Ophelia came through then sent some remnants back because she just can’t get enough of Delaware beaches. She left plenty of sand in the surf zone to create some nice structure for surf fishing the next few weeks. As the beaches rebuild, we will be able to fish different structure areas, as soon as Parks can open the beaches to drive on. We can walk the beaches but I’d prefer to drive. I’ve got a pinched nerve. Walking on sand for long periods, I discovered, is not very good for it either. Parks will have to evaluate each closed OSV beach for hazards. Then they will open the beaches to drive. Some may remain closed for a bit due to being lower areas. These higher tides this week will fill in those areas with water at high tide. Maybe. It’s hard to tell until it happens.

Assateague surf anglers are dying to get out. The red drum are here and it is that time of year to start catching big bull reds. Assateague’s beaches wash over faster than our beaches in a few areas. I’m looking forward to hitting the beaches there soon, too.

The surfers had a blast the day after the storm. The Indian River Inlet beaches took a pounding. They then took another nor’easter pounding when Ophelia’s remnants returned. During one high tide, we hit moderate flooding. Everyone is used to these conditions down here but it is better to always be safer than sorry. Ophelia was predicted at record flood levels for Bowers Beach. She slowed down a bit and that helped a great deal in reducing the flood tide height. It only takes a few small changes and we get better or worse. It’s best to always be ready for worse, especially when a storm is coming at you with the same numbers as large flood events.

Fishing will get back on track soon enough. Sheepshead and tautog are already being pulled out of the inlet. Finding sand fleas will be tough unless you don’t mind getting wet. They will be in the loose sand in the troughs — the quicksand that is no fun to walk through.

The state was clearing the old road debris off the beach Wednesday morning northside of the inlet. They will start trucking in sand soon to rebuild the beaches and dunes and keep what is there at this point, I have heard tell. As soon as they can start pumping metric tons of sand that will help a great deal. The sand relocation or bypass system has been down for too long.