Dean Hoxsie new DEM chief; cod fishing strong

Dean Hoxsie has been hired as chief of law enforcement for the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM). He currently serves as chief of the Narragansett Police Department. Chief Hoxsie, who has 30 years of police experience, is slated to start his new job in January.

In an announcement made last week, Janet Coit, DEM Director said, "I am extremely proud of our team and the reputation we've built in the community and know Chief Hoxsie will be a strong and effective leader of the division. With his combination of police experience and love for the outdoors, he brings an important perspective and voice to our senior leadership team. During the transition, the Division will continue to be led by Acting Chief Kurt Blanchard and Deputy Chief Frank Floor, who've been invaluable in managing the Division over the last many months."

Rhody Fly Rodders to meet December 15

The Rhody Fly Rodders will host a presentation on Tuesday, Dec. 15 at 6:30 p.m. by noted local fly fishing expert Ed Lombardo. Lombardo will present on “Fly Fishing Saltwater Estuaries and Fresh Water Fly Fishing Tactics” in Rhode Island and Connecticut. The presentation will take place at the Riverside Sportsmen’s Club, 19 Mohawk Drive, East Providence. The meeting is open to the public. Contact club president Peter Nilsen for information at 401/245-7172.

Economic impact of recreational fishing in RI

A study commissioned by the American Sportfishing Association shows that Rhode Island recreational fishing (from anglers that live in the state) have a total annual economic impact of approximately $144,030,467 on Rhode Island. The economic contribution shown for Rhode Island is based on the total fishing-related spending from those that live in the state. What is missing from this number is the amount of money that out of state anglers spend in Rhode Island and the economic impact of fishing related manufactures that happen to be located in Rhode Island.

The study was conducted by Southwick Associates of Florida for the American Sportfishing Association (ASA). The study also included congressional district totals for each state so legislators could see just how much constituents were spending on recreational fishing. A copy of the study “Economic Contributions of Recreational Fishing: U.S. Congressional Districts” which was completed in October, 2015 can be found at www.southwickassociates.com.

ASMFC schedules hearings for Atlantic herring

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) has scheduled Rhode Island and Massachusetts hearings to gather public comment on the Public Hearing Document for Draft Amendment 3 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Herring. The Rhode Island hearing will take place Monday, Jan. 4 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the University of Rhode Island Bay Campus, Corless Auditorium, South Ferry Road, Narragansett. Contact John Lake at 401/423-1942 for information.  The Massachusetts meeting will take place Tuesday, January 5 at 2 p.m. by the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries at the Annisquam River Station, 30 Emerson Avenue, Gloucester, Mass. Contact David Pierce at 617/626-1532 for information.

Narragansett Trout Unlimited meeting set for December 16

The Narragansett Chapter of Trout Unlimited (TU225) will hold their monthly membership meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 16 at 6:30 p.m. at the Coventry/West Greenwich Elks Lodge, 42 Nooseneck Hill Road (Rte. 3, Exit 6 off of Rte. 95), West Greenwich.

The meeting will celebrate the December holidays and will provide an opportunity for the club to thank members for their volunteer time spent on conservation, habitat, access improvement, and water monitoring projects completed in 2015. Members will also elect next year’s board.  Contact chapter president, Ron Marafioti at 401/463-6162 with questions.

Where’s the bite

Cod fishing remained strong this week. I fished Saturday and Sunday at the East Fishing grounds and did well. On Sunday two anglers on board, Kevin Fetzer of East Greenwich and Jim Stevens of Warwick netted a total of nine cod and 14 black sea bass. Weather and sea conditions were perfect. Sunday’s trip with angler Steve Burstein of West Warwick netted five nice keeper cod and three black sea bass. Southwest winds and rocky sea conditions at the East Grounds made fishing challenging. Capt. Frank Blount of the Frances Fleet said, “All three cod trips sailed were very strong with more and more nice green white bellied cod fish showing up and anglers boxing several nice cod apiece. Fish in the 10 to 15 pound range are becoming more common with a few bigger ones. mixed in. This past Saturday two cod just south of 25 pounds battled it out for the bragging rights! Pedro Darosa from Taunton just edged out longtime regular Guy Hesketh from Granby, Conn. on Saturday. Pedro's big cod was caught on a big Viking jig while Guy got his on fresh shucked clam on a 3/0 hook. Lots of cod that fell just short as well which is something we always like to see. Still relatively easy to get a limit of good size sea bass. Less of the monsters this week.”

Tautog fishing remained strong too. Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait & Tackle, Warwick said, “Customers are doing well out in front of Jamestown and Newport as well as at Coddington Cove and General Rock. Three guys can fish a few hours and they will limit out with ten fish per boat and catch a lot of shorts in the process.” Roger Simpson of the Frances Fleet said, “Tog fishing continued solid with multiple angler limit catches each day and pool fish 8 to 10 pounds. Best day was Tuesday with an easy full boat limit. A fair number of short and keeper cod fish mixed in on the tog runs and an occasional sea bass or two.”

Captain Dave Monti has been fishing and shellfishing for over 40 years.  He holds a captain’s master license and a charter fishing license. Visit Captain Dave’s No Fluke website at www.noflukefishing.com or e-mail him with your fishing news and photos at dmontifish@verizon.net.