A Raleigh, NC angler caught a gigantic grouper from a private boat off of Ocracoke this week. The big grouper weighed in at 45lb, just 3-lbs. shy of the NC State record. It measured 47” in length with a 30” girth. On the northern beaches, things were slow – dead slow. A few skates. Oregon Inlet boats are catching yellowfin and blackfin tuna, mahi, tile fish, and black sea bass with white marlin … [Read more...]
Flounder Catches Increasing
There has been a surge of nice flounder catches in the lower Bay, especially at the CBBT. Lots of fish in the 5–6-pound class are being caught on live spot, jigs and GULP baits. The flatties are also biting on Virginia piers along with croakers, spot and a few rockfish. Surfcasters at Sandbridge are beaching spot, croaker, and Spanish mackerel. The lower bay and Va. Beach oceanfront has been … [Read more...]
An Egg Man and An Egg Dog
We used to have an Egg Man. His name was Bill Handley, a dairy farmer who lived just outside Lewisburg. Every week, Bill would bring us eggs, milk, butter and – Daddy’s favorite – pure cream for his coffee. Bill would come early in the morning, before school, on Mondays and Fridays. One of my jobs was to go outside and retrieve Bill’s deliveries and put them in the refrigerator. The eggs were … [Read more...]
Blueberry Oatmeal Bars
I saw a recipe recently that looked good – Blueberry Oatmeal Bars. I love blueberries. I love oatmeal. They are both extremely healthy. Why not some bars for breakfast, dessert or snacks? I gave the recipe a shot and it’s a keeper. Here’s how. First, make the crust and crumble topping. Melt one stick of butter in the microwave. Add 1 C flour, 3/4 C Old Fashioned Oats (not quick oats), ½ C … [Read more...]
The Beauty of Butterflyweed
One of our most prized plantings is a gorgeous Butterflyweed. A few years ago, Nancy picked a half dozen small seeds from a Butterflyweed pod. She started them inside and nurtured them into small plants. When she brought them outside, she knew the squirrels would get at them and dig them up, so she put a heavy wire guard around the plants to keep the pesky from getting down. The plants … [Read more...]
The Amazing Pineapple Tool
Pineapples represent one of the best buys of fresh fruit in the grocery store. Unlike melons, they are almost always ripe and juicy. They taste great, they are healthy and they are economical – far less than a melon. In fact, they were $1.99 each at Food Lion this week. I really enjoy pineapples (“apple pines”, my children called them) but whacking off all that grungy part and removing the … [Read more...]
Time to Consider DeerBusters
Many backyard gardeners have simply given up. Why go to all the expense and trouble to plant a garden only to have a few deer wipe out and entire planting in one night. All deer repellants ultimately fail as the deer do what they do best - eat stuff. There are two ways to overcome the deer invasions. One involves a 30.06 cartridge, which is frowned upon in most subdivisions and the other is a … [Read more...]
Beware of the Norovirus
Just got back from a family reunion. There were about 30 of us – kissing, hugging, holding babies, and the like. Everything went well until Mr. Norovirus crashed the party. Sixteen of us and counting, bit the dust. It wiped us out. Norovirus infection causes severe vomiting and diarrhea, and stomach cramps, often striking at the same time. It is nasty stuff and highly contagious. The virus can … [Read more...]
A Ray of Hope for Menhaden
Finaly, finally, there is a ray of hope to save the Chesapeake Bay from the overfishing of menhaden. In the new Virginia budget which kicks off July 1, there is a $2 million appropriation to study the populations and migration of menhaden (bunker) in the Chesapeake Bay. For years, conservationists and fishermen have been calling for such a study, if not an outright ban on menhaden fishing as done … [Read more...]
Triggers at the Bay Bridge
A strong bite of triggerfish is now happening at the CBBT. Triggerfish are largely a tropical species but have been showing up increasingly in Virginia waters on offshore reefs and at the mouth of the bay. Triggers have very small mouths, so small hooks are required. The fish hang in large schools and relate to cover. The average fish runs around 17-inches and weighs 5 pounds. They are strong … [Read more...]
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