Fisheries celebration in D.C.

Advocating for the fish: Meghan Jeans of the New England Aquarium and Patrick Paquette, a recreational fisheries representative from Hyannis, MA, take a break in the U.S. Senate cafeteria.

Nice brace of trout: Billy Enright of Cranston holds a nice brace of trout the he and friends Autumn Mitchell and Mike Manco (also of Cranston) caught by 6:30 a.m. on Opening Day.

Keeper bass in Bay: Brandon Hagopian of Cranston with a keeper striped bass he caught last week in the upper Bay.  No lice on the fish indicate that it was likely a hold-over bass and not a migrating fish.

First Opening Day trout: Liam Farrell (age 13) proudly displays his first trout with Uncle Sean FitzGerald (both of Jamestown) as they fished with Alex (age 9) and Steve Greenberg of Narragansett.

Fisheries celebration in DC

What a celebration I attended this week.  April 13^th was the 40^th Anniversary of the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA), the fishing law of this Nation.  The celebration was held in Washington, D.C. sponsored by six conservation groups lead by The PEW Trusts.

Like all anniversaries it was a time for reflection.  To reflect on how successful the act has been and how it needs to be adjusted in the future.  The MSA and its reauthorizations provided the teeth needed to set firm allowable catch limits (ACL) which directly lead to 39 fish stocks being rebuilt today. So we need to keep this law strong, and make sure it continues to eliminate wiggle room so fishermen and fish managers have firm catch limits to continue to rebuild fish stocks.

Additionally, moving forward MSA needs to be adjusted to include things like enhanced forage fish protections, stronger by-catch provisions and most important a big-picture eco-system based management planning strategy.  We need an eco-system based management strategy because climate change and warming water has forced some fish out of our waters and forced other species (like black sea bass and summer flounder) into our area in greater numbers and present fisheries management strategies are not handling these changes.  Climate change, forage fish, stronger bycatch provisions are not consistently incorporated into a big picture management strategy and plan. 

The 40^th Anniversary celebration of the MSA in Washington this week included informational meetings with members of congress and their staff.  Our Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut congressional delegations and staff members met with representatives from the commercial and recreational fishing community, the New England Aquarium as well as a number of conservation groups in New England to reflect on MSA successes and future adjustments needed.

So happy 40^th Anniversary to the Magnuson-Stevens Act.  You have served the fish well.

Opening Day big success

The Opening Day of trout season this past Saturday was a big success.

“I got one” said Liam Farrell (13 years old) from Jamestown as his uncle Sean FitzGerald looked on with pride.  It was Liam’s first Opening Day fishing experience.  “It was tough getting up early but well worth it.” said Liam. Billy Enright of Cranston said, “We have been coming here for ten years.  We haven’t missed a year.  The three of us have about a dozen fish so far.”  It was 6:30 a.m. and they had been fishing for about 30 minutes.

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) did an outstanding job stocking ponds with 80,000 hatchery raised brook, brown and rainbow trout this year.  Over 100 waterways have been stocked and this year three new locations were stocked on the Ten Mile River, marked by white trout fishing signs, include the intersection of 114A and Hunts Mill Road and just below the John Hunt House at 65 Hunts Mill Road. Visit www.dem.ri.gov for a complete list of stocked ponds.

Proposed BIWF and sea2shore safety zones clarified

The scope of the draft Safety Area (a 500 yard safety zone) that the USCG has published in the Federal Register pertaining to the Block Island Wind Farm (BIWF) and the sea2shore cable run was clarified last week by Ed Leblanc (USCG).  In a note to Elizabeth Marchetti, fisheries liaison, from Mr. Leblanc said "The Coast Guard's intent with respect to the proposed safety zones is to enforce each individual safety zone only when construction vessels are on-scene at an individual turbine.  As discussed in the proposal regulation, the Coast Guard intends to create individual, 500-yard radius, safety zones around each turbine. In essence, five safety zones, one for each turbine.

Vessels (other than BIWF construction vessels) will be precluded from entering safety zone only when construction vessels are on scene.  So, for example, if there are construction vessels working on turbine #3, but no work vessels at any of the other turbines, mariners must stay at least 500 yards away from turbine #3, but are free to approach as close as they want to turbines #1, 2, 4, and 5 (consistent with prudent and safe navigation, of course).

If there are work vessels at both turbines #1 and #2, mariners must remain clear of those two turbines but have full access to waters around the other three, and so on."

A copy of the Federal Register Notice and the place to submit comments on the proposed regulation by April 17^th is  https://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=USCG-2016-0026-0012.

Captains donate food and cash to Jonnycake Center

The Rhode Island Party & Charter Boat Association (RIPCBA) held their annual captain’s banquet at Spain Restaurant in Narragansett, RI with their favorite charity being recognized with donations.  John Rainone, RIPCBA past president and donation coordinator said, “Captains and their guests attending the event donated 242 pounds of food and $130 in cash to the Jonnycake Center in Peace Dale.  The Association has done this for the past several years and we were happy to do it once again this year. Great Job all.”

Roddy Fly Rodders to Meet April 19^th

The Rhody Fly Rodders will hold their annual cookout get-together on Tuesday, April 19^th at 6:00 p.m. Members, guests and new comers are welcome to attend, enjoy the food and talk about the upcoming fishing season.  A short film about fly fishing adventures will be shown, followed by a brief presentation by Mike Bucko who heads of DEM’s new department administering the Access Point Angler Intercept Survey (APAIS). The meeting will take place at the Riverside Sportsman’s Association, 19 Mohawk Drive, East Providence.  Contact president Peter Nilsen with questions at pdfish@fullchannel.net.

