The Fish Wrap Writer Blog
Below you will find more than 350 articles covering fishing in Rhode Island and the greater New England area since 2014.
And some truth-ish stories as well. I hope you will enjoy.
How To Find Stripers & Friends with OSKF
Randy Degrace lead the Ocean State Kayak Fishing group through thick fog to find stripers and new friends for their 2nd Anuual tournament. By the afternoon, it was a bluebird day with fish caught and released then generous prizes and raffles. OSKF made this a perfect day on The Bay and Jose Agustin Vinas-Vasquez's first day in a kayak was the star of the show.
Capt. Sprengel Splash Walks Giant Stripers
Captain Jack Sprengel of East Coast Charters is finding and catching giant striped bass with the new Shimano Coltsniper Splash Walk top water lure. From the deck of his Everglades 325, he will put you on fish in Narragansett Bay or take you offshore for a dream tip. Fish Wrap has the whole story this week.
Stripers Forever Seeks Moratorium
Stripers Forever has worked for years to protect the striped bass fishery and the species itself. Given revelations of population decline and overfishing, coupled with regulators reacting at a snails pace to real time observations, the conservation groups wants action now. Read more in-depth coverage in this week's Fish Wrap.
Cast & Blast in RI
Rhode Island has lots to offer to outdoorsmen and women so on the heels of summer, it's time to cast and blast. Stripers, bluefish and fluke are on the beaches while shooting sporting clays is always in season.
Protecting Beaver River Brookies
Teaming up to protect Beaver River brook trout There is convincing evidence that Rhode Island Trout Unlimited President, Glenn Place, doesn’t sleep. He tirelessly manages his Tom’s Markets, generously shares recipes and dishes, prioritizes family time always,...
Thayer Creates Finest Fishing Lures
Matt Thayer is carving, turning, painting “Yeah, I eat, sleep and breath fishing,” Matt Thayer said. That’s not unusual in our part of the world, where we enjoy easy access to fresh and salt waters but Matt’s equally immersed in the sport and business. He’s a...
RI’s Rec. Saltwater Fishing License Report
John Lake is more than happy to share numbers from last 2020's Saltwater Recreational Fishing License Program, in fact, he's really happy to do it. After John, we'll meet some Trout Unlimited volunteers who are, once again, cleaning up other people's trash.
Clean Shores and Coltsnipers
While some wait for stripers to show in Rhode Island, the Rhody Fly Rodders and RISAA are cleaning rivers and beaches. And we get to see the brand new Shimano Colt Sniper lure that will definitely catch stripers.
Herring hit a dam wall
Each spring, river herring migrate to rivers and ponds of their birth and for hundreds of years, they have been pushed back by dams and ancient impoundments. Volunteers move them around some but nature's clock is ticking. Offshore, wind farm turbines are being constructed quickly so we show you a virtual tour of navigating through one hundred proposed turbines east of Block Island.
Earth Day is calling you!
Trout Unlimited and Friends of the Saugatucket need volunteers to clean up roadways and shorelines and to help boost awareness of our lovely waters which bind us together as a people sharing resources. Earth Day is the right time to help and learn more about each group.
Best Spring Striper Lures for 2021
This week we share our top 5 spring striped bass lures as we wait for their migration. And - we get everyone excited for a new season of largemouth bass fishing with the Rhode Island Kayak Bassin' group going on their sixth season.
Poaching & Beach Access In the House
Our rights to walk a shoreline are being challenged by shoreside landowners who don't want people walking on "their beach" and a lot of "us" have had enough. There is welcome legislation to protect our rights while another bill seeks to slightly sharpen penalties for animal poachers. Both bills affect us and both need a few minutes of your time to let representatives understand how you feel.
Rivers Running Silver
Rivers once ran silver with shad, herring, sturgeon and stripers; now there are calls to rebuild rivers and populations for the abundance our ancestors enjoyed and took for granted. This week, learn how we can turn the tide to support forage fishes and native brook trout.
ASMFC Needs Your Striper Knowledge
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission is calling for comments, observations, recommendations, thoughts on the condition of the striped bass population, our rules governing its protection and harvest or how you feel it should be managed for the greatest abundance. We need you to comment before April 9, 2021.
Fish Wrap Reviews “The Waters Between Us”
“The Waters Between Us” is a contemplative, remarkable view into years of turmoil and growth both personal and global, seasoned with laughter, friendships, brown trout, cheap sleeping bags and insufficient considerations for consequences.
RI’s Ill-Conceived Firearms Legislation
The Rhode Island legislature is considering a slate of ill-conceived firearms bills which together, suffer from zero perspective or understanding of those who legally own and enjoy firearms. The ramifications are sweeping; several appear clearly invasive, others are reactions to unfortunately common events involving firearms.
RI Legislature Reconsiders Confined Hunts
The RI Legislature is reconsidering banning some types of confined hunts where Chronic Wasting Disease may be introduced to local cervid populations like White-tailed deer. The Backcountry Hunters and Anglers support the bill as a way to keep CWD out of Rhode Island.
Eddie Doherty Teaches Canal Surfcasting
With winter in full force, ponds frozen, snow mounds filling intersection and only the heartiest of ice fishermen catching pike and perch, the rest of us may need to go virtual this week. East End Eddie Doherty will take us Cape Cod Canal surfcasting with a Zoom...
It’s Winter and It’s Tip Up Time
Finally, the start of February and we’ve had a our first shots of ice thick enough time to drill holes in and set up our tip ups. Hard to believe, really. Global warming, sagging airstreams sagging, warming oceans turning high snow clouds to low rain showers;...
Julio Silva Shares Surfcasting Tips
Talking Surfcasting Will Ward Off Winter Blahs It's winter. Hunting season is pretty much done, salt ponds are frozen and my desire to fish is slushy at best. The snow keeps coming, making the garage door that much harder to open, which is a fine excuse to not...