Thursday, January 31, 2013
Fishing resolutions for 2013
Welcome to the premiere issue of Fish On! & On For 2013!
This year, I’m making some new year’s resolutions that I will keep, and I hope you can do the same.
1. NETWORK: Social media and the need to talk fishing with everyone I can took fishing to a new level for me in 2012. From Massachusetts to New Jersey to Florida, it is so interesting to learn different fisheries, methods and even slangs. For me, sharing the knowledge and sharing the love is one of the many things that makes fishing what it is. In addition to garnering more insight, fishermen working together can also take common stands on any issues that may arise. From Hurricane Sandy help to beach access on Cape Hatteras National Seashore to the effects of Catch Shares in the New England fishery - as well as ALL issues in between - it’s important we empower ourselves with knowledge and stick together as fishermen. Besides, it’s always good to have a fishing buddy in each port.
2. TEACH A KID TO FISH: This is s a must for everyone who fishes because there’s nothing more pure than the joy of a child who catches their first fish and knowing you helped make that memory. Being a good aunt Megpie will be a huge priority for me in 2013, but at 6 months and 18 months, Layla and Londyn are still a little young for the sport. However, they are not too young to learn about it. Thanks to interactions in our coastal community (as well as good books), “Boat” was one of Londyn’s first words and she has developed a fascination with “sish” (fish). This basic knowledge (which I hope is one thing Londyn will indeed share with her sister) will ensure she has respect for the resource once it’s time for her first casting lesson. Living proof of that school of thought, my Godson Thatch, grew up coastal and is now a very seasoned 7-year-old angler. His resolutions are: “to get tangled up less, to not leave my gear out in the rain, to only fall overboard when its hot, and to catch more fish.” He uses artificial bait on his rod and reel, but is also pretty good with working a net in case he wants to bring home dinner or score some bait.
3. TRY SOMETHING NEW: There are so many applications to use when angling, you can keep things fresh all year. Try kayaking out with your pole in the surf or sound, or even an inland river. Usually fish salt water? Grab some corks and worms and go catch a perch in the freshwater. Go out on a boat - hire one or invite yourself along. Maybe even hop on board a commercial vessel and pull some nets. Those are the obvious variations, but I learned another method in 2012 called “Skishing.” Don a wetsuit and fins and swim out with your rod and reel to target fish on their turf. Skishermen get a rush out of fighting the fish while still in the water. Just remember, the sport requires a clear head, so no it’s not a good idea to have a beer while you’re skishing. That being said, maybe I will wait until next year to break out the wetsuit.
4. STAY INVOLVED: Thanks to volunteers that believe in living the salt life, we’ve got groups doing the work for us to take stands on issues that affect our coastal heritage. From political involvement with fishing regulations through NC Watermen United, to promoting free and open beach access alongside the NC Beach Buggy Association or ensuring fresh, local seafood is served with Ocracoke Fresh and Outer Banks Catch, please support these advocates and help keep our culture alive. Everyone has to stand for something, and I stand for fishing in 2013.
5. KEEP A LOG BOOK: As a writer, I can’t believe I’ve never done this but it makes good, good sense to track locations, conditions, techniques and bait used on each fishing trip to refer back to again and again. A technique practiced by ship captains for hundreds of years, it’s a very sensible, time-tested method of ensuring results, as well as safety. For you artsy-fartsies (myself included) it’s a good way to flex your muscles and keep the creative juices flowing - even while you’re fishing.
6. STAY LEGAL: I will remember 2012 as the first year I got “carded” by Marine Fisheries agents nearly every time I fished. I’m on a first-name basis with the local officials, so after a one check they knew I had my license, but you can believe they checked my coolers, as well as compartments on the boats I was aboard. I was legal, so my fun didn't get squashed. Regulatory officials are out in full force, ready to dole out a fishing ticket and ruin a good time by costing you money and summoning you to a MANDATORY court appearance - if, that is, you didn't follow the rules. I didn't make them (nor will I give my opinion about them), but I will suggest knowing and following fishery regulations. I will also suggest using your manners with enforcement officials. You’ll get along a lot better. Another rule I definitely didn't make is the beach driving permit. I spent my permit money at Gaffers, so I didn't get to drive my jeep out in 2012. Fighting my rebellious nature, I decided I didn't want to have to appear in federal court just because I need some sand on my tires. I just had to ride out with someone else (don’t worry, I managed).
7. RESPECT THE RESOURCE: Take your trash with you. No one likes a dirty beach. Nuff said.
8. RESPECT OUR FISHERMEN: A 1988 picture of a snowy harbor in Ocracoke shows just how much our fisheries have changed in the past 25 years. Commercial vessels are getting fewer and working waterfronts are nearly a thing of the past. I’m very thankful the Ocracoke Fish House is a viable business and that it wasn’t turned into condos. Commercial fishing is a tough, time-honored tradition that is getting lost - as is the average person’s access to local seafood. Imports far outsell the local stuff and I could go on and on. I challenge everyone to learn more about the historical trade of commercial fishing - even a fraction of the regulations they contend with - and be proud to buy local, American-caught seafood.
9. RESPECT EACH OTHER: We all access the fisheries resource, so respect for each other would make things much easier. When the trout bite is on and the hole is crowded, don’t muscle your way in or be rude and don’t point fingers at the other fella who caught more than you - especially if he caught them with a net (see #8). There’s no sense in that. For safety, as well as good etiquette, also remember to be mindful of other boaters to prevent accidents. DON’T be the ding batter that pulled out in front of my cousin’s speed boat. No one was hurt and we held the obscenities, but the blatant show of disrespect left a bad light on every out-of-towner who uses the Swan Quarter boat ramp. And for goodness sake, WAVE to boats that pass by - especially if the girl on the bough waves at you. If you don’t, I’m giving you the finger. If you want respect, you have to give it.
10. HOLD ON AND DON’T RUN AGROUND: I found myself on a marsh island at the Haulover near Swan Quarter after a night-time drum fishing trip last August. The so-called captain wasn't familiar with the waters and his plotter didn’t show the small island, so we hit it going pretty fast. We ran right up on it like we were on a hovercraft and if I hadn’t been holding on, I would have been ejected. I was still thrown hard to the floor, barely missing fish hooks to the face and an anchor to the ass. I was so mad, I didn't even say a whole lot (that's very unlike me, but when you get the wind knocked outta you, you really can't do a whole lot of talking, much less yelling). It did take a bit to get my wind back and my ribs hurt bad while I sat on a cooler in the marsh watching two grown men dislodge a Carolina skiff. My rule of thumb to only ride with very experienced boaters got a little tighter that night and now I also check for adequate running lights.
But, even the most experienced boaters are presented with very real dangers in our local channels. The ever-changing tides, coupled with the lack of federal dredge funding, have made our graveyard inlets and main vain waterways even more treacherous. Please be careful out there. Situations like this call for special monitoring of the situation, so networking and communications among boaters will imperative (see resolution #1).
KEEP ON FISHING IN 2013!!
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Hurricanes and big catches - the salt life!
It still blows my mind that so much of the things I think about are always about fishing. Yea, there are amazing amounts of specs in the sound, along with lots of little puppy drum in the sound and surf, but there’s so much more. I start thinking fishing and I realize that I define my life by hurricanes and big catches. I’m salty and can’t help it.
When I crossed into Hyde County after a long stay in Ocracoke as part of the Emergency Operations Center for Hurricane Sandy, I couldn’t help but think of Hurricane Floyd in 1999.
I was workin in the college town of Greenville NC and unbeknownst to me, I would educate those folks on flood water. The water rose up in nasty puddles from the sewer grates a day after the storm. The sun was shining and it was the most surreal thing I’ve ever seen. I told everyone in my apartment complex that the puddles were getting bigger and something wasn’t right, but we continued with our hurricane party. You can’t argue with Pirates, so I didn’t.
