Monday, April 16, 2012

burn notice

it has been so dry with stiff winds for a few weeks now, and fire warnings have been issued.
this brush fire in edgewater threatened the harbor, but the winds shifted and all were spared.

Friday, April 13, 2012

clean it up

since fishing doesnt start for a couple more weeks, do your part to help the bay by joining in one of many clean up efforts in and along one of its tributaries this saturday. the alliance for the chesapeake bay needs volunteers at 150 sites...there are over 300 sites in the potomac river watershed that need cleaning...and blackwater national wildlife refuge would be a great place to do a little debris gathering outside.

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Monday, April 9, 2012

Thursday, April 5, 2012

boats in the hood

my boat was at jett's for the majority of the "winter", so i needed to go pick it up. imagine my surprise when i arrived at the boat yard to find 'guilty as charged' backed in next to the marine police: oh, irony!

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

snakehead control

catch a snakehead: win some cash...or a hat! it is the second annual snakehead contest in maryland. here is how to i.d. one...then kill it.

Monday, April 2, 2012

boat builders

last weekend i drove to cambridge in the rain to visit the maryland boat builder's show.
there were some great new deadrises...
this beautiful chris craft (visiting from detroit, i guess)...
some vintage boats like this '73 jester.
 a hand carved number...
a great mathews brothers...
but this composite really caught my eye!
sweet!

Friday, March 30, 2012

taste of solomon's

this year has not only been the warmest winter on record, but the earliest chesapeake bay crab harvest ever, according to the watermen. celebrate the bay's bounty at the 12th annual taste of solomon's this weekend only.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

flying boat for sale

just nine hours left in the auction for the flying boat of your dreams...
see other flying boat options here and here.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

the cause of the problem

we are the cause of all the problems in the chesapeake bay and beyond, so do your part to help this time. here are (10) important things you can do to help restore the bay.
1. Fertilize Wisely
As you are making your spring gardening “to-do” list eliminate fertilizing your lawn. Fall is a better time to apply fertilizers as the rainy Spring season can cause run-off of excess nitrogen and phosphorous into storm drains and creeks, thus adding to the Bay’s woes. Before you even think of fertilizing have a soil test performed (every 3-5 years) to give yourself a more accurate picture of your gardens needs. Over fertilizing can not only damage the Bay, but can cause extra salts in your soil, affect winter plant hardiness and expand pest problems.
2. Control storm water run-off
Fertilizers and pesticides along with soil and other debris are deposited into storm drains which lead to local streams, rivers, reservoirs and the Bay. Reducing run off from your property can minimize the amount of substances entering the waterways and worsening water quality as well as damaging living organisms and their habitats.
3. Conserve Water
If you are not into xeriscaping, use plants adapted to our region which will tolerate periods of drought. Group thirsty plants together so periodic watering can be minimized. Collect rain water for watering planters and pots.
4. Mulch appropriately
Organic mulch layers should be 2-3 inches deep to help retain soil moisture, thus reducing the amount of watering needed, as well as preventing weeds and soil erosion. Mulching deeper than 3 inches could prevent water from filtering down to plant roots.
5. Recycle!
Mow fallen leaves and needles and use them as a mulch alternative or add to compost bins. Start a composter in a large plastic trash can with wheels and a clamping lid: drill with air holes, add leaves, yard trim, kitchen scraps such as fruit and vegetable scraps, egg shells, coffee grounds, shredded newspaper. Secure the lid with a bungee cord. Roll can once a week a few turns and you will have a wonderful compost in about 8 weeks.
6. Use IPM methods to manage yard pests
Get out in your garden and observe what is going on! Hand pick harmful pests and hand pull invasive weeds rather than applying pesticides, insecticides and herbicides. Plant wisely by selecting resistant varieties of your favorite plants to reduce pests and disease. Remove diseased plants and their debris to prevent spread from one season to the next. Attract beneficial insects to your garden and use environmentally friendly pesticides such as horticultural oils and soaps only as a last resort.
7. Reduce Household Hazardous Waste
There are many less toxic alternatives to commercial household chemicals. Both white vinegar and baking soda can be used separately and in combination to accomplish a myriad of household cleaning tasks; check the web or Fact Sheet s “Alternatives for Household Products-Helpful Hazardous Waste Reduction Hints.
Don't use toxins or high nitrogen products such as kitty litter to melt this year’s snow and ice.
8. Be responsible with your Pet’s Waste
Dog poop is the #1 polluter of the urban streams feeding into Rock Creek Park and other tributaries which feed into the Chesapeake. Please pick up your pet’s waste every time and either expel it through your household toilet (recommended) or deposit in your household trash for transfer to our local landfill.
9. Conserve Energy
Drive less not only to save money, but also to prevent fossil fuels from depositing pollutants directly into the Chesapeake Bay as well as on to the land where they can be washed into it’s watershed.
Fall and winter are wonderful times to plant: work trees into your planting plan where they can help reduce household energy consumption. Deciduous trees planted on the south and southwest side of your house will shade you from the summer sun, while allowing the winter rays to come through with warmth. Evergreen trees planted on the northwest side of the house will shelter you from harsh winter winds.
10. Make your Yard a Bayscape!
A Bayscape garden is the best thing we can do for our Bay. For more information on gradually transforming your yard into a Bay Wise garden, contact the Home and Garden Information Center for the Bay Wise Maryland Yardstick to see how your garden measures up!

