Tidelines Fall 2017

News from the Essex-Middle River Chapter By Frank Holden

The Essex-Middle River has had a busy summer. We had some fantastic fishing in the Upper Bay again this summer. The lack of Rockfish in the lower bay earlier this summer has drawn many lower bay boats north of the bridge. Trolling and chumming has both yielded some really great fishing. White Perch and catfishing has been great with really nice Perch all over the area on just about every lump and hole north of the Bay Bridge. All signs are looking at a great fall fishery. Our big event this summer was our 10th Annual Kids Fishing day held on Saturday, August 5. We hosted 70 kids from the area and treated them to a day of fishing and fun at Wilson Point Park at the headwaters of Middle River. Every kid left there with rod and reel combos, a goody bag full of all sorts of fun stuff, and a new appreciation for fishing. It’s only through the generosity of local tackle shops this event is possible. Our special thanks go out to Groundhog Bait and Tackle, Bluefin’s Bait, Tackle, & Guns, and Bowleys Bait and Tackle for their generous donations. We ask every MSSA member to support these and the countless other business around the state that support MSSA and its activities. Many thanks go out to co- chairman Bill Huffines and Billy Stehlik for pulling off another great event.

We have a monthly chapter meeting every month that always features guest speakers talking on a wide variety of subjects of interest to our members. Future speakers will talk on the redevelopment of the old Bethlehem Steel complex and a talk on fishing for Snakeheads. The chapter is one MSSA’s oldest and most active chapters in the MSSA. Chapter members are frequently volunteers at MSSA activities such as shows, tournaments, and a variety of other events supporting the mission of the MSSA.

If you think this is fun, active chapter you are right. We meet at The Commodore Hall, 1909 Old Eastern Ave. in Essex on the third Tuesday of each month. (The November meeting is a week earlier on Nov. 14 to coincide with the Fall Tournament Captain’s meeting) There is also a dinner available for purchase at every meeting. Our meetings are open to everyone-member or not. For more information you can contact Chapter President Frank Holden at 410-686-2348 or flholden@msn.com. Until next time, see you on the bay.

The chapter’s schedule of Monthly Fishing Contests continues to be a big hit with members. These one-day contests feature some fierce competition with some decent prize money all for a $5.00 entry fee. Participating in the One-Day contest as well as the chapter’s Yearly Fishing Contests all earn valuable Fisherman of the Year points. The timeframe to score points is coming to an end at the October chapter meeting and our members will be fishing hard until the very end.

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