My Delmarva Summer 1998

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     Finally got to go fishing yesterday.  Seems something was always
stopping us.  Either Roland had a Dr. appointment or I did or
something.  But yesterday we made it.  Even Eddie was off so he could go
also.  We took two 80 yd gill nets.  Floating, 18 feet deep, 3 1/2 in
stretch.  Caught the flood tide 'about an hour into it' and set them to
drift through 'Calf's reach' which is just behind the house.
     Both went through the reach beautiful.  As we pulled the first
'about 20 minutes' we began seeing mud shad 'grizzer shad' and by the
time we had both nets pulled, we had better than a half bushel of mud
shad and 6 herring.  Course the herring were what we were after, for the
roe.  I think Roland was ready to quit, but Eddie and I wanted to made
another drift.
     The second drift was a little better and when we finished pulling
the nets we had a bushel of shad and half bushel of herring.  Also had
four strippers we put back overboard.  The weather was beautiful so we
made one more drift and finished up.  When I busted the herring , we had
a little better than 6 pints of roe.  Which meant that we could all eat
all we would want and than some.  Eddie and I put the fish into bags and
froze them for crab pot bait.
     Still haven't had a chance to go down to Chincoteague.  Maybe after
Easter.  donald 

     Man, did I eat to much over Easter!  The whole family was here except my Doris and her crowd, as they live in Maine.  'She's coming down in a couple weeks.'  Can't wait.  Granny will go back with her!!!! Yahoo!!!!
     Pat and I stopped at the Hurlock pit to check the groundhog trap and one more bit the dust.  Big male.  Still more there, cause they had covered him up with dirt.  That makes 6 right around the pit.  When I was a kid there were NO groundhogs anywhere around.
     Hoping to get a fishing trip to Chincoteague for Thursday and Friday.  Will let you know what I do.  Write if you can.  donald 

     Trip to Chincoteague started with Roland coming to the house.  We then went to Vienna to meet George.  When he got there at 1130, it was the first time I had seen his new boat.  Man, 24 foot Sea Ark with two 40's on the back.  Could have put my truck in it and still had room to fish.
     We arrived at Chincoteague, launched and set my two  crab pots     Then headed for a spot called 'four mouths'.  The wind had picked up and was now blowing about 20 out of the SouthWest.  There were still plenty of boats fishing and when asked if they had caught anything, they all said yes.  On the first drift I had one nibble.  That was our fishing for the day as the wind increased and the fish quit and the boats left.  We tried to make a couple more drifts, but caught nothing.
     Figure I might as well show George around in case he came down without me.  Had a great ride from  Wallops Island   to  Chincoteague Island   and back to the campground.  On the way back, I stopped at a claming spot that I like and I got out in knee high water, but found it just too cold with the wind blowing the way it was.  George had a set of chest waders and a clam rake so he stayed long enough to catch a mess to eat '35 or 40'.   Fished the crab pots on the way in.  George just couldn't believe that we had about 3 dozen 'none really big', in the two pots in that short of a time.
     Tied the boat at the dock and went for an early supper.  After supper we went onto Assateague Island Assateague Island    and took the wildlife loop then on to the Ocean.  Then back to the camper for farting and belching and bullshitting.

     It's a little after midnight and I am just getting started on this letter.  Let's see, we went to the Naval Academy over to Annapolis, Maryland on Friday night to see Collin Raye and Pam Tillis put on a great concert for the boys.  Those guys in their dress whites brought back memories of years ago, when I put on dress whites as a single man and when to town.  What memories!
     Ended up in Atlantic City on the boardwalk for Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday we came home.  We stopped in Wilmington, Delaware to go to a computer show on the way cause I wanted to upgrade this machine.  Upgraded to a P2 '233'  motherboard and went to a 4mb video card.  Right 'NOW' back here it the woods and marsh and am hooked up on the net at 50666 modem speed and with that P2 '233' and video card this thing is smoking.  Who would have through that a guy like me living here would have the world smoking at his fingertips.  I love it.  O, BTW I have a few more screws left over again, but everything when together real easy.  Damn, computer guys would have charged me a fortune to put things together for me.  Doing it myself still cost me $500.00, but the wife and I spend a lot of time on this machine and none on boos.  Besides, I sold my bigger boat and figured I would use some of that money for something I could play with.
     Pat and I went to the Comedy Club and to a show called the Legends while we were in Atlantic City.  Course she was there for a seminar to keep her NR license up to date.  We took the Delaware Bay Ferry across the bay on the way home.  Still some seaducks out there.  Not many.
     Would like to go fishing tomorrow, but the wind is supposed to come around to the East, which i know is not good.  So I guess I will check a couple duck nest boxes and get some busy work done.  Rain for Thursday, but Friday looks good.  Hope to try the hardhead down to Fishing Bay.  Will let you know what happens.  donald

Well, I got out fishing 'exploring' yesterday.  0830 George and I hooked up to  in his 24 foot Ark and headed for Bishops Head, which is at the end of our world.  We launched and headed for Hooper Strait.  Rough as hell.  Couldn't get the anchor to hold.  When in close to Bloodsworth Island and did catch two Hardheads 'Croakers' .  Got bored and went for a boat ride.  Rode on out to the end of Holland Island and tried fishing, but caught nothing but strippers.  Most about 15 inches, but couldn't keep them unless they were 36 inches.  Boat riding again.  Tried fishing a 30 foot hole in Holland straits, but caught just one more Hardhead.  Boat riding again.  Put our noses in lots of little guts looking Islands over.  Found ourselves circling Bloodsworth Island, Pone Island, Adams Island, Holland Island, and  South Marsh Island    Tangier Sound side of the Islands was rough as hell.  Had a great day just exploring.  Ended up back at the boat ramp at 4 o'clock.  Write if you can.  donald 

Hi Folks,

     Well, lots happen still I last wrote.  Wednesday, WIN95 crashed.
Never saw such goings on.  Have no idea what caused it.  Tried what I
knew to save things, but no dice. It was as useless as tits on a bore
hog.  Fought with it till on Thursday, Pat and I jumped into the truck
and headed for Chincoteague Island and stopped long enough to set the
crabpots and headed for Williamsburg Va.  Pat had tickets to a concert
to see B.J. Thomas, 'Rain drops kept falling on my head'.  Good concert.

