Rally@Potomac 2002 Tournament Rules and Information

The primary objective of the Rally event is to enjoy a weekend of fellowship and camaraderie among anglers from around the U.S. Many of the Rally participants have conversed with each other via the Internet and the Bass Fishing Home Page (BFHP). The Rally will allow everyone to put faces with names and create many new friendships. A low-key fishing tournament will allow maximum opportunity for participants to spend some fishing time with each other and enjoy the Potomac River and our Nation’s Capital.

The Rally will be headquartered at the Ramada Inn in Triangle, VA. The "Official" Rally@Potomac tournament will be conducted from nearby Leesylvania State Park on Saturday, June 15th and Sunday June 16th. Saturday will be divided into a "Morning" session and an "Afternoon" session. Sunday will consist of a "Morning" session. Participants must be 16 years of age by June 15, 2002. (Signed parental consent will be required for participants under 18).

The Rally@Potomac is a "draw partner" tournament format. In order to allow participants the opportunity to get to meet as many people as possible in a couple days, all participants MUST be in the Draw for Partners for each fishing session, with an exception for those wishing to be paired with a spouse, minor child or significant other. Participants should complete the registration form and answer the "Boater" and "Partner" questions. Pairings for partners will be by random drawings the night before each session.

FISHING REGULATIONS:

State, federal, and Potomac River regulations shall apply at all times. Participants must be sure they have a valid Virginia fresh water fishing OR Maryland Bay Sport fishing license. Either license is valid on the Potomac River and its tidal creeks by virtue of a reciprocal agreement between Virginia and Maryland. A District of Columbia license is required for those fishing D.C. waters. In general, you will not need a D.C. license unless you plan to go north of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, which carries Interstate 495/95 over the Potomac River. This is unlikely during this rally, but you should be aware of the various jurisdictions. D.C. does not accept fishing license reciprocity with any other government entity.

FISHING FORMAT:

This tournament is designed as an individual angler event and is for black bass only. In this area, this means only largemouth and smallmouth bass Each angler will be allowed to weigh in 3 bass during each session with a minimum length of 15 inches on Saturday and 12 inches on Sunday and a possible total of 9 fish for all 3 sessions combined. (The creel limit is subject to change, depending on the weather.)

TOURNAMENT HOURS:

Saturday Morning Fishing: Safe Light until 11:30 A.M.

Morning Weigh-In will be at 11:30 A.M.

Lunch Break:

11:30 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.

No Fishing during break to allow time for partner switch and lunch.

Saturday Afternoon Fishing:

1:00 P.M. until 6:30 P.M.

Afternoon Weigh-In will be at 6:30 P.M.

Sunday Morning Fishing:

Safe Light until 12 Noon

Morning Weigh-In will be at Noon

(The schedule is subject to be modified due to inclement weather.)

WEIGH-IN:

Weighing of fish will be held in a designated area at Leesylvania State Park near the boat ramp.

The Potomac River has a 15 inch minimum size limit for black bass through midnight June 15 and changes to a 12 inch minimum on June 16. Bass less than the minimum size must be immediately returned to the water. The official measuring board for this event will be the "Golden Rule". The Potomac River has a 5 fish creel limit per person on black bass. However, each Rally participant should have no more than 3 fish in possession at one time. When a 4th keeper fish is caught, a fish must be culled before resuming fishing. (The creel limit may be lowered if the Committee decides the weather conditions are detrimental to the fish.)

Conservation of the Potomac River fishery is a goal in this event. Anglers are encouraged to maintain their catch in good condition for release after weigh-in. Plastic bags will be available at the site and must be used to transport fish to the scales. Volunteers will be available to release the fish back to the river.

All fish entered in this event must be caught during the hours listed above to be eligible for awards. Anglers must personally weigh-in their own fish. Fish must be weighed and released in the session they were caught.

AWARDS:

Trophies and/or Plaques will be given for the following:

1st Place and Rally Champion

2nd Place

3rd Place

Big Fish for the Rally

PERMITTED FISHING METHODS:

Only artificial lures may be used with the exception of pork rind. (No live bait is allowed). Only one rod may be used at any one time. All fish must be caught alive and in a conventional manner. Trolling with big motor in operation is not allowed.

SAFETY:

ALL BOATS MUST MEET BIA AND COAST GUARD REQUIREMENTS, BE AT LEAST 15 FEET LONG, HAVE A FUNCTIONING LIVEWELL, AND CARRY A CURRENT LIABILITY INSURANCE POLICY IN AN AMOUNT OF AT LEAST $100,000 TO PARTICIPATE.

All contestants MUST wear a Coast Guard approved chest type life preserver whenever the combustion engine is in operation. All boats must be equipped with an ignition kill switch, which must be attached to the boat operator while the combustion engine is in operation.

In the event of inclement weather, fog, and other adverse conditions, tournament hours may be adjusted. Participants should use good judgement to ensure safety for all activities. Safety should be a goal for all Rally participants.

Should you have to miss the weigh-in due to an emergency, or take your boat to another ramp, please make sure you contact Rally headquarters so that we can account for all participants.

Participants take full responsibility for themselves and their equipment. The Rally@Potomac only serves to make anglers aware of opportunities to participate in activities with other attendees. Each party participates in any activity at their own risk without warranty, representations, or liability by the Rally@Potomac, its organizers, directors, sponsors, boating partner, or the Bass Fishing Home Page and WMI.org.

MISC:

All applications for participation in the Rally@Potomac and the determination of awards shall be subject to the approval of the Rally@Potomac Committee whose decision thereon is final.