The next day, I was boated out of my ground floor apartment with nothing but a paper bag of clothes and toiletries. My car was starting to float. Nevermind the shrimp and soft crabs I left behind in the freezer (that would smell almost as bad as the flood water!). I found some less-than-comfortable accomodations with different friends and my meals were limited.
Five days after the water rose, I finally found a route back to Hyde County. 500-year flood plain waters had inundated our coastal communities and transportation was seriously compromised. I borrowed a car from the Fletcher family (it was right next to my dad’s old yellow Stingray!) and started on my trek home. I navigated a home base path through the best coastal highways of NC. A 80-mile drive took 7 hours. I took back roads and even utilized a ferry path. The scenery was ravaged, but still nice to see.
When I crossed into the Hyde County line, I pulled over, got out of my borrowed car and laid in the flood-soaked grass and cried the biggest happy tears I’ve ever cried. I mean I bawled.
Coming home unscathed in the wake of Sandy, I remembered how it felt to be down on the ground in 1999. All these memories came rushing back, as did the tears.
I remembered I had a busted lip, I smelled like a dirty hippie and I’d had on the same clothes for days. My apartment was flooded, my car was flooded and my work place was flooded too. - not to mention all my belongings. I hadn’t eaten much for days and I was aching to see my family. It was nearly a week before I could get 80 miles to the sound side coast.
I will always remember that day as one of the happiest times I’ve ever felt. I was home!!
Vegetarian menus that day became a thing of the past for me. I was tickled to death to get to Swan Quarter Fire Department for the free pork barbecue dinner. I ate like it was my job and despite the fact I hadn’t eaten pork or red meat for five years, I didn’t get sick. I had missed that NC style barbecue! To this day, I know it doesn’t get much better than pulled pork with vinegar-based sauce prepared by volunteers that put in their time simply because they love their hometown.
Y’all can eat all the soy meat you want, but I stick with the conviction that if your ASS is hungry, your ASS is gonna eat and not be so peculiar about it. Being thankful for a hot meal is much more than the blessing at supper table.
I cried harder (not happy tears, either) that day when I saw my daddy’s gas station in the disastrous state it was in. I hurt even deeper when I saw my Pop (my WWII veteran and commercial fisherman grandfather) doing his best to clean up his 1901 Swan Quarter home where he and Mama Edith raised my mom and my aunts and uncles. His kitchen appliances had floated around in the kitchen. He’d even put them on blocks to avoid flood waters - despite what everyone said about Floyd being a hyped-up storm.
After many hugs from my community family and a belly full of homegrown pork barbecue, I rolled up my sleeves and grabbed Pop’s clam rake to wrangle up some hurricane debris. I still hadn’t had a shower, but I was home. Praise God! This salty lil country girl knew that the only thing to get us back together would be dirty, gritty elbow grease. And the only way it would work would be if we all chipped in. I was not above it. I was all about it.
To all you folks up north, my heart goes out to you. May you feel the spirit of community and know that when you’re down on the ground, it’s the prefect time to realize the many irreplaceable blessings you have.
My blessings are at home in the salty marsh of Hyde County. From my hurricane-ravaged home to yours, keep the faith and don’t give up. You’ll come out stronger, with a better sense of who you are, where you come from and what you love. I wouldn’t trade all this for the world.
When I crossed into Hyde County after a long stay in Ocracoke as part of the Emergency Operations Center for Hurricane Sandy, I couldn’t help but think of Hurricane Floyd in 1999.
I was workin in the college town of Greenville NC and unbeknownst to me, I would educate those folks on flood water. The water rose up in nasty puddles from the sewer grates a day after the storm. The sun was shining and it was the most surreal thing I’ve ever seen. I told everyone in my apartment complex that the puddles were getting bigger and something wasn’t right, but we continued with our hurricane party. You can’t argue with Pirates, so I didn’t.
The next day, I was boated out of my ground floor apartment with nothing but a paper bag of clothes and toiletries. My car was starting to float. Nevermind the shrimp and soft crabs I left behind in the freezer (that would smell almost as bad as the flood water!). I found some less-than-comfortable accomodations with different friends and my meals were limited.
Five days after the water rose, I finally found a route back to Hyde County. 500-year flood plain waters had inundated our coastal communities and transportation was seriously compromised. I borrowed a car from the Fletcher family (it was right next to my dad’s old yellow Stingray!) and started on my trek home. I navigated a home base path through the best coastal highways of NC. A 80-mile drive took 7 hours. I took back roads and even utilized a ferry path. The scenery was ravaged, but still nice to see.
When I crossed into the Hyde County line, I pulled over, got out of my borrowed car and laid in the flood-soaked grass and cried the biggest happy tears I’ve ever cried. I mean I bawled.
Coming home unscathed in the wake of Sandy, I remembered how it felt to be down on the ground in 1999. All these memories came rushing back, as did the tears.
I remembered I had a busted lip, I smelled like a dirty hippie and I’d had on the same clothes for days. My apartment was flooded, my car was flooded and my work place was flooded too. - not to mention all my belongings. I hadn’t eaten much for days and I was aching to see my family. It was nearly a week before I could get 80 miles to the sound side coast.
I will always remember that day as one of the happiest times I’ve ever felt. I was home!!
Vegetarian menus that day became a thing of the past for me. I was tickled to death to get to Swan Quarter Fire Department for the free pork barbecue dinner. I ate like it was my job and despite the fact I hadn’t eaten pork or red meat for five years, I didn’t get sick. I had missed that NC style barbecue! To this day, I know it doesn’t get much better than pulled pork with vinegar-based sauce prepared by volunteers that put in their time simply because they love their hometown.
Y’all can eat all the soy meat you want, but I stick with the conviction that if your ASS is hungry, your ASS is gonna eat and not be so peculiar about it. Being thankful for a hot meal is much more than the blessing at supper table.
I cried harder (not happy tears, either) that day when I saw my daddy’s gas station in the disastrous state it was in. I hurt even deeper when I saw my Pop (my WWII veteran and commercial fisherman grandfather) doing his best to clean up his 1901 Swan Quarter home where he and Mama Edith raised my mom and my aunts and uncles. His kitchen appliances had floated around in the kitchen. He’d even put them on blocks to avoid flood waters - despite what everyone said about Floyd being a hyped-up storm.
After many hugs from my community family and a belly full of homegrown pork barbecue, I rolled up my sleeves and grabbed Pop’s clam rake to wrangle up some hurricane debris. I still hadn’t had a shower, but I was home. Praise God! This salty lil country girl knew that the only thing to get us back together would be dirty, gritty elbow grease. And the only way it would work would be if we all chipped in. I was not above it. I was all about it.
To all you folks up north, my heart goes out to you. May you feel the spirit of community and know that when you’re down on the ground, it’s the prefect time to realize the many irreplaceable blessings you have.
My blessings are at home in the salty marsh of Hyde County. From my hurricane-ravaged home to yours, keep the faith and don’t give up. You’ll come out stronger, with a better sense of who you are, where you come from and what you love. I wouldn’t trade all this for the world.
Sunday, August 19, 2012
This ain’t really about fishing…
I’ve preached it a few times, but it rang so true to me on a random Wednesday morning. When the
going gets tough, the tough go fishing. I’ve got my pride and I won’t go into why my feelings and body and heart hurt so much that morning. All I could think about was that 12 foot Century Rod out
there and waiting for me to use it. The 144L Slingshot series can boost any girls self esteem – cast that
sucker a mile and reel it back in, and BOOM. You feel better. The Diawa Saltist Pro reel I have attached to it is a princess’s dream and it caters to my fishing pleasure. Push the button and the planetary reel positions itself for your mission.