     Friday morning we headed back.  When we got to the bridge tunnel it
was blowing 25 to 30 knots and raining  like hell.  We had to put
everything that was in the back of the truck into the cab.  HaHa, what a
laugh.  You should have seen Pat, she had stuff all over her.  What a
hell of a ride over the bridge.  Wasn't ruff at all in the tunnels.  But
something else on the bridge.
     Stopped again at Chincoteague and fished the crabpots.  Had maybe
three dozen.  Steamed and ate them soon as we got home.  Then called a
WIn95 man that helped me get the setup to run a reinstalled Win95.  I
don't know how long it will take me to load everything back in this
machine.  First time in three years that I loss everything.  Course the
first thing I did was get back on the net so I could start downloading.
     Sunday, Bobby and I set  Snapping Turtle  pots in the  Nanticoke River
'guts' just below Vienna.  My market from Atlantic City called and wants
them.  Maybe Bobby and I can make a few bucks at it.  It's fun when I
can make money at it.
     Monday, Bobby and I had 13 turtles. Guess it to be about 2 hundred
lbs.  Only had one pot that they went through.  The water is still cool
enough that they are not that strong yet.  Had 4 that will go 30 lbs and
up.  Geese and ducks everywhere.  Lots with little ones.  One big male
goose actually charged the boat.  Marsh is so beautiful this time of the
year.  Still no bugs YET!  The further we go down the River the more
Nutria there are and they seem to love to go through the pots and tire
them up.  We will stay in the big marsh till the bugs hatch and then
work up the river.
     We reset the pots in a gut that we caught lots of snappers 2 years
ago.  Hope we can catch another 2 hundred lbs in the morning.  Will let
you know.  donald

     Daybreak found Bobby and I on the marsh down river from Vienna, in
a gut that goes to the woods.  I think that the snappers lay there eggs
on a little woods island and it is turtles there most of the time.  We
had better than 200 lbs.  Set out in the next gut up-river but don't
think we did much there last time.  Sure looks the same as the other
creek.  Will let you know.  donald

     Daybreak found Bobby and I checking pots, but only had 2 turtles.
Moved up-river above the Vienna Bridge.  Tried crabbing down the Little
Choptank, but there was nothing but a lot of little ones that ate bait,
so we quit right away and will wait a little.  Daughter from Maine
visiting, sure is nice to have her around.  Miss being close. donald

    Daybreak = on the river checking turtle pots.  Had close to 200
lbs.  Wood ducks everywhere!  My daughter 'Doris" and I went crabbing
knowing that we would not catch any but just wanted to be on the boat
for awhile.  We caught two, but had a great time.  donald

     Daybreak found Bobby and I on the river.  Would guess we caught 200
lbs.  One 40 lbs plus.  Got our asses wet when a thunder and lighting
storm came on us.  Saw it coming, but neither of us have sense enough to
come in out of the rain.  Today was a goose day.  Every bend seemed to
have an old grander hissing at us.  More little ones hatching out every
day.  Marsh is full of them.  Hope some of them get to grow up and are
not all caught by all the critters that are trying to eat them.
     Finally have this machine put back together so that it works.  Will
try to keep up with the email. donald

     Daybreak found Bobby and I under the Vienna Bridge waiting out a
rain shower.  Some of our pots had been placed right next to the
bridge.  When we were through fishing pots we had another 200 lbs,
approximately, so I set the pots out in the next gut in next to the
woods.  I know enough about snappers that when I fine them I stay with
them.  The local geese are almost unbelievable.  A pair on ever corner.
Also jumped two flocks of younger birds that just didn't try to nest.
Nutria, not as thick in this area, but only a couple miles away from
where they are, so it will not be long.  O Yea, got my ass wet again
today.  Drizzle not bad enough to put on rain gear, but enough to wet
you after being there for awhile.
     Turtles go to Atlantic City tomorrow. 'not to gamble'  So if you
have snapper soup while you are loosing your money at one of the
casinos, I more than likely caught them.  Should have a half a ton or
more.  Hope they like there ride over.  Washed them off today.  Man
there is little in this world that stinks as bad as turtle shit.
     Pat and the girls went over to the Western Shore on the other side
of Baltimore to see Neal McCoy in concert at some hot air balloon show.
Hope it stops raining for them.  Glad I didn't have to go.  Nice to have
this machine up and working again, but it of course will never be the
same.  Have a computer show less than an hour away next weekend.  I am
still working with 1 gig of hard drive an may add some.  Will just have
to see how much it cost.  Hope the pots are full in the morning.  Will
let you know.  donald

     Daybreak found Bobby and I, 'in the rain',  fishing turtle pots.  Only had five.  Maybe 75 lbs.  Geese, Woodies drakes and Mallard drakes seemed everywhere.  Tide made lower than I figured that it would and getting to the some pots put us in the mud.  Water pump on the outboard motor kept plugging and I was really afraid a couple times that we might have to pole back.  From where we were it would have been an all day event.
     Bobby and I saw two things that were a first for both of us.  One was a white mink, we think.  We both decided that it could have been nothing else.  The other was a blackbird with white tail feathers.  The marsh is beginning to bloom and is just beautiful.
     After church, we all 'all three of my daughters' went out to eat at a Mothers Day buffet.  I had bought five 'pin on flowers' Pat, Granny, Doris, Tricia, and Dawn.  All my gals.  Ate to much.
     Then Pat and I went to meet the Delaware Bay Ferry.  My turtle market man from Atlantic City was to meet us at 0620PM.  We transferred the turtles to his truck in the parking lot and back across the Bay he went.  He left $750.00 with me, which is a great  week for a couple hours a day.  Hope it stays with us.  If we can do that each week, turtles will remain fun.  Write if you know how.  donald

     Daybreak found Bobby and I checking turtle pots, but fining nothing.  With the rain and cold temps the water temp has dropped and the turtles are just not moving.  We checked the ones I had set in deep water and moved them in where the tops would come out in case we didn't come the next day.  We got back to the truck without getting tooooo wet.
      Pat, Doris, Tricia, and Dawn all headed for Atlantic City and the casinos.  Glad I didn't have to go.  They are planning on going to the Comity Club, but that is the only place I would have liked to go.  They will have a bumpy ride across the Delaware Bay on the ferry, 'winds NorthEast 25-35' but at least it will not be raining in the casinos.  They are staying the night and returning around noon Tuesday with all their winnings.    Ha ha ha.

