"Headed Down South to the Land of the Pines"...#RedTrout2018

'Tis the season...CCA Maryland's RedTrout is here! The 6th annual tournament is shaping up to be an epic one. As TLTFF Crew member Mike Dunlap and I pair up yet again on the Mako 171 down in the skinny in pursuit of Redfish, Speckled Trout, Striped Bass, Flounder and Bluefish. The truck is packed and we shove off later this morning for two days of pre-fishing to get ready for Saturday and Sunday, tournament days.

Stay tuned on all TLTFF social media for updates as we keep you in the loop from the islands and marshes! You can find us on all major social media outlets by clicking the icons in the top right sidebar.

Boom...Morgan

RedTrout 2017

RedTrout is only a few days away and the preparations have been going on for a few weeks now. Mike Dunlap of Barefoot Adventures and I come back at the playing field with the podium in sight for a repeat visit. Stay tuned as we cruise the lower Chesapeake looking for bull Reds, gator Trout, hang Stripers, slammer Blues and dinner plate Flounder on the Mako.

You can follow us on all TLTFF social media, available in the top right sidebar.

Boom...Morgan

Fly Product...Rising Fish 38" Lunker Net

Check it, the Rising Fish 38" Lunker Net will shortly have a spot on my Mako, most likely making its debut at CCA Maryland's 5th Annual RedTrout C&R Tournament. With that said, I figured I'd do a preface to the review and feature the net, showing those of you who haven't seen it before a chance to check it out.

Product Description

• American Made - in our shop, using tooling we designed, American Made Aluminum and supplies
• Anodized Aluminum Net
• Knurled Texture on Handle for Grip
• Bigger Imported Available in Clear or Black (US made version coming as we increase sales)
• Measurement Indicators on Hoop - 12", 16",18",19",20" 21"
• Custom acetal bolt to hold hoop to handle securely, while allowing easy dis-assemble and re-assembly for replacing bags or travel
• Gasket sealed end-cap makes for water-proof storage in the handle. 38" holds 10 oz. - stream side flask
• Hoop is 21" Long, Width tapers from 13.5" - 9" , Net Bag is 8.5" deep but stretches
• 38" handle Net is 59" long - it's for the boat
• American Made
• Unconditional Warranty - excluding the rubber net bag in most instances
• $209

Boom...Morgan

The 2017 Huk Performance Fishing – CCA Maryland Kent Narrows Fly & Light Tackle Tournament

Click the poster below to learn more. Click here to see the Facebook event!

Boom...Morgan

Amazon Smile + BCT = Habitat

Did you know that your online shopping for holiday gifts can help support the Building Conservation Trust (BCT), the Coastal Conservation Association's National Habitat Program?

Shop at Amazon Smile (https://smile.amazon.com/) and choose the Building Conservation Trust as the your charity of choice. .5% of proceeds from all qualifying purchases will go towards our important coastal habitat projects!

Don't forget to click here and keep an eye on what BCT is up to on Facebook.

Boom...Morgan

Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Symposium

Have you signed up for CCA Maryland's Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Symposium yet?   If not, make sure you do by next Wednesday, November 30th at MIDNIGHT for a chance to win a FREE pair of COSTA Sunglasses.  Sign up by CLICKING HERE.  

The Symposium will kick off at 9am with a presentation by Capt. John McMurray of One More Cast Light Tackle Charters.  Capt. McMurray has a long history of participating in fisheries management, and a lot of experience on the water.  John will provide his perspectives on fisheries management policies and how the relate to his success on the water. John is a Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management Council member and a proxy to the ASMFC.   

Following John, Michael Luisi from Maryland DNR will provide an update on striped bass management, and give an update on what ASMFC is working on as we look to the future.  

Following Luisi's update, David Sikorski, CCA Maryland's Government Relations Committee Chairman will kick off a discussion of menhaden management, and provide CCA's position on the upcoming changes through Amendment 3 to the Atlantic Menhaden Fisheries Management Plan.   Following this presentation will be an open discussion with the morning's presenters to discuss anything and everything related to striped bass and menhaden management.  

After Lunch, Michael Malpezzi, Maryland DNR's Artificial Reef Coordinator will update everyone on what the Maryland Artificial Reef Initiative has done in 2016, and talk about upcoming projects.   We will end the day talking about the importance of benthic habitat to fish populations, and learning about ways the regions many stakeholder groups can benefit the health of the bay by working together to build marine habitat. 

A FREE lunch and refreshments are included for all attendees.  

Please Contact CCA Maryland's Government Relations Committee Chairman David Sikorski for any further information

davidsikorski@ccamd.org

443-621-9186

Boom...Morgan

District Angling

District Angling is an independent company formed to fill a small niche in the Washington DC area.  We cater to fishermen wanting access to local fisheries.  We specialize in fly fishing.  You probably remember us if you were a customer of a few of the previous shops in the Arlington and Alexandria areas.

