Last month’s less than normal limit of sunshine made for some creative last minute outdoor activity planning. Except for the anglers ready to brave lots of rain with sufficient “slicker gear”, fishing trips were canceled or scheduled almost on the moment. May was an even worse month for higher than normal rainfall and in some parts of the Maryland-Virginia Region, days where the sun shined that month could be counted on the fingers of one hand. July certainly cannot produce so many foul weather days as we had in June, much less May, so get ready to enjoy the outdoors. Tasks or activities which were to occur last month but didn’t because of the weather may be rescheduled this month. Adjustments and preparation for warmer July weather can still allow some outdoor catch-up to take place. While there is work to be caught up with there is also that ever important series of tasks to get underway as a high priority; get the family outside for some fishing, boating, camping or swimming.

     Our own wildlife food plot work got delayed due to torrential downpours or constant rain throughout the month of May. By the second week of June ,we had begun to plan ways to get the ground tilled, prepared and the seeds planted, no matter what the weather had to offer. More than once, we had to leave a location before it was finished due to hard rains or the threat of thunder and lightening. One benefit to getting wildlife food or cover crops in the ground around, during or between rains is knowing they will get water at a crucial time of planting. So, with sorghum, sunflower seed mix and crop cover planted, we were three quarters of the way done As for the chufa seeds, hopefully what we got in the ground by the end of June will take, due to last month’s lingering cooler and wetter than normal conditions. 

     Fishing time with the kids is a high priority for the month of July. Whether it’s a stream, farm pond, public lake, tidal tributary or the Chesapeake Bay, get the youngsters and anybody else who wants to join in the fun out there with a rod and reel in hand. Among the better opportunities to take a young person fishing is the “Joe Judge Youth Fishing Derby scheduled for August 8, 2003. Children ages 8 to 16 who have lost a loved one are invited to what is the forth year of a time dedicated to getting deserving youth out on the water. Hosting this year’s tournament will be Captain Jim Brincefield and his charter boat, “Jil Carrie”. Capn’ Jim meets the kids at the Harris Crab House dock at 9:00 a.m. on August 8. He is to be joined by Kent Narrows Chapter and Board of Director members of the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) who help out as mates on board. The fishing group returns to Harris’s for lunch at 12:30 in the afternoon, courtesy of Harris’ Crab House. The youngsters are also given “goodie bags” to take home. For information on how to register someone for this great fishing adventure, call Donna Judge at (410) 758-1225. 

© 2003 Steve & Chelly Scala All Rights Reserved
Photo © 2003 Steve & Chelly Scala All Rights Reserved

Photo by Steve Scala
Travis Scala helps his Grandad load seeds for planting in wildlife food plots.