James Newman thinks Richmond Hill is a great place for fishing – so much so that the 69-year-old former Marine, boat builder and charter boat captain has nominated the city in the World Fishing Network’s Ultimate Fishing Town USA contest.

“It has a little bit of everything,” said Newman, who posted a blog about the nomination on bryancountynews.net hoping to drum up interest in the contest.

“You aren’t crowded when you fish,” he said. “It’s got the facilities to support fishing in marinas and boat ramps, and you can fish either fresh water in the Ogeechee or fish salt water offshore.”

Voting for the top fishing town begins Friday and the contest runs through May. Richmond Hill will have to advance through regional competition April 12 through May 3 to makes the finals, and then beat out 19 other communities to become an Ultimate Fishing Town.

The contest is about more than just bragging rights – the winner gets a $25,000 prize which is to go to a charity in the community.
And though Richmond Hill has already been nominated, anyone can support Newman’s nomination by going to the WFN website and adding their thoughts before voting begins.

Already, five people have weighed in to back Richmond Hill as an “Ultimate Fishing Town.”

“Richmond Hill is the ultimate fishing town because it’s on the coast, has fresh water fishing close, plenty of marinas, ramps, etc,” said the nomination by Lonnie Harn. “Climate is good most of the year, so we have year-round fishing … the town offers both excellent inshore and offshore fishing with many artificial reefs.”

For more, pick up a copy of the April 2 edition of the News.