Fishing Stars to Appear at Harrisburg Show

HARRISBURG, Pa. (January 31, 2011) -- Hank Parker and Babe Winkelmen, two legends of the fishing world, will headline the NEW Fishing Experience at the 2011 Eastern Sports & Outdoor Show presented by Outdoor Channel and Comcast, February 5-13, State Farm Show Complex, Harrisburg.
“The NEW Fishing Experience is designed to promote fishing as well as educate and entertain fishing enthusiasts of all skill levels and ages,” said Chris O’Hara, Event Director. “In the world of fishing it doesn’t get any bigger than Hank Parker and Babe Winkelman. Their skills, accomplishments and ability to teach others are amazing.”
The NEW Fishing Experience has several elements designed to educate and entertain attendees of the Show including:
All New Seminar Stage and Demo Pool -- Try before you buy any fishing lure or rod!
Hank Parker -- Feb. 8-10 seminars at the New Seminar Stage and Demo Pool.
Babe Winkelman -- Feb. 11-13 seminars at the New Seminar Stage and Demo Pool.
Expert Trout Fishing Seminars with Frank Nale -- Feb. 5,6, 10-13
Trout Filleting and Cooking -- Learn how to properly handle your fresh catch in the field and turn it into a delicious meal when you get home.
Bass Pro Shops Hawg Tank -- Daily Seminars with Regional and National Pros and Experts.
Kids Casting Contest -- Capital City Bassmasters Casting Contest each weekend plus daily casting demos.
Kids Trout Pond
Fishing Simulator
For more information on the complete schedule of seminar speakers, visit www.easternsportshow.com.

Boat Show Opens in Baltimore

Starts Today: Baltimore Boat Show Brings the Best in Boating

Come for the Great Deals and Stay for the Fun Family Activities

Baltimore, Md. – January 24, 2011 -- It’s that time of year again! The Baltimore Boat Show returns to the Baltimore Convention Center this week, bringing local boaters an opportunity to compare and shop hundreds of different boats while enjoying a day of fun with tons of family-friendly activities. “There’s no better way to beat the winter blues than by heading to the Baltimore Boat Show, where you can check out all of our great deals on boats and accessories,” said show manager Tara Davis. “After you’ve shopped the show, be sure to catch one of our free seminars, meet one of our special guests or enter to win one of our fantastic prizes.” Meet and take photos with our special guests, including: Russell Newberry from Discovery Channel’s Deadliest Catch, 2pm–4pm & 6pm–8pm Thursday & Friday and 11am–2pm & 3pm–5pm Saturday & Sunday. Director of Fishes and Aquatic Invertebrates for the National Aquarium Institute and Discovery Channel Shark Adviser Andy Dehart, 11am–1pm Saturday and 3pm Sunday. Former Orioles Right Fielder Joe Orsulak, who played 14 seasons in the majors with the Pirates (1983–86), Orioles (1988–1992), New York Mets (1993–95), Florida Marlins (1996) and Montreal Expos (1997), noon–2pm Saturday. SpongeBob Squarepants, 11am–3pm Saturday and Sunday.

Menhaden conservation bills killed in Va.

Richmond, Va. (Jan. 23, 2011)-- Virginia’s General Assembly quickly put an end to efforts to protect menhaden from overfishing when it killed five of six bills introduced during this year’s session.

The bills were drafted to help protect menhaden, which are a filter feeder valued for its ecological role in the Chesapeake Bay and an important food source for larger fish like striped bass and bluefish.

Much has been written about their ecological importantance for more than a decade, nonetheless, the oily fish are netted by the millions and turned into fish oil and pet food at a processing plant in Reedville.

Menhaden are the only species of fish managed by Virginia’s lawmakers.

Senate Bill 765 and House Bill 2280, the work of Sen. Ralph Northam, a Democrat from Norfolk, and Del. John Cosgrove, a Republican from Chesapeake, were drafted to take menhaden management out of the hands of state lawmakers and give it to the professionals at the Virginia Marine Resources Commission.

“I’d like to know one legislator smart enough to make scientific decisions about this fish species. It’s stupid that we do it this way,” said Cosgrove after the bill’s defeat on Thursday.

Northam’s bill is still scheduled for a hearing but its chances of passing are seen as slim.

HB 2369, sponsored by Del. Barry Knight, a Republican representing Chesapeake and Virginia Beach, was drafted to reduce the 109,020 metric ton cap on menhaden harvesting in the Chesapeake Bay by 20 percent each year. HB 1656, sponsored by Del. Harry Purkey, a Republican from Virginia Beach, attempted to ban menhaden harvesting within one mile of the shoreline of Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Newport News and Hampton.

HB 1913 sponsored by Del. Jackson Miller, a Manassas Republican, attempted to end menhaden fishing by purse seine in the Rappahannock River and its tributaries. And, HB 2165, sponsored by Appomattox Del. Watkins Abbitt Jr., one of two independents in the House, called for a $10 per ton fee on menhaden caught in Virginia waters.

Omega Protein, which owns the Reedville plant, gave nearly $78,000 to politicians from May 2009 to April 2010. The plant is a major employer in the rural Northern Neck peninsula.

Felt soled shoes on the way out

Annapolis, MD (January 21, 2011) -- Didymo, also known as Rock Snot, is an invasive, non-native alga of cold flowing waters.

