August 27th, 2010

Seine Fishing, Clamming, Delaware Bay, A Late Afternoon, At sunset, Delaware Beaches

Out and about is where I found myself yesterday; you know errands, hair appt., delivering figs to Madelon, stopping at the Lifesaving Station, etc. etc.

It was late in the afternoon, almost at sunset and as I was approaching Dewey Beach I decided to detour and enter New Road on the Bay.  There was nobody collecting the entry fee.  This spot is part of the Delaware State Parks.

As I was taking in the view I could not help to think how lucky we are to live in this coastal area.  Open spaces, marshes, wild birds, the beach.

I watched the fisherman at the distance.  I needed to approach him.  He was seine fishing.  A seine is a large fishing net that hangs in the water by attaching weights along the bottom edge and floats along the top.  They are used to encircle schools of fish.

I was able to talk to him and watch him carry the net full of fish to his cooler.  It looked like I was stalking him but no; this was an unexpected post for my blog. 

I could not believe that the cooler was almost full with Menhaden fish.  He said it only took him about 1/2 hour.  Menhaden is a silvery herring-like fish that travels in large schools.  It is considered inedible for humans but processed into oil for cosmetics and fish meal for animals, particularly poultry.

Then I spotted the clammer; his family joined him.  The Delaware Bay is so shallow in this area that they were able to really walk out far.

I loved finding that lonely chair on the bay.  The Bay was quiet, serene, still and so picturesque; then my next thought was I better go home because, “ouch”,  the “no-see-ums” are getting to me.

Talk to you later…..you know I will….

Note:  If you feel like grilling on this area, there is a barbecue grill and 2 picnic tables available to the public.