     STILL raining and cold so Bobby and I decided not to go after turtles.  Granny made an ass of herself this morning with the kids, 'Dawn's stayed with us'.  She was bond and determined that they would be up and ready and hour before they needed to be.  She was enough to drive anyone NUTS.  However they did get off 'ok' and now things have stetted down a little.  Granny went back to bed.  Two more days and I get a break from her.  HOORAY!!!
     It has rained at least a little each day since the first of the month, but is supposed to clear tomorrow.  Sure hope so, so the turtles will crawl again.  I am also out of fresh fish and can't wait to get out for some.  Want to try for some Black Drum  which should be in Hooper Straits by the 15th.  Will let you know.  Some of you folks never seem to write, if you are bored with these daily deed email let me know.  donald

     Daybreak found Bobby and I in the marsh fishing turtle pots.  Temp was still in the 40's.  Had no business trying to catch a turtles while they are hibernating, but the pots had been over for two days and we wanted to check them anyway.  Believe it or not, we chopped one turtle out of the icy water.  The tide was 3 or 4 foot higher than normal cause of the storm and we couldn't fine two pots, but we figure that we can, once the tide is normal.  We cleaned and set the pots out in what looked like a turtlely gut. 'don't think that's a word'
     Doris and Granny leave tomorrow and we wanted to ride down to Chincoteague and to the camper.  It was a nice day together.  Pat is back to work tonight.  Weather man says it will warm up and be in the 80's by the end of the week.  It was sure nice to see the sun today.  Maybe we will have some turtles  move soon as the water warms a little.  Will let you know.  donald

     Bobby and I decided not to fish pots.  Just to cold.  Got Granny and Doris to the airport on time.  I think Doris had a good vacation.  I think Gladys will enjoy her couple months in Maine.  Pat and I went out on the Choptank River for the afternoon.  Set a trotline out, but no crabs. 'caught one'  We rode around just looking.  I love it.

     Daybreak found Bobby and I checking turtle pots.  Had three.  About 50 lbs.  Ran across two deer that were way out on the marsh.  Watched them run for quite a while.  Tide still 3 or 4 feet above normal.  Geese and ducks everywhere.  Reset the pots in three different guts above the Vienna Bridge.  Looked turtle-ly.  Will let you know.
     Pat and I rode to the Ocean.  Did some things around the house that we had been wanting to do and just mainly enjoyed each others company.  She is working tonight and will have to for awhile to make up time for while Doris was here.  Plus, she is looking forward on heading for Fan Fair the first of June.  Talk to you later.   donald

     Daybreak found Bobby and I on the marsh fishing turtle pots.  Only had three.  Tide still really high.  Saw that blackbird with the white tail feathers again.  Moved the turtle pots a couple miles ot the other side of the Nanticoke River.  We were in two guts at the mouth of Chicone Creek.  Put them in two different guts that looked good, but who knows, till tomorrow.  Will let you know.
     George and Roland were at the house at 0100 o'clock and we left for the Delaware Bay, heading for the stone jetties off Lewis at the mouth of the bay.  George's 24' SeaArk took us over and in just a little while, we had an anchor from the stern and I throw a small peace of lead, on some trotline rope, over the stones to pull us in close.  Once we had the boat set it took me about two minutes to have the first Tautog.  A female filled with roe.  Measured 18", was about 4 or 5 lbs.  When we had our 9 over 15" and had to quit, I had caught 7 and George 2.  Course we caught several that were too small.  Roland caught nothing.
     Then we tried for flounder or trout.  George left the net home.  He caught the biggest trout, about 4 lbs, but of course when he tried to lift it into the boat, off it came.  It was getting late anyway so we headed home.  I needed to be home about 0630 or 0700 to go to a concert with Pat. 'I WAS WRONG!'  I got home about 0650, but Pat was gone and had left me a nasty note.  You know, one of those that make you feel like a real ass.  Seems the concert started at 0700.  Hell, I had figured 8 or 9 o'clock for a concert.  WRONG!  Guess she will speak to me sooner or later.  Hope so.  Will let you know.  Had Tautog roe for supper.  Man, if you have never tried it you are really missing something.  It is just wonderful.  donald

     Daybreak found Bobby and I on the marsh.  Fished pots and only had 3 turtles.  Seem to be hung on 3 turtles and hope this changes, cause it just doesn't do it.  We moved the pots 3 or 4 miles to the head of Chicone Creek.  The honeysuckle is in bloom and smelled wonderful.  The sights, smells, sounds and just everything about the marsh and cripples 'woods where to tide floods into' are just to great to describe.  On the way up the creek you could almost 'feel' the Indians.  This creek was a major area for the Nanticoke tribe.  A great couple hours.  Wish you could have been there.
     Pat and I are to go to a firehouse dinner after church.  Beef and dumplings.  Maybe she will start speaking to me.  Write what's happening in your life if you know how.  donald

     Sunrise found Bobby and I heading for Chicone Creek headwaters.  Fished the turtle pots and broke our string of 3.  We had 4.  We both think that the 2 weeks of rain and no sun has got them just to cold to move.  Even the ones in the pots were not moving enough to clean the pot of crap.  We set out the pots coming down the creek and hope for a better day tomorrow.  Will let you know.
     The creek is still indescribably wonderful.  donald

     Sunrise found Bobby and I on the river.  Still the water temps just to cold.  Only had three.

     Sunrise found Bobby and I on the river.  Had 4 snappers.  Just not really worth going, but still at it.  Water temp rising slowly.  Set the pots high enough that the turtles could get to air on low tide, cause Pat and I are heading for Chincoteague this morning.

     Pat and I arrived Chincoteague Island, but the wind was blowing to hard to catch any fish.  We did set the crab pots and ride the creeks for a couple hours.  On the way back in we fished the crab pots and had 1/4 bushel, which we dumped into a bushel and reset the pots.
     Pat and I went to a place called Edda's, for supper, where I had some of the best drum fish I have ever had.   We 'were going to go to the local movie house, but decided not to and just went back to the camper and enjoy being together.
     Sunrise found Pat out cutting grass and sending me to the local store for coffee that we forgot to bring.  Pat had the grass cut by the time I got back and after coffee we headed out to Queens Sound to see if the flounder would bite.  We catch seven that we could keep '15 inches'.  After a couple hours we went claming.  The water was cold, but we stayed till we had a 5 gallon bucket full.  Then on the way in we stopped and pulled the crab pots.  After dumping, we had close to a bushel of crabs to take home.  Flounders 7, Clams 1 bucket, Crabs 1 bushel, not bad HUH!  Headed home.

