Loading...
May 29, 1980 - Looking for Bunker Like the Crows and SkunksPage 12A May 29, 1980 Looking for Bunker Like the Crows and Skunks Moss bunkers or menhaden — as they are called in the books, to most of us around here are known as just plain bunkers. In early times, when high - fangled fertilizers were not yet invented and natural products from the farm and sea did the job, bunkers were more widely known than now to the farmers of this area. The name Skunk Lane where we live originated because of the bunkers. Seems down on the causeway leading to Nassau Point was one of the favorite places for netting the huge schools of these fish. This was serious business, for without good fertilizers on the fields, there would be no crops, and in those days we didn't have our supermarket around the corner to fall back on. Teams of men would work the beaches and each team had its name. The teams that are mentioned in our local history are the Crows and Skunks. So the lane that led down to the beach where they had a fish shack was named Skunk Lane. Because of the beautiful weather this weekend Barbara and I decided one evening to try a bit of fishing. The air was dry out of the north, calm and warm; a perfect evening for fishing. We went out, I ftaa� - ao ��QMTN think, more for the ride, and trailed a lure over the side in hopes of getting a weakfish or two. In past years I'd always been able to pick up some of these handsome fish just before nightfall. As we trolled along, the wind had dropped off so we could detect any unusual movement in the water. In three different locations we could see the telltale ripples of schools of fish milling about in the cove. We could even see their tails occasionally break the water as they seemed to be moving endlessly back and forth. I'd seen this many times before and knew it had to be bunkers. These were the schools that the Colonial people netted for their fertiliz- ers. Bunker Beautiful Fish I'd been told by fishermen that under PECONIC BAY BOARDSAILING SCHOOL Main Road, Cutchogue 734 -7452 SALES — LESSONS -- RENTALS Grand Openi*ng May 31, 1980 FREEWind - Surfing Lesson Division. The Perfect Gift for Dad on Father's Day: A BILGE PUMP Albertson NVarine also recommends these other gifts PRICED UNDER $20: Sailing /Water Ski Gloves, Electric Horn, Rod Holders, Clinometer, Water Ski Rope, PVC -Rayon Foul Weather Gear, Anchor Lines, and more .... RTE. East of Soi Riverhead South Shore North Fork 727 -2124 298 -4141 Kreiger Well & Pump Corp. Est. 1921 WELL DRILLING Water Systems and Supplies Main Road, Mattituck, N.Y. 11952 Water Treatment Lic. #10 these fish there might be bigger fish lurking, and therefore I cast through them time and time again. The big fish weren't there, but I did "snag" a bunker, landed it and immediately photographed it. As my wife held the fish I came to realize how beautiful the fish really was. Its silvery color, highlighted by iridescent pearly colors, seemed to roll off its body in every move. These fish are related to the herring family, which have many bones, and are not considered an important food fish as yet. Also the fish do not bite on bait and therefore are not readily caught by hook. The fish are filter feeders, meaning that they swim along with their mouth open, gathering in the plankton that's so abun- dant in our waters. These schools come into our bays in April and May, spawn and continually mill about here and there throughout the summer. Later in August and September we'll see their young as they feed endlessly in our creeks, bays and Sound. I've often seen them while diving as they swim in a tight school, mouths open, seeming to move as one. Walls of silver flash as they change direction should something startle them. Bunkering Was Big Industry I can remember not too long ago the great wooden, and then later the metal bunker boats, tied up in Greenport that harvested the schools of adult bunkers. This was a big industry and as the boats would fill up from their great long nets that encircled the schools they would head for Promised Land on the south shore where a factory would process the tons and tons of fish. Then to Greenport to stock up and out again they would go. The fish is important for many reasons. It's naturally high in oil and therefore used for a thousand different items, from lubricants to paints and varnishes. The fish meal, that I remember seeing piled in great mountains inside the huge buildings, was likewise used for a variety of things, such as feed for hogs and chickens, fertilizers, and so forth. Some are eaten by those who know how to prepare them and we're told that millions of pounds were canned and sent overseas during and after the war to help supplement the diet of the needy. Prey of Savage Bluefish Later that evening, as my wife and I trolled back and forth, we caught the movement of something on the water and so swung over and were horrified to find a bunker literally cut in half, but still flopping around aimlessly on the surface. It had been cut in half by a large fish; that we were sure of because as we picked it up and examined it we could see the first try had left huge teeth marks in the silvery side of the fish. I suspected it was a large bluefish, as they were catching some in the bay. Anyone familiar with the history of bluefish knows they are savage feeders, their mouths continually ripping away at whatever is in front of them. Needless to say, we didn't catch any fish that night, but the trip out was well worth the effort. It was a beautiful evening. We had a little excitement when I snagged my one bunker and then found the remains of another, telling us once again the true story of the natural world. Again we realized that we live in one of the best areas of the country and those who spent Memorial Day weekend out here will have to wait a long time for another as perfect. PAULSTOUTENBURGH COASTAL LANDMARK - -As part of the "Year of the Coast" program at Suffolk County Community College's Marine Science Center at Cedar Beach, Southold, photographs such as this one, a painting of a grain mill which once operated in Orient -- will be displayed. The program will be held on June 7 at 2 p.m. 'Year of Coest' Schedule Set SOUTHOLD- -Many aspects of the Long Island coastline -- including its habitats, geological formation, esthetic and economic values -- will be featured at a "Year of the Coast" celebration at Suffolk County Community College's Marine Science Center at Cedar Beach, Southold, on Saturday, June 7, at 2 p.m. The program, under the auspices of the North Fork Environmental Council, "is designed to spur recognition and un- derstanding of the larger role of coastlines and, specifically, of East End shores, and of the natural resources that abound in, on and around the seaside environment," said Ruth Oliva, coordinator of the program. Highlights of _ the program include, among other features, information on sharks and their relation to Long Island, ecology walks along the salt marsh and the Cedar Beach coastline, a display of items excavated from wrecks sunk in local waters and a model depicting the geological formation of Long Island. At 3 p.m. winners of the "You Picture the North Fork" photo-poster contest -- a competition open to the students of Southold ?'own and Shelter Island -- will be announced and prizes will be awarded. Peconic Dunes Camp Slots Open WEST SAYVILLE -- Suffolk Parks Com- missioner John Chester has announced that applications for one -week sessions at the Peconic Dunes summer camp are being accepted. Peconic Dunes Camp in Southold is open to Suffolk County boys and girls between the ages of 7 and 12. Camping sessions at the site, which borders on Long Island Sound, run for one week, starting June 29 and terminating August 23. The camp fee, which includes lodging, meals and activities, is $65 and children are limited to a maximum stay of one week. All applications for Peconic Dunes Camp are processed on a first -come, first - served basis, with a maximum of 170 campers per session. Applications may be picked up at the Parks Department Ad- ministration Office in West Sayville, located on the grounds of the West Sayville County Golf Course on Montauk Highway.