Well it has been rough. Nortons is still closed because of the plover
and I have walked it several times and I don't see
no plover. I see terns, gulls, oyster catchers, barn swallows but no plovers and every thing I see can fly. (no baby birds that can not fly yet) This is what happens when the bird lovers take over beach control (long story) that don't want anyone on the beach to begin with. I think it is scheduled to open on the 28th of Aug...but we will see. I called them up and asked them is the beach open to oversand vehicles..."no, not yet and it will not be open for several more weeks". Then I said, This beach has been closed ***ALL*** season...to which he replied, "GOOD"!. I said excuse me? He said, that is right, it has been closed all season.
I think the tone of that call speaks volumes for the focus of the "management".
Even still there are beach areas that have no beach on high tide. Parts of south beach will not be passable. I went to the beach (swimming) and we had to leave because the tide came up right to the rope on the dunes. That said IMO there is still enough room to fish 75% of it.
East beach is bad but not so bad that it will effect fishermen that much. Some of it is closed but it is still accessable from an inland route(s).
You can not drive to the rip. I don't know if that will be opened or not by derby time.
There is plenty of bait and fishing is decent and picking up. I think it will be a good derby. Lets hope they do the best they can with the beaches.
The MV surfcasters web site has the following info about beaches:
Beach Report
It’s amazing that a few small birds can accomplish what three consecutive weekend Nor’easters could not--close the beaches!!
The County Beach at Norton’s Point has two Piping Plover nests and was closed on June 25 and will remain closed until the birds fledge in late July or early August. Likewise for most of East Beach on Chappy where there are four piping plover nests-three on, or in back of East Beach, and one at the western end of Wasque by the Swan Pond. East Beach is currently closed to OSV traffic from approximately ¼ mile south of Dike Bridge to Wasque Point. The senior parking lot at Wasque is also off limits as in addition to the bird nests, the area suffered beach erosion. Dave Belcher is going to attempt to re-open that area after the plovers disappear. The remainder of the Trustees property at Cape Poge remains open with the exception of Arruda Point which suffered a great deal of beach erosion and is currently closed to vehicle traffic. The beach there has started to rebuild but is severely slanted from the dune to the surfs edge. The area under the lighthouse also suffered severe beach erosion and several large boulders and other obstacles have been exposed. Driving there is hazardous and care should be taken.
Finally, it appears as though the MVSA efforts over the winter went for naught as the County recently announced that management of the Norton Point Beach will be turned over to the Dukes County Sheriffs Dept. There is no word on when or even if, the air inflations station will be installed. The MVSA Committee as well as other interested parties had hoped the County would somehow get the Trustees of the Reservations involved in the management of Norton’s Point. Regrettably, it now appears unlikely to happen in the very near future.
Have a case of redbull on standby and a few guys from the board. Can't wait. I have read the book "Reading The Water" about 3 times this last month.
) You can bring your wife if you like. All I ask is that everyone is reasonably well mannered as my wife, kids and dog (energetic golden ret) will be there. (Caveats: I don’t have a waterfront estate and live in a modest home and quiet neighborhood. I can’t house anyone nor can you camp out in my yard. Beside me, there will be no celebrities at this event. 
) However, I might also invite a few island friends who fish as well. We just need to keep it civil and I don't want my house trashed. Judging from the folks that I have met that have fished past derby’s that should not be a problem, as you all seem quite nice. You might pick up a few local tips…who knows?
Hybrid Mode