     Sunrise found Bobby and I on the river.  Only had 3, and one dead one that had hung himself in the net.  Needed one anyway for a man that works with the wife.  Reset the pots in a creek that we saw some heads go down in.  Hope they were snappers and not sliders.  Will let you know.  donald

     Sunrise found Bobby and I on the river heading for turtle pots.  Beautiful.  Had 5.  Set the pots high, cause we are not fishing them tomorrow.  Bobby has a fishing trip planned.  I am going over to the Delaware Bay with Craig if the wind doesn't blow.

     Have not idea what happen to Craig.  Wind is to be light, but he just didn't call.  He's not usually like that.  When out to eat with Pat and just laid around the house.

     Sunrise found Bobby and I on the river heading for the turtle pots.  Had 11.  Water finally warm enough for them to be moving around.  Reset up river.  Hopping for another good day tomorrow.
     Pat and I went to a Computer Show at Salisbury.  I bought 32 more memory.  Got home and found it wouldn't fit.  Dam.  Doubt if I can get my money back, but will try.  Write if you can.  donald 

     Sunrise found Bobby and I on the river heading for our turtle pots.  Had 6.  One close to 40 lbs.  Most for the pots that were in one gut, caught nothing.  We had set a few in another small gut and that's where we caught them.  We reset in the last gut where we had 3 turtles in and ended up finding a gut that when back to Chicone Creek.  I still enjoy exploring.  Outboard ran a little better and I told Bobby it was a good thing that it did cause if we got stuck back there in the middle of nowhere we would be two days getting out.
     I woke with some cellulitis in my left leg, on the shine.  I had hit it with one of the window weights that we use to anchor the turtle pots, the day before.  Told Bobby that I better get right into the doctors and get on some antibiotics.  We had planned to set eel pots to catch some soft crabs, but had to put it off till I saw the doctor.  Doc wanted to put me in the hospital on IV meds, but said we could try pills and see what happens.  Will let you know what happens.  donald

     Sunrise and Bobby and I were on the river heading for turtle pots.  Only had 3.  Just can't seem to find them.  The gut we had the pots in caught good last time we were set there.  Reset in the other fork that when into the woods.  Still beautiful in the middle of nowhere.  BTW we never see another boat or even hear another person till we get back to the boat ramp.  Can feel the 'Indian Sprits' all around us.  Still back in the old Indian reservation.
     My leg and the cellulitis seems to be about the same, no better no worse.  Antibiotics should start making it go away by tomorrow.  I HOPE.

     Sunrise and Bobby and I where heading for the turtle pots.  Had 11.  Maybe 150 lbs. Damn if I can figure out a snapper.  None in one gut, plenty in another.  Reset across the Nanticoke River in a creek next to Riverton.  Looked good.
     Leg looking much better.  I can see the cellulitis going away.  Still looks bad.  Went back to the Dr. and he was happy with the way it was progressing.  Course if he knew that I was out on the boat everyday, he would have a fit.  I am supposed to be home in bed, with my foot up.  BUT, like I say, it is coming along good.
     Pat went to the Doc's with me cause she's got bronchitis.  She is really in bad shape.  Scares me.

     Sunrise and heading for turtles.  Had 8.  About 100 lbs.  Reset in the next creek upriver, along with three small guts on the way.  Bobby and I have been getting home at about ten o'clock and today we went over to the Big Choptank River out of Secretary and set about 50 eel pots in hopes of catching some soft crabs.  Where there is no grass that grows anymore, anything that you put overboard that they can hide in they will use when trying to shed.
     Roland showed up at one o'clock and he and I went down to fishing bay to catch him some croakers.  Forgot to take an anchor, so I tied to the light pole at a poundwier 'fishnet'.  I caught my limit '20'.  Roland caught 6, but said that was all they would eat anyway, so he was happy.  Poundwier was full of skates, but we had no trouble with them.  Also caught about 20 catfish, which will be turtle bait in the morning.  Home again by seven o'clock.  Great day, saw the Nanticoke, Choptank. and Fishing Bay.  What a way to live.  Wish you could enjoy it with me.

     Sunrise found Bobby and I heading for the turtle pots.  Had eight.  One 40 lb plus.  About 150 lbs.  Reset in the same creek, with the fresh catfish for bait.  Hope we got'em in the morning.  We had a few sheepflys to fight with this morning and I am glad we are working our way up the Nanticoke River cause as we do we will get out of any marsh and into just waterlilies where they will not be.
     Bobby's son, my grandson had a ball game this morning, so we didn't go the the eel pots.  Will catch them in the morning.
      Well, I got fish to clean for my landlords and for Pat and I, so I better get to them.  Pat had a bad night, coffin and choking.  Fell so bad for her, she says if she fells a little better this evening we might go crabbing for a little while and get a few to eat.  Hope so.  Write if you do anything.  donald

     Sunrise found Bobby and I fishing turtle pots.  Had 3.  Damn if I can figure them out.  All I can do is put the pots where I think they are and hope for the best.  Reset in the next four little guts upriver.  River just beautiful,  we even saw another boat on the Nanticoke this morning,  seldom see anyone.  Seem to be away from the little geese right now, but still plenty of ducks.
     Pat still coffin and choking.  Wish I could do something for her.  My leg seems to be coming along fine.
     My Atlantic City turtle market called to say he would meet me on this side of the Delaware Bay at 0630 this afternoon.  So Bobby and I loaded turtles on the truck.  Man, turtle shit stinks.  My grandson Robert rode with me over to meet the Delaware Ferry.  Unloaded 800 lbs of snappers and got a $560.00 for them.  Helps make turtleing that much more fun.