Although we're currently building out the company and do not have a brick and mortar retail space you can visit, we are currently hunting for the perfect location for our shop and you will receive another e-mail from us shortly with your chance to add input about our future destination shop.

We're the same casting and fly tying instructors, travelers, and fly fishing experts that you've come to know and trust.  We're first and foremost anglers, just like you.  We're fly fishing junkies.  We love the sport, and try to fish as much as we can.  We love to fish wherever we can.  We fish locally, and we travel to wherever a fish will eat a fly.  We also love helping people enjoy the sport.  We understand the mechanics of fly casting and the techniques that make fly tying easier and enjoyable.

We have over 100+ years of combined fly fishing experience, knowledge, and expertise among our staff.  Let us help make your favorite sport and pastime enjoyable and memorable.

We're also more involved in conservation, outreach, education, and fundraising.  We not only support national organizations like Project Healing Waters, Coastal Conservation Association, and Trout Unlimited, we also participate in important events and regional awareness like the Friends of Fletcher's Cove, Trout In The Classroom, and the Cape Lookout Albacore Festival.

We invite you to visit DistrictAngling.com to learn more about who we are, what we do, and how we can help you.  From events like the Fly Fishing Film Tour to tying custom flies for your trips to exotic destinations, we're here to help.

Be sure to give DA a Follow or Like on their Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Boom...Morgan

TLTFF Does #RedTrout2016 and Kicks Off Collaboration with Why Knot Fishing...#StriperCivilWar

The TLTFF Crew is heading south! Mike Dunlap of Barefoot Adventures and I are going for the podium of the 4th Annual CCA Maryland RedTrout Tournament. To get our bearings straight in the Lower Chesapeake, were heading down two days early to pre-fish the tourney and enjoy our time away from work and on the water.

A little info about CCA Maryland's RedTrout Tournament via CCA MD:

RedTrout is a unique catch, photo, and release tournament held at the American Legion in Crisfield, Md. The idea of this tournament is to support the community by drawing tourism as the season begins to wind down. Crisfield is a very special place; not only for its great seafood, but also for its close proximity to our islands, expansive grass beds, and the never ending list of creeks, points, flats, and coves. RedTrout 2016 will give you the opportunity to put your lure, bait or fly in front of a long list of species including: Rockfish, Red Drum, Bluefish, Flounder and the ever elusive Speckled Trout! This tournament truly does present a wonderful opportunity for you to have a fun filled weekend with your friends or family. Enjoy the Tangier sound on your boat, or paddle away from it all and enjoy the solitude in your kayak. In addition to some of the best shallow water fishing around, we will have a live and silent auction, door prizes, Crawfish and Shrimp Boil, Pig Roast, cold drinks, good music and great friends!

Mike and I are stoked to get after some of our favorite species this week(end). One tournament we wanted to fish but unfortunately fell on the same weekend as RedTrout is Why Knot Fishing's 2nd Annual Fall Run Striper Classic. Our boys up north with be chasing the same species as one of our target species, Striped Bass, so we've put together a little competition with them. As the kickoff of our collaborative effort with Why Knot, we've decided to treat y'all with a little thing we're going to call #StriperCivilWar. North vs South, battle of the Team Why Knot and the TLTFF Crew. Follow along on social media, primarily both the Why Knot Fishing and TLTFF Instagram stories. Remember to give us both a follow to see the war go down!

Make sure you put the Why Knot Fishing's Annual Fall Run Striper Classic on your calendar for next year as a must do tournament as the TLTFF Crew intends on being there! A little info about their rad tournament on Boston's North Shore via WKF:

This is our second year hosting this Catch and Release Tournament for Striped Bass on Boston’s North Shore!

The tournament will be an overnight tournament that starts at 6:00pm on Friday Night, September 23 and runs until 6:00pm on Saturday, September 24.

Tournament participants choose to fish in one of four divisions (Fly – From Shore, Fly – By Boat, Spin – From Shore, and Spin – By Boat) and can fish from Boston Harbor to the Merrimack River.

Good luck to all those involved and fishing both tournaments and be sure to follow us on social media to see how Boston's North Shore matches up against the Lower Chesapeake Bay.

Follow along with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or stick to this post by watching the live Instagram feed below!

 

Boom...Morgan

Fly Product...ARC Fishing's Dry Fly Line

Featuring an extended front taper and the latest advancements in fly line design and materials, the specialized ARC Dry Fly line is the perfect choice for the delicate presentation of dry flies to wary trout. A 6% low-stretch Response Core gives this line extraordinary feel and hook setting ability. The ARC Dry Fly line also features ZNG Technology, including performance enhancing transition zones, a super high floating permanent Nano PTFE coating, and a low-friction, grooved line profile.

