Could Beach Closures Be Coming Next

A week later, and the controls being imposed on public movements throughout the country are getting concerning for those who hope to get out fishing when the things get rolling in a few weeks.

Florida’s guides have already seen their economic stability thrown into disarray like so many others, and now recreational fishermen of any origin are being chased off the water, thanks to the raucous sandbar parties — which are not the most hygienic social events even in the days when social distancing wasn’t a moral imperative for anyone with half a brain and an ounce of compassion.

Locally, I have heard only the faintest mention of beach closures from people in authority, but the displays of stupidity and callousness by some are starting to raise the volume on the thinking.

For the most part, the folks I’ve seen using the beach are doing so safely and appropriately and to rob us of the option of using our single most treasured natural resource would be a devastating blow to the local psyche.

It would sure send a message though, wouldn’t it? Let’s not get there.

I propose we put up signs that say “Don’t Be An Idiot Or They Will Close The F***king Beaches Like Florida Did.” Maybe that would pierce the few remaining forcefields of ignorance and self-absorption that remain.

We don’t have the on-the-water parties like Boca and Haulover, but if things get truly ugly here in the next few weeks I fear limitations on the water may be less out of the realm of possibility. It seems likely that party boats are already going to be kept at the dock come the start of their season in May, we should all do anything we can to make sure that one-man boats aren’t doing the same.

The ospreys arrived on the South Fork last week. So did the bunker and some whales.

Stripers have thus far been few. A hold-over here and there and a couple micros in the creeks off the Peconics is about it. I haven’t personally tried more than a half-hearted attempt or two at finding a hungry one.

The cuts at both Georgica and Mecox are running, so it’s possible a rat or two will settle in this week. It has been a warm winter, so I suppose there’s reason to hope this will be a year when there’s an actual showing of fish by the season opener in two weeks. This will not be a warm week, however, so there won’t be much to draw whatever fish may be in the area already into the shallows.

Freshwater fishing has been very productive for those picking away at the stumps and overhangs.

The big ones have started crushing on bunker in the New Jersey backwaters and in the ocean off western Long Island. These fish will run the coronavirus gauntlet past the city soon and head up the Hudson to spawn.

By the time they come back out, we will hopefully be on the other side of the curve, so to speak.