     Sunrise found Bobby and I leaving Vienna boat ramp, heading upriver to fish turtle pots.  Lots of thunder and lighting storms just before light.  Hoped they were gone.  We now have a long boat ride cause we are in the guts, creeks and waterlilies about half way to Sharptown on the Nanticoke River.  Well, today we had them.  Close to 200 lbs.  Go figure.  Yesterday nothing, today we tore them up.  Looked no different a set, than the day before.  We reset in the next creek upriver.  We had set 2 pots to test it the day before.  The first had a big hole in it where the turtle went through the pot and the other had a 25 lb turtle.  Good signs, so we reset all the pots in the creek.
     Long ride back to the truck, the 200 lbs of turtles and a strong flood tide, kept the boat from coming out and we just plowed our way back.
     Pat and I went to the Doctors again.  He says he has her on everything he can and hopes she gets better soon.  He was very happy with the way my leg looked.  If I can muster up enough energy this afternoon, I hope to try crabbing, but guess I will have to go by myself.  We'll see.  Write and tell me what's happening in your life.  donald

     Sunrise and Bobby and I were headed for the turtle pots.  Noticed on the way under the Vienna Bridge that the 2  Osprey  nests had young hatched out that were big enough too be standing in the nest pulling  fish apart. Rode on up the Nanticoke River and fished turtle pots.  Had 2.  Just impossible to figure them out.  Reset across the River in two good looking guts.  Set a catfish pot to catch bait in on the way back to the ramp.
     Bobby and I unloaded turtles and headed for those eel pots we had put out off Secretary Creek.
     First couple had nothing, but them we started catching a couple crabs or eels in each pot that someone else hadn't fished for us.  Don't really mind if someone wanted a softcrab bad enough to steal it, but I do wish they had tied the pots back off so they would keep catching.  About 1/3 had been left open.  When we finished we had 4 nice softcrabs '5 to 6 inches' and a couple smaller ones.  Softcrab sandwiches for supper tonight.  Bobby says he is having eel and cleaned 4 or 5 on the way in.  We had 14 peelers, which we put in the large fish tank on the back porch.  Hope they all shed out.  Would invite you for supper, but there just isn't enough softcrabs to go around.
     I am very VERY happy to report that Pat is going to live.  She finally got to sleep most of last night and feels much MUCH better today.  She is going to have supper with a girl friend that she went to nursing school with.  Course I'm tuff enough that my leg is ok and I somehow didn't catch the bug she had.  Well, write if you do anything.  donald

     Sunrise and Bobby and I were heading for the turtle pots.  River beautiful.  Stopped and checked the catfish pot, but all it held was some crabs.  Fished pots.  Had 2.  Yuk.  Reset up a creek way back in the cripples 'woods that floods on high tide'.
     Well, tuff guy might be getting what the wife had.  Hope not.  But I have all the signs.
     Bobby and I got ready to go crabbing this evening about 430.  All the crap that goes with setting boat up to trotline out of and headed of Secretary boat ramp.  On the way over it hit me that it was Wednesday and we were not allowed to crab on Wednesday.  Damn lawmakers.  We kept going figuring that we might as well go fish the eel pots.  Had 18 peelers and one nice softcrab.
     Hope I feel better tomorrow.  donald

     Sunrise found Bobby and I heading upriver to fish turtle pots.  Wind blow hard out of the NorthWest yesterday and we were on the last of the ebb tide.  Found a buoy that was just could be seen and found it to be attached to a good eel pot.  Made out of all wire so will not catch peelers and softcrabs, but will make a great minnow pot for down to Chincoteague Island.
     As we headed up the creek that we had set the turtle pots, with the tide so low, and almost no water on the marsh.  Ducks were in the creek around every bend.  They are quite big now, but still no flight feathers.  They would go scooting across the water and diving and running into the marsh.  The first bend held a Black hen with seven little.  She gave us the broken wing bit.  Next bend was a Mallard with nine.  BTW the marsh is full of Mallard Drakes that are still in full plumage.  Tide was so low that we were setting in a hole and when we would come around a bend we would be right on them.  As we worked our way to the cripples the ducks became more and more Wood ducks.
     All of our turtle pots were in the cripples 'trees over them'.  We had 8.  3 big ones, 30 lbs plus.  In this creek the shells were clean and if a snapper can be pretty, these were.  Still they all stink.  I felt really bad.  Got what Pat had, head feels like it will explode.  Bobby and I set the pots on the way out of the creek, high, so that we would be able to leave them till Saturday.  It's supposed to rain tomorrow and I know if I get wet I would pay for it.
     Home and in bed for the day.  Not sure I will make it.  donald

     Was half asleep and setting miserable in my chair at about 0600AM, when Craig awoke me by coming to the door.  He and 3 friends were heading for fishing bay cause it was blowing to hard to go out on the Delaware Bay.  Fixed him up with two pints of clams and some peelers for bait and off they when.  He called just a bit ago and said he was in the emergency room at Salisbury Hospital.  Seems one of them got a catfish fin stuck through his hand.  Gotto hurt HUH.
     I spend the day in bed.  Just up long enough to write this and I am going back.  Man I feel bad.  Write if you do anything.  donald

     Sunrise found me up and feeling better.  Bobby and I headed for the turtle pots on the Nanticoke River.  Had 7.  Maybe 100 lbs.  Tide was again extremely low and with the boat setting WAY down  in the guts, we were able to get right up on the ducks.  You can almost see them growing.  We reset the turtle pot upriver at the mouth of the MarshyHope ' West Fork of the Nanticoke River'.  Think I will work upriver rather than go up the MarshyHope, cause I want to keep the boat on a trailer.
     Pat and I went crabbing and fished the eel pots.  Had 9 small softcrabs.  2 big ones.  Also some peelers that I left with Ray.  After fishing the eel pots we set out a trotline and caught about a half pot '2 dozen' of hard crabs to steam.  Most 6 inches and fat.  Like my crabs cold, out of the icebox, so we ate softcrabs till we could hold no more.  Steamed crabs for tomorrow!
     I am still coffin and choking, but feel like I will live.  Writing this Sunday morning and feel pretty good.  Left it up to Bobby on fishing the turtle pots this morning and have heard nothing yet, so I guess we will not be going.  Temps staying in the 50's at night and 70's daytime.  Just not hot enough for the turtles to act right.  Pat is all excited about leaving for Nashville for FanFair.  She leaves Friday morning for 10 days.  Hope it not to hot for her down there. Write if you do something.  donald

