I use to feel a bit awkward — a fishing writer and charter captain who did not know how to fly fish. So last week, I gave it a try under the direction of expert fly instructor and fly fishing guide Ed Lombardo.
In spite of having a lot of fly fishing lures on me, including the time I hooked my sunglasses strap (even my chin), I have to say I will now be purchasing my first fly rod and basic gear.
I thank Ed Lombardo, his volunteer instructors and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management for introducing me to fly fishing.
Fishing Report: Block Island wind farm still impresses
Lombardo has been working with the DEM for 31 years instructing freshwater and saltwater fly classes. He works with Kimberly Sullivan, principle biologist and aquatic resource education coordinator for the DEM, delivering multiple fly fishing programs each year. They conduct both saltwater and freshwater classes, programs for children, veterans, beginners and those more experienced with fly fishing and tying.
They make a great team, with Kim and her staff handling the registrations, logistics, and providing all the gear and tackle for the classes. The program is free, but there is a $15 charge for a great box lunch.
Hats off to the 18 volunteers who provided one-on-one instruction to me and my classmates (18 to 20 students per class by design). Volunteer instructors were from the Rhody Fly Rodders, Trout Unlimited, United Fly Tyers of Rhode Island Inc. and the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association.
“We fish the freshwater and a little from the shore on saltwater but are here to learn fly fishing.” said Geoffrey Zito of Charlestown, who, with his son, Colin, made up one of several father/son and mother/daughter teams who were there to learn how to fly fish.
We had three hours of land-based instruction on gear and tackle, a session on learning how to cast and then two hours in the Narrow River at Sprague Bridge in Narragansett with instructors by our sides. We were targeting hickory shad (about 15 to 20 inches) and striped bass.
And, yes, we did catch fish, granted oftentimes with assistance from our instructors on getting the line out there. But as a charter captain, I know how important it is for new anglers to feel and see how they can be successful. So, on Saturday, with Ed’s help, I caught my first fish on a fly — a hickory shad that was about 20 inches. It was very gratifying.
For information, visit the Aquatic Resource Education Program at dem.ri.gov.
Anglers urged to weigh in on tautog regulations
Massachusetts and Rhode Island anglers are urged to attend the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries virtual public hearing at 6 p.m. Nov. 1 to offer comments on new proposed tautog regulations for 2023. Register for the hearing at https://bit.ly/3SIdZJv.
Massachusetts anglers are asked to comment on proposed regulations (for the full text, visit DMF’s website) and Rhode Island anglers are urged to comment on how the same tautog regulations have worked in Rhode Island in 2022 to preserve large female fish with great spawning potential.
Fishing Report: Now’s the time to angle for tautog
“With no change to the bag limit [with a slot of 16 inches to 21 inches) and everyone still allowed to catch one trophy fish larger than 21 inches, it’s hard to find a negative with this change,” said Greg Vespe, executive director of the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association. “It’s responsible management at its best.”
Where’s the bite?
Striped bass, bluefish. “We have so much Atlantic menhaden and mackerel in the water that there is plenty for stripers to eat,” said John Littlefield of Archie’s Bait and Tackle in Riverside. “Anglers are fishing Storm shads and white lures of various types to distinguish their baits.” Tom Giddings of The Tackle Box in Warwick said: “Slot stripers and larger are being caught in the upper Bay at Warwick Cove, Pawtuxet Cove and in the Providence River.” Jeff Sullivan of Lucky Bait and Tackle in Warren reported: “Slot-size and school bass are in Bays and out in front along the coast.” “East End” Eddie Doherty, expert Cape Cod Canal angler and author said: “Peanut bunker continue to provide forage for hungry striped bass and bluefish from one end of the canal to the other.” Roslindale’s Bill Walsh and his friend, Joe “The Reel” McCoy, of North Providence, were successful with top water white Cotton Cordell lures. Bill landed 11 slots and McCoy caught four fish on his first four casts.
Black sea bass and scup. “The scup bite is still OK at Colt State Park and anywhere with water movement and structure,” Littlefield said. “Catching keeper black sea bass is still difficult.”
Tautog. “Fishing has been great as long as the ocean cooperates,” said Declan O’Donnell of Breachway Bait & Tackle in Charlestown. “Anglers are catching tautog with rigs and jigs.” Giddings reported: “Fishing exploded this week in the mid- and upper Bay with anglers catching 19-inch and 20-inch fish at Conimicut Light and Rocky Point Fishing Pier. Fishing at Hope Island and north of the Jamestown Bridge was good, too.” Sullivan said: “Tautog fishing exploded this week. We landed five double-digit fish. Last weekend, the Aquidneck Island Striper Team [a fishing club] tautog tournament winning fish weighed in at 11.7 pounds.”
“Freshwater anglers are catching fish on the bottom and on the surface, including largemouth bass, pickerel, pike and we had 13- and 14.6-pound catfish caught at Tiogue Lake in Coventry and Turner Reservoir in Seekonk,” Giddings said. “This week,” Sullivan said, “the largemouth bass stacked up on the banks feeding for the cold months ahead. Swim baits and spinner baits are working well.”
Dave Monti holds a captain’s master license and charter fishing license. He serves on a variety of boards and commissions and has a consulting business that focuses on clean oceans, habitat preservation, conservation, renewable energy and fisheries-related issues and clients. Forward fishing news and photos to dmontifish@verizon.net or visit noflukefishing.com.
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