What A Fluke!

"What a Fluke" is what you could be saying if you head to Captree State Park for a day of fishing. Located on Long Island's South Shore, at the eastern tip of Jones Beach, the park has a boat basin loaded with charter boats for cruising, fishing and partys. The boats range in size and price (depending on how long and what type of fishing or activity you'd like to do). Common catches are Fluke, Flounder, Blackfish and Sea Bass. Some boats will also take you Shark fishing!

Many visitors also come to the park to fish at the dock by the bay. This is a great activity to do with the kids, especially since you can also watch the many species of sea birds and observe the crabs crawling along the dock - there are a lot! 

In the summer, the park provides guided nature walks and bird watchers come to view the various types of seagulls, terns, pelicans, black skimmers, common loon, plover and ducks. A variety of other birds (some less common in our area) have also been sighted at Captree - very exciting for birders!

If you arrive early, you can find a spot on the shore of the bay and picnic in the park for lunch. Be sure to enjoy the lovely view of the Fire Island Lighthouse in the distance and the scenic boats cruising off in the horizon. 

Entrance to the park is free if you have a yearly New York State Parks Pass, which you can purchase for $59.00. We highly recommend this option, especially if you'll be taking advantage of other New York state parks! Without a pass, there is an entrance fee of $8.00.  

PARK LOCATION:

Robert Moses Causeway Exit 40 South to Park

631-669-0449

631-321-3510

Milling Around in Stony Brook

Located in beautiful Stony Brook, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Grist Mill is the perfect place to spend the day with family or friends. Having functioned as a community center in the 19th century, and used into the 1940's by farmers, the mill was a place where people would meet and share news while they waited for the miller to grind their grain. In 1947, Ward Melville owned the mill and later deeded it to the Ward Melville Heritage Organization, which oversees the area today. The mill is open to the public from April through December and tours are conducted on the weekends. 

Directly across the street from the mill is the pond. Many ducks and swans nest in Mill Pond and children love to watch them swim. At the right time of year, ducks can also be seen with their newborns. 

The path around the eleven-mile pond provides several peaceful resting spots and is a great place to take a leisurely walk to enjoy the scenery and wildlife.

When you're done with your walk and you've worked up an appetite, you can choose to eat at one of the area's many restaurants or head down the road to the historic Three Village Inn. This historic inn has twenty-six rooms and serves lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. Contact the hotel to make reservation at 631-751-0555.

With wonderful views of the water, the Three Village Inn is also a nice place to plan a romantic weekend getaway. You may decide to walk around the town, fly fish on your own, or take a boat ride around the 88 acre wetland area while listening to a naturalist from Stony Brook University discuss the wildlife you'll see. No matter what you decide to do, Grist Mill and the surrounding area is a great place to be.

PARK LOCATION:

100 Harbor Road

Stony Brook, NY 11790

631-689-3238