Where’s the bite

Freshwater fishing was hot this week with many bait & tackle shops reporting brisk sales.  Manny Macedo of Lucky Bait & Tackle said, “Customers did very well at Willet Avenue Pond, East Providence but found the Brickyard Pond, Barrington was not yielding the fish it had in the past.  Many had seen cormorants and other birds working the pond and leaving with a lot of fish so many anglers didn’t even fish there.  Popular baits this year included scented Power Baits such as chunky cheese and other scented flavors.  These worked well in MA but in some Rhode Island ponds like Willett Avenue the fish were biting just about anything anglers put in the water.  In addition to the Power Baits a variety of small silver lures were working well as well as spinner baits of all types.”  Tom Giddings of the Tackle Box, Warwick said “We sold out of just about all trout baits this weekend including trout worms and meal worms and had to replenish our inventory in a hurry.” 

Spirited bass migration continues to move north.  On-the Water’s Striper Migration map (http://www.onthewater.com/striper-migration-map-april-8-2016/ ) indicates that the school bass are in southern Connecticut.  However, there have been some reports of migrating school bass being caught in the Pawcatuck River in Westerly.  Mike Wade of Watch Hill Outfitters, Westerly said, “There have been migrating bass caught right here in downtown Westerly at the bridge (crossing the Pawcatuck River).”  Manny Macedo of Lucky Bait & Tackle, Warren said, “I checked with the On-the-Water migration map, it was pretty reliable last year but also believe that we can have some advanced schools of bass and it is very possible they are in southern Rhode Island now.”

Cod fishing remains good in local waters offshore.  Boats did not sail often last week due to bad weather, but when they fished boats had fair trips, with lots of bait and cod on fish finders. With improved weather all hope the good cod bite continues. 

DEM stocks 80,000 trout for Opening Day

Opening Day at Silver Spring Pond, South County provides a carnival like atmosphere with overnight camping, early morning breakfasts and fishing at 6:00 a.m.

Brandon Hagopian of Cranston with a nine plus pound bass he caught last week in the Pawtuxet River using a topwater lure.

DEM stocks 80,000 trout for Opening Day

The Department of Environmental Management’s (DEM) is ready for Opening Day this Saturday, April 9.  DEM has stocked over a hundred local ponds, lakes and waterways with 80,000 trout.  Bait and tackle stores are ready too and have stocked up with gear, baits of all types and fishing lures designed to put trout in you bucket.

Opening Day fishing is a tradition passed on from fathers and mothers to sons and daughters. Anglers from seven to seventy years old fish opening day of trout season because it signifies the start of the fishing season and our reconnection with nature in the spring. It also allows friends and family members to talk, get to know each other better and bond as they creative opening day fishing memories that will last a life time.

Janet Coit, DEM director said “Opening Day is a time when families come together at their favorite fishing hole to share the thrill of reeling in a trout and to recharge and connect with nature.  Freshwater fishing is an important part of our culture and economy in Rhode Island, and we’re proud to support it through our stocking program.” 

Hatchery-raised brook, brown, and rainbow trout with an average individual weight of about one and a half pounds have been stocked by Fish and Wildlife Division staff in ponds and streams for opening day.  Gail Mastrati, a DEM spokesperson said “We have a complete list of ponds that have been stocked for opening day on our website at www.dem.ri.gov.”  Several of these ponds and waterways will be stocked a second and third time during the season.

There is no minimum size for trout and the creel or bag limit is five fish from April 9 to November 30, and two fish from December 1 to February 29.  There is no closed season for largemouth and smallmouth bass in Rhode Island, 12” minimum size for both with a bag limit of five fish/angler/day. Northern pike minimum size is 24”, no closed season with a two fish/angler/day limit.  And, chain pickerel has no closed season, minimum size is 14” with a five fish/day/angler limit.

Some of the more popular ponds DEM plans to stock prior to Opening Day include:   Barber Pond, South Kingstown;  Carbuncle Pond, Coventry; Chickasheen Brook, South Kingstown; Frenchtown Park Pond, East Greenwich; Hunt River, East Greenwich and No. Kingstown; Meshanticut Brook, Cranston; Moosup River, Coventry; Pawcatuck River in several towns; Silver Spring Lake, North Kingstown; Tiogue Lake, Coventry; Eight Rod Farm Pond, Tiverton; and Saint Mary’s Pond, Portsmouth.  Other popular trout ponds include Willett Pond, East Providence and Simmons Mill Pond in Little Compton.

Ponds open for only children 14 years of age and younger for the first two days of the season (April 9^th and 10^th) include:  Cass Pond, Woonsocket; Frosty Hollow Pond, Exeter; Geneva Brook & Pond, North Providence; Lapham Pond, Burrillville; Lloyd Kenney Pond, Hopkinton; Ponderosa Park Pond, Little Compton; Seidel’s Pond, Cranston; Silvy’s Pond, Cumberland; and Slater Park Pond, Pawtucket.

Where to get a fresh water license and trout stamp

 A 2016 fishing license is required for anglers 15 years of age and older wishing to catch fish. A Trout Conservation Stamp is also required of anyone wishing to keep or possess a trout or to fish in a catch-and-release or 'fly-fishing only' area.  Fishing licenses and the Trout Conservation Stamp ($5.50) can be obtained at any city or town clerk's office or authorized agent such as bait and tackle shops, Wal-Mart and Benny’s.  A current list of license vendors is available on the DEM website.  Licenses may also be purchased on line or obtained at DEM’s Boat Registration and Licensing Office located at 235 Promenade Street in Providence.

License fees remain at $18 for Rhode Island residents and current members of the Armed Forces,  $35 for non-residents, and $16 for a tourist three-consecutive-day license.  Anglers over 65 must have a license, which for them is free, but do not need a trout stamp.

Where’s the bite

Freshwater.  All attention this week is focused on Opening Day this Saturday, April 9, 6:00 a.m.  Visit www.dem.ri.com for information on licensees, trout stamps and the ponds, lakes and waterways that have been stocked with brook, brown and rainbow trout.  However, with warming water anglers have also been landing some very nice largemouth bass.  Brandon Hagopian of Cranston said, “I caught my largest largemouth bass ever last week in the Pawtucket River. It was over nine pounds. I use noisy topwater lures over shallow coves with a lot of vegetation as this will be the warmest areas of a river or lake. If you are not picking up weeds, even with topwater lures, you could be in the wrong spot.”