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Monday, March 5, 2012

today's problem: the end

the last of the rockfish was grilled and eaten this weekend, and that is the end of it. the fillet was brushed with olive, sprinkled with a rub of old bay, black pepper, cumin, turmeric, dill, and raw sugar and grilled on double sheet of grill foil and grilled over high heat til done...several weeks til the next one.

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

how to get busted

so far this year, a lot of people have been arrested for illegal oyster harvesting. the nrp seems to be on it: read the following from their police blotter...


February 13, 2012  
Police Blotter 

Illegal oystering charges and using false identity

On February 10, the Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) arrested Robert J. Benton, Jr., 44, of Stevensville, on conservation and criminal charges after he was caught illegally harvesting oysters and then tried to avoid the charges by using another waterman's identity. 

On February 3, Benton was stopped while he was illegally diving for oysters in the Little Choptank River. When asked for ID, Benton gave NRP Officers a tidal fish license in another waterman's name, representing himself as that person. 
  
Benton was charged with fraud, fraud to avoid prosecution, fraud to avoid payment greater than $500 and theft. Benton was also charged with taking oysters without a commercial license, failure to pay oyster surcharge and taking oyster for commercial purposes by diving in an area reserved for hand tongs. Benton faces penalties that range from $250 to $25,000 and 15 years in prison.  Benton was jailed in the Dorchester County Detention Center on $10,000 bond. 


Five charged with oyster violations

On February 10 at 7 a.m., NRP Officers charged five individuals with harvesting oysters in the Tangier Sound Oyster Sanctuary. NRP officers were aboard a Maryland State Police helicopter when they noticed three commercial fishing boats illegally dredging for oysters in the sanctuary. 
  
Officers charged the following individuals with unlawfully harvesting oysters in an oyster sanctuary: 
    1. Steven P. Benton, 43, from Deale Island, and Darin K. Ford, 46, from Princess Anne, aboard the Donna Lee. 
    2. Andrew A. Benton, 37, and Ulyses Seawright Jr., 33, both from Wenona, aboard the Gentle Breeze. 
    3. David T. Wheatley Sr., 47, from Wenona aboard the Just Faith. 
  
NRP Officers seized Wheatley's oyster dredge from his boat. This was the second time this season that Wheatley was apprehended in the oyster sanctuary. His previous violation occurred on January 20. 


St. Marys River violations

On February 9 at 3 p.m., NRP charged three individuals with removing oysters from an oyster sanctuary and possessing undersized oysters in the St. Marys River near Great Mills. 

