Little Neck Bay Long Island Sound- Memorial Day 2013

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It was a perfect Memorial Day today. Conditions were perfect; light winds, 25 degrees C (75F), and bright blue sky. Not only that, but the tide was perfect for a nice late morning start. 
I finally got my act together to do some salt water fishing. The annual Striped Bass migration is coming to an end around here, but I went out yesterday and bought a heavier duty rod and conventional reel  for the purpose. Our light weight freshwater gear is not the go for this type of fish or fishing, so with the help of Jonathan at Fisherman Depot  I got myself set up. 

My new Shimano reel

I'll say before I go any further that I did not even get a bite today, but at least I got to test out the gear. 
I paddle to explore, and if I add a fishing rod, then any fish caught are a bonus (unless we're at Quetico living on dehydrated food that is )  so I was not disappointed, as the paddle was fabulous. 
Just being on the Sound, seeing all the boats, big yachts with their sails up, boats of all shapes and sizes, seeing the big bridges (Throggs Neck and the Whitestone), was terrific.  

Throggs Neck Bridge

Empire State Building poking up in the background

Whitestone Bridge in background

I was surprised to paddle up a shallow bay looking for a possible river, to discover an old mill complete with waterwheel. I learned later this is the Saddle Rock Grist Mill.  I jumped out to take a couple of photos, and was rewarded by seeing some  (albeit dead) horseshoe crabs . I should have put something in the photo for scale, as it's hard to tell their size. The crab in the photo is about the size of a dinner plate.

Saddle Rock Grist Mill

Horseshoe Crab

  The final treat was paddling around the point at Fort Totten to discover the battery there. Over 40 gun emplacements - no cannon there anymore of course, but an impressive sight nevertheless. 

No fish, but a great day!