When Dick Franyo started working as a Baltimore investment banker after graduating from the University of Virginia in the 1960's he had a game plan: Work for 30 years, then do all the things you want. Enjoy life.

And unlike many of us, he has managed to live by his plan. Shortly after the millennium, he gave up banking and opened the Boatyard Bar & Grill, a refurbished establishment where Patton's Pub and the Wharf had previously done business. Being an angler and boater, he wanted to enjoy an association with sailors and fishermen - and what better place than Eastport?

Also, he wanted to give something back to the Chesapeake, and what better than a fishing tournament headquartered at his new business with all the proceeds going to bay associated charities and restoration? Now, five years later at age 61, Dick and his Boatyard Bar & Grill have raised more than $60,000 that has been divvied up between the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Coastal Conservation Association-MD and the Annapolis Police Department's Youth Fishing Camp.

When this year's fifth annual Opening Day Fishing Tournament winds up on April 15, Dick figures that Boatyard's contribution will have passed $80,000 - and in '07 the $100,000 mark will be broken. In these days of big money competition, he bucked the trend, and proved that there's more to tournament fishing than huge payoffs. The social side of competitive fishing, he plays on, and it's go fishing with friends; celebrate both the opening of the rockfish season and the rites of spring.

In '01, 30 boats signed up, then 60, 90 and last year 152 carrying 700 fishermen. This year's affair will be limited to 150 boats to keep things manageable, Dick says. He wants to maintain the celebratory flavor of the annual gathering of anglers at Eastport on opening day. It's not about big money.

It's a bit of a test this year, and Dick is confident it will pass. Though since its inception, emphasis has been on catch-and-release (fishermen have been permitted to enter photos of their fish for a catch-and-release prize), the big winners weighed in their catch as hundreds of onlookers cheered and the band played on.

This year, plans were thrown a curve. When Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission decreed Maryland had exceeded its quota of rockfish in the '05 trophy season and would have to pay a penalty (an increase in the minimum length this year to 33 inches), the Department of Natural Resources ruled no tournaments before May 1, which was a bit late to tie in with a celebration of the rites of spring.

Rather than postpone the affair as other tournaments have done, Dick decided to proceed as scheduled - and release all fish. All winners would be decided by photos or digital images of their catch alongside a special marked 48-inch rule to be issued at the start of the competition. So, instead of the traditional weigh-in, there will be a "photo-in."

Joe Evans of PropTalk, one of the supporting sponsors, will be on hand to handle all the digital images, check out photos of those who catch early and dash to one hour photo processing facilities to beat the 4:30 p.m. deadline, or others who use Polaroid cameras. This does not mean that contestants cannot keep any fish while out on the bay, but the fish entered via photo must be released.

Onlookers won't see any real fish measured at the big board as in the past, but Evans will be able to project the image of the entries. A unique idea for a tournament, a rockfish saver and a fund-raiser for worthwhile charities - and DNR is enthusiastic about it.

Said Howard King, director of fisheries, "To me, spring fishing should be a celebration of the return to the Chesapeake Bay of the big striped bass - and catch-and-release is a good way to do it."

Once again, there will be about $5,000 in merchandise prizes to be split up between those who catch the five largest fish, the youngster under 16 who takes the biggest striper and the first one to check in a legal fish. In addition, the one who reels in the biggest fish will be long remembered. Local artist Cindy Fletcher Holden will paint all the info on a replica of a rockfish to be hung aside past winners on the beams inside Boatyard Bar & Grill where he/she might someday take a great grandchild to note that feat, said Dick.

This tournament is not the only fund-raiser for the bay by Boatyard. It contributes to regattas, and one-half percent of all sales (not just profits) are donated to bay causes, said Dick who started fishing with his dad and uncle in Virginia in the '50s - and has been fishing ever since. He prefers fly fishing, but does it all.

DETAILS: Entry fee, $150 per boat, four anglers, $30 additional for each additional angler; all skippers must attend the captain's meeting, 5 p.m., April 14 at the Boatyard, prizes to be awarded at 5 p.m. on the 15th, music by A Classic Case, registration forms are available at the Anglers, a co-sponsor, and at Boatyard, or punched up on the computer at www.boatyardbarandgrill.com under "fishing." Registration deadline is April 13, but the way registrations are coming in all 150 slots could be filled well before then. For more details, call 410-336-8880.

OUTDOORS CALENDAR

Tomorrow: Snag A Bag meeting of Pasadena Sportfishing Group, 7:30 p.m., Earleigh Heights Fire Hall, Severna Park, Attendees asked to donate non-perishable foods for the hungry. Capt. Cindy Sheridan who fishes out of Deale will be the guest speaker. Call 410-439-3474.

Tuesday: First session of three part Maryland Basic Boating Course conducted by Maryland Natural Resources Police Reserve Officers at Eastern District Anne Arundel County Police headquarters, 3700 Mountain Road, Pasadena. Call 410-255-3184.

March 25: Catching Striped Bass for All Seasons, a seminar conducted by Capt. Richie Gaines covering all aspects, Chesapeake College, Wye Mills. Call 410-822-5400.

March 25: Coast Guard Auxiliary GPS course, 9:15 a.m., Edgewater Library. Pre-registration required. Call Michael Prokopchak, 410-798-5952 before March 23.

April 2: Basic/Beginner Fly Fishing Course of Free State Fly Fishers of Davidsonville, 1 p.m., Davidsonville Recreation Center, Davidsonville. Call Bob Smith, 410-544-4411.

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Published March 12, 2006, The Capital, Annapolis, Md.
Copyright © 2006 The Capital, Annapolis, Md.