DAY          JULY 27             FISHING CAMP BOAT DAY          AUGUST 10             CHAPTER PICNIC                        SEPTEMBER 18             HOLIDAY PARTY                         DECEMBER 11 CHAPTER RAFFLE: Contact Charlie Hanko at 202-439-2816 to obtain raffle tickets for yourself and to sell for the chapter.  Please support this fundraiser. FISHING FAIR: On March 26 & 27 the chapter will again be sponsoring the annual Solomons Fishing Fair.  Your support is needed in many ways to make this major chapter fundraiser a success.  Your help is needed in the kitchen, taking admissions at the gate, at the membership and raffle tables, and to help with set-up on Friday, March 25.  Most of all we need you to attend and support the vendors at the fair.  Call Tom Kemp at 301-373-3071 to sign-up to work or for further information. 2011 YOUTH ACTIVITIES:  Above is a list of this summer’s chapter sponsored youth activities.  This year will support a Fishing Rodeo with DNR at St. Mary’s Lake State Park.  We expect about 75 children to attend this event on the morning of Saturday, May 14. The help of many members will be needed.  Please contact Russ Millar at 240-298-2013 to volunteer.  HOOKED ON FISHING: This year will be Friday, July 22 at Point Lookout State Park.  The chapter will be hosting about 200 children.  We estimate that we will need about 30 volunteers to complete all the tasks.  Call Tom Kemp at 301-373-3071 if you can help.  BOAT FISHING:  Above are listed three boat fishing events at Greenwell State Park.  Between 4 and 6 boats will be needed each day.  Sign up at the chapter meetings.  CHAPTER FISHING ACTIVITIES: ANGLER OF THE YEAR:  For 2011 the Chapter’s Angler of the Year contest has been refined to give more participants the opportunity to win.  We will again have an overall winner, awards for the largest fish caught of various species, and an award for the angler who earns the most points in each quarter. This year there will also be awards for the anglers who come in second and third in overall points for the duration of the contest.  The entry fee for Angler of the Year remains $10.  CITATION ROCKFISH CONTEST: From the start of the 2011 Rockfish season through May XX, there will be tree prizes for the three largest citation rockfish checked in at a DNR check-in station.  You must submit your entry on a state citation form and attach a picture.  The fee for the contest is $20 Contact Gary Hennig at 804-241-5360 to enter either of these contests. PLEASE RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP AND ATTEND CHAPTER MEETINGS March 2011    March 2009    October 2008    October 2007    August 2007   February 2007 Chapter Calendar-- 2011 2011 CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS FISHING FAIR   MARCH 26 & 27 FISHING RODEO MAY 14 GREENWELL BOAT DAY   JULY 6 HOOKED ON FISHING   JULY 22 FISHING CAMP BOAT DAY   JULY 27 FISHING CAMP BOAT DAY    AUGUST 10 CHAPTER PICNIC   SEPTEMBER 18 HOLIDAY PARTY    DECEMBER 11 Date Description Location 10-Jan Executive Committee Meeting 7 pm, TK 20-Jan Chapter Meeting SVFD 1-Feb State BOD State Office February 4-6 State Convention Annapolis 5-Feb Tri-State Marine Flea Market 7:30 AM 7-Feb Executive Committee Meeting 7 pm, TK 17-Feb Chapter Meeting SVFD 1-Mar State BOD State Office 7-Mar Executive Committee Meeting 7 pm, TK 17-Mar Chapter Meeting SVFD 25-Mar Fishing Fair Set-up SVFD March 26-27 Fishing Fair SVFD 28-Mar Fishing Fair Clean Up SVFD 5-Apr State BOD State Office 11-Apr Executive Committee Meeting 7 pm, TK 16-Apr Spring Rockfish Season The Bay 21-Apr Chapter Meeting SVFD April 19 - May 1 Spring MSSA Tournament The Bay 3-May State BOD State Office 9-May Executive Committee Meeting 7 pm, TK 14-May Fishing Rodeo   19-May Chapter Meeting SVFD 7-Jun State BOD State Office 13-Jun Executive Committee Meeting 7 pm, TK 16-Jun Chapter Meeting SVFD 5-Jul State BOD State Office 6-Jul Greenwell Fishing Boat Day Greenwell Pier 11-Jul Executive Committee Meeting 7 pm, TK 21-Jul Chapter Meeting SVFD 22-Jul Hooked On Fishing Pt. Lookout July 25-29 Greenwell Fishing Camp (Full Week) Greenwell SP 27-Jul Fishing Camp Boat Fishing Greenwell Pier 2-Aug State BOD State Office 8-Aug Executive Committee Meeting 7 pm, TK August 8-12 Greenwell Fishing Camp (Full Week) Greenwell SP 10-Aug Fishing Camp Boat Fishing Greenwell SP 18-Aug Chapter Meeting SVFD 6-Sep State BOD State Office 12-Sep Executive Committee Meeting 7 pm, TK 15-Sep Chapter Meeting SVFD 18-Sep Chapter Picnic TBD 4-Oct State BOD State Office 10-Oct Executive Committee Meeting 7 pm, TK 20-Oct Chapter Meeting SVFD 1-Nov State BOD State Office 7-Nov Executive Committee Meeting 7 pm, TK 17-Nov Chapter Meeting SVFD November 19-20 Fall MSSA Tournament The Bay 6-Dec State BOD State Office 11-Dec Chapter Holiday Party Lenny’s 12-Dec Executive Committee Meeting 7 pm, TK   Communications     Fishing Reports     Fishing Partners    Chapter Supporters     Home      About Us     Topic  Areas      Photos       Links