And don't forget we're giving $10 from any fly line purchased in our online store to one of five angling conservation nonprofits.  And you decide which organization receives your donation. Free Shipping on orders over $25!

For every ARC fly line sold in our online shop, we’ll give $10 to one of several angling conservation nonprofits near and dear to our family, and yours. Even better, you get to decide where the $10 donation goes. Learn More

Available in WF4-WF5.

Boom...Morgan

ARC Fishing's "Gear Up and Give Back"

Buy Great Gear.  Support Great Causes.

Two Great Reasons to Switch to ARC.

The season is here, and now’s the time to upgrade that worn out fly line and two-year-old tippet with a great new fly line, tippet and leader from ARC.

Since giving back is at the heart of what we do as anglers, ARC is giving $10 from any fly line purchased in their online store to one of five angling conservation nonprofits (AFFTA Fisheries Fund, Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, the Coastal Conservation Association, Trout Unlimited, and Western Rivers Conservancy) and you decide which organization receives your donation.
 
So don’t just gear up for opening day. Move up to ARC this season and help protect fish habitat. Oh yeah, and you get FREE SHIPPING!

BUY NOW

Boom...Morgan

Fishing Trip...Chasing Spring Stripers

Hang with me here on the blog, on Instagram (slideshow above), Facebook, and Twitter as TLTFF does the middle Chesapeake today with Remick (@flytimesDC) and some of the other UA and CCA Maryland crew.

Boom...Morgan

Take Action...Sustainable Oyster Harvest Act SB 937

Via CCA Maryland:

"We are proud to announce that SB 937- The Sustainable Oyster Harvest Act of 2016, has passed the Senate Education Health and Environmental Affairs Committee with unanimous support.  The bill will now be presented to the full Senate for a vote.  Please take the time to share with your Senator how important the proper management of our natural resources are to you by sending a short email urging their support of SB 937.  Remember, this is one of a very large number of bills that the Senate is considering, so please be respectful and concise in your input."

To find your legislator, click this  link.  Once on the new page, click on "Who represents me" on the top right of the page.  Type your address and zip code in the window provided.

SB 937 is an important step forward to ensure that our oyster resources are managed based on science, and consistent with current fisheries management statute.  Through a joint effort of many organizations, Senators, and legislative staff, the bill has been amended from its original form, and will provide valuable information for future oyster management in Maryland.  

To learn more about SB937 and our work to benefit oysters, you can go to the CCA website.

Boom...Morgan

Take Action...Support needed for Sportsmen's Act

Via CCA:

The Sportsmen's Act has taken many steps in its long journey toward enactment. Starting tomorrow, it will face one if its most significant steps, as it goes to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives where it will be voted upon.
 
    This is one of the most significant legislative issues for the sportfishing industry in many years, so please take a moment to weigh in to your Representative TODAY and urge their support.

    This bill protects traditional fishing equipment containing lead from unwarranted federal bans, requires federal land managers to prioritize fishing access, and blocks the National Park Service from arbitrarily closing waters to fishing without state approval (like they did at Biscayne National Park).

    Here's what you can do to help immediately:

•       Call the US Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask to speak to your Representative's office (if you don't know who your Representative is, simply enter your zip code on this website: http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/);
•        When you reach your Representative's office, ask to speak to the staff person who handles environment issues;
•        When you reach the environment staffer, please convey these three points:

1.        Introduce yourself (your name, about your business, where you're located, number of employees, etc.);
2.        Tell them that you strongly support HR 2406, the Sportsmen's Act, and urge your Congressman to vote "yes."
3.        Tell them you oppose Amendment #24 by Rep. Don Beyer, which would remove an important provision that protects the states' ability to manage state marine waters.

    You can also help further spread the word by sharing this action alert with your family and friends. Click below to send an email to your elected officials and help ensure this important legislation is passed into law.


Thank you.

Click the link below to log in and send your message:
https://www.votervoice.net/BroadcastLinks/mMlULRMEyu8mzMvWZXIF-g 


Boom...Morgan

Lefty Kreh's Tie Fest 2016

To learn more, follow the CCA Maryland Facebook page as well as the Tie Fest Facebook page. Take it from someone who has attended since 2009 and has participated in it twice, its absolutely well worth the travel and time to get down for the day and hang out in a one-on-one setting with the sport's greatest.

