Tag: URI

Stripers, blues & elephants: they’re in trouble and we’re still talking about “us”

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 bluefish in light of our understanding that both stocks are overfished and in peril. … Continue reading Stripers, blues & elephants: they’re in trouble and we’re still talking about “us” →

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 they can’t attend the formal hearing, are microphone shy or just … Continue reading All fish are equal but some conservation equivalency is more equal than others →

350 miles versus 39 fishermen; a tale of two fishes

Max Appleman shook my hand pretty hard. We hadn’t met previously but both recalled a Fish Wrap piece from last year in which readers were encouraged to contact him regarding a potential change in striper regulations. A similar Fish Wrap piece with his contact information was picked up by The Pew Charitable Trust and widely … Continue reading 350 miles versus 39 fishermen; a tale of two fishes →

Poaching needs a judge who respects fish & fishermen

Poaching is back and apparently, as popular as ever. The recent arrest of a local businessman for being more than twice the normal average of greedy is, sadly, yet another reminder of man’s weakness when it comes to taking, which in this case, is the same as stealing. This was his third offence. Social media … Continue reading Poaching needs a judge who respects fish & fishermen →

Largemouth, ducks, a Go-Devil & chicken soup. Hell yeah, that’s Fall in RI

The Rhode Island Kayak Bassin’ tournament season has wrapped up for 2018. Administrators Matt Tetreault and RJ Alves successfully created a few months of fun for freshwater fishermen, taking anglers to some of this state’s most beautiful water bodies and reminding us how much fun largemouth bass fishing can be. Saltwater fishermen tend to get … Continue reading Largemouth, ducks, a Go-Devil & chicken soup. Hell yeah, that’s Fall in RI →

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 Carr … Continue reading So Close, Spring Is So Close… →

Fish Wrapped 2017, Part II. The smiles say it all.

“Whatever I catch, I’m going to say it was three times bigger,” said 13 year old Tim Roberts. So begins part two of our year in review, that much-anticipated, semi-obligatory writers holiday crutch, where we succumb to sweet Christmas cookies, Mimi’s salty, perfect antipasto and endless tall cans of Maine microbrew, which easily overtakes any … Continue reading Fish Wrapped 2017, Part II. The smiles say it all. →

Fish Wrapping Up 2017, Part One

So it is, the end of another year and we’ve been so fortunate to report on people searching for and catching fish, people protecting resources and people who were just straight away characters. We started by meeting Mike Lee, proud new owner of Al’s Goldfish Lure Company, the perfect lure that’s likely caught a million … Continue reading Fish Wrapping Up 2017, Part One →

Science never quits (even if you delete it from an EPA website) & fishing for data on URI’s Cap’n Bert

Joe Zottoli told me to be at the dock for exactly 8:50 a.m. It was very clear that details were important, like being on time. He’s studying Biological Oceanography at URI’s Graduate School of Oceanography, runs the deck of their 53’ workhorse research vessel, the Cap’n Bert and is never far from his clipboard and … Continue reading Science never quits (even if you delete it from an EPA website) & fishing for data on URI’s Cap’n Bert →