The recent loss of two gentlemen in area waters has caused me to once again explain the science between tides and currents.
In reading the accounts of both tragedies, I don’t believe either of the two most recent victims was local, and I doubt they were familiar with the strength of the currents in the ocean or rivers.
We often see warnings when rip currents are running along our beaches, with instructions of how to swim along the beach until you are out of the current, then swim back to shore. That’s just fine if you are a strong swimmer, but for many people, getting caught in a rip current is pure panic. If lifeguards are on duty, there is a good chance you would be saved, but at 7:30 in the evening, you don’t have a chance.
I learned about the power of the ocean at a very early age. We vacationed at the Mary Ann Inn on Olive Avenue back in the 1940s and swam in the ocean at the end of that street. Well, swam is not the right word; waded is more correct.
One day, my grandfather and I were wading in the ocean wash when a young boy got caught in the undertow and clipped both of us behind our legs. Pop lost me and I went out into the ocean. The next thing I remember was the lifeguard giving me what passed for CPR back then and I came back to life. I’m not exactly sure how old I was, but the memory is as bright to me 80 years or so later as if it happened yesterday.
The young man that we lost in the Broadkill River waded in too far and was carried away by the current. I feel so bad for his family who tried to save him, but glad we didn’t lose any of them. To give you some idea of the power of the current, his body was found at the Outer Wall near the Harbor of Refuge Light.
Current and tides are two different things, but closely related. Tides are caused by the moon pulling on the surface of the water, creating a wave that rises and falls in our area twice in 24 hours. Current is created by the movement of that water. If the water is restricted like in Indian River Inlet or the Broadkill River, the current is strong. If the water is spread out over a large area such as Indian River or Rehoboth bays, the current is less strong. The current along the ocean beach is usually strong.
I wish there was some way we could warn people who visit our area just how dangerous the water is. They come here from inland locations where they are used to lakes, creeks and swimming pools. They don’t expect to be swept away by the water.
Perhaps the state could place warning signs at popular locations like Oyster Rocks telling people not to enter the water due to strong currents. Not sure whose jurisdiction that area is under, but I suspect it belongs to the state highway department.
Signs at the boat ramps that access Indian River Inlet could warn that the currents are very dangerous there as well. I believe that would come under the parks service. There is not much anyone can do about people who choose to swim in the ocean when the lifeguards are not in service. We did that on a regular basis back when we surf fished, swam, played with our kids and spent the day at 3R’s Road during the 1970s and ’80s. In those days, no one ever thought about reservations because the beach at 3R’s Road was not crowded. We would have little groups of friends who would meet there every Saturday to fish and just enjoy the beach life. Today, you must have a reservation to meet there on a weekend or holiday. There are seven other drive-on beaches where reservations are not required, but 3R’s Road is so popular now.
Two state records
As we reported earlier, Jason Wise caught a 33-pound, 15.68-ounce flathead catfish out of Lums Pond May 21. Jason is no newcomer to fishing for flatheads. He uses shiners and worms to tempt the big cats and has caught 53 by his count. He now has the official Delaware state record for the species.
Dylian Rust caught the latest state-record snakehead weighing 15 pounds, 8 ounces. He was fishing from shore at Marshyhope Creek.
Both flathead catfish and northern snakeheads are invasive species and should be retained when caught. They outcompete native species for the available food, plus they eat the small bass, sunfish and other native species.
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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.
