The Annual New England Saltwater
Fishing Show sponsored by the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association
(RISAA), is being held this week March 22-24 at the Rhode Island Convention
Center. Friday hours are 12:00 p.m. to
8:00 p.m., Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Steve Medeiros, RISAA president,
said, “This is the largest saltwater fishing show in the Northeast. And, it’s
our largest ever with a record 445 booths and 350 companies displaying their
latest in fishing tackle and gear with many of them offering show specials and
prices.” Most major saltwater companies
will be represented including rod and reel manufactures, fishing lure
companies, fishing charter boats and guides and makers of clothing, fly fishing
gear, boats, kayaks and much more. Medeiros said, “Capt. Paul Hebert of Wicked Pissah and Cap. Dave Carraro of Tuna.COM from the TV show Wicked Tuna will be speaking at the show
Saturday and Sunday.”
A Kids Casting Area will be open
Saturday and Sunday. Sunday is also family day with all women and children
admitted free and a special scavenger hunt for children on Sunday, ask about it
when you arrive at the show.
Rich Hittinger, 1st vice
president of RISAA said, “We are raising funds for the RI Saltwater Anglers
Foundation by selling Rhode Island license plates that feature a striped bass
and scup on them. Stop by our booth at
the show and take a look at this great plate.
When you order one you will supporting all of the fishing outreach,
environmental and conservation efforts of the Foundation.”
Capt. Dave Monti and many other guest speakers
Over 60 Fishing
Show seminars are being given by experts on a wide range of fishing topics from
how to catch larger summer flounder to in shore fishing with light tackle from
shore, kayak or boat. Learn about
fishing tactics and strategies from top fishermen and charter captains.
I will be speaking at the Show on
two topics, the first is ‘How to catch bigger fluke’ offered Friday at 2:00
p.m.; Saturday at 3:30 p.m.; and Sunday at 12:30 p.m. I will give a second seminar titled
‘Enhancing you tautog bite” on Friday at 6:00 p.m.; and Saturday at 9:30 a.m.
No Fluke Charters will have a booth at the show, #205, so stop by the booth and
say hello or follow me on Twitter @CaptDaveMonti. Visit www.nesaltwatershow.com/seminars.shtml for a complete listing of seminar topics and
speakers.
Tickets are $10 for adults,
children under 12 are admitted free.
Learn more about the show at nesaltwatershow.com .
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.
This is the program’s tenth 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.
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, “but past experiences have shown that this is prime time for the
worm mating season.”
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. Proper
safety equipment is required plus lights for navigation.
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.
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 as
a participant contact Scott Travers at sott.travers@dem.ri.gov. To sign-up as an instructor contact Dave
Pollack at dpollipo@cox.net .
4th Annual RI Quahog Week March
25-31
The
Rhode Island Seafood Marketing Collaborative, chaired by the Department of
Environmental Management (DEM), will hold the 4th annual Quahog Week March 25 -
March 31. The week-long celebration
highlights the importance of Rhode Island’s iconic shellfish to the State’s
economy and culture.
As
part of the week-long observance, participating restaurants will feature
quahog-inspired specials on their menus, and participating markets will offer
deals for those who enjoy cooking their own clam dishes at home.
Quahog
Week will also feature two special events where harvesters from the RI
Shellfishermen’s Association will be shucking and serving complimentary little
necks and interacting with attendees about their fishery. Partners will also be
providing other complimentary quahog-based samplers and beverages. Both events are free and open to the
public. Quahog Night West Bay will be
held Wednesday, March 27, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Whalers Brewing Company,
1174 Kingstown Road, South Kingstown and Quahog Night East Bay will be held Friday,
March 29, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Hope & Main, 691 Main Street, Warren.
Visit
www.seafoodri.com for a full list of participating restaurants
and markets and the specials they are offering.
Where’s the bite
Cod fishing. Capt. Andy Dangelo of
the Seven B’s Party Boat said, “We have been finding cod and with the weather
improving everything is looking up.”
Capt. Frank Blount said, “We manage to get off the dock a few
times this week and found mixed results. Wednesday did see the best results
with a good showing of both green and dark cod. There is still good showing of
bait on the grounds and we have some amazing weather coming so things are
looking up. Party boats
sailing for cod fish at this time include the Frances Fleet at www.francesfleet.com
, the Seven B’s (with Capt. Andy Dangelo at the helm) at www.sevenbs.com,
and the Island Current at www.islandcurrent.com .