Winter flounder season runs from March 1 to December 31.  However, anglers are reminded that it is illegal to catch winter flounder in Narragansett Bay. Winter flounder regulations state, “The harvesting or possession of winter flounder is PROHIBITED in Narragansett Bay north of the Colregs Line of Demarcation as well as in Potter and Point Judith Ponds.”  So the east to west Colregs Line at the mouth of the Narragansett Bay is drawn from Brenton Point in Newport, through Beavertail Light to Boston Neck in Narragansett. Anything north of this line cannot be fished for winter flounder. ” John Littlefield of Archie’s Bait & Tackle, Riverside said, “An easy way to tell the difference between winter flounder and summer flounder (fluke) is that winter flounder has a black back and a small mouth, summer flounder are lighter in color (shades of brown) and have a larger mouth with visible teeth.”  The minimum size for winter flounder is 12” with a two fish/angler/day limit in legal waters.

Cod fishing has been was off the charts good last week.  I spoke with both Capt. Frank Blount of the Francis Fleet and Capt. Andy Dangelo of the Seven B’s party boats this weekend and both said the cod were stacked up thick with customers often reaching their limit of ten fish per angler.  Capt. Blount said, “Cod fish have been stacked up 15 to 30 feet thick at times under the boat. Both bait and jigs have been working equally well. The bite has been best earlier in the day.”

Expect stripers early

 Omar Curi of Providence caught this pickerel last week on shiners.

Atlantic menhaden are well managed in Narragansett Bay.

Expect stripers early

All signs are pointing an early striped bass season, possibly the earliest season in years. The Bay and ocean water has consistently been warmer than last year.  Spring is shaping up as warmer than normal too and there is a high volume of bait such of herring and peanut bunker (juvenile Atlantic menhaden) in our waters.

Steve McKenna, noted local striped bass shore angler and associate at Quaker Lane Outfitters, North Kingstown, said, “Things are going to be early this year.  And that is good because I’ve got the urge to fish.  And, I’m ready to go.”

Dave Pickering, striper expert and publisher of ristripedbass.blogspot.com said, “Last year (a record cold year) the striped bass showed at the very end of April.  That was late by past standards.  If I were a betting man, I would go for the ending days of March into the first week of April, one of the earliest starting times we will ever see.”

So get your gear ready it is going to be an early striped bass season… possibly as early as next week.

Traditionally migrating striped bass in Rhode Island first arrive at the West Wall of the Harbor of Refuge in Pt. Judith.  McKenna said, “I’ll be at the West Wall next weekend.” 

Counting fish from the air

This week I was reminded of the outstanding Atlantic menhaden management program we have in Narragansett Bay.  Monday night George Purmont, a spotter pilot commissioned by the Marine Fisheries Division of the Department of Environmental Management (DEM), spoke about his work of counting schools of Atlantic menhaden (pogies) from the air in Narragansett Bay.

At a RI Saltwater Anglers Association meeting Purmont said, “When the amount of Atlantic menhaden in the Bay goes above the threshold the Bay is open to commercial harvesting.  When it falls below the threshold the Bay is closed to Atlantic menhaden fishing.”

The program is one of the most sophisticated and effective programs of its type in the nation.  Purmont said, “Flights once or twice a week give fish managers up to date data.” The program works well for recreational fishermen to protect this forage fish as well as for the commercial fishery allowing the Bay to be fished when there is an abundance of fish in the Bay.

Pilot Purmont said, “There is a mix of peanut bunker (juvenile Atlantic menhaden) as well as mature fish in the Bay.  The juvenile menhaden present themselves as dark spots or schools whereas mature Atlantic Menhaden present themselves as grey schools from the air as the fish flash as the swim in the water.”

Jason McNamee, chief of the Marine Fisheries Division of DEM said, “We want both peanut bunker and mature fish in the Bay as they serve as a different type of prey for a variety of fish we have in the Bay.”

Coast Guard seeks public input on wind farm safety zone

The Coast Guard is seeking public input on a proposed 500-yard safety zone for the Block Island Wind Farm (BIWF) by April 17, 201.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish a 500-yard safety zone around each of five locations where the BIWF wind turbine generator (WTG) towers, nacelles, blades and subsea cables will be installed in the navigable waters of the Rhode Island Sound, RI, from April 1 to October 31, 2016.

These safety zones are intended to safeguard mariners from the hazards associated with construction of the BIWF. Vessels would be prohibited from entering into, transiting through, mooring, or anchoring within these safety zones while construction vessels and associated equipment are present at any of the BIWF WTG sites.

Comments and related material must be received by the Coast Guard on or before April 17, 2016. The public may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-2016-0026 using the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov .  If you have questions contact Mr. Edward G. LeBlanc, Chief of the Waterways Management Division at Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England at 401-435-2351, or email Edward.G.LeBlanc@uscg.mil .

  

Wind Farm meeting April 5

The Block Island Wind Farm (BIWF) will hold an update meeting on Tuesday, April 5, 2016, 4:00 p.m. at the Hampton Inn, South County Commons, and South Kingstown, RI.  Agenda items will include the 2016 construction schedule, project crew vessels, the U.S.C.G. 500 yard safety zone and gear boundaries. A separate meeting regarding National Grid's sea2shore cable construction will follow with an announcement distributed as soon as the date is finalized.  For information contact Elizabeth Marchetti, Fisheries Liaison at 401.954.2902.

Striper club holds used tackle sale

The Aquidneck Island Striper Team will hold its annual used tackle sale this Saturday, April 2, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Portsmouth VFW, 822 Anthony Road, Portsmouth.  For information contact Capt. Eric Thomas at 401.524.7239.

Annual Kids Day at Addieville East Farms

The 16^th Annual Kids Day at Addieville East Farm will take place Saturday, April 23^rd, 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  Children ages 10 and over may register but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.  Children will learn the basics of fly casting, fly tying, fly fishing (in a trout stocked pond) and basic entomology.

