The FLW American Fishing Series (Northern Division)

Type: Nontidal
Region: Central
Location: Smallwood State Park

The FLW American Fishing Series (Northern Division) was held from 3 June � 5 June 2010 and hosted at Smallwood State Park. The FLW also held their National Guard College Series on 5 June. Approximately 300 anglers fished the American Fishing Series, while 78 college students competed for big fish on Saturday. The largest fish caught during the American Fishing Series was 8 pounds and 5 ounces by Larry Church (Virginia). Most of the anglers fishing the American Fishing Series lived in the Mid-Atlantic region. The College Series drew anglers from universities across the U.S., including West Virginia University which was the recipient of first prize and $5000. The winning weight for the college series was 14 pounds and 5 ounces, two pounds heavier than the second place winners from Messiah College.

Both tournaments operated release boats and their tournament directors worked closely with MDDNR biologists to ensure a responsibly run tournament. Largemouth bass showed high survivorship from the American Fishing Series (94.2%) and the College Series (96.6%), despite relatively warm water temperatures that approximated 84� F. One of the common causes of bass mortality was hooking injuries. In several cases, hooks were ingested or tore the esophagus, and plastic worms were found in the gut. Most of the bass had likely spawned and many of the studied females had spent ovaries.

Anglers appeared to have a great time of fishing and spent nearly a week in Charles County. Some anglers traveled from outside of the U.S. (Ontario, Canada) to experience the Potomac River. One of these had never fished tidal waters. The exceptional bass fishery of the tidal rivers of Maryland is somewhat unique to bass fishing in the U.S. With the protective efforts of anglers and MDDNR biologists, the bass fishery is a feather in the cap of Maryland�s inland fishing.