New from CCA MD

All Maryland anglers who fish tidal waters will need to join the National Saltwater Angler Registry before fishing in 2010. There is no cost and registration can be done either by phone, 1-888-674-7411, or online, www.countmyfish.noaa.gov (then select “Click Here to Register). Anglers will be asked their name, birth date, address, telephone number, and regions where they expect to fish.

“Registration, which is being required in all states along the Atlantic coast, is being done so that those who make decisions on fisheries management will have better data on which to make those decisions,” said Executive Director Tony Friedrich. “The better the data; the better the decisions. Thus, it benefits all anglers if we have the most complete information possible.”

More information about this national registry can be found in the Dec. 29 issue of Tight Lines or on the “countmyfish” website.

Are you receiving Tight Lines?

You should have received several copies of CCA MD's electronic newsletter. But we can't send this to you unless we have your email address. We plan to rely more on electronic communications to reach members quicky and in a cost effective manner. If you haven't received tight lines, send your email address to tony@ccamd.org today. Please be assured that CCA MD doesn't sell or give email addresses to other organizations.

New Issue of Tight Lines

Tight Lines 12-29-09

CCA Position on Catch and Release Fishing Plus New Issue of Tight Lines

CCA Postion on Catch and Release Fishing

New Issue of Tight Lines 10.5.09

CCA MD Launches Careful Catch!!

CCA Maryland launches http://www.carefulcatchmaryland.com/

Learn the best practices for properly catching and releasing striped bass to catch another day!!

Gooses Grant!

Read about the Dominion Grant for the new bouy for The Dominion Reef at the Gooses

Life membership program expanded in Maryland

            CCA MD has added a number of local benefits to the life membership program and is striving to add 20 life members in 2009.

            While benefits provided by CCA America will continue, those becoming life members this year also will—

• Be invited to a cocktail/dinner hosted by CCA MD;
• Participate in a drawing for six slots on a charter trip provided by a CCA MD member guide; and
• No longer have to pay the annual CCA membership fee which is part of a banquet ticket.

Benefits coming from the national office include a saltwater art print, a large glass paperweight, and a gold life member pin.

“Joining as a life member especially helps our state as $945 of the $1,000 dues stays in Maryland,” points out Tony Friedrich, executive director. “This will allow us to develop local programs, especially during the tough economic times we are all now facing.”

When Friedrich announced the program at the recent Executive Board meeting, five people joined as life members: Andy Hughes (Annapolis Chapter), Ed Liccione (Kent Narrows Chapter), Lew Armistead (Patuxent River Chapter), Joe Evans (Annapolis Chapter), and Eric Whisenhunt (Greater Washington Chapter). Others who have become life members this year are Jim Greene, Kevin O'Donovan, Bethany O'Donovan, and Lawrence "Fishy" Denton. A complete list of CCA MD life members will appear in the next issue of Chesapeake Tide.

Dues for life membership are a one-time $1,000 payment which can be paid in four quarterly installments. Further information about this can be obtained from Friedrich.

CCA MD members to receive discounts at tackle shops, with guides

            Members can now participate in two new discount programs, one at selected tackle shops and another with light tackle guides.

            “We see these as true benefits for those who are supporting CCA MD,” said Friedrich in announcing the programs at the Executive Board meeting. “They are small now but our goal is to get more shops and guides participating in the coming years.”

            Anglers Sport Center in Annapolis is the first to join the tackle shop program and is offering a 10 percent discount on all tackle and related gear except reels and sale and promotional items. Please click link for details.

            A number of light tackle and fly-fishing guides are offering a 15 percent discount on some trips throughout the Chesapeake area. Click link for participating guides and details regarding the program.

CCA MD Tagging Program!!

Click link for documents and survey forms!!

Thanks for participating in the tagging program with Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center!!

Changes begin to CCA MD website

As part of improving communications, CCA MD will work during the next 12 months to improve its website, making it more user-friendly and informative. Today marks the first improvement.

            The “Who we are” and “Conserving your resources” descriptions that appeared previously in this area have been moved to the "What is CCA?" drop down menu. In their place will appear short articles on major CCA MD initiatives and activities.

            The first major change is the calendar, and we encourage you to take a look at our new approach. The calendar is now interactive and will be updated frequently by the executive director and chapter and committee leaders. Chapter and committee meetings along with CCA MD activities and projects will be listed on the calendar, and, when additional information is available, viewers will be able to click on the item to read it. For instance, a chapter meeting will be listed on the calendar, and viewers can see who will be speaking by clicking on the calendar item. Meetings of the Management Committee, Executive Board, and Board of Directors will be listed, and when the agenda is developed it will be seen by clicking on the meeting date.

            “This is a major step forward in keeping our members informed in our age of electronic communications,” said Tony Friedrich, executive director. “But we need CCA MD leaders to contact us to keep the calendar current and complete. With this approach, members will know what the leadership groups will be discussing before the meetings and be able to provide input if they desire.

            Improvements will continue to the website during the coming months.

            “While there is much to do to make the site a better communications vehicle, it will take some time to accomplish all we want,” said Lew Armistead, communications chair. “Tony will start working on changes, but he also has other important work to do as he becomes familiar with his new responsibilities as executive director. I encourage members to keep checking the site to see how it evolves.”