Dewey Bull Restaurant ... Dewey Beach, DE open for business

The Dewey Bull is a new restaurant  located … 1505 Coastal Highway, Dewey Beach, DE …  Open – Fri, Sat, Sun in May, Sep, Oct Open – Everyday Memorial Day to Labor Day.  The Bull has a buy one get one free coupon for a Pit Beef sandwich just print the coupon to present to Dewey Bull and tell them DSF sent you.  Parking is next to the restaurant and they have a umbrella shaded deck out front.  I love to sit and eat in Dewey Beach during summer and the sandwiches to go are excellent waiting for that “fall run” at the rail.    Dewey Bull is a great place to sit, eat, and people watch. There is always something happening and people everywhere.  Dewey Bull is a family owned and operated establishment, that supports their community, and this website.

Dewey Bull ... Dewey Beach, DE get your pit beef while it lasts

Dave and Christina Meck opened Dewey Bull last year bringing something unique and different to the area.  They specialize in pit beef, bbq beef, and baby back ribs.  Other menu items include crab cakes and cheese steaks …..  Dave and Christina have been visiting Dewey since their childhood … ” We love the area and people in Dewey Beach, this is a great way of life“… It is certainly safe to say they both grew up in the “biz”, between the “crew” there are many years of restaurant experience.  Christina has been in the business for over 30 years with her family.  Dave has 20 years in the business and when they found the opportunity to open Dewey Bull, they went for it.  The food is excellent.  The first time I ate Dewey Bull’s pit beef was on the beach.  A friend dropped by to surf fish and brought me a sandwich.  Yes, I call everyone before they get to the beach, I am always hungry.  Next time your in Dewey Beach stop by Dewey Bull and grab DSF some pit beef. Dave says he hardly has time to surf fish these days and he hopes to change that this year.

I would like to thank Dave and Christina for supporting DSF.  I appreciate people that understand, working within a community is important for small businesses.  Supporting those that support you, goes a long way in the “scheme” of things.

Fish On!!

Rich King

PRINT OUT THIS COUPON AND BRING TO DEWEY BULL!!!

BOGO!!!! - Click on this coupon then print to bring to Dewey Bull

Striped Bass Indian River Inlet ... first for William on Graduation day 2012 ..NICE!!!

 I fished Masssey’s Landing the past few days.  Shad are running through, especially at night under the lights.  Use speck rigs with pink curly tail worms.  Tim the Tuneman caught a few small bluefish a few days ago.  I saw a few folks last night trying for shad, but they were not hooking anything, told them to change up colors and see if that helps.  They were having a blast just fishing the rail, going through the motions.  Big stripers in the surf and the Indian river Inlet.  Dubi and his crew celebrated graduation with an “all nighter” fishing adventure a few nights ago … “William’s first 2 keepers for 2012. Morning Stripers, both where caught on storm swimbait 6”  for a Graduation Party. Caught them early in the morning, first was at 3:00 am near the parking lot before getting under the bridge and the second was caught at 4:30 on the north side jetty at IRI”…  Nice work boys and congratulations on graduating!!  Someone asked why hardly anyone is ever smiling in these pictures.  When you have been up for 18 hours fishing, smiling is optional.

  I have seen and heard reports of trout at Broadkill beach, I will try to get that way to confirm or deny.  Pictures are worth a 1000 words, and the best proof.  We know for a fact they are in the back bays and the surf.  Squid worked in the back bays, as is bloodworms.  This is short and sweet, it is all I have for you kids.  Have a safe and fun weekend.  I have to meet Brad on the beach and do a little surf fishing today.  Bunker, clams, and bloodworms will be the bait of choice.  Of course I will be throwing metal, plugs, and storms whilst I drown bait.  More reports later today.

Fish On!!