Not that it mattered much to me, but I didn’t catch any fish and the trip was a complete wash. I dropped
my phone overboard, lost all the tackle I bought and had to cut a considerable amount of my braided
line (I knew there were mullet, so I geared myself up with a sinker and a bottom rig as if I was gonna catch sea mullet on Hatteras beaches). Still, I had one of the best days ever. Sunshine was sweet and the cars going by on the Leechville bridge seemed to like my effort. I smiled and waved and for once in a long time, I was in my element. Even better, I realized I was throwing my rig across the Beaufort and Hyde County line each time. It didn’t matter that I hung myself in a tree or on the bottom debris. I could cast like a pro and span county lines while I did it. Therapy may work for some, but it doesn’t hold a candle to throwing a Century Rod and surprising yourself each time.
A few days passed and thinking about that Century Rod - how I knew just how to work it and the fact
it was inscribed with Megpie - made me feel like I did have a bit of stregnth. Soon, I would gather every ounce of that stregnth and look for more during a tour of the land I love. Coastal Carolina.
I have friends in the most peculiar places around here and I love it. First I spent some time on the Pamlico River with some locals that told me the bottom rig was not the way to go when fishing in the river. O well. The boat ride was nice.
My next order of business was to connect with some of the shrimping boys Down East. I don’t know many folks down that way, but after talking to a few, I realized my reputation as a commercial fishing advocate preceded me. Megan Shaw was a familiar name to them. Again, I found strength. And enough fresh brown shrimp to eat for days.
Stregnth is something mermaids are known for. I smiled as I reminded a Core Sound captain (whom I’ve known for a while) that each time I get near his boat – almost to where he could net me up – he quits catching. It wasn’t long before he ran off and I didn’t hear a thing from him. I found out the next day his wooden Gillikin trawler had to be put on the railways. Oops. I’m hoping he’s not really that superstitious and will soon return my calls.
A landscape and town much like Swan Quarter - where everyone waves and there’s trawl boats and a ferry terminal and plenty of marsh islands - Stacy felt like a second home to me. It proved to be welcome comfort food for my peace of mind.
On the ferry leaving Cedar Island, the ferry boat captain kindly steered around a nasty storm system, but when we got near Ocracoke, he rubbed her belly pretty good. I couldn’t help but think it was the mermaid in me that willed it so. I was the last one off the boat and the crew all waved real hard and smiled big. I had spent much of the trip sunning on the deck of the DOT’s newest Sound Class Ferry Sea Level. I wonder if they knew I’d been invited to her christening ceremony or that my name was on all the No Ferry Tax signs.
Ocracoke is quite the haven for a mermaid like me and I know it. So I smiled and shed a happy tear as I
passed on through and resisted the urge to stay a while. Pirates are quite convincing, but I had to get to
Hatteras because there was work to be done.
Again, the ferry boat captain rubbed Stanford White’s boats belly en route to Hatteras. I kind of felt like I was part of a magic trick as I saw a few of our charter vessels navigate carefully alongside ferry traffic in the sketchy Rollinson’s Channel. The shoaling in this federally-dredged channel is just unreal. Them dingbatters didn’t know it but we ran aground again a few times.
Mermaids were on the brain throughout the trip, I suppose, because it was around this time of year that I always connected with my best kindred mermaid spirit ever. As I got off the ferry, I realized it had been 12 years to the day since my first best friend Blair left this world. Passing by all the places where we used to play was emotional. But, I smiled knowing I got to have Hatteras all to myself once upon a time, thanks to Blair. She showed me the magical side of the island.
My idea was to work at Hatteras Jack Tackle Shop, selling tackle to tourists while crafting the Mile Out Newsletter. But, another door opened and it looks like I may be back on the scene with a fishing report from all over the country and in Mexico. I got the chance to do some exploring in the world of Century Rods - the blanks, sizes, casting ratio and the enigma that comes with the newest product of it’s kind here in the USA. I even got to network with the Advanced Fishing USA Pro Staffers. And I thought I was just gonna spend some nights in Rodanthe.
On my way home to Swan Quarter, I stopped at the New Inlet, just north of Rodanthe. I hadn’t checked it out since it was formed by Hurricane Irene. I didn’t have my Century (they‘ve been catching the hell outta flounder and puppy drum), so I was more interested in beach treasures blown in from the last night’s storm.
Strapless sundress blowing in the southwest breeze, I shifted past the stupid bird closures and realized I’d forgotten my hair tie. Blowing hair can be such a bother.
Almost as if my wish were granted, I looked down and found a perfectly salty, black hair tie. Laughing out loud at the coincidence, I pulled my hair pulled back outta my face and gave thanks for the small blessing that reminded me of Blair (she always had something for the hair-in-the-face dilemma). Imagine my surprise when I found another, and another, and another! A few steps later, I found a salvageable pair of Hollywood sunglasses. Then a polarized name-brand pair. Treasures didn’t stop, either. In addition to nearly a dozen hair ties, I found a hemp bracelet, a leather “creation” bracelett, another pair of sunglasses, a GI Joe man, a beaded bracelet and lots and lots of jack knife shells (we used to pretend they were our fingernails).
Strength comes in the strangest forms - and my little trip proved that to me. Still, Swan Quarter is always where my heart is and it was so wonderful to get home. Coming back this time was different, though. I was a new person. Na. Scratch that. I was Megpie again. All the way. Armed with plenty of hair ties and an army man, I was back in the swampy village that made me who I am . Here, I’ll rest and reflect and soak up all the strength around me. The welcoming arms sure do feel good.
With a mermaid’s luck (and charm), I’ll be bringing my Century Rod back to Rodanthe next time….
I’ve preached it a few times, but it rang so true to me on a random Wednesday morning. When the
going gets tough, the tough go fishing. I’ve got my pride and I won’t go into why my feelings and body and heart hurt so much that morning. All I could think about was that 12 foot Century Rod out
there and waiting for me to use it. The 144L Slingshot series can boost any girls self esteem – cast that
sucker a mile and reel it back in, and BOOM. You feel better. The Diawa Saltist Pro reel I have attached to it is a princess’s dream and it caters to my fishing pleasure. Push the button and the planetary reel positions itself for your mission.
Not that it mattered much to me, but I didn’t catch any fish and the trip was a complete wash. I dropped
my phone overboard, lost all the tackle I bought and had to cut a considerable amount of my braided
line (I knew there were mullet, so I geared myself up with a sinker and a bottom rig as if I was gonna catch sea mullet on Hatteras beaches). Still, I had one of the best days ever. Sunshine was sweet and the cars going by on the Leechville bridge seemed to like my effort. I smiled and waved and for once in a long time, I was in my element. Even better, I realized I was throwing my rig across the Beaufort and Hyde County line each time. It didn’t matter that I hung myself in a tree or on the bottom debris. I could cast like a pro and span county lines while I did it. Therapy may work for some, but it doesn’t hold a candle to throwing a Century Rod and surprising yourself each time.
A few days passed and thinking about that Century Rod - how I knew just how to work it and the fact
it was inscribed with Megpie - made me feel like I did have a bit of stregnth. Soon, I would gather every ounce of that stregnth and look for more during a tour of the land I love. Coastal Carolina.
I have friends in the most peculiar places around here and I love it. First I spent some time on the Pamlico River with some locals that told me the bottom rig was not the way to go when fishing in the river. O well. The boat ride was nice.
