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.
No Going Around the Block
These are good days to be on the water. We have boat loads of options, locations and friends looking to share gas bills to find stripers, bluefish and mighty tuna. You just might want to be careful where you dip your toes around Narragansett as white and thresher sharks are patrolling in close. Really close.
Improving CRMC’s Public Awareness
When government doesn't engage the very people who might be impacted by their tax funded actions, there will be opposition and just maybe, anarchy. Rhode Island's Coastal Resources Management Council has invited even more scrutiny by softballing aquaculture applications literally under people's noses, without ever letting them know of the impacts. That's pure bull and the curtain has been called.
Block Island Fishing, Fresh & Salt
Block Island is hosting a saltwater fishing tournament while islanders are quietly catching and releasing some seriously big largemouth bass. There is plenty of strong fishing in and around the island if you have patience and know how to play by the rules.
Farewell Colonials Four Leaf Clover
Clover was Brude Leduc's beloved black Labrador retriever. She hunted with Bruce through rain, snow and wind, ever poised to swim through icy waters or dive through heavy brush to bring back the birds. We remember Clover this week as she has left us far too quickly. Bruce Leduc's Labrador, Clover, was a special dog who loved to retrieve, swim hunt and rest by his side. Farewell Colonials Four Leaf Clover.
Fish Fat, Flat & Weak
Come on! It's time to find those flat, fat, weak and striped fish as summer takes hold and we go back to being normal, whatever that means for fishermen and women...And how avout those squeteague? They're back!
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.
Sprengel Splash Walks 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 2021 Spring Striper Lures
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 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.