     No Turtle trips.  Bobby tied up.  Glad we set them high.  I did go by myself today and fish the eel pots.  Had 5 nice soft ones.  Also some peelers 'didn't count'  Left them at Ray's shedding house, with the exception of the 5 I brought home for the fish tank.  BTW the ones I have been putting in the fish tank have been shedding steady.  We have had softcrab whenever we want, which has been everyday I think.  Told Pat that the softcrabs where ahead of us cause we had 8 in the icebox and if she knew anyone that wanted them she should give them away.
    Pat is beside herself in connection with going to FanFair.  Think she may be as excited as I get about the duck season opening.  Naa.  Glad she can go.
     Supposed to rain tomorrow.  Yuk.  donald

     Still no turtles.  Pat and I went to the Big Choptank and went crabbing.  The eel pots all had peelers, softcrabs or eels.  When we sat the crab line out the tide was slack and the hardcrabs came up 2 and 3 at a time, but I finally got my 2 dozen and we headed in.
     Pat and I went to a Shorebirds game.  Shorebirds are our local baseball team.  Minor league.  We first time.  Robert, our grandson, was to go out on the field with the other local little league teams.  Pat and I, grandma and grandpa couldn't take the hard bench seats after the 5th and we came home early.  More than likely our first and last pro ball game.  donald

      Woke this morning to heavy thunder storms and rain.  I still don't feel right, so I spend most of the day in bed.  Pat left this morning for Nashville.  Hope everything goes well for her.  Jeff is coming tomorrow afternoon to go crabbing.  Sure hope the weather allows.  If not, at lease we can meet and be ready for this fall and hunting.  Write if you do anything.  donald

     Sunrise found Bobby and I on the Nanticoke at the Sharptown ramp ready to fish turtle pots.  Had 2.  Reset up at the head of Little Indian Creek.  Beginning to think that we might as well quit.
     Saturday afternoon Jeff came to the house, but with the weather forecasting bad thunder and lighting storms, we decided that we better not set out a trotline.  We rode around a little and than decided to go to Secretary Creek and fish the eel pots to see if we could get him a softcrab to eat.  The pots held softcrabs '9', eels and peelers.  Saw Eddie on the wharf on the way into the ramp and gave him softcrabs for supper.  Could see a storm off to our West.  Jeff left with softcrabs and we are looking forward to hunting this fall.  He hunts Boom Bay Hook, which we love to hunt, but not alone.  Think he will enjoy seaducking also.  Hope so.

     Thunder and lighting storms were bad at sunrise and Bobby and I stayed home.  I am still fighting that cold.  Wanted to go trotlining for some hard crabs, but just couldn't find anyone that wanted to go.  Did end up getting a few to eat from one of my Son-in-laws, Herby.  They had gone down to Little Choptank and caught a bushel and a haft.  When I went over after some croakers that his friend had left for him.  Herb was on his new deck, that he had built, at the back door with hot steamed crabs and cold beer for the evening,  you know, living the Eastern Shore Good Life.

     Thunder and lighting storms were bad again and Bobby and I decided, 'cause we don't like lighting while in a boat', no on the turtles.  Glad we set the pots high.  Did almost nothing but sleep, but I think its getting rid of my cold.  Got this email letter from Pat.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Hi love,
Well as you can see we made it to John  and Marlyns. I found this morning
that I have the check book. From going to Oil Spot. If you need to write a
check before I get back you'll have to use a new book. Stop cussing me, I
really didn't mean to do it.

I more than likely won't get you later because of you crabbing and our time
slot for dinner at Jacks. I'll call and leave a message on the machine but
you'll have to go upstairs if you want it.  Planning on the Midnight
Jamboree after the show with JC so we won't be back to the motel till
about 3 am our time 4 you time. I love you. Wish you could have enjoyed
this.  Enjoy you self but PLEASE be careful. Love you.  Yours
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Write if you can.   donald

     Beautiful sunrise found Bobby and I Heading for the turtle pots. We are still way up to the head of Little Indian Creek.  Great looking spot, but only had 2.  Reset.  Waterlilies are bloomed and everything back in the outback is to beautiful for words.
     Temps were in the 90's, but I just took my time and fished the eel pots anyway.  I know better.  Had 14 softcrabs, also eels and peelers and seven hard crabs.  One really big eel, maybe 4 lbs.  Think it will be supper for tomorrow evening.  Anyone want to join me for eel?
      Pat called and they are of course having a ball.  donald

     Sunrise and Bobby and I were fishing turtle pots.  Had 3. Reset in a couple of guts that we haven't been in before.  Maybe that will work for us.  Hope to go fishing with Wendel's wife Irene this evening.  Guess we will take my little boat, cause it's just the 2 of us.  Hoping for strippers.  Will let you know.
      Going to attach a couple pictures of my cousin having fun.  It's John of John and Marilyn.  They are hillbillies down to Tenn.  Damn nice smallmouth, John.    donald

     Have to start with last evening.  I met Irene at the farm at 5 o'clock and we headed for Secretary boat ramp.  Rode out to the edge of the Choptank River channel just off the mouth of Secretary Creek.  Our bait made it to the bottom and we started pulling in hardheads 'croakers'.  We were allowed 20 each and two strippers.  Irene hasn't bought her permit yet, our we could have caught 4.  We were back to the ramp before sunset.  When we counted the fish we had 39 hardheads, weighting 1 to 3 lbs and two strippers 22 inches.  So Brian or Ray or anyone that wants to go, now is the time.  So let me know.
     Sunrise found Bobby and I fishing turtle pots on the Nanticoke River.  Had 8.  About 150 lbs.  Good day.  Tide low again and the ducks are everywhere.  Spent a long time cleaning fish.  Life is good.  donald

     Sunrise found Bobby and I fishing turtle pots.  Little ducks everywhere.  Had 11 turtles.  About 200 lbs.  Good day.  Hot as hell, in the 90's.  Just make it back to the ramp before a thunder and lighting storm.  Outboard still hard to start after getting hot.  Tried changing spark plugs, but no dice.  Today I put a new fuel pump on, hope that works.
     Brian was the only bite on a fishing trip, but can't come till next weekend.
     Miss++++Pat something terrible.  Write if you know how.  donald

