Fishing for a Cause tournament nets $200,000 for Meeting Street

The 6th annual Fishing for A Cause tournament, fundraiser and dinner raised $200,000 to benefit children and families of The Schwartz Center. The annual event featured more than 100 anglers and over 300 guests at the seaside dinner, making it once again the largest annual fundraiser for Meeting Street’s Dartmouth campus. 
Fishing for a Cause has raised more than $800,000 in its history. The June 25 and 26 two-day catch & release tournament was held in the waters of Buzzards Bay. This year, three local anglers took winning honors. Brian Combra of Newport took first place in the striped bass category; Rob Taylor of Newport took first place bluefish; and Jack Sprengel of Warwick took first place in the summer flounder (fluke) category.

19th Annual Take-a-Kid Fishing Day

The Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association’s (RISAA) 19th annual “Take-A-Kid Fishing Day” was held Saturday, June 25 at Brewer Cowesett Marina. 185 children, 50 boats and a total of about 180 volunteers participated in the event this year. Children were treated to a morning of fishing followed by a cookout lunch on shore. Children caught bluefish trolling Greenwich Bay and although the fish were small this year everyone seem to catch at least one.

Pilot fishing camp a success

The pilot youth fishing camp, sponsored by RISAA, got off to a great start last week at Rocky Point Park. Fifty children ages 7 to 14 learned about fishing gear and tackle, marine biology and how to fish from shore and from a boat. By far, the 3-day camp’s most popular activity was fishing, as children enjoyed fishing much more than learning about fishing.

Topics covered included 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.

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.