No Fluke

Take-a-Kid Fishing this weekend

Posted

The Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association’s (RISAA) 19th annual “Take-A-Kid Fishing Day” is this Saturday, June 25, 9 a.m. to noon at Brewers Greenwich Bay Marina, Masthead Drive, Warwick.

Children are treated to a morning of fishing on the Bay followed by a cookout. Steve Medeiros, RISAA president said, “Right now we are a few boats short as we have over 200 children to place on vessels. I would also like to thank Brewers Marina for hosting the event again this year.” The purpose of the event is to give seven to thirteen year old children a chance to learn about Narragansett Bay and the environment, experience the thrill of catching a fish, ride on a boat in saltwater and a chance to start building a lifetime of fishing memories.

Children participate through partner organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club, Scouting, neighborhood groups and recreation departments. At press time RISAA was still looking for volunteers. If interested call 401/826-2121 or visit www.risaa.org.

Hex fly tying and fishing workshop

Kim Petti of Fin & Feathers Outfitters, North Kingstown said “We are holding a Hexagenia hatch fly tying and fishing workshop Saturday, June 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.” John McCall, president of United Fly Tyers of RI and local fly tying/fishing expert will be the guest speaker. Call 401/326-6924 for information.

Pickering on carp fishing

Dave Pickering is a world class carp fishermen. He has won numerous national and international tournaments with carp in the 30 and 40 pound range. Here in New England we have some of the best carp fishing in North America, yet many fishermen here have no idea that huge carp in the 20 to 40 pound range are swimming in local waters.

In his seminar Dave will focus on ‘discovery’ with an emphasis on beginner carp fishing. He’ll discuss strategies and various topics such as equipment needs, baits and rigging. The presentation will also have information that will appeal to experienced carp fishermen.

The seminar will be held Monday, June 27, 7 p.m. at the West Valley Inn, West Warwick. Optional dinner served between 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 pm. by the West Valley Inn. Non-members are welcome with a $10 donation to the RISAA Scholarship Fund. No charge for members.

Pilot fishing camp held next week

The Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA) is holding a pilot fishing camp at Rocky Point Park, Warwick, Tuesday, June 28 to Thursday, June 30 for children 7 to 14 years old.

“Steve Medeiros, president of the RISAA said, “The response to our fishing camp was overwhelming. Our aim was to enroll 40 children but we allowed 50 to register and have a huge waiting list. We are working out final details for this pilot camp and expect to learn a lot if we should decide to have future camps. We actually sent out one final call for additional RISAA member volunteers last week.” There is no cost for children to participate in the camp.

Topics to be covered over the three day camp include fish identification, fishing laws, use of spinning and conventional tackle, basic marine biology, how and why to use different baits and lures, casting and fishing from shore as well as boating safety and fishing from a boat.

Camp partners include the City of Warwick, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, Brewers Marina and the RI Department of Environmental Management (DEM) who will provide fish identification and marine biology components for the camp.

Where’s the bite

Striped bass fishing remained very strong in the Bay and along coastal shores this week. Anglers continue to catch striped bass in the Providence River this weekend in the Squantum Club area live lining Atlantic menhaden. Ken Landry of Ray’s Bait & Tackle, Warwick, said, “Bass fishing has been good. Some days you are on them and can’t put a line down without catching one… yet other days you have to search for them. I’ve live lined as well as trolled Atlantic menhaden to catch fish when they were spread out, but they are all over… from the Hurricane Barrier to mid portions of the Bay around Prudence Island. Some days you just have to work for them.”

Ryan O’Kelly and his father Jeff, of West Warwick, caught a 25 pound striped bass while drifting with squid off Pt. Judith this Saturday.” Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle, Providence said, “Bass fishing is outstanding, Capt. Jack Sprengel of East Coast Charters land 25 bass in the 30 pound range in one day, however, somedays anglers are having to work for their fish. They are catching them with live and chunked Atlantic menhaden as well as with umbrella rigs and in some cases with whole squid.”

John Littlefield from Archie’s Bait & Tackle, Riverside said, “Anglers are catching bass consistently in the Warren River in the 13 to 15 pound range and all along the channel from Ohio Ledge to Providence. It has been a great bass season with customers that never caught any bass getting a nice keeper every time they go out.” “Bass are also being picked up in the Gooseberry Island area as well as at the Rt. 88 bridge,” said Sam Busenbark of Bucko Bait & Tackle.

Summer flounder (fluke) fishing was very active this week as it was the Fluke Till You Puck Tournament. Rich Hittinger, RISAA 1st vice president, said, “We fished south of Block Island and caught about 25 fish including a fish over 7 pounds. Many of the Fluke Till You Puke Tournament anglers were fishing in the area but the Tournament boats were spread out all over Block Island and at the southern coastal shore.”

Capt. Frank Blount of the Frances Fleet said, “This was a good week of fluke fishing. Areas fished ranged from the local beaches to Block Island and Sakonnet and areas in-between. Seems to be good fluke just about everywhere. Some really nice fish this week with pool winners often in the 7-8 pound range.”

Angler Armand Tetreault said, “We did some fluke fishing around Newport and had a pretty good day. Nothing biting on dropping tide except one large 31” fluke (estimate 11 pounds) off Sachuset Point near 3rd Beach.  And as tide started to runback in we went back near Brenton reef and managed half dozen keeper size fluke.” Fluke fishing in the Warwick Light, Greenwich Bay, Patience and Prudence Island areas remained strong. Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle said, “The channel edges are yielding some nice fluke on the East side of Prudence Island and in the Warwick Light area.” John Littlefield of Archie’s Bait & Tackle said, “Fluke fishing has been good with some customers catching 4 to 5 nice keeps in front of the Seminary in Warwick and at Warwick Light.”

Scup fishing has improved dramatically. Sam Busenbark of Bucko Bait & Tackle, Fall River said, “The Stone Bridge, Tiverton had some good scup fishing from shore as well as Bicentennial Park, Fall River.” John Littlefield from Archie’s Bait said, “There is an outstanding scup bite at Colt State Park, Bristol but they haven’t come up the Providence River in great numbers yet.” “Angles are landing 15” to 17” scup from shore at Jamestown, Quonset/Davisville and Colt State Park.” said Dave Henault.

Captain Dave Monti has been fishing and shellfishing for over 40 years. He holds a captain’s master license and a charter fishing license. He is a RISAA board member, a member of the RI Party & Charter Boat Association and a member of the RI Marine Fisheries Council. Contact or forward fishing news and photos to Capt. Dave at dmontifish@verizon.net or visit his website at www.noflukefishing.com.

Dave Monti

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