On Tuesday evening, April 24, the Delaware Advisory Council on Recreational Fishing Funding met in Dover. I am and have been a member of this council since its inception as a part of the legislation that created the General Fishing License.
All money collected from the sale of fishing licenses goes directly into a fund that may only be used for fishing projects approved by the federal government. Our money is matched by federal money collected from a 5 percent excise tax on most fishing equipment.
One of the biggest projects currently underway is the preparation and sinking of the Cape May-Lewes Ferry’s Twin Capes. The state had to pay the Delaware River and Bay Authority $250,000 for the ferry, which in my opinion is a ripoff. The DRBA has more money than God, and if the state didn’t take the boat, they would have to get rid of it as scrap and that would have cost around $2 million. The boat should have been donated and the authority could have a nice write-off.
In any case, the ferry is currently at Coleen shipyard in Norfolk, Va., and once it is cleaned, it will be towed to the Del-Jersey-Land Reef and sunk. This will happen sometime before the end of May.
The state will pay for the ferry, transportation to Norfolk, cleaning and transportation back to the reef. Fortunately, the federal government will pick up three-quarters of this bill.
Another project discussed was the fishing pier at Cape Henlopen State Park. It is one of the most popular fishing spots in the state, but has suffered damage from the past winter. Right now, the very end of the pier has been closed, and some of the pilings that were recently repaired are showing signs of damage.
There are two ideas of where to build the new pier. Some would like to move the pier to the ocean side of the park, but this would cost somewhere around $15 million. The area where the current pier stands is filling in with sand, but if a new pier were moved farther out to deeper water, it would only cost $5 million. In either case, the Division of Parks and Recreation would have the responsibility to pay for the pier, but I am sure the powers that be would figure some way to use at least a portion of fishing license money.
Some of the inland projects currently under construction include the new boat ramp and parking lot at Millsboro Pond. When completed, there will be seven more parking spaces and a new ramp.
It seems like we have been talking about Phillips Landing at the junction of Broad Creek and the Nanticoke River forever. Well, we are still waiting for permits before the work can begin. One holdup was the discovery of Native American artifacts on the site. It took about a year to get approval from the state archaeologists who decided the artifacts were not critical. Once construction is complete, there will be two new boat ramps and floating docks, plus a smaller ramp for kayaks and canoes.
One project that is complete is the boat ramp improvement in Seaford. New docks are installed along with new LED lights.
There are several projects in New Castle County including a fishing pier at Dobbinsville that is in the planning stage. A boat ramp at Seventh Street in Wilmington had to be renegotiated because Wilmington elected a new mayor.
And so it goes.
Joe Morris Flounder Tourney
The Joe Morris Memorial Canal Flounder Tournament will be held Friday, May 18, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. The entry fee is $40, half of which will go to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. In addition to this money, all proceeds from the sale of tournament T-shirts will go to this charity.
J.D. Bucktails has donated many of their lures to the tournament, and the sale of these will go entirely to PCAN. I have seen these lures, and they are more than worth the small price. I plan to purchase several.
At this time, Amanda does not know exactly what type of prizes will be available for those who purchase raffle tickets, but this will be firmed up soon. Several local businesses have promised to supply raffle prizes, but some have not yet arrived. Funds from the raffle will also go to PCAN.
Last year, the tournament raised $19,650. This year the goal will be $25,000.
You can register for the tournament at Lewes Harbour Marina until 7 a.m., May 18. You can make donations to PCAN in Joe’s name by going to support.pancan.org/goto/joemorris.
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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.
