Saltwater Anglers host 2nd fishing camp at Rocky Point

By CAPTAIN DAVE MONTI
Posted 6/7/17

It is important to teach our youth about fishing. Fishing appeals to our sense of adventure and teaches us patience. It is one of those activities where science and art converge. It teaches us to be good stewards of the environment and it allows us to

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Saltwater Anglers host 2nd fishing camp at Rocky Point

Posted

It is important to teach our youth about fishing. Fishing appeals to our sense of adventure and teaches us patience. It is one of those activities where science and art converge. It teaches us to be good stewards of the environment and it allows us to build a lifetime of memories and friendships.

June marks the second year of a highly successful fishing camp for youth that will take place Tuesday, June 27 through Thursday, June 29 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Rocky Point State Park.

The three-day camp, sponsored by the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA) and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM), will host 50 children from seven to fourteen years old.

Steve Medeiros, RISAA president said, “The goal this year is to spin off our highly successful 2016 pilot camp. Enhancements will include more fishing time on the water. Yes we will have instruction on basic fishing skills, how to cast, safety and the environment but we plan to focus on fishing. After all it is a ‘fishing’ camp. On the first day participants will fish from shore, a fluke fishing trip on the Seven B’s Party boat out of Galilee, RI is planned for day two, and participants will fish on RISAA member recreational vessels on the third day in the Greenwich Bay, Warwick Neck and Rocky Point areas.”

Medeiros said, “We find children of all backgrounds and cultures are attracted to fishing and our aim is to give them a proper introduction to the sport. We have about 35 volunteer recreational fisher men, women and captains working on the camp project.”

The pilot fishing camp was such a success last year that it has now been funded by U.S Fish & Wildlife in partnership with the RI DEM and RISAA for the next five years. The aim this year is to post another success and roll the camp concept out to an additional location in 2018

The same children attend all three days of the camp split into groups by age and fishing experience. There is no cost for children to participate and lunch is provided, however, parents must complete and sign all participation forms, provide their child with proper attire for an outdoor fishing camp and weather conditions and must provide transportation for children each day to and from Rocky Point State Park.

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 on a boat.

The fishing camp is sponsored by the RISAA, DEM, U.S. Fish & Wildlife and the City of Warwick. Brewers Marina in Warwick Cove is donating dock space for 20 vessels that will be used for fishing at camp.

There is limited camp space available, to obtain an application to the Youth Fishing Camp, send an email to FishingCamp@risaa.org.

DEM to hold fly fishing workshops

The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) will hold three day fly fishing workshops on Monday, June 12, 19 and 26, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Coventry Public Library, 1672 Flat River Road, Coventry and on Wednesday, June 14, 21 and 28, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Greenville Public Library, 573 Putnam Pike, Greenville. Instruction and equipment needed will be covered with all gear provided. However, participants are welcome to bring their own gear. Adults and children 10 and older are invited to attend. Space is limited. To register contact Scott Travers at scott.travers@dem.gov. (Classes also stared at Glocester Manton Public Library on June 6.)

DEM is also holding an introduction to freshwater fly fishing workshop on Saturday, June 17 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Addieville East Farm, Mapleville, RI. Adults, families and children ten and older may attend. Participants will learn about equipment needed for the sport, fly-tying and casting and best areas to fish in RI. Lunch will be provided. Fee is $15 per person. To register contact Kimberly Sullivan at Kimberly.Sullivan@dem.ri.gov.

Where’s the bite

Striped bass.

I haven’t heard of 50-pound fish being caught in the Bay in a long time but this week they were. Capt. Randy Bagwell of River Rebel Charters weighted in a 50-pound striped bass caught in Mt. Hope Bay. Manny Macedo of Lucky Bait & Tackle, Warren, said “Randy came in with his customer to weigh and clean the fish; they were greeting customers at the door asking if anyone wanted some bass fillets.” Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle, Providence said, “A customer sent me a picture of a 53-pound fish caught in the Bay and we have some very nice bass in the 30-pound range being caught in the Providence and Seekonk rivers. There are big bluefish mixed in with the bass.” Mike Wade of Watch Hill Outfitters, Westerly said, “Bass are on the reefs eating squid and the worm hatches in South County Ponds (like Ninigret Pound) are still going strong on warm days. We also have a lot of Atlantic menhaden and bass in the Pawcatuck River.” Peter Jenkins of the Saltwater Edge, Middletown, said Monday, “Today there was great fishing for bass on Sugar Reef. The squid were everywhere. Bass were caught on every drift using Slug Go lures and files.”

Summer flounder

(fluke fishing). I fished the Newport Bridge area with a slow bite and a lot of shorts this week. Anglers fishing the southern coastal shore experienced mixed fishing. Mike Wade of Watch Hill Outfitters said, “Fluke fishing at Fisher’s Island to Misquamicut Beach has been good. Customer Mike Lacz landed a 27” fluke off Misquamicut this week.” Fish for fluke in the Bay is spotty. Anglers are catching fish but not in large numbers. Angler Rich Hittinger said the bite was good a Block Island catching fluke to 7.8 pounds last Thursday. Capt. Frank Blount, of the Frances Fleet said, “A lot of quality fish and a lot of limit catches. On Saturday's trip Capt. Rich found a hungry pile of nice size sea bass to four pounds limiting the boat out.”

Scup.

“We had a customer catch a 17” scup off the Stone Bridge this week with some nice fish being off of Colt State Park, Bristol.” said Manny Macedo of Lucky Bait. “The big news of the week is that scup are in…anglers are catching them off Tiverton and Greenwich Bay,” said Henault of Ocean State.

Sea robins

. More anglers are keeping them to eat. Cut of their tails and fillet them. They have a delicious white meet. In Europe sea robins are a major ingredient in bouillabaisse. I have cleaned them for many charter customers and all have said they loved the way they tasted.

Black sea bass

bite is on. The season opened May 25th and fish are being caught with anglers limiting out when fluke fishing.

Freshwater

fishing continues to remain strong. “Not many anglers are targeting trout but those that are continue to catch them. And, we have a lot of anglers catching good numbers of largemouth bass. They may not be as large as last year but the bite is stronger,” said Henault.

Ca

Youth Fishing Camp – Photo A

TIPS FROM A PRO:

Richard Reich, lead instructor, explains the fundamentals of surf casting to youth fishing camp participants last year on Rocky Point Beach, Warwick.

Appeal of fishing – Photo F

APPEAL OF FISHING:

Fishing appeals to our sense of adventure and builds a lifetime of memories with family and friends.

Block Island flounder RH – Photo B

HIS CATCH IS NO FLUKE:

Rich Hittinger of Warwick with a 7.8-pound summer flounder (fluke) he caught off Block Island last Thursday of his vessel Skipjack.

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