LAUREL, Del. - The Records Pond Fishing Access Area in Laurel is a popular fishing hole for anglers of all ages.
It's also a social meeting spot for neighbors from all across central Delmarva.
"I got a lot of friends I meet here a lot," said Issac Short of Georgetown, Del., who enjoys fishing in Laurel. "About the only time I seem them is if I come over here fishing because most of them, you know they're from this area or from just outside of Laurel."
But a maelstrom of heavy rain and gusty winds this past Sunday night made for troubled waters on Broad Creek, damaging a floating fishing pier on the tidal side of the Willow Street Dam.
A fishing pier on the pond side is also closed due to damaged decking.
The piers were a preferred spot for local youth who enjoy fishing.
"It's safe, they've got rails and everything," said Oscar Johnson of Salisbury, another fan of fishing in Laurel. "You don't [have to] worry about them falling in. It's better for them instead of being on the river. They can fall off the river any time."
With such a prime fishing spot mostly out of commission, local bait shops are hurting.
"Well, business is down," said Kim Littleton, co-owner of A & K Enterprises, a nearby bait shop. "You're not seeing the fishermen that you normally see this time of the year, who come in for live bait as well as artificial bait."
Fortunately, good news is on the horizon.
According to the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), fixes to the pond side pier will begin in early January.
And the damaged floating pier will be repaired when the waters calm down and pier can be safely moved.
But that's not all, more improvements are coming to the area.
"They're also going to be putting in a boat ramp here for the other side of the pond, which I think will be greatly appreciated by the constituents in the area," said State Representative Timothy Dukes of Delaware's 40th House District, representing Laurel, Delmar, and much of southwestern Sussex County.
