Global warming is a fact. It is not a religion. It is not a political point of view. It is a proven scientific fact. The entire earth is getting warmer, and human activity is speeding this along.
The earth has gone through this cycle before. Where we live in the Cape Region was once underwater. If you happen to be near when a company is drilling a new well, check out what comes up in the drill bit. Seashells. That’s right, seashells, because where we live was once underwater. The only hills we have in the Cape Region are leftover sand dunes.
Then we had an ice age. Everything froze up, and the water that now fills the rivers and bays went dry. That water was part of huge glaciers, and when they began to melt, the rivers and bays that we know began to flow.
Then along came man and the Industrial Age.
Left alone, the melting would take thousands of years, but aided by man and his use of carbon-producing fossil fuels, and we are watching the glaciers melt right before our eyes. The faster the glaciers melt, the faster the sea level rises, and for those with waterfront property, well, they will soon lose what they were once so proud of.
Every winter, we see sand pumped onto beaches where water has intruded during spring and summer storms. Pretty soon those in charge of sand pumping will realize this is a losing project and let the water have its way. How much public money will they spend to protect private property?
Then there are alternatives to burning fossil fuels. Much has been discussed about the windmills planned for the ocean offshore of Delaware and Maryland. Many are opposed because the windmills will spoil the view from the beach. Others don’t like the fact that the transmission lines will come ashore at 3R’s Road and travel under Indian River Bay to reach the distribution center at the old Indian River coal-fired power plant.
Recently, there is talk about a small nuclear power plant, and that sounds like a good idea. It is a long way off, and the windmills are much closer to going online.
Let’s face it, should the almighty come down from his heavenly throne and present a solution to our electrical generating problem, there would be someone who would find fault with his idea.
As my grandfather was found of saying, “Some people would complain if you hung ‘em with a new rope.”
All we mere mortals can do is use the best knowledge we have and make a decision that benefits the majority of us with little or no damage to the environment.
Boat ramp improvements
I am happy to report that your fishing license money is being well used by DNREC, as they are building a new boat ramp, courtesy dock and expanded parking lot at Ingrams Pond, and boat ramp and parking lot improvements at Trussum Pond near Laurel. These ponds will be closed until the work is complete.
Your fishing license money will pay for 25% of the cost for these improvements, while the federal money collected by a small tax on fishing equipment and fuel will pay for 75%.
Fishing report
I wish I had better news on the fishing front. The white perch run seems to be the best bet in Delaware. They are available in most, if not all, of the tidal rivers and creeks, and will take bloodworms. Small stripers are in the same locations and have been caught on cut bunker or menhaden.
I did have a report of two flounder caught behind Ocean City, Md. They had a photo to prove they caught the fish, but no word on bait or tide.
Old Inlet Bait and Tackle told us one or two of their customers had a four-fish limit of tog to 18 inches caught out of Indian River Inlet on shrimp and green crabs. A very few small striped bass have been caught from the inlet on cut bunker.
At Rick’s Bait and Tackle on Long Neck, the report was a few small striped bass caught out of the back bays on cut bunker.
Taylored Tackle in Seaford reported that some white perch have been caught from the Nanticoke River at Phillips Landing on bloodworms. Spillways provide some good fishing for crappie with a live minnow suspended below a bobber and drifted in the current until the fish find it.
Bass have been caught from most of the local ponds on live minnows and soft plastics.
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Eric Burnley is a Delaware native who has fished and hunted the state from an early age. Since 1978 he has written countless articles about hunting and fishing in Delaware and elsewhere along the Atlantic Coast. He has been the regional editor for several publications and was the founding editor of the Mid-Atlantic Fisherman magazine. Eric is the author of three books: Surf Fishing the Atlantic Coast, The Ultimate Guide to Striped Bass Fishing and Fishing Saltwater Baits. He and his wife Barbara live near Milton, Delaware. Eric can be reached at Eburnle@aol.com.
