CCA MD partnered with National Park Trust, the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, NOAA Fisheries, and NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries for a tremendous event with gorgeous sunny skies this past Saturday June 3, 2023 at Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary.
CCA MD organized five local fishing captains and their respective vessels to accommodate forty participants from two distinct national military family organizations, splitting the group in half for AM and PM sessions, while the other half participated in a family friendly kayaking tour of the marine sanctuary.
The fishing action was fast and furious as the experienced guides taught their novice anglers the finer points of bait fishing, leading to success on a great number of blue catfish, an invasive species not native to the Potomac River, so that all participants who wished to bring fish home for the dinner table were able to do so. CCA MD also facilitated a parting gift of fishing rod, reel, and tackle for all participants, so that they can continue their fishing journey wherever their military careers might take them in the future. It was a fabulous event, and it’s safe to say the novice anglers are hooked.
“CCA MD is incredibly thrilled to have partnered with esteemed national organizations NOAA and National Park Trust to offer a transformative day on the Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary to forty military families.” said CCA Southern Maryland Chapter volunteer, Jesse Howe who helped lead this event. “It was truly an honor to guide these heroes through America’s river, the cultural and historic lifeblood of our nation’s capital, sharing laughs, listening to their stories, and above all enjoying a fabulous day of recreational angling which we can only hope ignited a lifelong passion among all participants.”