MidAtlanticFishreport

In response to Director O’Connell’s letter dated December 14, 2011, concerning the permitting of tournaments, please consider my comments as follows.

· I strongly endorse the idea but I recommend that you (DNR) remove the word “free” from the description. I realize that you feel that we are saving money by eliminating surveys etc., but to do this properly will be an expensive and necessary cost.

· We will need on-site policing either in the form of a biologist or a newly named “Tournament Cop.” I know that many directors and most anglers have a true regard for the fish, habitat, locals and site but whenever a dollar is at stake in a man-game we sometimes lose sight of our morals.

· My example of this concern is: a few years ago an FLW event during summer heat launched and retrieved from Smallwood State Park. As a matter of fact, DNR allowed two very large events to take place under summer heat conditions. The fish kill was sickening. A local angler called me from the water and said he was witnessing “thousands” of dead bass in the Park vicinity. I immediately contacted DNR and was told that personnel went to the scene and only saw a few dead bass. That “few” was later upgraded to “hundreds” but several days after the fact—after numerous tides and wind influence. The fact is that dead bass were all over Mattawoman and the main stem river. My point is we simply cannot trust to casual observation. That release boat was a joke and there was no one on sight to inspect it. There was no one on the water to observe the result—except for angling citizens and for the most part—those stake-holders do not receive the credibility they deserve.

· There are many other such occurrences over the years and it seems that we just call that “collateral damage.”

I want to offer the following thoughts and concerns as it pertains to tournaments on the Potomac River. First—I want to make it very clear that I support tournament events—well run, biologically safe events. I have had a very successful career in the fishing business and there is no doubt in my mind that bass tournaments were/are a big factor. They popularize the sport. They grow clients. They create vast improvements in tackle, boats, electronics and motors.

· Pennsylvania does not allow possession of bass during the spawn season of approximately mid-April through mid-June—nor does many states in our region. They come to the Potomac. Aside from Virginia (Kerr Lake and Gaston), most regional states do not have a water or a facility capable of supporting 100+ boat tournaments let alone 150-200 boats. The Potomac and Upper Bay is the alternative because of our public-paid facilities, and the COST of FISHING LICENSE.

· The tidal Potomac and Upper Bay license for out-of-staters (Chesapeake Bay Sport Fishing License):

· By the way, I also guide in Pennsylvania and my non-resident guide’s license costs $400. We charge non- residents $100 (a law and fee structure that I lobbied for.)

· The bottom line is that fishing license costs are out-of-whack when you review the cost to participate. The Potomac (all Bay water) is a “deal” and when you add the fact that most surrounding states do not allow tournaments during the “spawn” season—it’s an invitation, actually, a “no-brainer” when it comes to fishing events.

· There is no good reason to not raise the fees for black bass fishing for non-residents, perhaps a “Black Bass Stamp” and the money goes directly to DNR for their tidal bass programs.

· I am also considering a lobby for a “no possession” rule for tidal bass during the March 15 through June 15 time frame. I realize that we have a “male” bass protection in place (min size @ 15”) while the other waters in the state is no-possession.

· I know that you are going to counter with the economic impact of bass fishing tournaments but ask yourself a few questions: (1) why did Charles County stop paying tournament orgs to use Smallwood and the Potomac; (same for Baltimore after just one Bassmasters Classic; ditto for Richmond and Kerr Lake towns and counties are not enamored with revenue-generating tournaments any more.

· Tournament anglers really care for their fish for the most part but hot-water events are simply invitation for calamity. We should consider; (A) banning hot water tournaments, or: (B) reducing the creel limit to 3 bass, or; (C) making hot water tournaments a one bass limit.

· I realize that DNR may not care—but those massive tournaments are wearing thin with your own citizens. When a working man and his son cannot use a tax-purchased launching facility because it is commandeered by a mass-tournament—what do you think they are saying? I know because I hear from them and I find it hard to defend.

· Both Smallwood and Leesylvania are capable of very large tournaments and MD and VA do not cooperate, coordinate or share responsibility for the potential collapse of the Potomac fishery. Already LMBV has been introduced and there is a 90% possibility that it came to this water from tournament activity, especially knowing that Kerr has it—has been VERY harmed by it. Some believe that VA and MD are competing to ruin this fishery by allowing such mass invasion.

· Last year we allowed FLW to use the facility near I-95 (National Harbor) to host a 200-boat tournament without regard to launching logistics. Yep—you opened Smallwood but did you see what you did to Marshall Hall, Belle Haven and Gravely point—not to mention the traffic jams created on an already overused Route 210 and the WW Bridge. It’s out-of-control.

o Do not offer tournaments a free ride and take that word “free” out of your proposal. They make big-bucks from our resource and it’s no crime to ask them to pay a fee or percentage.

o Raise the CBSL fee for non-residents to similar rates charged by neighboring states.

o Options: promote the addition of a Black Bass Stamp to get more funding for our studies and bass protection.

o When water temperatures at first light are in excess of 80-degrees, the creel limit per tournament angler will be 3 bass.

· We need to put more teeth in the “Under What Criteria A Permit Would be Denied.”

o Who is going to monitor the various provisions that you list; at what cost; and with what on-site authority?

o You already offer the “out;” when you state: “A permit may be denied if MD DNR directly observes any of the following.” The words “may” and ”directly observe” are not appropriate. We need to say we WILL deny a permit for violation--and when you state “direct observation” it simply takes your citizens out of the equation.

