The dog days of summer are upon us. With temperatures in the 90 degree range, being outside all day is unbelievable. As I’m writing this newsletter, I look at my outside thermometer and it’s reading 103 degrees. Fishing has been slow in this heat.  I have had good reports of Rockfish and Perch being caught about the Bay Bridge area, south of the Brewster Channel. Everyone I talk to in the Dorchester Chapter states that fishing is slow and, if you find fish, they are on the small side. Members who are fishing in the ocean are having better luck on Bluefish, Tuna, Dolphins and Flounder.  Last Tuesday, I was invited by Phil Todd to go Flounder fishing out of Crisfield with Donald Jones on his boat “Teal”.  The temperature outside that day was around 100 degrees, but the “Teal” had an air conditioned cabin and did that ever save the day!  We caught seven Flounder with Phil landing the biggest at 22 inches. We also caught plenty of Hardhead - nothing over 17 inches - but they were nice.  Most of the Hardheads were given to Earnest Thompson.  He pours the reefballs for us at Barnett Concrete.  Anyway, hang in there as far as fishing goes.  This heat can’t last and fall fishing is just around the corner.

DEAD ZONES IN THE CHESAPEAKE BAY

Dead zones are defined as areas of oxygen-depleted water that harm aquatic life. This years dead zones are ranking up as the worst in two decades.  I’ve been in touch with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries as of July are rated at 37 percent dead zone.  On the Eastern Shore, the three areas that are in poor shape for dissolved oxygen are: Corsica River, Eastern Bay and the Little Choptank River.  The biggest dead zone areas are in the main stream of the Chesapeake Bay, western shore side, and the Potomac River.  No wonder fishing is slow to bad.

REEFBALL PROJECT

We now have around 40 reefballs made. We are still getting together on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. to take the molds apart and put back together so concrete can be poured into them. We are meeting at Barnett Concrete on Handley Road at 7:00 p.m.  I appreciate the help that I’ve been getting and if you want to get involved, be there.  It’s a worthwhile project.

FISHING TRIPS

Our Fishing Club has a few Club fishing trips coming up.  Last year, our Chapter had some fantastic trips and hopefully this fall and winter our trips will be just as successful.  Some trips last year were made up at the last minute. So be at our meetings to get involved.  The Tautog trip in February this year was a last minute deal and that turned out to be a fishing trip of a lifetime.  You can’t catch fish sitting home thinking about it.  You have to go and get involved. Bob Watson will give a full report on all the scheduled upcoming fishing trips.

MENHADEN

Charlies Hutchinson and myself went to Reedville, Virginia on Saturday, July 23rd to witness the Greenpeace demonstration at the Omega Reduction Plant. We left out of Crisfield, went through Smith Island and on across the Bay to Reedville.  Upon arriving at the Omega Plant, there were five police and Coast Guard boats that had marked off a prohibited area in front of the Plant and the 11 large fishing vessels that harvest the Menhaden.  One of Omega’s spotter planes that search out the Menhaden schools for the ships flew overhead.  The demonstration by Greenpeace was peaceful with no mishaps, except for the crab pot that wrapped around the wheel of our boat.  It was a long day since the boat we were on with 30 men and women had no bathroom facilities.  Charlie and I picked up a lot of valuable information from this group for there were people from all over the United States involved with this demonstration. Charlie will give a full report on Menhaden for there is a big meeting in Alexandria, Virginia on August 17th, the day before our meeting, that will have a big impact on what will be happening on the Menhaden problem. Be at the meeting for this report.  It’s very important for the health of the Bay.

MSSA PICNIC

In your last “Tidelines”, August 2005 issue, the MSSA Picnic had a full page ad. The picnic is October 2, 2005 from 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m. at Fort Meade, Maryland.  The first 150 people who sign up will attend because that is all the tickets that are sold.  If you are interested, look at the ad in the “Tidelines” or call the MSSA office at 410-255-5535.

GUEST SPEAKER

Our speaker for August is a good Dorchester County Chapter member and is a big help in our reefball project.  Frank Daringer, owner of Mid-Shore Electronics will be our speaker. Frank will update us on the latest in marine electronics. Come and find out what boat owners, or if you’re thinking of buying a boat, can look forward to and what is currently available to aid you in boating navigation, fish finders and boat safety.

** Frank Daringer of Mid-Shore Electronics in Cambridge, Md, our guest speaker in August, has generously donated a JRC Marine Electronic VHF Radio to Chapter 11.  Attend the August 18th meeting to see if your the lucky person that takes this unit home!!