Thanks to the recent dedicated work of Sam Hart and Chris Kennedy of TTOR and Don Scarpone and Ron Domurat of the Martha's Vineyard Surfcaster's Association, good news from the Prez and the Trustees can be provided as in the notes below. Please follow all rules and guidelines, and report those who don't. 

"September 9, 2019

Dear Martha’s Vineyard Surfcaster’s Association Member and Derby Entrant, 

Below please find the notice from The Trustees of Reservations (TTOR) regarding permitted OSV travel along the bayside trail to and from Chappaquiddick during the upcoming Derby.

As many of you are aware, the trail along the ocean side on Norton Point is badly eroded beginning at a point approximately two miles beyond the guard shack. Travel along the front beach is not possible. This agreement was the result of a recent meeting between MVSA members and the Trustees’ Island office and reflects our continuing efforts to balance safe access with beach integrity and regulatory compliance under the MA Endangered Species Act which we must follow.

All OSV operators should be aware that the trail along Katama Bay is subject to flooding during periods of high tide. Travel along the trail should not be attempted in the four hour period starting two hours before until two hours after high tide in Edgartown. OSV operators who attempt to travel during that window run the risk of driving through water and should a problem arise help will not be available from the Trustees.     

As Derby anglers please respect the Trustees wishes regarding fencing and roped off areas as any abuse of that trust could result in the loss of whatever limited travel privileges are available to us. Ropes are not to be cut and stakes are not to be moved.  

Thank you, 

Don Scarpone, President"

"September 9, 2019

Access for Over Sand Vehicles (OSV) to Chappaquiddick to and from Norton Point will be allowed on Friday, September 13^th - Sunday, October 19^thfor the duration of the MV Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby. Access will be limited to the Katama Bay side of Norton Point at or near low tide only. Please note that use of the bayside trail on Norton Point will be limited during high tides due to portions of the trail being flooded so do pay close attention to the tides. 

The Trustees greatly value their relationship and partnership with our local fishing and hunting communities and we look to you for help in ensuring that derby participants adhere to all beach regulations and, in particular, confine OSV travel to the fenced-off travel corridors provided. Failure to stay within the approved corridors may impact the health and resilience of the beach system itself and is likely to cause destruction of state-listed endangered species and plants, which would constitute a prosecutable offense under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act. The MV Surfcasters Association and The Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby Committee have agreed to encourage responsible beach use among their membership. The Trustees reserve the right to close any or all sections of the beach if regulations are not observed.

Our Mission is to “preserve, for public use and enjoyment, properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts." The coastal properties we own or manage on Martha’s Vineyard are stunning examples of places where public enjoyment, natural beauty, and ecological values coincide.

We wish tight lines to Derby participants – but please, fish responsibly. Observe all rules, posted and un-posted, for beach use. Confine your travel to designated corridors and encourage others to do likewise.The Vineyard’s beaches are a resource for everyone – and that means all are responsible for keeping them healthy."

Please direct any comments or suggestions to Don Scarpone: 

We recently received this e-mail from the owner of the Windmill house on Chappy. (08/27/19)

“Yesterday, I was delivering supplies to the house, Dave one of my guys was an hour ahead. He ran into one of the Sport Casters (Surfcaster) members who saw a white jeep cut the fence down in a few spots, he told Dave he confronted them...they were not too friendly..and said "we don't care"

I want to thank who ever it was, I appreciate your guys making an effort to keep things friendly between the fishing community and my efforts to keep the area accessible to fishing. There is always one bad apple.

 I think it may be time to adjust the fence line, everyday the access changes due to tides. I will work on it this week. I also will be adding small pieces of reflective tape on the fence posts, I think it will help the fisherman navigate at night.

This kind of behavior by a member of the fishing community on Martha’s Vineyard is unacceptable.

As Matt said, “there is always one bad apple”.  Although one bad apple doesn’t spoil the whole bunch it  does give all of us a bad name and is a black eye for the angling community in general.

Matt is an angler himself and a good guy. He takes a lot of pride in his property and is dedicated to preserving it’s natural beauty. He has worked with us to keep high tide access to the Gut available and he has also agreed to open an area just south of his house for parking during the Derby. He does not have to do this. Please be appreciative by showing respect for him and his property and please, if you see something, say something before we lose total access to the entire area.                 

Saturday, June 15, 2019

Windmill House Update:

Over the past several months, some MV Surfcasters have been talking to the new owner of the Windmill House about fishing access, passage, etc to that area of Cape Poge.

On Saturday afternoon, working in agreement with the new owner,  a group of MV Surfcasters moved the approximate 1 mile stretch of fence line an additional 10' to 15' inward.   There is now extra room for car travel to/from The Gut, with the usual caveat that at high tide water floods the access as it has always done.

The WMH owner likes to fish and understands there is often good fishing in this area.  In short, he is friendly to us fisherman.  For our part, we need to respect his property, the dunes and wildlife, the same as we do for the rest of Cape Poge.

Most importantly: 

Please respect the fence lines (yes, even at high tide when your car will get wet).  Do not drive "behind the lines", there is plenty room between the shore and the rope fence for passage. Note that the first breach (east, before reaching the house) has created a basin and will be flooded at high tide, hopefully with time this fills in with more sand.

Please don't make it a beach day along his stretch of property (it's not a typical "beach" spot anyway).  Depending on the tide there is room for 2-3 car widths room for passage, same as it has been historically.  If there are breaking fish, stop and catch them, then move on. Be respectful of access/passage to and thru this area for all.

I've been very encouraged by the discussions to date - he's done an amazing job cleaning up the area (there was tons of junk in and around the house that he has removed). 

Thanks to Ron, Jack L, Brad, Jonathan, Joe, Jack, Ralph, Jason and everyone else that helped move the fencing, it went smoothly and quickly.

Click this link to see photos.