The RI Department of Environmental Management, two Trout Unlimited Chapters and the United Fly Tyers of Rhode Island are co-sponsors of the event.  Kid’s Day is free however all are urged to register in advance as space is limited.

Register with Kimberly Sullivan, 401-539-0037 or email  kimberly.sullivan@dem.ri.gov; and Jessica Pena, 401-539-0019 or email Jessica.pena@dem.ri.gov.

Block Island Wind Farm cable construction

Kokosing Industrial will be conducting submarine cable installation work from April 1 through June 5 in support of the sea2shore Renewable Link (BITS) and Block Island Wind Farm (BIWF).

In a statement last week the cabling companies said they “Respectfully request that fishermen remove fishing gear/traps from the selected cable route, and maintain a clear path 300 feet on either side of the center line. Please see the overview chart for BITS and BIWF cable routes. Kokosing will return to fishermen any gear/traps that may get fouled in the cable equipment but is not responsible for replacement of the gear. 

Questions should be directed to Elizabeth Marchetti, fisheries liaison at 401.954.2902 or at

rifisheryliaison@gmail.com . For additional information visit : 

http://dwwind.com/project/block-island-wind-farm/ or http://sea2shoreri.com/.

Where’s the bite

Fresh water fishing slowed a bit with cooler weather last week.  Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait & Tackle Warwick said, “With the cooler weather anglers just have not been getting out to fish fresh water.  Things will start to move as trout season opens up in April.”  Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle, Providence said, “Omar Curi of Providence caught a nice pickerel on shiners last week.  With cooler temperatures last week the carp bite slowed but crappy and white perch fishing was good.  And, trout fishing in Massachusetts has been excellent.” John Littlefield of Archie’s Bait & Tackle, Riverside said, “Anglers are catching largemouth bass and pickerel at Stump Pond, Smithfield with shiners so things are opening up.” Alex Petti of Fin & Feather Outfitters said, “We had a couple of customers fish Farmington River in Connecticut and the did pretty good with trout.”  Steve McKenna of Quaker Lane Outfitters, North Kingstown said, “We had a customer land a five pound largemouth bass last week right here in North Kingstown using shiners.”  Opening Daly of trout season in Rhode Island is next Saturday, April 9 at sunrise.  DEM has stock area ponds dem.ri.gov/programs/bnatres/fishwild/troutwaters.htm

Cod fishing has been good when boats have been able to get out due to bad weather.  Dianne Valerien of the Seven B’s party boat said, “Capt. Andy Dangelo has been doing a great job with the cod this year.  Saturday we had twenty anglers on board and returned to the dock with 200 cod (the limit, ten fish per angler).  The fish were mostly males, when we started to fillet them for customers only three out of the first 100 fish were female.  We’d like to think they are going to hang around for a while waiting for the females to arrive.” Capt. Frank Blount of the Frances Fleet said, “We absolutely crushed the cod Saturday with over 400 keepers just a handful of cod shy of a boat limit and pool fish just under 15 pounds.  Both bait and jigs worked well.”

Striped bass fishing for hold-over striped bass in the Connecticut rivers is still very good.  Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle said, “Charlestown Breachway winter over striped bass up to 26 inches taking white bucktails dressed with 3 inch curly tail grubs on the outgoing tide this morning (Saturday).” 

Quahog Week kicks-off

Speakers at the Quahog Week kick-off were DEM Agriculture chief Ken Ayars; First Gentleman Andy Moffit; Governor Gina Raimondo; Karsten Hart of Newport Restaurant Group; Sarah Schumann, author of RI's Shellfish Heritage; Mike McGiveney of the RI Shellfishermen's Association; and US Senator Jack Reed.

Pam Tameo, West Bay Anglers fundraising chair, with one of the Lobster Raffle prizes.  The fishing club raised over $12,000 this winter for the Impossible Dream and their ‘Take a kid fishing’ Foundation.

Quahogs and quahogers honored

Ah, the cherished Rhode Island quahog.  It was recognized this week along with the shellfishermen and women that harvest them when Governor Gina Raimondo declared March 21-27, 2016 Quahog Week in Rhode Island.  The Governor joined state and food-industry leaders at a special celebration at Save the Bay Tuesday to mark the quahog industry’s importance to the state’s history, culture and economy and to encourage its year-round use.

Over 27 million quahogs were harvested form Narragansett Bay and Rhode Island coastal waters last year. Throughout Quahog Week sixteen restaurants across the state will offer special menu selections that will feature the native Rhode Island clam. Visit www.seafoodri.com  for details on Quahog Week, a list of participating restaurants and information about the RI Seafood brand.

West Bay Anglers donate $12,000 to non-profits

The West Bay Anglers, a fishing club located in Warwick, RI contributed $6,000 to Impossible Dream Saturday and $6,000 to their ‘Take a Kid Fishing’ Foundation.  The Foundation funds will be used to take over 300 children fishing on six separate fishing trips this summer on the Seven B’s party boat out of Galilee, RI.  

Pam Tameo, lobster raffle chairperson and past president of the West Bay anglers said, “Our supporters were great this year allowing us to raise over $12,000.  And I have to thank the Warwick Firefighter’s Hall as they were outstanding setting up the hall and preparing food for each of the fourteen Saturday Lobster Raffle events we held there this year.”

Each week the West Bay Anglers would raffle off tables and tables of food, consumer electronics, fishing gear and a host of other items.  Each Saturday event would last over two hours.  Traditionally, they were held at the FOP Lodge, however, due to Apponaug construction and difficult access, the venue was moved to the Firefighter’s Hall in Warwick this year.

Tameo said, “On all six fishing trips we will give priority to the children of military families and then focus on other children in need.  We already have a waiting list for trips this summer.”

For information about the fishing trips and raffles contact Pam Tameo at wbapamtam@cox.net.

