Hanover, Maryland - Aimee Carlton was in the crowd, standing in for her boyfriend who was off fishing in a Virginia bass tournament. Little did she know her number was to be selected for one of the Grand Prizes in the Maryland Million Dollar Fishing Challenge…
On Saturday, September 16, nearly 140 anglers and their families joined Governor Robert Ehrlich, Hall-Of-Fame Oriole 'Boog' Powell, Master of Ceremonies Keith Mills and Outdoor Writer Bill Burton and DNR's top officials at the Annapolis City Dock for the Grand Finale of the Department of Natural Resources 'Maryland Million Dollar Fishing Challenge, The Return of Diamond Jim'.
The anglers, who were lucky enough to land one (or more) of nearly 2000 tagged fresh and saltwater fish over the 13-week contest, withstood the light drizzle for their random chance to win one of four grand prizes or a shot to win one million dollars.
During the contest, which began June 2nd and ended on Labor Day, the big reward was 'Diamond Jim', a striped bass or 'rockfish' as it's known in Maryland worth $25,000. A weekly 'Diamond Jim' was released throughout the Chesapeake region each week (for thirteen weeks) and that released fish was only eligible to win the 25K during that particular week. Two tagged 'Diamond Jim' rockfish were caught during the quest. Unfortunately, they were landed outside the time frame needed to win the 25-grand. But, they were still eligible to win one of the other prizes.
During the finale, a prize wheel was constructed with the numbers of all the eligible anglers. Five tackle boxes were set up on stage with the keys to two boat and two trucks and a chance at the one million dollar prize. The wheel was spun by Governor Ehrlich, Boog Powell and the Sponsors' representatives.
First up was Jim Anderson, from Elkton, Maryland, who selected the first tackle box. Inside was a dollar that meant he had the shot at one-million dollars. He was to select a number between 1 and 65. He picked 54. The winning number, sealed in an envelope was 62. Jim walked away with a consolation prize valued at $4,000.
Frank Hendricks from Monkton, Maryland opened his tackle box and found a set of Toyota keys inside. He selected the red top-of-the-line Tacoma pickup truck (one of two) supplied by Toyota of Maryland.
The next contestant was Roy Haller from LaVale, Maryland. He won a 20-foot center console 'Sailfish' boat, motor and trailer donated by Boater's World, who also sponsored the $1M by underwriting the insurance policy.
Quinton Mitchell from Baltimore was about as excited as anyone when he found a set of keys to a silver Toyota Tacoma inside his tackle box.
Finally, Aimee Carlton of Herndon, Virginia was sitting in for her boyfriend, John Hutchins of Broad Run, Virginia, who was off fishing in a bass tournament. Since the chance for a million, the two pickups and the center-console boat had already been awarded, she knew she had just won a new 591 Nitro bass boat, 135 HP Mercury and a trailer. Paul Lash, Sales Manger of Tracker Marine at Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World-Baltimore was just as excited for her. Aimee took the large poster that was displayed with the Nitro while it was on display at Arundel Mills, with her back to Virginia and presented it to John at the end of the bass tournament.
For more information visit www.dnr.state.md.us/fish4cash/