My next order of business was to connect with some of the shrimping boys Down East. I don’t know many folks down that way, but after talking to a few, I realized my reputation as a commercial fishing advocate preceded me. Megan Shaw was a familiar name to them. Again, I found strength. And enough fresh brown shrimp to eat for days.
Stregnth is something mermaids are known for. I smiled as I reminded a Core Sound captain (whom I’ve known for a while) that each time I get near his boat – almost to where he could net me up – he quits catching. It wasn’t long before he ran off and I didn’t hear a thing from him. I found out the next day his wooden Gillikin trawler had to be put on the railways. Oops. I’m hoping he’s not really that superstitious and will soon return my calls.
A landscape and town much like Swan Quarter - where everyone waves and there’s trawl boats and a ferry terminal and plenty of marsh islands - Stacy felt like a second home to me. It proved to be welcome comfort food for my peace of mind.
On the ferry leaving Cedar Island, the ferry boat captain kindly steered around a nasty storm system, but when we got near Ocracoke, he rubbed her belly pretty good. I couldn’t help but think it was the mermaid in me that willed it so. I was the last one off the boat and the crew all waved real hard and smiled big. I had spent much of the trip sunning on the deck of the DOT’s newest Sound Class Ferry Sea Level. I wonder if they knew I’d been invited to her christening ceremony or that my name was on all the No Ferry Tax signs.
Ocracoke is quite the haven for a mermaid like me and I know it. So I smiled and shed a happy tear as I
passed on through and resisted the urge to stay a while. Pirates are quite convincing, but I had to get to
Hatteras because there was work to be done.
Again, the ferry boat captain rubbed Stanford White’s boats belly en route to Hatteras. I kind of felt like I was part of a magic trick as I saw a few of our charter vessels navigate carefully alongside ferry traffic in the sketchy Rollinson’s Channel. The shoaling in this federally-dredged channel is just unreal. Them dingbatters didn’t know it but we ran aground again a few times.
Mermaids were on the brain throughout the trip, I suppose, because it was around this time of year that I always connected with my best kindred mermaid spirit ever. As I got off the ferry, I realized it had been 12 years to the day since my first best friend Blair left this world. Passing by all the places where we used to play was emotional. But, I smiled knowing I got to have Hatteras all to myself once upon a time, thanks to Blair. She showed me the magical side of the island.
My idea was to work at Hatteras Jack Tackle Shop, selling tackle to tourists while crafting the Mile Out Newsletter. But, another door opened and it looks like I may be back on the scene with a fishing report from all over the country and in Mexico. I got the chance to do some exploring in the world of Century Rods - the blanks, sizes, casting ratio and the enigma that comes with the newest product of it’s kind here in the USA. I even got to network with the Advanced Fishing USA Pro Staffers. And I thought I was just gonna spend some nights in Rodanthe.
On my way home to Swan Quarter, I stopped at the New Inlet, just north of Rodanthe. I hadn’t checked it out since it was formed by Hurricane Irene. I didn’t have my Century (they‘ve been catching the hell outta flounder and puppy drum), so I was more interested in beach treasures blown in from the last night’s storm.
Strapless sundress blowing in the southwest breeze, I shifted past the stupid bird closures and realized I’d forgotten my hair tie. Blowing hair can be such a bother.
Almost as if my wish were granted, I looked down and found a perfectly salty, black hair tie. Laughing out loud at the coincidence, I pulled my hair pulled back outta my face and gave thanks for the small blessing that reminded me of Blair (she always had something for the hair-in-the-face dilemma). Imagine my surprise when I found another, and another, and another! A few steps later, I found a salvageable pair of Hollywood sunglasses. Then a polarized name-brand pair. Treasures didn’t stop, either. In addition to nearly a dozen hair ties, I found a hemp bracelet, a leather “creation” bracelett, another pair of sunglasses, a GI Joe man, a beaded bracelet and lots and lots of jack knife shells (we used to pretend they were our fingernails).
Strength comes in the strangest forms - and my little trip proved that to me. Still, Swan Quarter is always where my heart is and it was so wonderful to get home. Coming back this time was different, though. I was a new person. Na. Scratch that. I was Megpie again. All the way. Armed with plenty of hair ties and an army man, I was back in the swampy village that made me who I am . Here, I’ll rest and reflect and soak up all the strength around me. The welcoming arms sure do feel good.
With a mermaid’s luck (and charm), I’ll be bringing my Century Rod back to Rodanthe next time….
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Fishin' report, mid March
Spring is in the air and the tell-tale signs are all around us. There are drum showing up in the surf, speckled trout have been caught in the sound and inland rivers are producing a nice catch of rockfish. What’s more, the weather is warming up so fair weather fishers (like me) are actually getting out there and giving it a try.
Commercial fishing
Hyde County had some of the first trawlers come in from ocean flounder fishing last week. This is great news for our local economy because boats haven‘t been able to pack out locally this winter. Because of the treacherous condition of Oregon Inlet, those that went out mostly stayed north to unpack their catch. Lots of boats didn’t even leave their home ports. A crew aboard the Charles D. Smith (out of Atlantic) unpacked a pretty catch of flounder at Sammie Williams Seafood in Engelhard Wednesday and Captain Alex (Swan Quarter) came into Hobo Seafood in Swan Quarter to pack out on Thursday. Obviously, they made it through the inlet safely, but I heard they bumped bottom pretty good. Oregon Inlet is our local fleet’s outlet to the Atlantic and it is constantly changing and shoaling. The fight to keep the inlet open is older than I am and very expensive. Actually, it can cost upwards of 20 million annually to keep it open. The other option for commercial vessels is to head down to Beaufort. But, it takes 28 hours to steam down to Beaufort Inlet to get out into the ocean. Then, they have to head back north to get to the fishery, wasting time and fuel. It’s kind of like the old saying about taking the long way to get to your elbow.
Boating safety
Shoaling is present in many of our local waters and those navigating a vessel should be mindful of these ever-changing channels. You don’t want to be like the crew aboard Honey Badger. This crew of blow boaters got the wind knocked out of their sails near Stumpy Point when they ran aground in January. The boat was a loss and they were lucky to get out alive. A Coast Guard crew had to air lift them out. Don‘t be a Honey Badger.
Inland fishing
The secretive bunch of fishers haven’t been bragging too loudly, but a few loose lips had some good stories to tell last week. I heard of a nice catch of speckled trout in the waters of the western Pamlico Sound. Last year the specks made a nice showing in the eastern Pamlico around Rodanthe. Hopefully this year we will have another nice season, starting on the mainland and moving to the island. One of my old-time fishing buddies told me a secret about the yellow butterflies being a good indicator of speckled trout biting. That being said, I saw a yellow butterfly fluttering along Stumpy Point highway. Here come the specks!
Blue gill and white perch have also been a good bet for inner banks anglers. I saw a cooler full caught in one of the ponds around Hyde County.
Captain Richard Andrews of Tar-Pam Charters has been shad fishing in the Roanoke River. The fish are fat and full of roe and his parties have been having a good time angling for them. He even had a UNC-TV crew aboard to film the action recently, so look for our local stars on public television in the coming weeks.
With the shad making such a good showing, this is great news for the striped bass fishery. Capt. Andrews said stripers have been found around Washington in the Pamlico River, as well as the lower Roanoke River.
Beach fishing
Nothing cures the winter doldrums better than a deep breath of salt air and this is a great time to go out and get some. The village of Ocracoke is quaint and quiet right now and fish are starting to show up in the surf. Some of the local boys have been catching puppy drum, as well as big citation drum on the beach, according to the folks at Tradewinds Bait and Tackle. A few bluefish and dogfish have also been biting. I was going to head out during a trip to the island last week, but I spent my beach driving money at Gaffers. Beach driving rules are now in effect, but this is still a “transition period” so you could play dumb and head out there without paying $120 for your yearly permit ($50 for a week). I was going to try it last week, but considering my luck, I chickened out. I’m not telling you to break the rules - I’m just saying.