Kayak fishing is hot

Kayak fishing is the fastest growing sector in the industry and fishermen in Rhode Island are no exception.  In fact, a new organization called Ocean State Kayak Fishing (OSKF) formed last year and has really taken off.  OSKF was started with a handful of fishing buddies to communicate and plan fishing trips. The group now serves as a place for people to find new fishing partners, post photos and ask questions.

OSKF has a YouTube page with videos of fishing trips, reviews and helpful do it yourself videos. The goal of the organization is to be a one stop shop for all kayak fishing information and does not have a membership fee. 

OSKF has a season long striped bass tournament for the largest striped bass.  For information visit their website at www.oceanstatekayakfishing.com .

Hats off to charter fishing industry

Hats off to Capt. Rick Bellavance, president of the Rhode Island Party & Charter Boat Association and some of his fellow association members (I am happy to be one of them) that pioneered the electronic recording of fishing catch and effort on charter boats as part of a pilot project they ran for two years.  Last year Capt. Bellavance and his colleagues worked with software developers to perfect the application making it work to satisfy NOAA’s criteria for mandatory Vessel Trip Reporting (VTR) that charter boat and commercial fishing vessels with federal fishing licenses must complete on each fishing trip.

The software has been approved for use by NOAA’s Greater Atlantic Region by the Atlantic Coastal Cooperative Statistical Program (ACCSP) as a mobile electronic vessel trip reporting (eVTR) application for the purpose of eVTR submission to the Greater Atlantic Region.

This development is big in that it will provide federal and state fish managers with a reliable and robust electronic data source to calculate fishing activing for commercial fishing vessels and party & charter boats participating.  The manual VTRs required federal license holders to fill out a multi-part carbon paper form and file it via snail mail on ever trip taken.

Capt. Bellavance said "Designed by fishermen and utilizing the latest technology, eTrips/Mobile dramatically reduces our reporting burden while providing more accurate and timely industry data to the states and NOAA. The eTrips/Mobile application will increase data accuracy and make data available immediately to fisheries managers, improving their ability to respond to changes in the fishery in a more timely way."

The software is designed to work in both commercial and charter/headboat fisheries, and is free for anyone who wishes to use it in jurisdictions that have adopted electronic trip reporting through the Standard Atlantic Fisheries Information System (SAFIS). The app can be downloaded from the Apple, Android, and Microsoft app stores. Training videos are available on the ACCSP website. 

Visit www.accsp.org for information on the eTrips/mobile application or contact Capt. Rick Bellavance at makosrule@verizon.net.

Pabst Tournament now catch & release

Pabst Blue Ribbon announced that its 5^th annual Northeast Fishing Tournament will be a catch and release event in an effort to make the tournament more sustainable. The 2016 Tournament will start on Sunday, June 12 and run through Saturday, August 20, 2016.  Registered anglers will compete in three divisions: Striped Bass, Bluefish and Fluke. Participants are eligible to catch their fish in the salt waters of Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut and Long Island.

Rob Reilly of Pabst Blue Ribbon said; "The Pabst Brewing Company is excited to announce the change in format to a 100% catch and release tournament. This change makes the PBR Northeast Fishing Tournament one of the largest catch and release tournaments in America.”

To be eligible for the season ending cash prize, a minimum of three fish must be caught, released, and submitted to the tournament office.  The combined length of the longest three fish submitted will make up the angler’s total entry. At the end of the tournament, an overall grand prize of $5,000 will be awarded in each of the three divisions along with a second place prize of $1,500 and a third place prize of $500.  There is also a chance to win a weekly prize of $300, awarded to the angler with the longest fish submitted that week.

Registrations are open at http://www.pbrfishing.com with a registration fee of $35 per adult angler, $20 for Juniors (under the age of 15) and $20 for seniors (over the age of 65.) All participants receive a limited edition PBR ruler to use for submissions, a t-shirt, hat, koozie and keychain.

March 30 Trout Unlimited meeting

The Narragansett Chapter of Trout Unlimited (TU225) will meet Wednesday, March 30^th, 6:30 p.m. at the Coventry/West Greenwich Elks Lodge, 42 Nooseneck Hill Road (Rte. 3, Exit 6 off of Rte. 95), West Greenwich.

Bob Mallard, owner of Kennebec River Outfitters, Maine will be the guest speaker.  Mallard is the author of 25 Best Towns to Fly Fish for Trout, a member of the Winston Pro Staff and will focus his presentation on catching Maine Brook Trout, and the lakes and ponds in which they live. Contact Chapter president, Ron Marafioti, at (401) 463-6162, with questions. 

Where’s the bite

The striped bass bite for holdover striped bass is better than usual this year in saltwater sanctuaries and rivers like Narrow River.  Brandon Hagopian who has been targeting holdover striped bass and has the following suggestions when targeting them, “With the sun heating the sediment on the bottom many aquatic invertebrates are emerging getting ready to spawn. Focus on dramatic depth changes such as ledges going from deep to shallow, current breaks into coves and also spots that get the most sun light, where the water will be warmer than surrounding areas. With many of these fish now ‘spring active’ , if you’re looking for numbers use small baits such as four inch paddle tails and zoom flukes or three inch stick baits on ¼ to ½ lead head casting into the shallow sections. If your main focus is big fish then fish the deep sides of the drops where the current is moving and where they will sit and wait to abuse prey such as gizzard shad, herring, etc. Use bigger baits (for larger fish) such as a 5-7 inch fin-s fish on a ½ once to 1 once jig head or swimming plugs.”

Cod fishing is still very good and is expected to remain strong into the spring season as in Rhode Island cod fishing has been fairly good all winter. Capt. Frank Blount of the Frances Fleet said, “Saturday we were back at the dock by 1:00 p.m. with a full boat limit of beautiful fat green market cod with sizes into the low teens. Other trips were good too with plenty short cod. The bite has generally been a bait bite although a few fish were taken on jigs and there has been a tremendous amount of bait being marked on local grounds.”

