Long Island's Hidden Past: South Shore fishing stations

It may not look like much, but the fishing station perched on the edge of Moriches Bay, in East Moriches, has been a fisherman's heaven on earth since the early 1900s.

News 12 Staff

Jun 6, 2019, 9:02 AM

Updated 1,790 days ago

Share:

There was a time when a great day on the water meant sitting in a small wooded boat, fishing for flounder. News 12's Danielle Campbell and Brian Endres take us back in time to one of the last remaining South Shore fishing stations in Long Island's Hidden Past series.
It may not look like much, but the fishing station perched on the edge of Moriches Bay, in East Moriches, has been a fisherman's heaven on earth since the early 1900s.
LISTEN: Danielle talks to Silly Lily owner Jay Scott in a companion podcast for News 12 Talks Long Island:
"Fishing stations were these magical places where people would rent these boats and either row them out or be towed out and go fishing for the day," says Jay Scott, owner of Silly Lily, a place where common people could slip away for the day and go fishing.
People from New York City, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Long Island would go fishing at the spot because the fishing was bountiful, many catching 50 flounders in an afternoon.
undefined
At one time there were several fishing stations dotting the South Shore from Mastic to Shinnecock.
The Silly Lily is the last of its kind. Scott says it's important to preserve the fishing station's history and keep it authentic. Memorabilia hangs from the station's wood planked ceilings and walls.
The Silly Lily is famous for the line used for decades - "Stop Wishing and go Fishing."


More from News 12
1:00
Pro-Palestinian protesters at Vassar College set up encampment, demand divestment

Pro-Palestinian protesters at Vassar College set up encampment, demand divestment

2:14
Storm Watch: Showers and thunderstorms to impact evening commute, sunny and warmer to start May

Storm Watch: Showers and thunderstorms to impact evening commute, sunny and warmer to start May

1:28
4th annual Diverse Ability Job Fair draws hundreds seeking opportunities

4th annual Diverse Ability Job Fair draws hundreds seeking opportunities

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

0:43
Congressmen call for Metro-North discounts extension to Hudson Valley riders

Congressmen call for Metro-North discounts extension to Hudson Valley riders

0:19
Bronx man charged with criminally negligent homicide in death of Sullivan County man

Bronx man charged with criminally negligent homicide in death of Sullivan County man

0:34
2 Ulster County brothers convicted of murdering father of 2

2 Ulster County brothers convicted of murdering father of 2

0:19
Middletown man sentenced to 10 years in prison for child rape

Middletown man sentenced to 10 years in prison for child rape

0:45
Dobbs Ferry condemns racist incidents; urges public vigilance

Dobbs Ferry condemns racist incidents; urges public vigilance

0:48
North Castle police warn residents following weekend car thefts

North Castle police warn residents following weekend car thefts

1:44
Thiells voters to decide on new fire station

Thiells voters to decide on new fire station

0:29
Lawmakers demand transparency on Carmel lithium-ion battery storage facility

Lawmakers demand transparency on Carmel lithium-ion battery storage facility

0:22
Westchester County launches initiative to support Asian American and Pacific Islander communities

Westchester County launches initiative to support Asian American and Pacific Islander communities

1:05
Headlines: Gun found at LGA, WWII-era mortar uncovered, Amazon gas leak

Headlines: Gun found at LGA, WWII-era mortar uncovered, Amazon gas leak

0:23
E-ZPass warns of text message scam targeting customers

E-ZPass warns of text message scam targeting customers

0:44
Mount St. Mary College donates properties to Habitat for Humanity

Mount St. Mary College donates properties to Habitat for Humanity

0:22
9th annual North Rockland Sports and Law Enforcement Day raises over $80,000 for charity

9th annual North Rockland Sports and Law Enforcement Day raises over $80,000 for charity

0:28
Back-to-back: Byram Hills HS senior claims victory in speech championship for 2nd year

Back-to-back: Byram Hills HS senior claims victory in speech championship for 2nd year

0:34
Westchester County unveils plans for revitalizing and safeguarding the historic Merestead property

Westchester County unveils plans for revitalizing and safeguarding the historic Merestead property

8:55
Guide: Ways to set your child up for financial success

Guide: Ways to set your child up for financial success