Fishing for Fortune – In Search of Diamond Jim

Among Maryland’s superb sports facilities and venues there is one treasure that stands alone. Even from space, it is recognizable as uniquely ours. The Chesapeake Bay, largest estuary in the country, has defined Maryland since the beginning of time. It gifted us with a world famous cuisine. It brought settlers to our shores, provided transportation for commerce and furnished resources for industry. For hundreds of years, the Chesapeake Bay has been our window on the world.

It’s also our biggest playground for sports and recreational activities. It’s hosted international competitions like the Volvo Ocean Race. Regional sailing and power boating competitions happen almost every summer day. Even so, I wonder if any sportsman enjoys the Chesapeake more than those in search of the Big One.

Sportfishing is a big industry in Maryland. Generations of head boat captains have made their living as fishing guides. Recreational boaters, whether seeking relaxation or excitement (sometimes both) spend hours with a line tossed overboard. No matter the reason or expectation, sportfishing in the Chesapeake Bay became infinitely more exciting when Diamond Jim swam onto the scene.

He isn't exactly Moby Dick, but Diamond Jim is worth chasing. Even obsessing over.  As with many other grand pursuits, there's plenty of fun to be had in the hunt.

Catching Diamond Jim is about as likely as hitting the Maryland Lottery. But the hunt is infinitely more exciting than a fistful of scratch offs. (Sorry, Buddy.) You never know if that tug on your pole is the ever-elusive, green tagged rockfish.

Not just any green tag, either. There is only one Diamond Jim (worth $10,000) and 49pretenders (Zircons?) The longer he stays off the hook, the more valuable Jim becomes. If he makes it through the summer without taking the bait he’s worth 25 grand. That’s a lot of fins.

The Diamond Jim chase is sponsored by the state through Department of Natural Resources and several private sector partners. It is a fun way to draw attention to the Bay’s bountiful resources and the state fish. It creates an element of excitement on even the laziest summer day.

Learn more about Diamond Jim, his court of imposters, and other ways to make hay with a day on the Bay here: www.dnr.state.md.us/dnrnews/pressrelease2009/052809.asp