Atlantic menhaden regulations get attention

 First largemouth bass: John Migliori with his first largemouth of the season caught at Big Pond in Newport last week using a Shadeycreek lure.

Hillary Kenyon of Groton, CT attends mate school run by Capt. Charlie Donilon of Snappa Charters. 

Atlantic menhaden regulations get attention

This Monday a workshop was held at the URI Bay Campus to review the stock status and proposed regulations on Atlantic menhaden, regulations pertaining to lobster, crabs and other crustations as well as commercial gill net regulations. 

It was a proposed option to reduce the commercial threshold in the Narragansett Bay Atlantic menhaden management area that got the attention of recreational anglers. An Atlantic menhaden industry proposal for the Bay management reduced the Narraganset Bay biomass trigger form the 1.5 to 2-million pound range to 1.0 to 1.5-million pounds (a 500,000 pound reduction).  The proposal would open the Bay management area to commercial fishing when there are 500,000 pounds less of Atlantic menhaden in the Bay.  Presently, the biomass is assessed by air with trained pilots counting the number of schools and fish in the Bay on a regular basis.  The management area in the Bay opens and closes depending on the number of fish in the Bay compared to the biomass threshold.

An industry spokesperson said, “This proposal was made to keep our boats in the area as last year with the Bay open and closed it was difficult to keep them in the area to commercially fish when the Bay was open.”

Steve Medeiros, president of the RI Saltwater Anglers Association, said, “The Narraganset Bay Atlantic menhaden plan is working well. We spent a number of years trying to work something out for the commercial fishery and leave enough biomass in the water as forage fish and the recreational fishery. So why change the program now.” 

Other workshop highlights included a discussion on new proposed regulations for Johan and Atlantic rock crabs.  Johan crab regulations being suggested by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) where proposed for Rhode Island.  Fishermen expressed concern about the regulations not taking into consideration the uniqueness of the crab fishery in RI and tying it to lobster fishery regulations.  Others felt the new proposed regulations did not consider the uniqueness of the RI State fishery.  New proposals are expected to surface in time for the March 23 public hearing when all of the above regulating will be offered for public comment.

Quahog Week is next week

As part of a continued effort to support growth of the local food economy, Governor Gina Raimondo and First Gentleman Andy Moffit, along with state and food-industry leaders, will kick off Rhode Island’s first Quahog “Restaurant” Week on Monday, March 21, 2016 during a special launch event at Save the Bay.

For more information about Quahog Week and for a list of participating restaurants and events, visit www.seafoodri.com  or like the Quahog Week page on Facebook. Join the conversation in social media by tagging the Facebook page or @RhodeIslandDEM on Twitter; share recipes, quahogging stories, and/or favorite restaurants and quahog dishes.

Mate school

Capt. Charlie Donilon of Snappa Charters, Pt. Judith will be kicking off his second make school  on April 2^nd and 9^th with six hour long in classroom sessions at Centerville Commons, 875 Centerville Road, Warwick, Bld. 2, Suite 5.  The school will culminate with an on the water practicum aboard the charter fishing vessel the Snappa the week of May 7^th.  The cost of the school is $195. Interested students should contact Capt. Donilon at 401.487.9044 or snappacharters@cox.net.

“We hope to place as many as ten students this year with summer jobs aboard party and charter boats.  And a new twist, we will be offering a scholarship for the program through a local technical high school.  It will likely take the form of an easy contest.” said Donilon. Contact Capt. Donilon for details on the scholarship program.

Mate School teaches students who want to be mates on charter and party boats how to prepare the vessel to fish, how to take care of and prepare fishing gear, how to teach customers how to fish, how to treat customers and much more.  The program as it is designed now includes two six hour in-classroom sessions and a five hours on a trip aboard Capt. Donilon’ s charter fishing vessel the “Snappa”.  Additional on the job training would occur aboard the Snappa or on another charter boat when you are hired. Mate School aims is to introduce students to what it is like to be a mate and what is expected of them as a mate on a charter or party fishing boat.

Where’s the bite

Fresh water fishing exploded this week with anglers catching largemouth bass, while perch and pickerel in fresh water ponds and lakes.   John Migliori caught his firs freshwater bass in Big Pond in Newport last week using a Shadeycreek lure.  Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle, Providence said, “Fishing picked up nicely this week in area ponds. Customers are catching white perch in the Turner Reservoir, Riverside using crappie jigs and worms.  The largemouth and pickerel bite is good in northern Rhode Island Ponds.  Narrow River is yielding white perch as well as hold over striped bass north of Middle Bridge.”  John Littlefield of Archie’s Bait & Tackle, Riverside said, “Freshwater fishing is hot. I sold out of shiners and worms this weekend. Customers are catching largemouth and pickerel at Stump Pond using shiners and earth worms.” Mike Wade of Watch Hill Outfitters, Westerly, said, “We missed out on an ice fishing season due to warm weather but customers are starting freshwater bass in Chapman’s Pond.  But most are getting their gear ready for the start of trout season.”

Striped bass fishing for hold-over fish is outstanding in Connecticut rivers.  Dave Henault said, “Fish to 32” are being caught with anglers using weighted jig heads.”  John Littlefield of Archie’s said, “Customers are catching hold-over striped bass to 20 pounds in the Connecticut rivers. However, the bite in the Providence River for hold-over striped bass has not been good this year.”

Bait and seals have been in Narraganset Bay and in our coves in unusually large numbers the past couple of weeks.  Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait & Tackle, Warwick said, “The peanut bunker (juvenile Atlantic menhaden) never left Apponaug Cover this winter.”  The bait along with herring is now populating the cove with seals feeding on the bait.  John Littlefield said, “Quahogers in the Conimicut Point area said seals are crashing schools of herring creating a lot of jumping and splashing action on the surface.”

