Freshwater Fishing News

The Izaak Walton League of America is supporting wildlife conservation by sponsoring National Hunting and Fishing Day. With the League’s sponsorship, NHF Day continues to grow and promote conservation throughout the nation.

The Izaak Walton League is one of the most respected conservation organizations in America. Founded in 1922, the Izaak Walton League takes a common-sense approach toward protecting our country’s natural heritage and improving outdoor recreation opportunities for all Americans.

NHF Day promotes conservation efforts by sportsmen and takes place each year on the fourth Saturday in September. This year the event is set for September 24, 2011. The Izaak Walton League’s sponsorship supports the Wonders of Wildlife museum—the official home of National Hunting and Fishing Day.

NHF Day has had many honorary chairpersons who have helped promote the message of conservation. This year, noted businessman, outdoorsman and philanthropist T. Boone Pickens serves as the honorary chair for NHF Day.

Widely known as one of America’s most prominent and influential businessmen, Pickens remains a strong advocate for conserving a heritage that was instilled in him at a very young age. Pickens also is a prominent philanthropist whose contributions to charitable causes exceed $700 million.

Sponsorship of NHF Day 2011 continues to grow and includes Wonders of Wildlife, National Shooting Sports Foundation, Bass Pro Shops, Smith & Wesson, Sportsman’s Channel, Realtree, Cabela’s, GunBroker.com, Yamaha, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Izaak Walton League of America and Pope and Young Club.

For more information about NHF Day, visit www.nhfday.org

In the USA, National Fishing and Boating Week (NFBW) is June 4 – 12, 2011. The event is a national celebration of fishing and boating. The event Coincides with most states’ free fishing days, NFBW occurs each year during the first full week of June.

Free Fishing Days, offered by many states to coincide with National Fishing & Boating Week in June, are an ideal time to schedule an event that includes fishing and boating activities. In general, Free Fishing Days allow the public to fish without a license.

Not all states offer free fishing days. Individual states may place certain restrictions and other regulations may apply. For more information, anglers should check with their state fish and wildlife agency directly.

Free Fishing Days information by U.S. state is also available on TakeMeFishing.org

The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission (PFBC) is inviting anglers and the general public to a special evening seminar on January 24 featuring professional ice fishing anglers from the North East Ice Tour. The seminar will be held at the PFBC headquarters from 7-9 p.m. in conjunction with the agency’s quarterly business meeting.

“Ice Fishing: The Basics and Beyond” will feature pro anglers Bob Griffith, Mike Kuna and Byron Eckardt. They will discuss ice safety, apparel, equipment and tools, and tips and tricks, and they will share their experiences as professional anglers. Griffith and Kuna topped the points race to be named Team of the Year in 2010 in the North East Ice Tour, a series of professional level tournaments held throughout the Northeast US. The event will also feature pro Byron Eckardt, who operates the NE tour.

The event is free and no registration is required. There is plenty of parking at the PFBC headquarters, located at 1601 Elmerton Avenue in Harrisburg.

Bob Griffith is a resident of Vandergrift, Pa., and has been fishing since he was six-years-old. He extended his open water season to include ice fishing in 1992 and fell in love with the sport. He quickly progressed from pure fun fishing to successfully competing in tournaments for the last eight years. He has fished from Vermont to Minnesota, from Lake Erie to Maryland. He and his partner Mike have had multiple top 10 placements in tournaments as well as two first place wins. They topped the points race to be named Team of the Year in 2010 in the North East Ice Tour. Bob is a Pro Staffer for Clam corporation, Maki Plastics, Jason Mitchell fishing rods and Charlie Brewer slider grubs.

Mike Kuna resides in Pittsburgh, Pa., and has been an avid ice fisherman for seven years. Along with his cousin and fishing partner, Mike has fished in ice fishing tournaments throughout the ice belt and the Northeast. As a team Mike and Bob have won ice fishing tournaments and are the current anglers of the year for the North East Ice Fishing Tour. Mike is a Pro Staffer for Clam corporation, Maki Plastics, Jason Mitchell fishing rods and Charlie Brewer slider grubs. Mike and Bob are also the cofounders of The Keystone Crappie Association in PA.

Byron Eckardt resides in Halifax, Pa., and has been ice fishing the lakes of central Pennsylvania for over 30 years. In addition to being an avid ice angler, Byron operates the North East Ice Tour. Byron is also a Pro Staffer for Jiffy Ice Drills and publishes The North East Ice Fisherman.

source: PA Fish and Boat Commission

The Pennsylvania Fly Fishing Show is scheduled for March 5th and 6th at the Valley Forge Convention Center in the King of Prussia area. The event offers free parking, convenient hotels and restaurants, and other amenities.

The Pennsylvania Fly Fishing Show precedes the opening of trout season, which allows the attendees to purchase needed products for the coming season.

For more information, visit http://www.flyfishingshow.com/News.html

The 27th Annual Fishing Expo & Boat Show begins Maryland’s outdoor show season with a huge display of freshwater, saltwater and offshore fishing tackle, boats, motors, trailers, marine accessories and many other fishing businesses and organizations.

With nearly 100,000 square feet of fishing equipment, the emphasis this year will be on fishing tackle. In addition to tackle from all the major tackle manufacturers, exotic, foreign, custom and hard to find tackle from more than 50 manufacturers (most tailored specifically for this region) will be available.

The boat section will include more than 70,000 square feet of fishing boats, including saltwater and freshwater fishing boats.

Seminars will be presented by a lineup of 24 nationally known fishermen, local and regional fishing guides, experts and guest speakers.

For outdoor enthusiasts, the Fishing Expo & Boat Show is a good way to get out and see what is new in Maryland saltwater and freshwater fishing.