Don’t forget to sign the petition.
Hatteras folks are also having some good luck out on the beaches with drum, as well as some puffer fish and blues.
Offshore, the days of bluefin tuna fishing are numbered, but there has still been some news of nice catches in the Atlantic near our ports. Blackfin tuna and yellowfin are also a good bet aboard boats out of Ocracoke and Hatteras.
Tell me a fishing story!
Whether you caught or missed the big one, I want to share your fishing story with the folks in eastern North Carolina. Send me an email at
megpieinthesky@gmail.com or post a comment on my blog. Until next time, keep your line or net in the water and fish on and on!
Commercial fishing
Hyde County had some of the first trawlers come in from ocean flounder fishing last week. This is great news for our local economy because boats haven‘t been able to pack out locally this winter. Because of the treacherous condition of Oregon Inlet, those that went out mostly stayed north to unpack their catch. Lots of boats didn’t even leave their home ports. A crew aboard the Charles D. Smith (out of Atlantic) unpacked a pretty catch of flounder at Sammie Williams Seafood in Engelhard Wednesday and Captain Alex (Swan Quarter) came into Hobo Seafood in Swan Quarter to pack out on Thursday. Obviously, they made it through the inlet safely, but I heard they bumped bottom pretty good. Oregon Inlet is our local fleet’s outlet to the Atlantic and it is constantly changing and shoaling. The fight to keep the inlet open is older than I am and very expensive. Actually, it can cost upwards of 20 million annually to keep it open. The other option for commercial vessels is to head down to Beaufort. But, it takes 28 hours to steam down to Beaufort Inlet to get out into the ocean. Then, they have to head back north to get to the fishery, wasting time and fuel. It’s kind of like the old saying about taking the long way to get to your elbow.
Boating safety
Shoaling is present in many of our local waters and those navigating a vessel should be mindful of these ever-changing channels. You don’t want to be like the crew aboard Honey Badger. This crew of blow boaters got the wind knocked out of their sails near Stumpy Point when they ran aground in January. The boat was a loss and they were lucky to get out alive. A Coast Guard crew had to air lift them out. Don‘t be a Honey Badger.
Inland fishing
The secretive bunch of fishers haven’t been bragging too loudly, but a few loose lips had some good stories to tell last week. I heard of a nice catch of speckled trout in the waters of the western Pamlico Sound. Last year the specks made a nice showing in the eastern Pamlico around Rodanthe. Hopefully this year we will have another nice season, starting on the mainland and moving to the island. One of my old-time fishing buddies told me a secret about the yellow butterflies being a good indicator of speckled trout biting. That being said, I saw a yellow butterfly fluttering along Stumpy Point highway. Here come the specks!
Blue gill and white perch have also been a good bet for inner banks anglers. I saw a cooler full caught in one of the ponds around Hyde County.
Captain Richard Andrews of Tar-Pam Charters has been shad fishing in the Roanoke River. The fish are fat and full of roe and his parties have been having a good time angling for them. He even had a UNC-TV crew aboard to film the action recently, so look for our local stars on public television in the coming weeks.
With the shad making such a good showing, this is great news for the striped bass fishery. Capt. Andrews said stripers have been found around Washington in the Pamlico River, as well as the lower Roanoke River.
Beach fishing
Nothing cures the winter doldrums better than a deep breath of salt air and this is a great time to go out and get some. The village of Ocracoke is quaint and quiet right now and fish are starting to show up in the surf. Some of the local boys have been catching puppy drum, as well as big citation drum on the beach, according to the folks at Tradewinds Bait and Tackle. A few bluefish and dogfish have also been biting. I was going to head out during a trip to the island last week, but I spent my beach driving money at Gaffers. Beach driving rules are now in effect, but this is still a “transition period” so you could play dumb and head out there without paying $120 for your yearly permit ($50 for a week). I was going to try it last week, but considering my luck, I chickened out. I’m not telling you to break the rules - I’m just saying.
Don’t forget to sign the petition.
Hatteras folks are also having some good luck out on the beaches with drum, as well as some puffer fish and blues.
Offshore, the days of bluefin tuna fishing are numbered, but there has still been some news of nice catches in the Atlantic near our ports. Blackfin tuna and yellowfin are also a good bet aboard boats out of Ocracoke and Hatteras.
Tell me a fishing story!
Whether you caught or missed the big one, I want to share your fishing story with the folks in eastern North Carolina. Send me an email at
megpieinthesky@gmail.com or post a comment on my blog. Until next time, keep your line or net in the water and fish on and on!
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Fishing report, Feb. 29
Fishing report, published Feb. 29 in the Beaufort-Hyde Newspaper
Back to being a fishing columnist, I am happy to say I’ve found my place in this world. I love fishing and everyone who does it. Thanks so much to the folks that had kind words to say about the new feature in the Beaufort-Hyde newspapar and thanks to everyone who’s supplied me with the information. Fishermen have to stick together and I’m glad to provide an outlet for your plights.
Commercial fishing
Even though I didn’t technically have a Valentine on Valentines Day, I had a trawl boater out there thinking of me. He was a few weeks late for the official day of love, but he came home bearing gifts that get strait to a fisher-girl’s heart - seashells and fresh seafood. That’s romance at it’s finest.
One lucky girl (Angie) got some cool shells from the catch aboard Commercial Trawler Joyce D. I found zebra mollusks very interesting when my buddy Toby called me up to tell me about them. The striped pattern is unusual and beautiful, but a zebra mollusk is an invasive species and it doesn’t belong here. He said they get here by attaching to the hulls of international freighters. They can threaten native mollusk species, so fishermen are asked to report such catches. According to National Atlas.gov, the species can inflict harm to humans, too. They colonize at such a high rate, they can pose threats to navigation and do serious damage to water intake valves of facilities that rely on fresh water. I guess you could compare zebra mollusks to mermaids - pretty to look at but very dangerous. Boat boys are always wishing to catch one of them, too. I know one that did.
In the Pamlico Sound, a few commercial folks have been crabbing, but there’s not much to it. Oyster season - which was one of the least productive in recent memory - is over.
Beach access
The Cape Hatteras National Seashore is hands down my favorite place in the whole world. The pristine shores have made for some of the best beach days and fishing excursions ever. Driving my purple Jeep out on the beach with a rod rack and a cooler full of the day’s provisions is one of the reasons I pick the Seashore for my beach time. It’s something I’ve always considered a right and a privilege.
This year’s different, though. Thanks to a bunch of environmentalists, our favorite form of recreation now comes with a list of rules, regulations and a hefty price tag. You have to watch a redundant video and pay upwards of $120 for an annual beach driving permit ($50 for a week). To be honest, the onset of the rule made me cry. I spent upwards of four years partnering with stakeholder groups to fight for fair beach access. But, we got beat. At the end of the day, it seemed it didn’t matter.megpieinthesky@gmail.com or post a comment on my blog meganshawfishin.blogspot.com. Until next time, keep your line or net in the water and fish on and on!
But, like all good Tar Heels, beach access advocates aren’t going to give up without a fight.
The Cape Hatteras Access Preservation Alliance has filed a lawsuit against the federal government for what we believe is an alienation of our rights. Thank this great group for helping to make sure we don’t give up on the fight for our rights to beach access. The Cape Hatteras Access Preservation Alliance has filed a complaint against the National Park Service for allienation of our rights. Click here to learn more about CHAPA and to show your support.
