Each fall on the Chesapeake Bay includes fond memories of past seasons. For many, these can include remembering those who are no longer with us on earth, but continue their presence in spirit and memories. Casey Neal Rogers left many friends and relatives behind when he passed away. An avid outdoorsman, accomplished athlete, loving son and dedicated brother, Casey was a friendly, positive and upbeat young man which many of us will never forget. Funds which provide scholarships in the memory of Casey have been developed as successful endeavors in his honor. On November 6, 2004 the 1st Annual Casey Neal Rogers Memorial Rockfish Tournament will be held. The event is sponsored by Jett’s Marine, the Casey Neal Rogers (CNR) Memorial Fund and Fairfield’s Volunteer Fire Department. Fishing competition takes place on Saturday, November 6, 2004 from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Cost to enter the tournament is $125 per boat and is considered a non-refundable charitable donation. To register, provide your name, phone number, address, boat make, boat registration number, length, boat name, signature and social security number with a $125 check payable to the CNR Memorial Rockfish Tournament, and mail it to,P.O. Box 233, Ophelia, Virginia 22530. All proceeds go to the CNR Memorial Scholarship Fund and Fairfields Volunteer Fire Department. First Prize is a Carolina Skiff with a 40 HP Honda Motor and Venture Trailer. Second Prize is $2,000 and Third prize is $1,000. There will also be a prize and award for the Youth Division (17 and under). Prizes are based on combined weight and a minimum of 100 entries. Registration and a captain’s briefing will be held at Smith Point Marina on Friday, November 5 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Dinner will be served after the tournament at the Fairfields Volunteer Fire Department in Reedville at 6:00 p.m. on November 6. Awards and celebrations including music by Curtis Walker, will take place there as well. For additional information on the 1st Annual CNR Memorial Rockfish Tournament, call Jett’s Marine at (804) 453-3611. 

     October and November are times for seasonal fishing excitement across Virginia and Maryland Chesapeake Bay waters. Add in the Lower Potomac, Rappahannock and other tributaries on both sides of the bay and anglers could be looking at another banner year for striped bass fishing. These are the two months of peak rockfish action across the tidewater, especially when you add in the factor of big ocean run stripers entering the bay to forage and feed before winter. Since mid- June, anglers pursuing rockfish have had to stop at the Maryland-Virginia line, if they wanted a catch for the cooler and tasty shore side meals. Come October, that is no longer the case. The 2004 Virginia striper season for Chesapeake Bay waters and it’s Commonwealth tributaries are open from October 4 through December 31. The Fall, 2004 Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) recreational striped bass season allows for a two fish per person possession limit with an 18 inch minimum and 28 inch maximum size. One of these stripers can be over 28 inches. Maryland also has an 18 to 28 inch slot season limit for striped bass with a two fish per person per day limit, one of which can be over 28 inches in length. The current Maryland striper season remains open through December 15. The Potomac River Fisheries Commission (PRFC) recreational striped bass season remains open through December 31 with a two fish per person per day creel limit at 18 to 28 inches in length, one of which can be over 28 inches. All three jurisdictions have websites which offer current fishery regulations information. The VMRC website is found at; http://www.mrc.state.va.us Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fisheries Service website is located at; http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries and the PRFC hyperlink is; http://www.prfc.state.va.us 

© 2004 Steve & Chelly Scala All Rights Reserved