The leaves are falling, the nights are cool. Could fall be coming? I sure hope so because summer fishing has been slow. Fishing in the fall months usually is better because fish want to school up more and feed for the cold winter months. However, I feel this fall will be like the last two years, when the amount of large Rockfish don’t make it to the upper bay area because they can’t find anything to eat such as their favorite, Menhaden. Hopefully, the next couple newsletters will have some good fishing reports. As for this newsletter, I have a lot to report on, so I had better get to it. Before all the happenings in our Club, I need to pass on some information that I feel needs to be known by our members. Hurricane Katrina did major damage to the Gulf Coast area and I really feel for all the misery those people are going through. This destruction is going to affect our area also. Omega’s Moss Point Plant in Gulf Port, Mississippi, was completely destroyed; however most of their trawler boats survived. That probably means those boats will head north and clean out what little Menhaden fish we have left in our area. Just when fishing was bad, I feel it’s going to get worse. 

 

FISHING TRIPS

August 23rd, 14 members from our Club traveled to Bowers Beach, Delaware to fish for Flounder. Over 150 Flounder were caught along with many other species of fish. Because of the 17½ inch size limit, only ten keepers were kept from the 150. This was a very good inexpensive trip and we are planning more trips out of Bowers Beach. Dorchester Club members, you really need to get more involved in these trips. With the rising costs of gas and bait, it’s cheaper to go on these charter trips. Also, now is the time to get more involved and attend meetings to find out where the fish are and join with other members, so three or four can fish together cheaper. By the way, Bob Shenton and Andy Trecannelli tied with the largest Flounder (23 3/4inches) caught on our Bowers Beach trip. Bob Watson has many more fishing trips planned for the rest of the year. Be at the meetings or check out our web site for dates and times. 

 

MSSA PICNIC-OCTOBER 2ND

The MSSA will have its picnic at Burba Lake Cottage, Fort Meade, Maryland, on October 2nd. The menu will include steamed crabs, hamburgers, hot dogs, salads, beans, snacks, beer, soda and all the trimmings. All this for only $10.00. Horse shoes and volleyball will also be available. I need to have your name and all names of any family members who want to attend this picnic by September 13th. This is a great $10.00 deal. Don’t miss this picnic. 

 

DORCHESTER COUNTY CHAPTER FISHING TOURNAMENT AND CRAB FEAST

October 9th is the date for our Chapter’s fishing tournament and crab feast. Be at our September 15th meeting to sign up and hear the rules read. To enter will be $10.00 per person and all money goes back to the winners who catch the largest Rockfish, Bluefish, Trout and White Perch. The following are the rules for the tournament:

1.Fishing in the tournament will start at 5:00 a.m. and final check-in registration by 4:00 p.m. on October 9th at the American Legion.

2.No check-in registration of fish before 3:00 p.m.

3.Fish will be measured from closed mouth to V of tail.

4.In case of ties, earliest checked in fish wins.

5.Rockfish, Bluefish, Trout and White Perch are the only fish to be entered.

6.Entrants must sign up by October 8th. Try to sign up at our meeting, September 15th. Call Chuck Prahl (410-228-0251).

7.$10.00 per person - only members of the MSSA are to fish this tournament. All people in your boat must be a MSSA members.

8.All money taken in will be divided and given to the winners of each category. 

 

CRAB FEAST - OCTOBER 9TH

Our crab feast will be held the same day, Sunday, October 9th, at the American Legion Post #91. The crab feast will start at 4:00 p.m. right after our fishing tournament. A cover charge of $5.00 per member and $15.00 per guest will be charged for this event. Try to bring a covered dish if you can so we will be able to serve something besides crabs and corn, which will be provided. Beer and sodas also will be provided. People have been great in supplying covered dishes in the past. Try to sign up and pay for this crab feast at our September 15th meeting, so we can get a head count. Contact Jim Kubista (410-228-4690) or Norm Bell (410-228-0913) if you plan to attend the crab feast. 

 

DORCHESTER COUNTY CHAPTER 11 NOMINATIONS

At our September 15th meetings, we need nominations for officers and committee members for the year 2006. If you are interested in holding an office or being on a committee, be at the meeting or let me (Clint) know. 

 

MSSA FALL TOURNAMENT

The MSSA Fall Tournament is Saturday, November 12, 2005. I know that is a long way off, but I wanted to mention it early so everyone could start thinking about entering this tournament. The tournament was moved back one month in hope of more big fish coming into the Bay. Read your “Tidelines” magazine for details. 

 

GUEST SPEAKER

Our speaker for September will be Captain Chuck Fisher of BFG Fishing Guides. Chuck will talk on fall fishing in the Chesapeake Bay area. He will explain how Rockfish come out of different rivers and into the Bay and where and how to fish different areas. Chuck is very knowledgeable in fishing our area and teaches personal instruction courses on bottom fishing and trolling. Our fall fishing is coming up, so this is a meeting you don’t want to miss. 

 

See you at the meeting or on the water.

Clint