The Beaver River in Richmond, Rhode Island has new state regulations to help protect native brook trout populations. No more hatchery raised trout will be allowed in the river system and hopefully native brookies will thrive, reminding anglers just how magical it can be to hike in deep for fish in shallow streams. Then we’ll visit Randy Degrace to hear about his almost state record black sea bass.
Rhode Island’s Trout Unlimited chapter has partnered with RIDEM, EA Engineering and other environmental agencies to investigate the Big River Management Area to see if it’s dark, shrouded reaches might support populations of wild, native brook trout, the state’s only native charr. Biologist Corey Pelletier electrofishing small winding streams and rivers to discover and catalog life, because, in a world of questions, answers all begin with data.
South County’s Phil Capaldi knows the salt well so this week, he provides a new fish report so that I can go north to find smallmouth bass and lose my cell phone signal. Phil talks fluke and stripers with some solid advice on lures to catch them both. Go Phil!
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 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.
