A HISTORY OF HUNTING CREEK FISHERIES & GOLDFISH FARMING IN FREDERICK COUNTY, MARYLAND
�Goldfish have been around for so long that they have become part of our American culture.� -Ernest F. Tresselt
Since 1923 HCF has grown from humble beginnings to an internationally renowned goldfish distributor. Now in its fourth generation, this unique family business continues to revolutionize fish production by expanding partnerships between goldfish growers and sustainable energy providers.
Innovative founder Frederick Tresselt succeeded through the depression era with the simple motto: �In spite of hard times, people still seemed to have a few pennies to buy a couple of goldfish.� Growing up in New York City he graduated from the Cornell School of Agriculture in 1919. After discovering the ideal conditions for raising goldfish in Frederick County, Maryland, he borrowed some money from his mother, purchased a couple of cornfields, and using water supply from Little Hunting Creek, he began HCF. Through Frederick Tresselt�s vision and passion for goldfish farming, HCF has supplied goldfish to world leaders and has developed relationships with Japan, Russia, and Israel in the art and science of raising goldfish.
Ernest �Ernie� F. Tresselt, Frederick�s son, and HCF literally grew up together. After serving in the marines, getting married, having a family, and graduating from William and Mary College, Ernie returned to the farm in the summer of 1950. Ernie grew the farm into 125 acres with 100 fish ponds and numerous varieties of goldfish, koi, and golden orfe. Working with other professionals in the goldfish growing community, he created aeration and feeding systems to sustain the growing farm. International business grew and by 1980 the farm was producing about 12 million fish including award-winning varieties of Japanese Koi.
At its peak of production in the 1990s, HCF leadership transitioned to the third generation of the Tresselt family: Ernie�s daughter Drusilla Klinger and her husband Raymond Klinger as well as Ernie�s son John �Fred� Tresselt. The physical plant grew to accommodate additional office space and HCF employed 20 full time employees. HCF continued to be a leader in world aquaculture discussions with membership in the National Aquaculture Association and the National Ornamental Goldfish Growers Association (NOGGA). In addition, HCF began to explore the latest technologies resources in water gardening.
Today, the farm is continuing to produce the highest quality domestic fish under the watchful eye of Production Manager James Shubert. Jim has over 15 years of experience in spawning ornamental fish and holds a degree in Aquaculture from Mansfield University. Matthew Frederick Klinger, Drusilla and Raymond�s son is taking HCF into the future by exploring green energy resources that will revolutionize the efficiency and sustainability of goldfish farming, and water gardening. Matt received his undergraduate degree from Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, PA and a Masters of Business Administration from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Under Matt�s leadership, HCF will continue to provide the highest quality products and service for which it has been known over the past 80 years.