Southern Maryland Recreational Fishing Organization

SMRFO

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“Youth Fishing Rodeo” at St. Mary’s Lake

The Southern Maryland Recreational Fishing Organization (SMRFO) supported the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) “Youth Fishing Rodeo” at St. Mary’s Lake on Saturday, May 11th.  After a morning of fresh water fishing, a total of 18 young competitors competed to win fishing rods provided by SMRFO by seeing who could land a casting weight closest to an orange cone 40 feet away.

Andrew Hair placed his casting weight within 8 inches of the cone and walked away with first place.  Jackson Compesie came in second place; and Cora Bishop came in third place.  Each of the top three winners walked with a brand new fishing rod.

After the competition SMRFO served lunch to all participants and their families and DNR personnel who attended the fishing event.  A special thanks goes out to SMRFO volunteers Dave Hersh, Ron Smith, Dallen Hall, Martin Duby, Bill Dunkin, and Phil Zalesak who supported this local children’s event.

A picture of Zachary Bruce of DNR is shown with first-place winner Andrew Hair.

2019 Fishing Fair Success!

The first Southern Maryland Recreational Fishing Organization (SMRFO) fishing fair and boating safety exposition was a great success despite a change in venue and 30 mph gusts on opening day.

SMRFO got great support from SMRFO volunteer members, the St. Mary’s County Government, the Maryland State Attorney’s Office community service volunteers, Southern Maryland News, the Enterprise Newspaper, the Coastal Conservation Association-Maryland, Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative, Potomac River Fishing Report (FB), Fishing Maryland (FB), and local radio stations like 102.9 FM WKIK, and two principal sponsors which included the Monterey Insurance Group and Jeffrey Lewis of Berkshire Hathaway Real Estate.

A special “Thank You” goes out to John Richards, President of the St. Mary’s County Fair Association, who graciously hosted this event at the St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds.

In summary, over 1300 paying attendees and plus their children had an opportunity to buy fishing rods, fishing tackle, boats, charter boat trips, artwork, and outstanding food provided by Caney Creek Catering Service.  They also had an opportunity to get a free boat safety inspection, learn about the latest techniques in survival on the water, and got an opportunity to win door prizes and money from the 50-50 held each day.

Wounded Warriors Take to the Waters

On Monday, October 1 st , wounded warriors and disabled veterans fished the waters of the Patuxent River. The participants were supported by volunteers from the Southern Maryland Recreational Fishing Organization (SMRFO) who served as boat captains and mates for the day. Volunteers serving as boat captains included Parran Wilkinson, Gary Boyd, Tim Floyd, John Stilwell, Andy Cusick, Brian Vallandingham, and Dave Meiser with Leon Smith, Greg Boyd and Phil Zalesak serving as their mates.

Participants came from the Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing local programs at the Washington DC Veterans Administration Hospital, Fort Meade, and La Plata. The sponsor for this event was Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing with support from SMRFO, the Greenwell Foundation which provided fishing rods and tackle, and the Tackle Box of Lexington Park which donated blood worms for the event. At the end of a very productive morning, all 41 participants and volunteers were treated to lunch by Mission BBQ of California, Maryland, at Greenwell State Park.

According to George Gaines, National Capital Region Coordinator for PHWFF, fishing events are therapeutic for service members suffering from disabilities. He stated that “getting out in the water is truly a healing event for many active service members and veterans with disabilities.” One of the PHWFF vision-impaired veteran participants was quoted as saying, “It was the best outing I have participated in for well over a decade. Many thanks!”

This event is a tribute to what organizations can do when they work as partners in support of Americans who have served their country. This was the second annual Patuxent River outing for Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing participants and will be an annual event supported by SMRFO going forward.

Leon Smith (left to right), Donald Ford, Zernola Shamber, and David Meiser pose for a picture before they launch

Henry Phillips waiting for a strike

Tim Owens scores a two-fer

SMRFO President’s Interview

A reporter, Mallory Sofastaii, of Channel 2 WMAR interviewed Phil Zalesak on August 14th regarding the establishment of the Southern Maryland Recreational Fishing Organization and its former relationship with the Maryland Saltwater Sportfishing Association.  The interview was broadcast on Sunday, September 16th.  You can see this interview online here.

SMRFO Serves Breakfast to Wounded Warriors and Their Families

In support of the Solomons Charter Captains Association’s (SCCA) fishing charters for approximately 60 wounded warriors and their families, SMRFO members Captain Bruno and Dorothy Vasta, Andy Newgent, Steve Sadler, Captain Dave Seagle, Russ Millar, Ron Altman, David Skulski, and Captain Sonney Forrest served the participants breakfast on Tuesday morning, August 14th.  

The SCCA was privileged to provide a day of fishing with breakfast, lunch and an all you can eat BBQ for our nation’s warriors and their families. All participants went home with commemorative shirts from SCCA and full bags of cleaned fish after a great day on the Bay.

The August Greenwell Fishing Camp Was Amazing

Thanks to SMRFO volunteers like Gary Boyd and his grandson Jake who served as boat captain and first mate, campers attending the Greenwell Fishing Camp the week of August 13th had an amazing day of fishing on the Patuxent River.   Other members who served as boat captains and included David Hall, Tim Floyd, Parran Wilkinson, and Floyd Warren.

Sixteen campers aboard five fishing boats caught a variety of fish including striped bass, spot, white perch, silver perch, blue fish, toadfish, blue catch fish, and channel catfish in the Patuxent River.  Fishing off boats is the highlight of a weeklong fishing camp held at the Greenwell State Park.

Other volunteer members who served as fishing instructors during the week included Glenn Guy, Shane Wilkinson, Reed Brodnik, Marty Shubert and Phil Zalesak.

If you want to improve your fishing skills and serve your local community, join the Southern Maryland Recreational Fishing Organization today by going to our membership page.