R.I. Fishermen’s Advisory Board seeks members 

The Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council is seeking volunteers to further develop and expand the Rhode Island Fishermen’s Advisory Board. Members of the FAB play a crucial role in guiding the CRMC’s efforts to plan for, regulate, and mitigate the impacts of other marine uses on R.I.’s commercial and recreational fisheries and fishermen.   

The FAB does not approve or deny marine uses but exits to ‘advise’ and ‘guide’ CRMC on possible positive or negative impacts on recreational and commercial fineries. 

The FAB is established under Rhode Island’s pioneering Ocean Special Area Management Plan and is intended to be used as a tool to better guide CRMC staff and Council in its permitting and review processes for ocean development. As such, the FAB’s foundation is based on fisher expertise and a commitment to representing Rhode Island’s fisheries, the public interest, collaborative effort, and continuous learning. 

If you are interested and have any questions about serving on this board, please reach out to Kevin Sloan, Offshore Wind Lead (ksloan@crmc.ri.gov ; (401) 332-8792)) or Principal Ocean Engineer Justin Wolf Skenyon. (jskenyon@crmc.ri.gov; (401 783-3370)) should you have any questions. 

Fly fishing the cinder worm hatch 

“Hello everyone, my name is Rosie and we’re going to make three flies tonight that mimic cinder worms.”   

Cinder worms spawn annually on the surface and are a highly desirable food source for striped bass in the spring. Saltwater fly anglers wait anxiously for the event to start each year as the mud the cinder worms live in warms up and worms travel to the surface to spawn. The spawning event lasts just a day or two as low water in coves and estuaries heats the mud to spawning temperatures. 

“I am going to take it step by step.” said Rosie Clifton (eight at the time), my fly tying instructor. The class I attended two years ago ran for two weeks at the US Fish & Wildlife Service Kettle Pond Visitor Center in Charlestown, RI.  After the first session Rosie said, “Now next week we are really going to have some fun tying three more flies.” 

The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in partnership with RI Department of Environmental Management Aquatic Resource Education Program, announced its annual Cinder Worm Workshop taking place on three days this May. This is the program’s seventeenth year, and it will include two weekday evening classes in fly tying instruction and one weekend evening of fly fishing. The program is free to registrants. 

I liked the cinder worm workshop very much. Rosie and other instructors guided me to a fishery that I have fished with light tackle for years, now I have the capability to fly fish the cinder worm hatch. 

Workshop participants get to make their own flies in class then take them out on the water to experience this great fishery. Instructors will be available to assist novice and experienced participants on fly tying, rigging and casting with project organizers Capt. Ray Stachelek, Dave Pollack and Capt. Jeff Perry, conducting the annual Cinder Worm Workshop with a host of volunteers. “We would prefer if all attended the fly tying workshops as well as the fly fishing day on the Grassy Point areas of Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge. We don’t guarantee the weather or the fish,” said Dave Pollack, “but past experiences have shown that this is prime time for the worm mating season.”  

The program is open to any adult or child over the age of 10, regardless of skill level — 40 person maximum so register early. Instruction and guidance will be provided by some of the area’s most proficient and knowledgeable worm hatch fishers.   

All fly tying materials will be provided. Participants are encouraged to bring their own tools and equipment, but all necessary fly tying tools and equipment will be loaned to registrants upon request. Saltwater fly fishing equipment, including rods, reel, lines and leaders, will be loaned to registrants who do not have their own gear and tackle upon request in advance. 

The fly tying classes will be held Tuesday, May 6 and May 13, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Kettle Pond Visitor Center, Charlestown, RI. The fly fishing portion of the program will take place Saturday, May 17, 4 p.m. until dark at Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge, Charlestown, RI. For more information and registration, please contact U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at rhodeislandcomplex@fws.gov or call (401)364-9124. 

Where’s the bite? 

“Striped bass fishing for holdover bass in the 30” to 34” range has been very good. In downtown Westerly where the Pawcatuck River between Connecticut and Rhode Island narrows the striped bass were stacked up at the river’s edge,” said Mike Wake of Watch Hill Outfitters, Westerly. “It is not clear what they were feeding on, however, we do know that the seals were up the river feeding on the bass as we had some severe explosions on the surface right in the Cemetery area of the River.” Elisa Cahill of Snug Harbor Marina, South Kingstown, said, “The striped bass bite in the back ponds for holdovers exploded this week with anglers catching fishing the 30” range.” 

“Cod. Party boat fishing and a few smaller charter boats continue to fish for cod south of Cape Cod and off Rhode Island waters. Visit Fishing Machine Charters, Pt. Judith, RI at www.fishingmachinecharters.com; www.islandcurrent.com and www.francesfleet.com.Fishing. Full day rates for party boat vessels are generally $130 to $135 per adult and around $80 for those under 12 years old.  

Freshwater fishing. Jeff Sullivan of Lucky Bait & Tackle, Warren, said, “With trout season not opening until April 12 in Rhode Island I have been fishing for perch and largemouth during this pre-spawn period. Fish are in warmer water so spaces between boulders close to surfer using jerk bait has been productive.”  

Dave Monti holds a master captain’s license and charter fishing license. He serves on a variety of boards and commissions and has a consulting business focusing on clean oceans, habitat preservation, conservation, renewable energy, and fisheries related issues and clients. Forward fishing news and photos to dmontifish@verizon.net or visit www.noflukefishing.com.