Boom...Morgan

Mid Atlantic Fisheries Symposium

Boom...Morgan

Fly Product...TLTFF Review of Slumberjack's Borderland 20 Sleeping Bag

For those of you who have followed the blog for a bit know I use some of Slumberjack's (SJK) gear, including their (now retired) Camp 6 Tent. Up until I purchased their Camp 6 Tent, I had been using a two-person Coleman tent I think I've had since I was in boy scouts. It was leaky, cold, and generally small for someone of my college and current stature of 6'1", 215lbs.  They have made innovative moves and released new products annually to set the bar higher within their industry.

Red Trout 2015

Its that time again, CCA Maryland's 3rd Annual Red Trout (Redfish and Speckled Trout) Catch & Release Tournament is here! Tonight is the Captain's Party and tomorrow, at around 5am, lines are in. Mike Dunlap, known as @ChesapeakeTJAM, and I make up Team TJAM. We'll be fishing from his Mako 171 both tomorrow and Sunday as I hope to make the hat trick happen and win the fly division for the 3rd year in a row. We will also be fishing the boat division this year and hope to take that as well. This year 3 other species have been added as by-catch, Flounder, Striped Bass, and Bluefish. If all 5 species are caught, a slam is awarded and the person with the largest slam by inches gets their name etched in this...

We have some amazing sponsors this year, but I have to say my favorite is going to be Eric Estrada and Estrada Art. Eric drove all the way up from Miami this week to fish the tourney and sign prints for anglers. I'm stoked to finally meet him and have him on board as he has been a good friend and supporter of TLTFF for quite some time. Stay tuned via TLTFF's Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (live feed below) all weekend long as we fish our way to the top in the lower Chesapeake!

Be sure to also follow along via the hashtag #RedTrout2015 on all social media.

Boom...Morgan

Fly Product...Custom CCA Hatch 7 Plus Finatic Reel

Via CCA Florida's Facebook Page:

As passionate anglers of Florida waters, Hatch Outdoors was more than pleased to work with CCA Florida to create a unique 7 Plus Large Arbor Reel in Metallic Red with a custom CCA engraving and a red and white neoprene pouch to match. The results are stunning and feature a combination of cosmetics never seen before on a Hatch reel. Each reel will come with a Hatch Outdoors Sun Gaiter and Boat Decal. Thank you for your support for restoring, protecting, and conserving Florida’s fisheries!This is an extremely limited edition, only 60 reels produced, so get yours now before they’re gone! Please visit www.ccaflorida.org/hatch to purchase.

To read more about the Hatch 7 Plus Finatic click the link.


Boom...Morgan

Day with True Chesapeake Oyster Co.

Some of you know I'm involved with the Coastal Conservation Association here in Maryland as the president of the Annapolis Chapter. Its a position I've held since the spring after becoming more and more involved with the organization at the state level over the last 5 years. I'm not only proud to say I am involved, but honored to work with such great people doing great things. Conservation, more specifically the work CCA is doing, is something I hold dear to my heart.

I've decided to get more involved with some of our restoration projects, one of which is our Living Reef Action Campaign which stems primarily from habitat restoration and more specifically, oyster restoration. This week is my last vacation for the year so I will be spending it exploring, fishing, learning and more, with something new everyday.

Today's project is to head down to the lower Chesapeake to spend the day with True Chesapeake Oyster Co. and learn more about oysters, aquaculture, habitat, and overall biology. Stay tuned as I throw on the work boots and learn about what ultimately is the glue that holds the Bay together...

I will be posting to TLTFF social media (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) all day but be sure to check out True Chesapeake as well via their Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Boom...Morgan

3rd Annual CCA Maryland HUK Performance Fishing Red Trout C&R Tourney

T-12 Days!

I'm beyond stoked to have the opportunity to go for the hat trick, 3/3 in the fly division but I want you to have the opportunity too! Please come join me and my great friends at CCA for this amazing tournament...

Via CCA MD:

Fellow Anglers, Sponsors & Friends!
Registration is now open for this years CCA Maryland Huk Performance Fishing Red Trout Tournament. This year we are pleased to announce a change to the rules to include Teams, multiple species and the addition of the Crisfield Slam Challenge. The Tournament Fee INCLUDES a catered Captain's Party Friday night and a catered Line's Out party with live music and prize giveaways & auctions Saturday evening. The level of sponsor involvement from Huk Performance Fishing and other sponsors this year is reflective of the enthusiasm CCA Maryland has for this years Red Trout Tournament Weekend at Somers Cove Marina. 

Visit the official Red Trout Tournament Page at WWW.CCAMD.ORG for Tournament Schedule, Rules, Area Accommodations, Slip rentals on our Tournament Pier, and your individual and team registration.

Register above at the CCA Maryland page...where you can also read up on the rules and info! Mark your calendars, September 18th-20th!!!



There will also be some killer appearance from names you'll recognize, such as Eric Estrada, HUK Gear, Cheeky Fishing, and more!

Boom...Morgan