Rich King

freshly shucked Delaware Bay Oysters

On May 9th DSF rode the Black Pearl to the 16 Mile Brewery in Georgetown, DE.  Why did I take a Pirate Ship to an oyster fest?  It was my birthday, and well … why not.   The Delaware Center for the Inland Bays and the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary teamed up to raise “oyster awareness” in the Delaware Bay and Inland Bays … Rehoboth, Indian River, and Little Assawoman.  This was a fun event to attend, I met many individuals concerned with the estuaries health, something  important to myself.  DSF donated 90$ for our “crew” of 3  and proceeded to the festivities.   Zach King and staff of Port Dewey Beach prepared their trademark Crab Bruschetta,  Bethany Blues of Lewes served up BBQ sliders,  Banks, Wines, and Spirits poured some great wines and of course the oysters shucked by Chris owner of Henlopen City Oyster House were fantastic.  These oysters are grown in the Delaware bay and  supplied by the Bivalve Packing Company.  The shells were returned to the bay as “scat” to promote future oyster growth and increase a growing industry.  Everyone was touring the brewery and the Pirate Ship we rode.  Captain Bill’s Black Pearl Designated Driver Services was a huge hit that night, we literally cleared the room when we parked.

Chad Campbell ... Chris Bason ... Jennifer Adkins ..... Thanking the crowd

16 Mile Brewery owner Chad Campbell spoke with me about this first of four,   “Series of Brews ”  for charity.  A specially brewed Delaware Oyster Stout was made for this occasion, and it was delicious. ”We wanted to do a stout that would tie to a charity and when we found an oyster stout recipe with a cherry smoked barley malt, we knew we had the perfect match“.  The Oysters were boiled for the brew and then quickly eaten afterwards, so nothing was wasted.”  Chad wanted to do a series of charitable beers or a collaboration of brews for a good cause, and they thought this event would be a good way to kick off their first fundraising campaign.  I have to say, 16 Mile Brewery definitely supports their community, that is what impresses me the most, well, there is the beer.    If you ever get a chance, stop by and take a tour, or enjoy one of their happy hours.  Proceeds from these specialty beers are donated to the corresponding charities.

serious shucking going on at this table

 I spoke with Chris Bason, Executive Director for the Delaware Center of the Inland Bays, about their oyster restoration program.  The CIB has been working for years with local growers to find out if the bays can sustain an actual oyster industry.  ”Back in the day” there was a huge oyster industry in our bays and then disease wiped them out.  Leases were rescinded and the oyster industry died in Delaware.  New leases for aquacultered oysters in our bays will increase revenue for the communities.  A new disease resistant strain of oysters can make a comeback in our bays.  This will create a huge local market, and not infringe on the areas already used by boaters and “clammers”.  ”We want to increase an industry we once had, and add to the economy without minimizing any other industry.”  

Oyster "scat" will be returned to the bay to increase growth

I have heard many stories from the older locals about the oysters they used to harvest and eat from these bays.  We have 22,000 acres of total bottom  in our Inland Bays, not all of that area can sustain oysters, however a large percentage will.  The following figures, based on Rhode Island’s production for 2011, are as follows … 160 acres of aquacultured bottom = 26 full time jobs, 58 part time jobs and a return of 2.5 million dollars.  There are also 57 species of different aquatic animals that use oyster beds for habitat, this would increase our fisheries in the bays.  Sign me up.  The Delaware Center for the Inland Bays works diligently to maintain our estuaries, maybe there is something you can do for them.

   I chatted with Jennifer Adkins, Executive Director of Partnership for the Delaware Estuary about this event.  ”Our goal is to raise awareness of the oyster’s importance for clean water, a better economy and a way of life“.  The group works with many of the programs in Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.  These are state and government organizations along with several NPO’s.  They have been working closely with the Bivalve Packing Company in Delaware Bay.  Oysters are an amazing natural water filter and just by growing oysters in our bays, the water will clean up and sustain more life.  A win-win for the environment, if you ask me.

crowd at 16 Mile Brewery enjoying the festivities

I understand the need for cleaner waters, with a more diverse amount of life in the bays, the fish populations will increase across the board.  Some species may take longer than others.  When I operated my saltwater aquarium store and coral farm.  I learned very fast (first) water quality was the key for proper growth in a closed system.  Even in an open system such as the ocean and bays, we still need pristine water quality, to grow much more and better foods.  This fundraiser was more of an “awareness raiser” and I for one applaud the efforts of everyone that supported this event.  I know for a fact we need to clean up these waters.  I have seen many oysters growing in the back bays on pier poles, jetties, and bulkheads.  These are “tidal” oysters and not forming beds, but maybe that is around the corner.  ”Back in the day” there were many oyster beds in the bays, it would be nice to see that again and harvest the rewards.  If you are interested in working with the oyster restoration program, contact the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays.

Fish On!!

Rich King