Cod fishing has picked up with improving weather.  Frank Blount of the Francis Fleet said, “We saw much better numbers of nice green market cod and a lot of short cod as well. The fish seemed to be spread out over a fair size area as well. One trip we had some nice ling and a Pollock mixed in as well as few early spring sea bass which were released unharmed immediately. On a few days hi hooks had upwards to 5-8 keepers apiece and the majority of fishers left with enough cod for dinner.”

Striped bass over 34” need to be clipped

Angler Jack Leyden of North Kingstown with a 43 pound amberjack he caught last week when fishing in the Miami, FL area in 200 feet of water.

Striped bass over 34” need to be clipped

It was about 8:00 p.m. Monday night at the URI Bay Campus when the Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Council (RIMFC) finished weighing in on eighteen different fishing regulations for the 2016 season.  Their recommendations along with input from public hearings and staff input from the Marine Fisheries Division will now be passed along to Janet Coit, director of the Department of Environmental Management (DEM), for final regulation decisions.

Regulation Highlights

Striped bass regulations will likely be the same as last year, one fish/person/day with a 28” minimum size.  However, this year recreational anglers will have to remove the entire right pectoral fin of the fish they catch and keep that are over 34”.  The regulation was suggested to deter commercial striped bass poaches from fishing in a recreational mode, stock piling fish and then selling them at another time or in another jurisdiction.  Licensed fish dealers may not offer for sale any striped bass (minimum commercial size is 34”) where the entire right pectoral fin has been removed.  The aim is to have similar laws in  both RI and MA.

Summer flounder regulations remain the same as last year, 18” minimum size, 8 fish/person/day with a May 1 to December 31 season.

Recreational tautog regulations also remain the same as last year, 16” minimum size, 3 fish/person/day form April 15 to May 31 and August 1 to October 14; 6 fish/person/day October 15 to December 15, a maximum ten fish/vessel limit that does not apply to party and character boats.

Scup fishing regulations remain at a 10” minimum from May 1 to December 31, 30 fish/person/day.  Seven special shore areas remain in place where the minimum size has been reduced to 9”. Visit www.dem.ri.gov for a list of areas where you can catch 9” scup from shore. A special party and charter boat season from September 1 to October 31 allows them to take 40 fish/person/day in this time period.

Black sea bass (BSB).  RI recreational anglers need to take a 23% BSB reduction this year mandated by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.  The Council approved as their fists choice a 14” minimum size, with a split season, 3 fish/person/day from July 22 to August 31 and five fish/person/day from September 1 to December 31.  This recommendation was made contingent upon New York State approving the same regulation so RI and NY boats would not have a regulation conflict as they often fish the same fishing grounds.  If not approved by NY the Council recommended a party and charter boat Letter of Authorization (LOA) option that was 7 fish/person/day from September 1 to December 31 for charter and party boats with a private angler limit of 3 fish/person/day form July 20 to December 31.

Fishing the wash

Learn how to fish for striped bass in the wash… the surf and waves on Tuesday, March 15, 6:30 p.m. at the Rhody Fly Rodders seminar Riverside Sportsman’s Association, 19 Mohawk Drive, East Providence, RI.   Capt. Eric Thomas of Teezer77 Guiding Services will explain how to fish for stripers in surf and breaking waves focusing on how to stay safe as you maneuver your boat and present your fly or lure to have the best chance to catch a striped bass. For information contact Peter Nilsen at pdfish@fullchannel.net.

ASMFC releases annual report

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) released its 2015 Annual Report to the public last month.  The report can be found at http://www.asmfc.org/files/pub/ASMFC_AnnualReport_2015.pdf.

The Annual Report describes the Commission’s activities and progress in carrying out its public trust responsibilities for the marine fisheries under Commission stewardship. This includes species commonly fished by recreational anglers in Rhode Island such as summer flounder, striped bass, black sea bass, tautog, Atlantic menhaden, scup and many others.

Included in the report are figures displaying the historical trends in stock status or landings for each species managed by the Commission.  Also provided is a summary of the significant management actions taken by Commissioners in 2015 to maintain and restore the abundance of Commission managed species.

Herring run to Gorton’s Pond

At press time we were checking on the herring run from Greenwich Bay and Apponaug Cove to Gorton’s Pond in Warwick.  Herring make it their job to spawn in rivers and ponds in late winter and early spring.  In fact herring have been in the Bay sometime now and they are heading for the rivers, likely moving up them in the next week or two. Conservationists, DEM, U.S. Fish and Wildlife have all focused on these spawning runs throughout Rhode Island, building fish ladders, eliminating obstacles and often times volunteers net and scoop herring over obstacles so they survive to spawn and continue to come back year after year.

                                                                                                        

This week Richard Geldard of Warwick called to relate a herring run that looks like it will fail unless State officials and contractors at an Apponaug, Warwick road construction project take action.

Mr. Geldard said, “The new culvert built as part of the Apponaug traffic pattern had low water flowing through it and the connection between it and little Gordon’s Pond is not working.  Water is pooling and not flowing.  This low water flow will not support the annual herring run which should start in the next several days.  Historically the herring would flow into Little Gorton’s Pond behind the old Ericson’s Bait location on Greenwich Avenue, Warwick and then into Gorton’s Pond.  It would be a shame if this annual herring run is hindered or stopped.  We could have a lot of dead herring on our hands.” 

At press time we heard that plans for the project took the herring run into consideration and understand DEM was looking into the water flow issue.  Geldard said, “I understand Phil Edward of DEM plans to visit the site and make an assessment.  We hope there is good news about what steps the state and contractors will take to correct the situation in time.”

Fly Tying at Longfellow's Wayside Inn 

The Wayside Inn, 72 Wayside Inn Road, Sudbury, MA will host its ninth annual Fly Tying Demonstration and Bamboo Rod Building on Sunday, March 20^th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The event will feature amateur and professional fly tyers.

Fred Kretchman from Kittery, ME is a professional bamboo rod builder and sole appraiser for Lang Auction, for bamboo rods. He will show how the art of building bamboo rods.