The N.C. Beach Buggy Association is another good bunch of beach drivers fighting the good fight for your rights on our shores. Click here to learn more about the club, including advocacy efforts and membership information. Tell Jim and Dottie I said hello.
Both of these groups have been instrumental in circulating an online petition to oppose these strict access rules.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE PETITION.
Salt water fishing
Jam at Teach’s Lair in Hatteras Village reported a few puppy drum and a few keeper flounder in the surf. There have also been reports of some puffer fish caught around Buxton.
Hatteras boaters have been able to find some big bluefin tuna. Weather conditions have limited the amount of trips. As things start to warm up, the bluefin fishing will wane. Then, we can start looking for dolphin and wahoo.
Closer to the gulf stream, Ocracoke boaters have found wahoo, triggers and scattered dolphin fishing.’
I haven’t heard much about inshore fishing, but there’s been talk of the potential for an early drum season with the mild winter we’ve had.
In Ocracoke, things are a little slow in the surf, but there has been whispers of red drum showing up in the surf, along with some keeper puppy drum. Keep the faith and get out there. Presently, the National Park Service is acknowledging a “transition period” with the beach access permits. So, you won’t get in too much trouble if you go out without a permit. I’m not telling you to break the rules, I’m just saying…..
Inland fishing
Striper fishing in the Roanoke River has been the talk of the town lately. Capt. Richard Andrews of Tar-Pam Guide Service has proven the success time and time again. Eels (ew!) are a good bait to use, but for those of us who are squeamish, I’ve found some good artificial eels that I can actually stand to touch. Eels are horrible. We used to catch them from time to time when I fished with my pop as a kid. Boy, what a racket! We would scream until Pop cut off their heads. Then, we’d scream even more when the headless little slime balls kept right on squirming. Yuck.
The Wildlife Resources Commission’s season for keeping stripers ends on April 30, so Capt. Andrews advises you to get in on this action soon! He also made another thoughtful point for all you eel haters. Mirolures, while good bait for the specks he’s found in the Pamlico River, are also great for striper fishing. Who would have thought!
Right now, the moon is full and can't hold lots of water. Technically, the moon is dry and doesn’t have oceans or lakes, but when it’s at a thin crescent, that means freshwater fishing is at it’s finest. Hence the saying, it looks like it will hold water. You freshwater folks are a secretive bunch and I respect that. But, I know you’re out there doing something because you’re mighty quiet about it.
Tell me a fishing story!
Whether you’ve got a line or a net in the water, I want to share your fishing story with the folks in eastern North Carolina. Send me an email at megpieinthesky@gmail.com or post a comment on my blog meganshawfishin.blogspot.com. Until next time, keep your line or net in the water and fish on and on!
Back to being a fishing columnist, I am happy to say I’ve found my place in this world. I love fishing and everyone who does it. Thanks so much to the folks that had kind words to say about the new feature in the Beaufort-Hyde newspapar and thanks to everyone who’s supplied me with the information. Fishermen have to stick together and I’m glad to provide an outlet for your plights.
Commercial fishing
Even though I didn’t technically have a Valentine on Valentines Day, I had a trawl boater out there thinking of me. He was a few weeks late for the official day of love, but he came home bearing gifts that get strait to a fisher-girl’s heart - seashells and fresh seafood. That’s romance at it’s finest.
One lucky girl (Angie) got some cool shells from the catch aboard Commercial Trawler Joyce D. I found zebra mollusks very interesting when my buddy Toby called me up to tell me about them. The striped pattern is unusual and beautiful, but a zebra mollusk is an invasive species and it doesn’t belong here. He said they get here by attaching to the hulls of international freighters. They can threaten native mollusk species, so fishermen are asked to report such catches. According to National Atlas.gov, the species can inflict harm to humans, too. They colonize at such a high rate, they can pose threats to navigation and do serious damage to water intake valves of facilities that rely on fresh water. I guess you could compare zebra mollusks to mermaids - pretty to look at but very dangerous. Boat boys are always wishing to catch one of them, too. I know one that did.
In the Pamlico Sound, a few commercial folks have been crabbing, but there’s not much to it. Oyster season - which was one of the least productive in recent memory - is over.
Beach access
The Cape Hatteras National Seashore is hands down my favorite place in the whole world. The pristine shores have made for some of the best beach days and fishing excursions ever. Driving my purple Jeep out on the beach with a rod rack and a cooler full of the day’s provisions is one of the reasons I pick the Seashore for my beach time. It’s something I’ve always considered a right and a privilege.
This year’s different, though. Thanks to a bunch of environmentalists, our favorite form of recreation now comes with a list of rules, regulations and a hefty price tag. You have to watch a redundant video and pay upwards of $120 for an annual beach driving permit ($50 for a week). To be honest, the onset of the rule made me cry. I spent upwards of four years partnering with stakeholder groups to fight for fair beach access. But, we got beat. At the end of the day, it seemed it didn’t matter.megpieinthesky@gmail.com or post a comment on my blog meganshawfishin.blogspot.com. Until next time, keep your line or net in the water and fish on and on!
 |
| Fishing on Oregon Inlet last summer. |
The Cape Hatteras Access Preservation Alliance has filed a lawsuit against the federal government for what we believe is an alienation of our rights. Thank this great group for helping to make sure we don’t give up on the fight for our rights to beach access. The Cape Hatteras Access Preservation Alliance has filed a complaint against the National Park Service for allienation of our rights. Click here to learn more about CHAPA and to show your support.
The N.C. Beach Buggy Association is another good bunch of beach drivers fighting the good fight for your rights on our shores. Click here to learn more about the club, including advocacy efforts and membership information. Tell Jim and Dottie I said hello.
Both of these groups have been instrumental in circulating an online petition to oppose these strict access rules.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE PETITION.
Salt water fishing
Jam at Teach’s Lair in Hatteras Village reported a few puppy drum and a few keeper flounder in the surf. There have also been reports of some puffer fish caught around Buxton.
Hatteras boaters have been able to find some big bluefin tuna. Weather conditions have limited the amount of trips. As things start to warm up, the bluefin fishing will wane. Then, we can start looking for dolphin and wahoo.
Closer to the gulf stream, Ocracoke boaters have found wahoo, triggers and scattered dolphin fishing.’
I haven’t heard much about inshore fishing, but there’s been talk of the potential for an early drum season with the mild winter we’ve had.
In Ocracoke, things are a little slow in the surf, but there has been whispers of red drum showing up in the surf, along with some keeper puppy drum. Keep the faith and get out there. Presently, the National Park Service is acknowledging a “transition period” with the beach access permits. So, you won’t get in too much trouble if you go out without a permit. I’m not telling you to break the rules, I’m just saying…..
Inland fishing
Striper fishing in the Roanoke River has been the talk of the town lately. Capt. Richard Andrews of Tar-Pam Guide Service has proven the success time and time again. Eels (ew!) are a good bait to use, but for those of us who are squeamish, I’ve found some good artificial eels that I can actually stand to touch. Eels are horrible. We used to catch them from time to time when I fished with my pop as a kid. Boy, what a racket! We would scream until Pop cut off their heads. Then, we’d scream even more when the headless little slime balls kept right on squirming. Yuck.
The Wildlife Resources Commission’s season for keeping stripers ends on April 30, so Capt. Andrews advises you to get in on this action soon! He also made another thoughtful point for all you eel haters. Mirolures, while good bait for the specks he’s found in the Pamlico River, are also great for striper fishing. Who would have thought!
Right now, the moon is full and can't hold lots of water. Technically, the moon is dry and doesn’t have oceans or lakes, but when it’s at a thin crescent, that means freshwater fishing is at it’s finest. Hence the saying, it looks like it will hold water. You freshwater folks are a secretive bunch and I respect that. But, I know you’re out there doing something because you’re mighty quiet about it.