· Maryland has a well-earned history of destroying, over-exploiting her fisheries. The collapse of the 80’s rockfish—the demise of the oyster—how about the menhaden fiasco and where have all the turtles and yellow perch gone? The Bay is overfished. Just ask your charter captains. Many a charter boat sits idle during prime dates and that’s because we overfish.

· I want to reiterate again: I support tournament fishing—but MD is not looking out for her bass and her citizens by allowing too much, too often and too many. I hate to find myself at odds with you (DNR) because I have nothing but absolute respect for the men and women in that venue. I don’t believe that you have anyone on your staff that has as much experience with Potomac fishery as I do and that’s not bragging. I have busted my butt over the past 40-years to protect this water-and others. The problem with DNR is that too many of you in high places come and go in the political wind. It’s time to buy in to RESOURCE FIRST.

My ideas and comments are respectfully submitted and I hope that you believe it. I am at your service but do you feel me resisting some?

NOTES: This will be the last “regularly published” fishing report for the season but that’s not meant to say the season is over. As a matter of fact, the next few months could be as good as any period. You may want to check back every once in a while for industry news, show information and to see LOU Magazine.

I’ve been doing this for a long time now and I can’t recall a year that was so challenging climactically. We were flooded out of the Susquehanna in mid-April; spring was one of the wettest ever; July was the 4^th hottest ever; the Susquehanna and Potomac flooded four times and we had an earthquake, tropical storm and hurricane. Whew!

We have received many compliments on our new website magazine. LOU Magazine is about waters and techniques you use, so read and enjoy the wisdom of our guides. Drop us a note if you have a topic you would like us to address.

It’s not too soon to inquire about our summer youth camp—for boys between 12 and 18. There’s nothing like it, anywhere. See more information on our website and don’t wait too long to sign your son, grandson or special boy up for the 2012 sessions of July.

The 2012 Outdoor Shows that we will attend include Fishing Expo & Boat Show (State Fairgrounds, Timonium, MD, January 13-15), NRA Great American Hunting & Outdoor Show (Frederick County fairgrounds, January 27-29) and Eastern Sports &Outdoor Show State Fairgrounds, Harrisburg, PA, February 4-12.).

My Ranger Z-521 with Mercury 250 Optimax; Minn Kota Vortex 101 and Lowrance Structure Scan HDS units are for sale now. The boat is in perfect shape, about 50 hours on the motor and one of the better “deals” to be had—anywhere. Call Brian Lancaster of Mare, Inc. for pricing at 301-898-3717.

I’m writing this report on Sunday, Oct 29 and it has rained or snowed all day. I do not know, nor do I “guess” what will happen to river levels. Our website is an invaluable guide for information like that.

UPPER POTOMAC RIVER: ***; 55 degrees; staining; 2.5 at Point of Rocks and rising.

Smallmouth bass fishing remains very good and if there is a negative at all, it’s the floating leaves that cause issues with jet boats and makes it tough to utilize fast moving lures.

At EDWARDS FERRY, fish the nearby ledges, MD shore near the power lines (upriver), Balls Bluff and the Maryland side of Harrison Island. We do best with teaser” size tubes by Mizmo.

At WHITES FERRY, motor upriver and fish the VA side with tubes and Rattlin’ Rapalas.

At LANDER, either direction is good so concentrate of submersed ledges and chunk rock with Mizmo tubes, Case plastics and Big Mouth spinnerbaits.

SUSQUEHANNA & JUNIATA RIVERS, PA. ***1/2; good color; high 50s; 5.7 at Harrisburg and 5.1 at Newport on the Juniata. Call 1-888-881-7555 for river conditions by NWS.

LOU guide Mike Breeding says “it’s just as good as our best springs except there isn’t anyone else fishing here except me.” Do yourself a favor and call us for a fall trip soon. Mike’s using just about any lure he wants to but Campground Special teasers, Rattlin’ Rapalas and X-RAP jerkbaits do best. Mike is fishing between Fort Hunter and Montgomery Ferry but launches from Riverfront Campground. Look for submersed island brush, chunk rock bottoms and ledges. On the Juniata, same story between Amity pool and the confluence.

Very good fishing throughout the river and you have choices between smallmouth, largemouth, stripers and catfish. Fall is always one of the more productive periods so before it gets to ugly—call us for some awesome fishing.

In WASHINGTON DC, Captain Keith Barker is still chasing smallmouth bass in Pentagon Lagoon and the Kennedy Center dropoff where 4” Mizmo tubes do the deed. In the Washington Channel, troll Rapala Thugs in 10-14 feet of water for rockfish or cast tubes, Rapala DT 06 crankbaits along the dropoff on the Fort McNair side.

In the WOODROW WILSON BRIDGE vicinity, lots of stripers on humps near Hog Island and we cast the Rapala Clackin’ Raps here. Bigger than normal largemouth come from Smoot Bay, Penrod Cove, WW Barges and Fox Ferry where Mizmo tubes and Rapala DT 06 cranks do best.

The MATTAWOMAN CREEK vicinity is fishing very well so use Penrod Special spinnerbaits and buzzbaits in the “6 MPH” zone; case plastics in scant grass between the park and main river; Rattlin’ Rapalas in Belmont Bay and Rapala DT 03 crankbaits at Arkindale.