Mr. Tom Foley of Tom's Custom Framing will have an exhibit of framed classic flies. Tom Foley and Joe Simone will demonstrate live aquatic insects, an exhibit that is a big hit with children and families.

Flies hand-made by exhibitors will be available for purchase, with all the proceeds benefiting the spring restocking of Josephine’s Pond. For information contact Armand Courchaine at (508)-982-1931 or email ajflyfish@yahoo.com.

In 2006, Josephine's Pond, located on the grounds of Wayside Inn's 120 acre historic site, was dredged and is stocked with trout yearly. A group of "The Friends of Josephine's Trout Pond", was established to promote care and conservation of the pond, and to educate the public to the thrill of recreational fly fishing.

How do fish feel about warming water?

 Capt. Tom Pelletier, Quaker Lane Outfitters, demonstrates fishing rod and reel at the fishing show.

 Steve Medeiros, New England Saltwater Fishing Show producer said, “Show attendance broke 15,000.”

How do fish feel about warming water?

I can only imagine how the fish must feel.  The water is warming and acidification is taking its toll.  They all feel the difference, but how they react to it is key. 

Some species have the ability to move away from the effects of warming water and others don’t.  And then again, some species like the warm water and it produces greater abundance (like black sea bass), yet others do not like warm water and leave the area if they can (cod), those that cannot leave the area become less abundant and could eventually disappear from the area (sea scallops and quahogs). 

A study released by the National Oceanographic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) last month titled the “Northeast Climate Vulnerability Assessment” now sheds some light on how 82 species in northeast waters (many fished by recreational and commercial fishermen) are impacted by climate change.

Fortunately for us Dr. Jonathan Hare, one of the world’s most respected scientists studying climate change and its impact on fish, lives right here in Rhode Island.  Dr. Hare, fisheries oceanographer at NOAA Fisheries’ Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC), is director of NOAA’s Narragansett Lab and is the lead author of the study.

“Our method identifies specific attributes that influence marine fish and invertebrate resilience to the effects of a warming ocean and characterizes risks posed to individual species. The study will help us better account for the effects of warming waters on our fishery species in stock assessments and when developing fishery management measures.” said Dr. Hare.

The study method for assessing vulnerability categorizes species that are “generalists” as less vulnerable to climate change than are those that are “specialists.” For example, Atlantic cod and yellowtail flounder are more generalists, since they can use a variety of prey and habitat, and are ranked as only moderately vulnerable to climate change. The Atlantic sea scallop is more of a specialist, with limited mobility and high sensitivity to the ocean acidification that will be more pronounced as water temperatures warm. Sea scallops have a high vulnerability ranking.

The study also goes a long way to further explain what is happening in our area with warm water fish being more abundance and cold water fish less abundant in our area.

The study’s summary of results helps put the species rankings into contest.  The specie summaries, that discuss what is known about the effects of climate change on the species, will be covered in future articles, particularly those species commonly fished by recreational and commercial fishermen in our area.

The study appears in its entirety on PLOS One, an online scholarly science journal at http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0146756.

Saltwater Fishing Show Big Success

The New England Saltwater Fishing Show held this weekend at the Rhode Island Convention Center was a huge success.  Steve Medeiros, show producer and president of the sponsoring RI Saltwater Anglers Association said, “Attendance was the best it has been in thirteen years. Preliminary numbers indicate that Friday, Saturday and Sunday all were attendance breaking days.  Initial estimates have put attendance at over 15,000 people and the best part for our exhibitors… a lot of product… fishing rods, reels and tackle were sold.”

Capt. Tom Pelletier of Quaker Lane Outfitters, North Kingstown said, “It was so crowed this weekend that many times you could not see across the aisle.”  Greg Vespe of Flippin Out Charters and fluke fishing rigs said, “People were buying fluke rigs in large numbers and asking a lot of questions on fishing tactics which is great.  It was wonderful to see so many people coming to the show this year.”

One of the shows headliners was Capt. Dave Carraro who gave a presentation with his mate on a behind the scenes look at the National Geographic Network program Wicked Tuna.   Capt. Dave Carraro said, “We attend a lot of shows all over the country and this is by far the best show we attend.  It was wall to wall people this weekend.  In fact I had to leave the booth just to get a little “me” time because it was so crowed.”

Hats off to Steve Medeiros and the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association for a successful and very special fishing show.

How to land spring striped bass

“Fishing for Spring Striped Bass” was the topic at Monday night’s panel discussion at the West Valley Inn, West Warwick. Striped bass experts Capt. Randy Bagwell of River Rebel Charters, Capt. Eric Thomas of Teezer 77 Guide Service and local striper surfcasting expert Dennis Zambrotta conducted the panel discussion on how to land striped bass form shore and boat at the Rhode Island Saltwater Angler Association meeting.

Four seminar take-a-ways:

First, you have to make it happen.  Be prepared to do a number of different things to catch spring striped bass as every day is different.  What works one day may not work the next day.  Be prepared to live line menhaden, fish with chucked menhaden, soft plastics, troll with umbrella rigs, etc. What appeals to the fish today may be far from what they want tomorrow.

Second, most spring bass are in skinny water… two to five feet close to shore when casting lures and up to 25 feet when fishing with live bait, fresh chunked bait or when trolling.

Third, fish early morning or at night.  Night brings darkness and poor visibility so bass feed aggressively as they believe they are safe from predators.  Dawn provides still water so you can actually see the bait and fish movement on the surface.

And fourth, fish where there is a lot of water movement.  Ledges as well as channel edges or channel pads where fish may be staging to ambush bait.  Fish choke points where the land narrows and water rushes through pushing and tossing bait around. Like the channel pads of the shipping channel from Sandy Point Prudence Island to downtown Providence.

Where’s the bite

Not much fishing has occurred as bad weather continued to keep boats in port.  When they got out the fishing was only fair.  Party boats sailing for cod fish at this time include the Frances Fleet at www.francesfleet.com , the Seven B’s at www.sevenbs.com, and the Island Current at www.islandcurrent.com.