‘No worries, Dad’: Fishing in the SC Lowcountry during the coronavirus pandemic

For years I have tried my best to tell you what it was like when I was growing up here.

Well folks, if you were to take our current highways down to two lanes instead of four lanes, imagine 90% of buildings magically gone — and look around right now, during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic — it’s as close as it gets to the way it was.

This thought came to me last week when I turned onto U.S. 278 from Burnt Church Road in Bluffton and headed toward Hilton Head Island, finally making a right hand turn on the road to Lowe’s. In the space of that three or four miles at around 2 p.m., I saw a total of three cars.

The possible difference between this observation and one I remember from my childhood is that back then, chances are, not a single car would have been on the road, even if I had decided to walk instead of driving.

Comparing this bizarre period of history to other events in my life, only two possible comparisons even come close.

First was around the time of the Cuban missile crisis when eerie air raid sirens would sound and all my school classmates and I would have to dive under our desks, knees up and head down.

The second would be during multiple hurricane threats that forced evacuations, and being stubborn as hell, never once leaving. Talk about a ghost town, the silence was overwhelming.

Most of these times my reason for staying was somewhat selfish. I knew with everyone gone I could fish in places otherwise off limits and not be handcuffed and carted off to jail.

Yes siree, this pandemic is one for the record books that none of us will ever forget.

With all of that, I almost forgot this is an outdoors column.

Have I been out on the water?

The answer is yes but usually solo with the exception of my faithful companion, my beagle Butterbean.

As any of you who are pet owners will no doubt agree, my beagle and three cats have been the best medicine during this period.

My wife, Karen, has been in Houston, Texas helping her ailing father, so it has just been me and the “Bean” wherever I go.

Quite the boat dog, she sits up on the seat with me and that hound dog nose twitches the entire time we are out. Then while fishing I tell her my deepest thoughts, any woes I might have and those beautiful brown eyes seem to tell me, “No worries, Dad, everything will be just fine.”

Reading that last line, maybe, just maybe, we are spending a bit too much time together. Well, at least I haven’t run across any talking rabbits or possums. If that happens you might want to check up on me.

With all public boat landings temporarily closed, I understand the reasoning for Gov. Henry McMaster’s recent order after seeing groups packed into small boats and, of all things, pulling up on sandbars with a number of similar watercraft and throwing social distancing to the wind.

Seeing that, I knew it was a question of time before the hammer came down.

But fishing by myself, catching dinner so I don’t have to go to grocery stores with tons of other people who might pass on the virus to me, should be acceptable. Between hand wipes, Purell, constantly washing my hands and always wearing those stretchy fishing masks that I can pull up and cover my face, I am going above and beyond being careful.

I actually enjoy fishing by myself and if that one thing is taken away from me, you are going to have one crazy columnist on your hands.

Run for the Bulls update

The Run for the Bulls Mahi Tournament is still on.

Scheduled for May 16 out of Palmetto Bay Marina on Hilton Head, the tournament raises funds for the Waddell Mariculture Center in Bluffton.

Participants in last year’s tournament have first refusal but only until April 25, when people on the waiting list will be allowed to take any spots remained to be filled.

With a massive $20,000 payout for first place, and limited to just 30 boats, we are in the process of making changes that will keep everyone safe should the coronavirus problem persist until then.

For boats that plan to fish, we suggest that you limit the number of people on your boat to three or four and know your crew. Take the time to ask all of them whether they are taking every precaution up until the day of the tournament.

For information, contact info@runforthebulls.com. Checks for the entry fee may be dropped off at the Hilton Head Boathouse daily between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Further updates will be given regularly.

This story was originally published April 3, 2020 at 9:34 AM.