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The First Annual Susquehanna Flats Kayak Fishing Jamboree is now officially in the books! And Yes, I did say "First Annual!" The event turned out better than I could have ever hoped. I was humbled by the response I received from everyone who registered and all the sponsors who stepped up with donations of goods, money and services to help raise money for Heroes On The Water. I don't have a final total yet, there are still a couple final invoices and checks passing in the mail, but I want to let all of you know that the amount is going to exceed $2100.00!!!!! I will update this post with the final tally once everything settles out.
So how did it all pan out? Officially there were 58 registered participants, representing 6 states and 2 countries! Yup , we had Rob and Eric make the trip all the way from Ottawa, Ontario Canada, eh!
New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia and of course Maryland were all represented. The campground was just about taken over by all attendees of the Jamboree, and there was a strong local presence as word got out.
The event was supported by over thirty sponsors with everything from gear to captains bags and the food. Captains bags were available for every participant, along with an event shirt with artwork designed and provided by Maria Kourkoutas. Dupont Performance Polymers Kalrez picked up the tab for dinner. My friend Bob Little provided his services in cooking the pig to perfection for all to enjoy. Salads, rolls and desserts were provided by Nana's Kitchen of Elkton Maryland, the BBQ Pig was butchered and provided by Galvinell Meat Co of Rising Sun Maryland. Both provided the food at cost to help us raise as much as possible as we could for HOW.
The group was welcomed and and treated to very courteous and professional service by the Rangers at Susquehanna State Park Campground. The facilities were top notch and very well maintained. The indiviual campsites were all level and well groomed.
So, how did the fishing go?
Friday may have been the better of the two days for those who came on Thursday. Frank Healy (fly guide) stopped counting somewhere around 40 or 50 fish.
One of Franks many...
Mike Reier (yakmike) snatched up a nice fat 32"
George White (George D) and his nice 40" bass on Friday
and a range of sizes...
More of the participants arrived thoughout the day and afternoon on Friday. Among them were members of the newly formed HOW Chapters from New Jersey and Maryland. Tom Brown and John Harmon representing Maryland, and Matt Williams, Chris Shoplock, Dennis Barnes and Vicky Gordon from New Jersey. Last minute registrations and waivers were taken care, shirts and captains bags were handed out and the Captains meeting was held to set out the ground rules and collect for the individual calcutta's.
Saturday morning was an early rise for most. A couple more last minute check ins were handled and then off to the launch in Havre de Grace. The following pictures really does not do proper justice, but there were a lot of kayaks out there on the water!
So how did it all pan out? Officially there were 58 registered participants, representing 6 states and 2 countries! Yup , we had Rob and Eric make the trip all the way from Ottawa, Ontario Canada, eh!
New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia and of course Maryland were all represented. The campground was just about taken over by all attendees of the Jamboree, and there was a strong local presence as word got out.
The event was supported by over thirty sponsors with everything from gear to captains bags and the food. Captains bags were available for every participant, along with an event shirt with artwork designed and provided by Maria Kourkoutas. Dupont Performance Polymers Kalrez picked up the tab for dinner. My friend Bob Little provided his services in cooking the pig to perfection for all to enjoy. Salads, rolls and desserts were provided by Nana's Kitchen of Elkton Maryland, the BBQ Pig was butchered and provided by Galvinell Meat Co of Rising Sun Maryland. Both provided the food at cost to help us raise as much as possible as we could for HOW.
The group was welcomed and and treated to very courteous and professional service by the Rangers at Susquehanna State Park Campground. The facilities were top notch and very well maintained. The indiviual campsites were all level and well groomed.
So, how did the fishing go?
Friday may have been the better of the two days for those who came on Thursday. Frank Healy (fly guide) stopped counting somewhere around 40 or 50 fish.
One of Franks many...
Mike Reier (yakmike) snatched up a nice fat 32"
George White (George D) and his nice 40" bass on Friday
and a range of sizes...
More of the participants arrived thoughout the day and afternoon on Friday. Among them were members of the newly formed HOW Chapters from New Jersey and Maryland. Tom Brown and John Harmon representing Maryland, and Matt Williams, Chris Shoplock, Dennis Barnes and Vicky Gordon from New Jersey. Last minute registrations and waivers were taken care, shirts and captains bags were handed out and the Captains meeting was held to set out the ground rules and collect for the individual calcutta's.
Saturday morning was an early rise for most. A couple more last minute check ins were handled and then off to the launch in Havre de Grace. The following pictures really does not do proper justice, but there were a lot of kayaks out there on the water!
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