Category: alewives

We walked The Capital for fish, conservationists and for generations of abundance

The Ocean Conservancy invited a flotilla of fishermen from all over the country to Washington D.C. to discuss long range protection of fish stocks and the path to abundance. Our mission was to meet with our congressional representatives to ensure a strong Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Forage fishes, bluefish and striped bass remain … Continue reading We walked The Capital for fish, conservationists and for generations of abundance →

Tom Adams wins big and RIDEM Law Enforcement lands a big poacher

This week we’re all about pats on the back, hands behind the back and fishing some sweet backwaters. Congratulations first off to Tom Adams of the Ocean State Kayak Anglers Association who earned first place in the Why Knot Albie Shootout. Fishing was tough as a railroad spike apparently but Tom kept at it and … Continue reading Tom Adams wins big and RIDEM Law Enforcement lands a big poacher →

Casting a net for fish and wisdom

It’s a lot like tossing a pancake. You keep your arm straight, put some lead line in your mouth and swing your hips. Sounds like a lame country line dance number I know but in fact, it’s the short course on how to throw a cast net. Bait is a cost when fishing and if you’re … Continue reading Casting a net for fish and wisdom →

“If ever you are stranded in these parts…”, there is such thing as a free lunch

There are folks among us who believe, “There ain’t no such a thing as a free lunch” but for fishermen in the know, we know that ain’t so.   Between Scott Travers and Jessica Pena with their DEM programs and Steve Medeiros with his relentlessly generous Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association, the next few weeks … Continue reading “If ever you are stranded in these parts…”, there is such thing as a free lunch →

Freshwater bite is hot, pogies & people hit the beaches

Spring is getting busy on the lakes, rivers and rock walls. In the mist of all the rain and wind, Spring is for fishing and between the hot largemouth bite, emerging salt ponds stripers and shad trees ready to pop, a few more warm days and this state will be awash in fish stories.   … Continue reading Freshwater bite is hot, pogies & people hit the beaches →

Swampers, Jimmy Chappel & Other Cool Guys Help Us Welcome A Much Needed Spring

Spring. Spring. The very word brings a smile to even the stodgiest of swampers. Yes, I made up that word. Spring is positive, it’s bright, it’s pleasing, it’s new hope for an end to slumping wood piles, dirty roads and thread bare back woods. Spring brings work, with gardens to till, border beds to clean, … Continue reading Swampers, Jimmy Chappel & Other Cool Guys Help Us Welcome A Much Needed Spring →

So Close, Spring Is So Close…

Spring is so close. Colors are changing, pale green buds are patiently peeking out from riverbank maples. Tucked under bony rhododendron skeletons, tiny yellowed shoots emerging from wet leaves missed by fall’s rake tell us everything about the real calendar. River herring, Nature’s beloved harbinger of Spring, have arrived at Gilbert Stuart, swimming for Card … Continue reading So Close, Spring Is So Close… →

Hard water, white sharks, scientists swinging wrenches. It’s winter, man.

  Fishing Winter saltwater is much more enjoyable when it’s not frozen. Last week, on such a beautiful and warm Sunday, a friend packed up his kayak, Lew’s reels, tackle boxes, snacks, a few 16 ounce cans of emergency “liquids” and his trusty nine-weight, for a few hours on a salt pond. He needed to get … Continue reading Hard water, white sharks, scientists swinging wrenches. It’s winter, man. →

Bill, Beers, Bill, Bears, Bluebacks, Buckies. That’s no fluke…

If there’s water involved, Bill McCusker is willing to get wet. He’s a tireless volunteer and advocate, a guy who collects water samples for URI’s Watershed Watch, has happily volunteered countless hours to the Wood Pawcatuck Watershed Association, dragged hoses and fought fires for the Richmond-Carolina Volunteer Fire Department, all while continuing to heft herring … Continue reading Bill, Beers, Bill, Bears, Bluebacks, Buckies. That’s no fluke… →

How to clean up your house & drink some clean water

This post originally appeared in the Southern RI Newspapers. Cold water, piles of trash bags, new flies, cold beer, stripers with lice and if you’re lucky, those mighty anadromous heros of Spring, river herring. So that’s Earth Day weekend, 2017. Fisherman Matt Toker has a set up a Facebook page called 401 Fishing and has … Continue reading How to clean up your house & drink some clean water →