Fly fishing the cinder worm hatch... Fishing Show largest ever

Elisa Cahill and brother Matt Conti of Snug Harbor Marina at the New England Saltwater Fishing Show.  Cahill said, “Jigging rods were very popular this year.”

Anglers learn how to tie flies, fly fish and then try their hand fishing the cinder worm hatch.

Crista Banks of Vineyard Wind meets angler Steve Collins of Westport at the Fishing Show.  Most anglers had positive things to say about the wind farm as it creates habitat for small and large fish

Fly fishing the cinder worm hatch

The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in partnership with RI Department of Environmental Management (DEM) Aquatic Resource Education Program, announced its annual Cinder Worm Workshop.  The program includes two weekday evening classes in fly tying instruction and one weekend evening of fly fishing. The program is free to registrants.

The course syllabus includes practical rigging and fly casting instruction for the novice on the day of fishing. .  “We would like to have everyone attend both workshops,” said David Pollack, one of the organizers of the program, “but you also have the option to pick just one.”  Introduction to practical rigging and casting instruction will be covered for those that need additional assistance.  Fly fishers will then fish the coves of Grassy Point area of Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge.  “We don’t guarantee the weather or the fish,” said Pollack.

The program is open to any adult or accompanied 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 fishermen.   Also this year is the opportunity for kayak fishing - limited to experienced kayakers who have their own vessel, safety equipment and required lights. 

 

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 are available too.

The Fly Tying classes will be held Tuesday, May 7 and May 14. 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 18, 4:00 p.m. until dark at Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge, Charlestown, RI.

Capt. Ray Stachelek and Dave Pollack, fly fishing experts and USFWS volunteers will facilitate the program. For information or to register contact Scott Travers at sott.travers@dem.ri.gov. 

The buzz at the Saltwater Fishing Show

The New England Saltwater Fishing Show this past weekend toped all past RI Convention Center attendance records.  Over 15,000 people were expected to attend.  A final tally will be forthcoming later this week or next.

Black sea bass regulations for 2019 recreational fishing was top of mind for anglers at the show.  Greg Vespe, Flippin Out Charters mate, Aquidneck Island Striper Team president and RI Saltwater Anglers Association board member said, “Black sea bass was the big angler concern at the show.  Anglers just cannot understand why the State of Rhode Island is once again proposing to start the season so late (June 24). These fish are caught in the Bay by boat and shore anglers in early June and it is often the only time they get to target black sea bass.  By delaying the season once again we are denying Bay anglers the benefit of this fishery as these fish move out of the area in July.  Pushing the season back to accommodate a handful of charter and party boats so their fall season can be extended is just not right.”

Most 2019 fishing regulations (for recreational and commercial fishing) will go before the Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Council including proposed balck sea bass regulations next Monday.  Anglers are urged to attend.  The meeting starts earlier than usual, 5:30 p.m. on Monday, April 1 at Corless Auditorium at the University of Rhode Island Bay Campus.  Visit www.dem.ri.gov for meeting agenda and background information.

Fishing gear and tackle trends at the Show

The Saltwater Edge, top lures.  From the surf Tom Dzis of the Saltwater Edge, Middletown, RI said, “Super Strike lures were hot at the show.  The Zig Zag Darter in the new Midnight Harvest color was a good seller.  Their Needlefish lure in ‘Eely’ color was a great seller too.  Other top lures included Ocean Born Lures.”

Ocean Born Lures by A Band of Anglers is a fairly new company from the world's top lure developer, Patrick Sebile.  He is known in the fishing world for developing such productive lures as the Magic Swimmer and the Stick Shad. 

The Saltwater Edge has a great online store that’s very easy to use and is loaded with product at www.saltwateredge.com or you can visit their retail store at 1037 Aquidneck Avenue, Middletown, RI.

Flippin Out Fishing Charters and lures was at the show marketing their summer flounder (fluke) lures, charter business and demonstrating how to tautog fish using saltwater electric trolling motors (the Minn Kota Riptide line with spot lock).  The new motor designs allow fresh or saltwater anglers to hover over their favorite fishing spots to hook up with hard to fish species like tautog.  

Minn Kota electric motors with Spot-Lock are now being used even on larger mid-sized boats to help keep you over the fish.  Their saltwater Riptide Ulterra model with i-Pilot features Spot-Lock, a GPS anchor.  Just hit a button and lock onto any spot you chose automatically.  For saltwater or freshwater anglers this means over structure, on a bank, next to a dock or jetty that is holding fish (saltwater bottom fish such as tautog, scup or black sea bass).

Many of the fluke fishing lures sold by Capt. BJ Silvia, owner of Flippin Out Charters and lures, feature a large plastic squid and large wide gap hook on a three way swivel.  The rig has a sinker clip that makes changing out different sinker weights easy.  These rigs have been some of my favorite fluke rigs for years and can be purchased at a number of bait & tackle shops in Rhode Island.  Visit Flippin Out Charters and lures at www.flippinoutchartes.com .

Snug Harbor Marina in South Kingstown, RI is a full serve bait & tackle shop.  They had a large show presence this year as usual with a variety of rods, reels and tackle.   Elisa Cahill of Snug Harbor said, “Jigging rods and reels have been very popular at the show.  Anglers are interested in learning and fishing this way to mix things up.  All the popular rods have been selling well… Shimano, Lamiglass and a host of others. Anglers are jigging for striped bass, tuna and other species. By far… fluke rigs have been the bestselling rigs at the show.”

Snug Harbor Marina offers customers gas and diesel fuel, a complete selection of inshore and offshore bait and tackle along with marina supplies, seafood, groceries and a snack bar.  Visit them at http://www.snugharbormarina.com/ or visit them at 410 Gooseberry Road, South Kingstown, RI.