The Fish Wrap Writer Blog
For more than 20 years, we have been learning from and writing about outdoorsmen and women who fish, hunt, hike, pause, and sometimes just look around. Fish Wrap has been published over 480 times. Here you will find articles, interviews, reports, laughs, a few stretched truths (that’s true), and an unfortunate number of obituaries from good folks we have lost.
Please search, enjoy, and let me know if you know someone who we should meet.
Here come the big bass and why is Water St.’s access closed?
We need big fish and open access!
Cinder Worms & Keep Out Signs
Cinder worms move in and a KEEP OUT sign appears to keep people out over in Potter Pond
Captain Rene Letourneau is the 2020 Orvis Saltwater Guide of the Year, finally
The Captain's story is long overdue for its subject but also for its timing. This Fish Wrap piece should have been posted a few weeks ago to celebrate this award from a local fishing guide but events of our crazy new world delayed our work. That said, cheers to...
These are uncharted waters on both sides of the border
Social distancing used to be what fishermen regularly practiced when they went fishing, often quite voluntarily. Now the term is repeated ad nauseam on virtually every broadcast and talk show, having morphed into a repetitive reminder that our inside and outside...
Fishing Rods For Social Distancing
The salt pond was unusually crowded with boats this past weekend. Not enough to require a “Knock It Off!” visit but far busier than expected. The physical and emotional lockdown we’re experiencing requires us to still have some outlet like hiking or fishing or even...
That Lawrence Thompson is a seriously strong man
“The guy came so close, he hit me with his mirror and knocked me off of my balance.” Lawrence Thompson is a seriously strong man. “It looked like he was slowing down a little bit, then he just kept going.” He fishes from a kayak, boats he built and the shore when...
We’re good, we’re confident, we’re going outside
And now for something completely different: good news. Good news for a community reeling from postponed this and cancelled that, washing hands to the bones and standing guard over our Charmin stash. Seriously, the bright side of the coin now is an invitation...
There’s a new tax in town and we’re not going to stand for it
Governor Raimondo and her staff have inserted tax language into the 2020/2021 state budget which financially targets sporting ranges, guides and outfitters. It is, at best, a poorly veneered attempt to use taxes as a weapon to disrupt people’s legal and...
The very first Fish Wrap column. Just in time for stay-at-home reading
March 9, 2014 ©Todd Corayer 2014 Written back when we actually had ice... Good-bye ice, hello crocuses! At the tail end of a banner year for fishable ice, day and night soon find their balance so we can return to our canoes kayaks and outboards. March for most...
Dennis Tabella Is A Turkey
Dennis Tabella is a turkey if he thinks hunting should be banned and that solid groups such as the Light Foundation need scolding. Hunting is part of our heritage, perhaps not his, but one person's personal feelings should not trump other people's right to be free. And that should extend to a lot in our society these days. Read on!
RI hunting and fishing license fees may increases
The R.I. Department of Environmental Management is proposing to incrementally increase fishing and hunting licenses and tag fees over the next eight years. These increases are listed in Article 7 as part of House Bill 7171, Relating to the Environment. Before...
There’s a Tackle Shop Ready to Meet You
Rhode Island has over 20 amazing tackle shops ready to help you find that next rod, reel, lure or fresh bait. Find your tackle shop today.
RI Kayak Bassin’ is ready for a very big year
For months now, social media has been ablaze with posts about local fishermen getting their kayaks ready for a new fishing season. Despite winter being kind of a puffball affair and this Covid-19 affair making us rush out to buy toiler paper, which is absurd,...
Saltwater license sales are strong and so are tackle store conversations
2010 was the first year of the Rhode Island Saltwater License Program, designed as an alternative to a federal license which became mandatory with a 2006 amendment to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation Act. The amendment was written to begin a more accurate...
Captain Rob Taylor has issues and that's good for us
Rob Taylor has issues. As a charter boat captain and local striper fishing legend, he’s chosen a life path that’s knock down busy for months in a row followed by repairs, maintenance and planning for the next season of sports looking for big fish. So after back to...
Stripers, Blues and Elephants: What They Have in Common
It was heartening to see 80 people on a rainy February night at URI’s Corless Auditorium offering comments on the state’s proposed 2020 fisheries regulations but equally disappointing to hear so many fishermen advocate for killing smaller striped bass and more...
Block Island Deer Aren’t Easy
Six Reasons Why Deer Hunting on Block Island Is Not So Easy Block Island’s empty roads and fields full of deer attracts a few hunters each year. Everyone says it’s so easy to get your deer over there but the “off season,” so called, which isn’t actually a thing...
All fish are equal but some conservation equivalency is more equal than others
In preparation for a return of striped bass and regulations to protect them, RIDEM held a pre-hearing workshop to discuss potential changes. In an era of social media fueled easy complaining, these workshops are a direct action of the state listening to people say...
5 Tips To Stay On The Ice
Stay on top of the Ice Despite a lack of hard water, it really is ice fishing season. RIDEM recommends at least six inches of ice before we drag out coolers, chairs and grills while Connecticut calls for just four inches. For safety’s sake, it’s our job to check...
It's January, there's no ice so go see East End Eddie Dougherty!
January’s calendar page means we’re largely confined to quarters unless there’s hard water for setting tip up’s or open water for launching a daredevil kayak trip for white perch. Deer season is in full swing on Block Island but with all this cold air and these...