Officers charged Migdael A. Trujillo, 32, Lorenzo A. Regalado, 32, and Jose M. Vaquers, 42, all from Dameron, Md.  A trial date of May 18, 2012 has been set for the District Court of Maryland for St. Mary's County. 



February 3, 2012 
Police Blotter 

NRP charges five with oyster violations

The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) on Friday, February 3, charged five watermen with oyster violations in Dorchester County. 
  
At around 9 a.m., NRP officers observed Bryan R. Grimes, 36, of Chester, Edward E. Grimes, 61, of Stevensville, Mason T. Coursey, 19, of Centerville, and Christopher L. Marvel, 19, of Grasonville, illegally diving for oysters in a hand tong only area of the Little Choptank River. 
  
The men were charged with catching oysters for commercial purposes by diving in an area reserved for hand -tonging.  Officers seized four bushels of oysters and returned them to water. 
  
At 9:30 a.m., NRP officers observed Nelson B. Goslin Jr., 42, of Cambridge, illegally power dredging for oysters in Fishing Bay. He also had undersized oysters (14 percent) on his boat. NRP charged Goslin Jr. with possessing unculled and undersized oysters and power-dredging in an area reserved for hand tongs. Three bushels of oysters were seized and returned to the water. 
  
A trial is set for April 18 in the District Court of Maryland for Dorchester County. 
  


January 23, 2012 
Police Blotter 

Five charged with oyster poaching

The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) charged five watermen, on three boats, with power-dredging for oysters in the Tangier Sound Oyster Sanctuary. 
  
On January 20, at 7:30 a.m., an NRP officer aboard a Maryland State Police helicopter saw eight commercial boats power-dredging for oysters within the sanctuary. The officer was able to identify and plot locations of three of the boats before they scattered among the other commercial vessels working outside the sanctuary. 
  
NRP charged the following individuals with oystering in an oyster sanctuary; 
 John Earhart III, 32, and Jason Abbott, 30, both of Princess Anne, aboard Miss Terry. 
 David Wheatley, 47, of Deale Island, and Stephen Webster, 58, of Wenona, aboard Just Faith. 
 Daniel Benton, 49, of Deale Island, aboard Chantilly Lace. 

Monday, February 27, 2012

today's special: lobster

not the biggest ever, but the biggest maine lobster ever caught weighs in at 27 pounds! 'rocky' was caught by a shrimp boat, donated to the maine state aquarium, and then subsequently released without any butter being spilled.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

tonight's sunset

warm this february day: about 65°... 8 weeks til fishing season in the bay... i need to head out to the atlantic if i want to catch a striper legally...

Monday, February 13, 2012

today's problem: shark attack

i think sharks are a much maligned creature who deserve our attention and respect as fishermen. the sharks have decided to fight back: researcher's say last year saw the highest number of shark attacks in a decade.

Friday, February 10, 2012

weekend boating events

learn from experts what it's like to live the cruiser lifestyle on the chesapeake bay. pre-register today for classes, lectures and demos at the annapolis school of seamanship saturday and sunday.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

whaleshark

huge whale shark caught in pakistan almost broke the crane! it was sold for either $2200 or $19,000, depending where you read the story.

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

how to dock your boat in style

i dont see where the boat actually ties up, but the design is sweet!

Monday, January 30, 2012

Thursday, January 26, 2012

fish in the hood

nice fish: a muskie, maybe? looks pissed!

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

how to spear a lion

lionfish are an aggressive invasive species currently trying to make headway in florida. the nasty beast is an unrelenting predator to the lovely-and beautiful-tropical fish inhabiting florida's coral and manmade reefs. fishermen have jumped to action-literally-by spearfishing the hell out of them in a number of organized lionfish tournaments. chefs are also giving the venomous beast their best shot with a number of delicious(?) recipes...ok.

Monday, January 23, 2012

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

how to ice fish

i love fishing and if i lived in an extreme-winter place, i might try ice fishing! i recently found these ice fishing houses of inspiration: now i know what do with my old motorcycle trailer!