Tell me a fishing story!
Whether you’ve got a line or a net in the water, I want to share your fishing story with the folks in eastern North Carolina. Send me an email at megpieinthesky@gmail.com or post a comment on my blog meganshawfishin.blogspot.com. Until next time, keep your line or net in the water and fish on and on!
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Fishing report, February 22, 2012
Fishing is the stuff dreams are made of for those of us that live the salt life. It encompasses everything we are - from supper table delicacies to childhood memories and political heat - fishing pumps the blood through our veins. With our homes amid some of the best fishing grounds, we sail to salt water destinations, embark on fresh water angling excursions and take pride in a commercial fishing commodity. The salt life is serious stuff.
I take an intense stance on fishing. I think it’s a God-given right and no matter how you use it, as long as you practice a little respect, you are golden. There is a “fisher of men” that would agree. From recreational angling, to commercial culling, to just talking about fishing - I hold the industry in the highest regard.
Commercial fishing
Most folks don’t know our country’s dependence on foreign seafood. More than 80 percent of seafood consumed in this country is imported from other countries. It’s more than 92 percent for shrimp consumption. What’s more, there is no method of ensuring this commodity is kept to the standards of American quality. Yuck! Eating seafood that is shipped in from foreign countries is very unpatriotic, especially considering all the folks that don’t have work right now. We need all the jobs we can get.
Big trawl boats have headed north for day scallop fishing, flounder fishing and sea bass trips. Too bad they can‘t take a chance on getting through Oregon Inlet to bring their catch home. Docks in Engelhard and Wanchese are nearly empty because big boats are staying docked in northern ports and selling their catch there. On a recent trip to Newport News to drop my fella off aboard a commercial trawler, I felt kind of at home because they were docked next to boats from Swan Quarter and Wanchese. I was proud. Locally, Ernie Stotesberry set a net and caught two speckled trout and one gray trout. There hasn’t been much going on in the Pamlico Sound.
Inland
Although there hasn’t been much going on in the Pamlico Sound, fishing has been off the hook in nearly every aspect of what y’all like to call the inner banks.
There have been a few reports of white perch in some tributaries of the Pamlico River and Pamlico Sound. Recently, I saw a crowd of fishermen along U.S. 264, west of Northside High School. Word has it they were catching white perch in good numbers. According to information from the Wildlife Resources Commission, white perch can overpopulate small reservoirs prevent other species from thriving. To me, that sounds like a good reason to get out there and fish. What’s better, there’s no size limit or bag limit.
Young fisherman Daniel Aldridge caught 35 stripers while fishing in the lower Roanoke River with Capt. Richard Andrews with Tar-Pam Guide services. All together, the party boated 50 fish during fishing trip. Sounds like a good day.
Capt. Andrews had another good day and got into some trout last weekend. He stayed close to home and fished on his day off with his buddy Matt. They were rewarded with some very pretty specks, catching their limit and releasing many more.
I got some tips on how to fish for gar from Corey Davis, a third-grader at Mattamuskeet Elementary. He said menhaden is his bait of choice and it‘s important to make sure the hook is set all the way through the fish’s mouth. Cast out and when you see the bobber get still, start reeling real slow. When you feel the hard tug at the end of the line, get ready for a fight. Gar isn’t something that you want to eat, but they put on a heck of a show. Some of my Hatteras buddies call them “sound marlin. “Corey’s sister Harlee didn’t much want to talk fishing. She likes hunting better. Still, their family spends considerable time on the Mattamuskeet Refuge enjoying the natural resources. Take a kid fishing. Not only will it put a smile on their face, they’ll have some of the best memories. That’s something no one can take away.
Salt water fishing
Some of the first dolphin (mahi) of the season have shown up around Ocracoke. I heard of a private boat that went out and landed some of these beautiful, tasty, fun-to-catch fish. Anglers aboard charter vessel Drumstick with Capt. Farris O’Neal caught wahoo and triggerfish during a trip earlier this month. In the Ocracoke surf, the folks at Tradewinds Tackle said things are pretty slow.
Heading north on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, the folks at Frisco Rod and Gun reported some blow toads showing up in the surf at Cape Point in Buxton. Biter sharks and dogfish have definitely been a good bet for surf fishers. The Hatteras offshore fleet has been getting into some nice-sized blackfin tuna. Dolphin and wahoo have reportedly been scattered.
Fisheries issues
The reason I’m not lamenting on fisheries issues is because I am very disheartened. Things don’t look so good.
Over the past few years, I’ve made some great friends while staying active in the fight to preserve beach access to the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. However, last week the unthinkable happened. Strict beach driving rules went into effect and folks in Hatteras and Ocracoke are facing their summer season with skeptisism. After a devastating hurricane, these rules only put another nail in the economic coffin of small busineeses in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. I am still pretty hurt that the past five years of efforts did little to help these folks. A lawsuit is in the works and I will explain more about that next week.
If that isn’t bad enough, there are folks that want to make speckled trout, rock fish and drum “game fish.” This would make it illegal to buy or sell these fish in North Carolina. Not only would it squash commercial fishermen, it would deny access to consumers who love fresh local seafood. Only about three percent of the state’s population would be able to eat rockfish stew, boiled drum or fried speckled trout. Please tell your legislative representatives that House Bill 353, “the game fish bill” is uncalled for.
Tell me a fishing story!
If you caught the big one - or missed it - I want to hear about it. Send an email to
*Published in the Feb. 22, 2012 issue of the Beaufort-Hyde News.megpieinthesky@gmail.com and I’ll be glad to talk fishing with you. Until next time, keep your line (or net) in the water and fish on and on!!
I take an intense stance on fishing. I think it’s a God-given right and no matter how you use it, as long as you practice a little respect, you are golden. There is a “fisher of men” that would agree. From recreational angling, to commercial culling, to just talking about fishing - I hold the industry in the highest regard.
Commercial fishing
Most folks don’t know our country’s dependence on foreign seafood. More than 80 percent of seafood consumed in this country is imported from other countries. It’s more than 92 percent for shrimp consumption. What’s more, there is no method of ensuring this commodity is kept to the standards of American quality. Yuck! Eating seafood that is shipped in from foreign countries is very unpatriotic, especially considering all the folks that don’t have work right now. We need all the jobs we can get.
Big trawl boats have headed north for day scallop fishing, flounder fishing and sea bass trips. Too bad they can‘t take a chance on getting through Oregon Inlet to bring their catch home. Docks in Engelhard and Wanchese are nearly empty because big boats are staying docked in northern ports and selling their catch there. On a recent trip to Newport News to drop my fella off aboard a commercial trawler, I felt kind of at home because they were docked next to boats from Swan Quarter and Wanchese. I was proud. Locally, Ernie Stotesberry set a net and caught two speckled trout and one gray trout. There hasn’t been much going on in the Pamlico Sound.
Inland
Although there hasn’t been much going on in the Pamlico Sound, fishing has been off the hook in nearly every aspect of what y’all like to call the inner banks.
There have been a few reports of white perch in some tributaries of the Pamlico River and Pamlico Sound. Recently, I saw a crowd of fishermen along U.S. 264, west of Northside High School. Word has it they were catching white perch in good numbers. According to information from the Wildlife Resources Commission, white perch can overpopulate small reservoirs prevent other species from thriving. To me, that sounds like a good reason to get out there and fish. What’s better, there’s no size limit or bag limit.
Young fisherman Daniel Aldridge caught 35 stripers while fishing in the lower Roanoke River with Capt. Richard Andrews with Tar-Pam Guide services. All together, the party boated 50 fish during fishing trip. Sounds like a good day.