     Morning found Bobby and I fishing turtle pots.  Each morning is an adventure into the unknown.  Had 13.  Reset in 3 guts next to the Sharptown Bridge.  Set them high cause Bobby is going fishing with some guys he works with tomorrow.  Damn outboard motor is still not right.  Going to try a different fuel hose from the tank to the motor, tomorrow.  Maybe that will work.  Loaded the turtles into the truck for the trip to Atlantic City tomorrow.  Parking under the shade tree, cause its hot, in the 90's.  Taking 600 lbs.
     Where Bobby is going fishing tomorrow, I think I will try the crabs off Secretary in the morning.  I think if I take my time I can do it by myself.  I'll take my nitro.  Can't fine anyone else that wants to go.  I need a hardcrab fix.  Going to have them for fathers day, even if I must go get them by myself.
     Pat is to leave Nashville in the morning.  Sure miss her.  They don't know if they will drive right through, or finish Monday.  Guess I better clean this house!!!  Hope everything goes well for them.  donald

     Turtles just not trapping.  Bobby and I may have 100 lbs for the week.  Hot.  Fishing and crabbing is great.  Did trade the outboard in.  For once in my life I was able to buy just what I wanted.  I bought a 1998 15 Evinrude.  Man is it nice.  Should be, it had a price for $1727.00.  I did get a good allowance for the old 8 hp.  They said to fix it would be about $250.00.
     Pat came back.  Whew!  I wasn't sure!  It will be a week or so till she wines down.  I try to act interested.
     Trying to upgrade my daughters machine into my old motherboard.  It takes sooo much time for a dummy like me.  I have everything working but the sound card and I don't think it is gong to let me use hers.  At least they are not expensive, but $20.00 is $20.00.  O well, I know one man I might be able to horse trade with.
 
 
 
 

     Turtles coming slow.  Bobby and I did have close to 100 lbs this
morning, but still only 3 turtles, just big.  One 50 plus, and the
others not little.
     Fishing and crabbing is still great.  Just got done eating my fill
of hardcrabs.  Have both stripper and hardhead in the frig, but when for
the crabs.  Took my daughter Dawn and granddaughter out fishing
yesterday afternoon.  Granddaughter kept saying she was bored, but
caught 2 strippers about 22 inches, my 2 were just 20 inches.  Think she
wanted to go to the shore and go swimming.
     BTW, Pat's working and that is why I finally get a chance to be at
the computer to write this letter.  You see ever since she got back from
Nashville, she has been working on her pages, course every 5 minutes she
is asking now to do something.  Think she is getting things caught up,
so maybe I will be able to use my machine a little more often.
     I wanted to go crow hunting this weekend, but after Eddie said he
would go he was a no show.  If anyone wants to go, I think we can put
caller in the boat and ride from gut to gut and have some fun, but I am
not sure.  The offer for the fishing trip is still open if anyone wants
to go, fish are there!   Donald

     Sunrise found Bobby and I on the Nanticoke River halfway from Sharptown and Broad Creek, just over the Delaware line.  Only had 8, but they were monsters.  About 200 lbs.  That's more like it, huh.  Wind blowing a gale, so no fishing.
     Pat is still working on a new page for Wade Kimes, so I spend the day helping her.  Had rockfish for supper.  Had plenty left, so you should have been there.  My favorite cousin Sheila, might come down from Pa. this weekend to go fishing.  Hope she and Mike can catch a nice big rock.  donald

     Turtles are coming pretty good.  Bobby and I are averaging about 100 lbs a day.  Fishing has been great also.  Caught my limit '2' of rock Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.  Course, on Saturday, when Sheila and her son Mike came, we could only catch one.  Course, the wind was out of the SouthEast and trying to rain, which is just not a good time to go.  However, I think they had a good time and are planning to come back.  I know I enjoyed have them.
     Pat is still working on web pages with pictures from FanFair and I just seem not to write my daily deeds, but will try to be more faithful at it.  You guys could write back, huh.  donald

     Morning found Bobby and I on the Nanticoke River at the mouth of Broad Creek.  Caught 8.  About 100lbs.  Also had one very large gar in one of the pots.  About 5 foot long.  Ducks now unbelievably tame.  Some of the young ones will set and let you ride within a few yards of them.  Most of the Mallard drakes have lost their green heads and look quite ragged.   Young geese are really getting big.
     At home we found that where we had only 3 barrels and had been filling them up, that the bottom ones were dead.  Cleaned up the mess, losing about 150 to 200 lbs.  What a mess!!!  Take turtles to the buyer tomorrow.  Glad of it.
     Went fishing with the man next door at sunset, but for the first time I just didn't catch anything.  Did have one to the side of the boat, but it broke my line.  Was just another 20 inch one, but he catch me off guard with a last minute run. donald

     Bobby and I were on the Nanticoke River early morning.  Young fish hawks, that were in their nests on the navigation buoys, on the way upriver were all by ready to fly.  Most of them looking to try their wings for the fist time.  We had to leave one pot yesterday because the tide was so low that we just couldn't get to it.  Yesterday we could see a turtle in it, but today all there was was a big hole in the pot were he got tired of being catch.  O Well, we still had plenty of turtles in the other pots.  About 200 lbs.
     Set the upriver from Board Creek to the Ferry.  Tide so low that we just couldn't get very close to the lilies, but hoping there will be turtles in the mud flats for a good day tomorrow.
     Took 850 lbs of turtles over to the Delaware Ferry this evening.  Pat rode with me.  Life is good.  donald

     Morning found Bobby and I on the river fishing turtle pots.  Had 4. One day gotem, next don't.  Go figure.  Reset on the other side of the river, back to the mouth of Broad Creek.
     Saw something new!  A Kingbird., about the size of a robin, land on the back of a fish hawk while it was flying and beck the back of its head.  Hawk, finally was able to shake it off.

