Sunday, August 24, 2008

The Fish Are Running: The Deale Captains Association is holding its first Pro-Am Fishing Tournament Sept. 6-7. The entrance fee is $150 per boat, and there is no check-in and there are no limits. Participants can fish anywhere in the Bay. Top awards will go to the four largest rockfish, the largest bluefish and the largest Spanish mackerel. There also is a division for children younger than 14 who fish with a registered captain. To register and find a complete set of rules, visit http://www.dealeproam.com.

Frankenfish: The Coastal Conservation Association of Northern Virginia is sponsoring a talk with John Odenkirk, a fisheries biologist with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. He will give a presentation on the Northern Snakehead Tracking Project and discuss the status of how fish are faring in various parts of Northern Virginia waters. The meeting is Sept. 17 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Grace Presbyterian Church, 2381 Cedar Lane, Vienna. Group leaders also will discuss upcoming charter trips for the fall fishing season.

Hunting Season: The Maryland dove hunting season begins Sept. 1 and will continue through Oct. 11, according to the state's Department of Natural Resources. The second dove season will run from Nov. 15 to the 28th, and the third from Dec. 20 through Jan. 3. The daily limit is 12. The early resident Canada goose season also begins Sept. 1. In the eastern zone it runs through Sept. 15, in the western through Sept. 25. Daily limit is eight. For Canada geese the shooting hours are extended to a half-hour past sunset. All migratory game bird hunters are required to have a Harvest Information Program permit and the Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp in addition to a general hunting license. For more information, visit http://www.dnr.state.md.us/huntersguide/index.asp.

-- Christian Davenport

Have an item to list in the Outside Line? Send it to davenportc@washpost.com.