Archive for June, 2012
Skin Cancer Risks Start Young
The summer season is in full throttle on the Outer Banks. Anglers are catching the standard summer fare – spot, croaker, sea mullet, blues, trout, Spanish, cobia, and some pompano. Whether you are in the surf, the various piers or many bridges, there is very little chance that you will be unsuccessful.
One catch you want to definitely avoid is skin damage for the sun. In past blogs, I steered you to an outstanding site that will give you everything you need to select the best sun screens.
One of the topics on this site is “skin cancer risks start young”. I know when my two boys were young we lathered them with sun screen every hour. Our requirement was that every snack or drink break, was a sun screen application. My hope was that this regimen helped them learn a valuable lesson.
So when you are outside whether fishing or just enjoying the beautiful Outer Banks recreation, remember to “lather on” the sun screen. My boys thanked me and so will yours.
Here is the link to the best sun screens on the market. Hopefully the one you use is near the top of the lists.
EWG Skin’s Deep – Http://www.breakingnews.ewg.org/2012sunscreen/
Until next time, Tightlines.
Old Man and the Sea
An angler named Ernest Hemingway once said: “In hunting you know what you are after, then he added but who can say what you will hook when you fish the saltwater. Because the ocean holds fish of size no one may ever see”.
The picture at the right is Ernest Hemingway and Henry (“Mike”) Strater with the remaining 500 lbs of an estimated 1000 lb marlin that was half-eaten by sharks before it could be landed in the Bahamas in 1935.
Until next time, Tightlines
Lunch Anyone? Try This One
Many of my friends ask where locals go for a real good meal. I tell them that there are many excellent places to eat both on and off the beach. But, yes there are several that we patronize whenever possible.
One of our favorite spots for lunch is Sam and Omie’s Restaurant. It is located on the beach road in South Nags Heads. It is conveniently located across the street from the new Jennette’s Fishing pier.
The restaurant opened in 1937 and served as a meeting place for commercial fisherman. As time passed this became the place were visitors could hook up for a recreational fishing charters. Commercial fishermen were only happy to make a few extra dollars by taking the visitors out. This was probably the beginning of charter fishing here on the Outer Banks.
Times continued to change and so did the owners. This happened several times over the years but the camaraderie between anglers and visitors continued to grow. And a real love for this unique gathering place grew.
My first visit had to be over forty years ago. Back then, one of the prime seats was near the windows. This seat afforded you the view of the old pier, beach road and a catch that fresh ocean breeze. No air conditioning back then. And you were always welcome; even in your bathing suit and sandy bare feet. The old wooden floors covered in sand were as normal as was the local faire.
We continue to frequent this famous landmark as often as possible. Summers are very busy but the off season is ours. The staff is just as friendly as the original Sammy and Omie’s one.
If you go, my recommendations are the fried vegetable baskets and she crab soup. And make sure you tell them an old local fisherman told to come.
Their motto has a certain angling ring – “Everyone should believe in something; I believe I’ll go fishing.” –Henry David Thoreau
Until next time, Tightlines
NCsaltaire 