Got up Friday 7/1 and after toiling in the yard all morning, began my all-day fishing adventure. Wind seemed to have laid down a bit, so I seized the opportunity to motor over to Rumbley, MD. I have been intending to visit here by boat since I first visited about 2 yrs ago by car. There is a restaurant at the marina that looks pretty cool and claims to have the best crabcake in the world. Get to “The Hideaway Grill” around 11:30 after about a 20-25 minute boat ride, taking it slow since I wasn’t familiar with these waters. Tied right up next to the gas pump, not much traffic since it was during the week and also middle of the day. Got me a cold beverage and sat out on the sandy veranda that was in some ways like a tropical place, anyway it was very cool as I was only steps away from the water and watching the waterman return from crabbing. Ordered a crabcake from the friendly waitress and oh MAN was it good, worth the $14 for the crabcake. It is hard to find a crabcake any more that is not made from asian crab meat, but this was the real deal. After my 2nd beverage, I reluctantly returned to my boat in order to rendezvous with the fish at the 2:30 pm (high) tide change. No sooner did I leave the Rumbley harbor when the NW wind picked right up where it left off yesterday. As expected, the water was rough and the fishing sparse, only putting one in the cooler. NW wind here spells doom to my fishing. Note to self- one significant 25-29 ft hole just outside of Rumbley in the midst of 8-16 ft depth all the way from Deal Island. Could this hold fish at some point? Flounder maybe?? Must return to see, and have another crabcake.
Returned to Wenona exhausted from the sun (didn’t use the Bimini top today) and unfulfilled in terms of fishing. Seeking to change my luck, I loaded up the jon-boat in attempt to hit the larger croaker back in the creek with the 8:30 am tide change. When I got there around 6:30, the wind was dropping. Timing was right, and I managed to catch 5 really nice fish (12-14 inches) before calling it a day at around 9 pm. I love this time of year if for no other reason than the length of the days. Retuned to the north-end harbor and a North wind, which blew my boat around and made it nearly impossible to get my boat on the trailer solo. Note to self- need to rig up a stern rope, even install a bigger cleat if necessary. Eventually had to drive the boat onto the trailer, but not before the DNR game warden checked out my boat. Wanting to know if I had a bow light. Well, having been there before- yes, I indeed had a clip-on bow light, which I had dismounted after pulling in, as it sometimes slips its clamping after being docked.
The final fishing day, 7/2/11- head out around noon. Oh man, it was DEAD CALM, or “slick cam”. Like a lake, and hot too. No choice but to use the Bimini top today. Managed to put 6 fish in the cooler, all caught between 40 and 42 ft. The drift was so slow, no sock necessary. And, I only used 3 ozs of weight. Caught many fish, just that the majority were throw backs. Hoping some nicer fish roll in through the rest of the summer. Called it a day by 3:30, it was hot, I was tired from all-day fishing the day before, and they were having karaoke at Lucky’s at 8 pm. Lucky’s is a convenience store in Chance. They have a grill in the back and will cook just about whatever you want. They also have really cold draft beer, the “cold” being necessary when you are sipping the cheap stuff. I have eaten crabs there the last few weekends- I think they charged me $14 for a dozen of #1’s, which were not huge, but very full, tasty, and hot. I think what I enjoy most about the Deal Island area is the culture and the people. And the only way to really experience that is to get elbow-to-elbow with these folks and to meet them. Even the newcomers are an interesting bunch since they are mostly like minded folks, having relocated here to retire and enjoy the Land of Pleasant Living. I see it starting to change the character of the island somewhat, but one thing you cannot stop is- change,…. Had a cold beer with my friend Capt. D (names abbreviated to preserve people’s privacy), and met a new friend- Patty, the Crisfield blogger (a.k.a. Georgia Peach, as named by Daddy Art), then went back to the camper to grab a bight to eat. Returned for the karaoke- WOW the place was packed !! Oh what fun, as the night wore on people became more adventurous and yes, even I sang “Take Me Home Country Roads” before the night was over, fulfilling a promise to my friend “M” that I would sing if she would. It was so nice to get away, I wish the whole family found this as much fun as I do. My son Blair didn’t join me this time- he was away with the church youth group at “Creation”. Until next time,…
No comments:
Post a Comment