Individual didymo organisms are microscopic, but infestations include enormous numbers. Each individual produces a long stalk from the stream bottom resulting in a yellow-brown slime layer, which can dominate a once beautiful cold water stream.
Didymo is gross, and it can obstruct fishing to the point of being insufferable.
Didymo has also caused destructive changes in stream biology in some of the finest cold fishing waters on the planet.
Resource managers in North America and New Zealand suspected early on that the felt-soled waders and boots of traveling fly fishermen were the pathway for its spread. Subsequent field and laboratory research has confirmed that the felt used for waders is an ideal medium for collecting and transporting microscopic organisms.
DNR scientists and anglers have found seasonal infestations of Didymo in the Gunpowder River and traces of the organism in the Savage River.
Other diseases and injurious species such as Whirling Disease, which is fatal to trout, may be carried on felt soles.
Felt has been banned from New Zealand streams since 2008.
Alaska and Vermont have moved to prohibit felt soles.
Maryland is doing the same.
Maryland’s proposed regulation to prohibit felt soles in all waters is scheduled to become effective in March 2011. DNR welcomes public comment until February 28 via email, fisheriespubliccomment@dnr.state.md.us or mail, Maryland Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Service, ATTN: Felt-Soled Wader Ban Regulation, 580 Taylor Ave., B-2, Annapolis, MD 21401.

Va. trying to change menhaden management

Ricmond, VA (January 20, 2011) -- Virginia’s General Assembly is considering six bills to protect menhaden, a Chesapeake Bay filter feeder valued for its ecological importance and a valuable food source for larger fish like striped bass and bluefish.
For over a decade much has been written about their importance in the chain of natural resources in the Bay, and lawmakers seem finally to be getting the message from conservationists and biologists worried about the plight of the small, oily fish.
Senate Bill 765 and House Bill 2280, the work of Sen. Ralph Northam, a Democrat from Norfolk, and Del. John Cosgrove, a Republican from Chesapeake, would take menhaden management out of the hands of state lawmakers and give it to the professionals at the Virginia Marine Resources Commission. As written currently, the bill also repeals the governor's authority to enact menhaden management measures by proclamation.
HB 2369, sponsored by Del. Barry Knight, a Republican representing Chesapeake and Virginia Beach, would reduce the 109,020 metric ton cap on menhaden harvesting in the Chesapeake Bay by 20 percent each year. HB 1656, sponsored by Del. Harry Purkey, a Republican from Virginia Beach, would ban menhaden harvesting within one mile of the shoreline of Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Newport News and Hampton.
HB 1913 sponsored by Del. Jackson Miller, a Manassas Republican, would put an end to menhaden fishing by purse seine in the Rappahannock River and its tributaries. And, HB 2165, sponsored by Appomattox Del. Watkins Abbitt Jr., one of two independents in the House, would place a $10 per ton fee on menhaden caught in Virginia waters.

Lawrence, Pizer receive boating access award from BoatUS

A snapshot of the “Accessing the Virginia Coast” website by Lisa Lawrence and Margaret Pizer of the Virginia Sea Grant Marine Extension Program at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science.

GLOUCESTER, Va., January 19, 2011 -- To Virginia’s recreational boaters, sailors and anglers, having access to the water is critical. However, when local communities attempt to increase boat access a range of property issues, regulations, and other hurdles pop up. A new online tool, “Accessing the Virginia Coast” at www.virginiacoastalaccess.net, provides timely, accurate and practical boating access information that can help local governments or individuals grow public boating access across the Commonwealth.

This excellent resource was developed on behalf of the Middle Peninsula Chesapeake Bay Public Access Authority by Lisa Lawrence and Margaret Pizer of the Virginia Sea Grant Marine Extension Program at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS). To honor their work in helping communities achieve more boating access, Lawrence and Pizer are recipients of a 2010 BoatUS Recreational Boating Access Award.

BoatUS (Boat Owners Association of The United States) created the award program in 2007 to highlight successes in protecting water access as boaters and communities were losing marina slips, service yards and boat launching areas. The goal is to draw national attention to innovative solutions and share success stories so that others may help to solve their own waterway access challenges.

Saltwater Fly Fishing Tip Contest

CMN (Jan. 18, 2011) -- Witnessing a mako shark take your fly ten feet from your rod tip and then leap 12 feet clear of the water 50 yards away seconds later is one of the world’s great adrenaline rushes.  And now you have the chance to experience the tremendous pull of a mako in the company of famed mako guide Captain Conway Bowman by entering the “Favorite Saltwater Fly Fishing Tip” contest.

The contest celebrates the recent release of Conway’s first book, The Orvis Guide to Beginning Saltwater Fly Fishing:  101 Tips for the Absolute Beginner.

The Prize:  :  The winner will receive two nights of lodging at Kona Kai and two days of guided fishing with Captain Conway. The winner will also receive an Access Rod and Access V reel from Orvis, perfect for many saltwater adventures.  (NOTE:  The winner is welcome to bring a guest.) 

The Contest:  Visit www.bowmanbluewater.com and click on the Saltwater Fly Fishing Tip contest link. Provide your favorite tip and contact information.  A winner will be selected on May 1.  Contestants can also enter at select Orvis stores.  NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY

About Kona Kai Resort

The Kona Kai Resort is a spectacular waterfront getaway located on beautiful Shelter Island in the Point Loma area of San Diego, only minutes from the airport and most of San Diego’s city sights and attractions. The recreational features of our 11 acre bayside  resort includes the Kona Kai Restaurant, an over sized pool, full-service fitness club, spa, sunning beach with volleyball courts, children’s play area, bicycle rentals, tennis  adjacent, water sports, boat rentals and jogging path.