     Morning found bobby and I, in the rain, fishing turtle pots.  Had about 150 lbs.  Reset just within Broad Creek.  Got my ass soaked.  Glad it is warm.
     Mallards have all just about lost their green heads and the little geese aren't little anymore.  They are feathered out and even look like the old birds.
     Went to Wallmart and brought myself a 20ga Winchester Ranger Field Pump Gun.  Plan on going crow hunting in the morning after fishing turtle pots and didn't want to use my 10ga.  Will let you know what happens. donald

     Morning found Bobby and I on Broad Creek fishing turtle pots.  Had about 150 lbs.  Set the pots working our way up the Creek.  Beautiful Creek.
     Went crow hunting over to Hard Scrabble were I had seen crows in the field.  Set up and settled down thinking I would have some fun.  However, the only thing that came were old birds that just wouldn't get close.  Seemed like just one family group.  Course crows are like Eskimo.  All the old birds will take care of the young birds.  I think the young birds are just locked in the woods.  Tried the Nanticoke River public hunting in two spots, but nothing came.  Really disappointed.
     Went fishing in the evening, but catch nothing but catfish and one hardhead.  I was fishing for strippers.  No one seems to be catching anything.  donald

     Morning found Bobby and I on Broad Creek checking turtle pots.  Had two.  Both big.  Maybe 50 lbs.  Set pots on up the creek.
     Pat and I went out on the Choptank River and set a trotline out, but after two times down the line we didn't even see a crab.  Sure not having much luck lately.  donald

Saturday, July 11

     Morning found Bobby and I on Broad Creek heading upriver.  Had about 75 lbs.  Set upriver.  Pat and I headed for Chincoteague Island to see if we could get the grass cut and catch a mess of crabs to eat.  Got the grass cut.  Crabs didn't cooperate.  Pots were set for about 6 hrs and only caught 2 trash crabs.  Pat and i did have a good dinner.  Home before dark.

     Morning and Bobby and I were on the Creek fishing turtle pots.  Had about 100 lbs.  Reset upriver.  Just relaxed with pat and kicked back.  Nice day.  donald

     Morning found Bobby and I fishing turtle pots.  We are on Broad Creek, all the way up to Bethel, Del. heading for Laurel, Del., beautiful creek, BIG turtles.  Had about 200 lbs.  Reset toward Laurel.
     Pat and I took 800 lbs of snapping turtles across the Delaware Bay to Atlantic City in the afternoon.  On the way back across Pat wanted to have the buffet as the sun went down on the bay.  Eating on the Ferry was a little costly, but I think Pat really enjoyed it.  donald

     Morning found Bobby and I on the river fishing turtles pots.  Had about 200 lbs  BIG turtles.
Pat and I rode over to Prince Ferderick, Md to see a dog I had talked about getting to replace Tinker while hunting.  Course you know she 'tinker' will not retrieve.  I ended up buying a small yellow lab that is two years old.  She has been started and seems to be very interested in retrieving.  She is very obedient.  Paid four hundred and hope I didn't waste my money.  I intend to be VERY careful with getting her used to retrieving.    donald

Wednesday, July 15

     Morning found Bobby and I fishing turtle pots.  Had better than 200 lbs.  Three 40 lbs plus.  While we were resetting the pots, one big 30 lb jumped overboard out of the barrel.  We had enough so we 'had to be careful not to take water over the bow anyway, but we sure wished we could have kept him in the boat also.  I was just to tired to do anything else, and have been in the house the rest of the day.  Hot as hell out, anyway.    donald

     Morning found Bobby and I on the water checking turtle pots.  Had 5. About 75 lbs.  Nothing like the morning before.  Have no idea why.  Hot as hell, so I did nothing else.

     Morning found Bobby and I on the water fishing turtle pots.  Only had 1.  Two days ago they were sinking the boat, now ONE.  Maybe tomorrow.  Pat headed for a Ricky Lynn Gregg concert up in Pa.  It's just to hot for me to do anything.  donald

     Morning found Bobby and I on the river fishing turtle pots.  Had 4.  About 50 lbs.  River beautiful, but sure not catching many turtles.  When we got home we found that the one we caught yesterday, which I had put in a barrel by itself, had gotten away.  Hard to believe that turtles can crawl up the side of a barrel, BUT.  Wish I had tied a top on it.
     Just to hot to want to do anything else. So I just stayed in the house.  Actually, I slept most of the day and than at night also.  I think the heat takes it all out of me.

     Morning found Bobby and I heading for turtle pots, but when we got to the ramp, we found a Bass tournament was going on and boats everywhere.  We backed off, and just came home and loaded turtles to take to the Ferry.  We had two barrels for 400 lbs and 4 turtles that were just to big to fit in the smaller barrels.  We weighted the four by themselves and found that they were 160 lbs.  Pat was planning on going to the Ferry with me.
     My buyer called and canceled till Monday, so I unloaded.  Glad to be done with turtles today.  Hope the pots were set high enough so that none drown on us.  Think they were.  Might be able to talk Pat into going crabbing this evening.  Will let you know.  donald

     Morning found Bobby and I heading for turtle pots.  What we found still makes me sick to the belly.  Our buoys were there, but pots gone.  Whoever it was that stole them left buoys.  I guess that was to cover themselves if they heard a boat coming so that they would have enough time to get away before we realized what had happened.  We lost better than a 1,000 dollars worth of rig 'turtle pots'.  Almost all our pots.  Puts us out of work for this summer.  Wish I through that we had any chance of finding the thief.  I can't even comprehend how anyone can do such a thing.
     I called all the twine companies that I know of, but it will be at least three weeks before they can have the pots ready for us.  So that's it for this summer.  Sure am going to miss it.  The money also, as it would make my hunting seasons much more enjoyable.  SHIT, HELL, PISS, ECT.
     Bobby and I loaded the turtles so that I could meet the Ferry again.  Have 600 lbs now.  Again I received a call saying that it would happen tomorrow.  Unloaded turtles AGAIN.  Maybe tomorrow!!!!  Life an't going right.  Hot as hell to boot.    donald 

    Hot and disgusted and just didn't feel like doing much.  Did get the
600 lbs of turtles delivered.  Spent most of the week in
air-conditioning.  With my health it's what I should do.  It was a little
cooler this morning and I rode over to Hard Scrabble to check out the
crows, but they are still in family groups and nothing came to me.  May
try crabs tonight, but no one is catching any with trotlines anywhere
close to me, so I just don't know if I will go or not.
     Waterfowl hunting season better come soon cause the guys on the
talk forums that I go to are getting crazier than crazy.  I can't hardy
wait.  Even as hot as it is I can still see them coming to the decoys.
Only a month to wait it out!    donald

     Well, this will be my last entry on my Summer 98 page.  My wife and others have convinced me that it could be that I am helping someone be a thief with to much information at his fingertips.  Sorry if anyone was following along.   But.

THINK FALL

  

 

 
 
 
 

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If anyone is reading these letters, it would be nice to have an account of what your life is like. I would love to hear from you.

Donald

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