Capt. Andrews had another good day and got into some trout last weekend. He stayed close to home and fished on his day off with his buddy Matt. They were rewarded with some very pretty specks, catching their limit and releasing many more.
I got some tips on how to fish for gar from Corey Davis, a third-grader at Mattamuskeet Elementary. He said menhaden is his bait of choice and it‘s important to make sure the hook is set all the way through the fish’s mouth. Cast out and when you see the bobber get still, start reeling real slow. When you feel the hard tug at the end of the line, get ready for a fight. Gar isn’t something that you want to eat, but they put on a heck of a show. Some of my Hatteras buddies call them “sound marlin. “Corey’s sister Harlee didn’t much want to talk fishing. She likes hunting better. Still, their family spends considerable time on the Mattamuskeet Refuge enjoying the natural resources. Take a kid fishing. Not only will it put a smile on their face, they’ll have some of the best memories. That’s something no one can take away.
Salt water fishing
Some of the first dolphin (mahi) of the season have shown up around Ocracoke. I heard of a private boat that went out and landed some of these beautiful, tasty, fun-to-catch fish. Anglers aboard charter vessel Drumstick with Capt. Farris O’Neal caught wahoo and triggerfish during a trip earlier this month. In the Ocracoke surf, the folks at Tradewinds Tackle said things are pretty slow.
Heading north on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, the folks at Frisco Rod and Gun reported some blow toads showing up in the surf at Cape Point in Buxton. Biter sharks and dogfish have definitely been a good bet for surf fishers. The Hatteras offshore fleet has been getting into some nice-sized blackfin tuna. Dolphin and wahoo have reportedly been scattered.
Fisheries issues
The reason I’m not lamenting on fisheries issues is because I am very disheartened. Things don’t look so good.
Over the past few years, I’ve made some great friends while staying active in the fight to preserve beach access to the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. However, last week the unthinkable happened. Strict beach driving rules went into effect and folks in Hatteras and Ocracoke are facing their summer season with skeptisism. After a devastating hurricane, these rules only put another nail in the economic coffin of small busineeses in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. I am still pretty hurt that the past five years of efforts did little to help these folks. A lawsuit is in the works and I will explain more about that next week.
If that isn’t bad enough, there are folks that want to make speckled trout, rock fish and drum “game fish.” This would make it illegal to buy or sell these fish in North Carolina. Not only would it squash commercial fishermen, it would deny access to consumers who love fresh local seafood. Only about three percent of the state’s population would be able to eat rockfish stew, boiled drum or fried speckled trout. Please tell your legislative representatives that House Bill 353, “the game fish bill” is uncalled for.
Tell me a fishing story!
If you caught the big one - or missed it - I want to hear about it. Send an email to
*Published in the Feb. 22, 2012 issue of the Beaufort-Hyde News.megpieinthesky@gmail.com and I’ll be glad to talk fishing with you. Until next time, keep your line (or net) in the water and fish on and on!!
This is Megan Shaw
My name is Megan Spencer Shaw.
I grew up in the inland part of Hyde County N.C., without stoplights or taxis, much less a big-box grocery store. Being reared in such a Mayberry setting, I initially, bucked the trends of country music, good suppers at night and the overall feel of living off the land. Now that I’m all grown up, I guess the reason I did so was to broaden my horizons. The farthest away I got was Greenville, where I got along decently with Pirates. Otherwise I never would have known about the Misfits or Max Cavalera or a how to pronounce spanakopita. I came home to Hyde at the turn of the millennium and lived on the island side for a little while before moving up the beach to get into communications. The search for knowledge is always rewarding, but now I know in order to get where you’re going, you gotta know where you came from.
I was in Dare county for ten years living the beach life (and continuint to cavort with pirates). I dabbled some in radio and was a weekend personality “Trixie”for 94.5 WCMS for about five years. Eventually, I signed on as a staff writer for The Coastland Times in 2007. It wasn’t long before I found myself very involved in the fishing scene and became a columnist with “Fish On! (the title was inspired by a Primus song). The column lasted four years and I found my true zest. I love fishing and everything about it.
Summer 2011 brought lots of changes, namely Hurricane Irene. I moved back to Swan Quarter after the storm to take a job in public information with the county. In retrospect, I can see that my life was preparing me to come back home. Country music and fishing…
I’m missing my beach fishing times, but I’m glad to have gotten back to my roots. These days, I love my mama and daddy, Sunday dinners and George Strait. I get all nostalgic and teary when I think about the time I caught a big old flounder with my Mama Edith off Bell Island Pier and how my Pop used to laugh at for not being able to stick my hand in the peeler tanks without a glove. I absolutely love the fact that a commercial fisherman taught me how to cast my rod and to respect the resource. I’m proud to say Sunday dinners are still the product of the fishermen (like Pop) in my community and there’s nothing better than oysters on a Friday night.
Like all the thick-headed fishermen I know, I don’t want any hand-outs or subsidies. I want to talk fishing like I know it and I want to be myself while I do it. I love to fish.
So, this is me. The former Miss Engelhard Seafood Queen - turned writer, country music personality and fishing activist. Love me or hate me. Either way, if you have an interest in fishing I want you to know who I am. I’d love to hear from you, too. We’ll get along fine as long as you keep your facts strait and don’t offer me any imported shrimp or a frozen fillet of some shit-sucking tilapia.
Fish On & On!
I grew up in the inland part of Hyde County N.C., without stoplights or taxis, much less a big-box grocery store. Being reared in such a Mayberry setting, I initially, bucked the trends of country music, good suppers at night and the overall feel of living off the land. Now that I’m all grown up, I guess the reason I did so was to broaden my horizons. The farthest away I got was Greenville, where I got along decently with Pirates. Otherwise I never would have known about the Misfits or Max Cavalera or a how to pronounce spanakopita. I came home to Hyde at the turn of the millennium and lived on the island side for a little while before moving up the beach to get into communications. The search for knowledge is always rewarding, but now I know in order to get where you’re going, you gotta know where you came from.
I was in Dare county for ten years living the beach life (and continuint to cavort with pirates). I dabbled some in radio and was a weekend personality “Trixie”for 94.5 WCMS for about five years. Eventually, I signed on as a staff writer for The Coastland Times in 2007. It wasn’t long before I found myself very involved in the fishing scene and became a columnist with “Fish On! (the title was inspired by a Primus song). The column lasted four years and I found my true zest. I love fishing and everything about it.
Summer 2011 brought lots of changes, namely Hurricane Irene. I moved back to Swan Quarter after the storm to take a job in public information with the county. In retrospect, I can see that my life was preparing me to come back home. Country music and fishing…
I’m missing my beach fishing times, but I’m glad to have gotten back to my roots. These days, I love my mama and daddy, Sunday dinners and George Strait. I get all nostalgic and teary when I think about the time I caught a big old flounder with my Mama Edith off Bell Island Pier and how my Pop used to laugh at for not being able to stick my hand in the peeler tanks without a glove. I absolutely love the fact that a commercial fisherman taught me how to cast my rod and to respect the resource. I’m proud to say Sunday dinners are still the product of the fishermen (like Pop) in my community and there’s nothing better than oysters on a Friday night.
Like all the thick-headed fishermen I know, I don’t want any hand-outs or subsidies. I want to talk fishing like I know it and I want to be myself while I do it. I love to fish.
So, this is me. The former Miss Engelhard Seafood Queen - turned writer, country music personality and fishing activist. Love me or hate me. Either way, if you have an interest in fishing I want you to know who I am. I’d love to hear from you, too. We’ll get along fine as long as you keep your facts strait and don’t offer me any imported shrimp or a frozen fillet of some shit-sucking tilapia.
Fish On & On!
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