Rhody Fly Rodders celebrate 60th anniversary
The Rhody Fly Rodders, the oldest chartered saltwater fly club in America, is holding a 60th Anniversary Banquet Celebration Saturday, Jan. 20, at 1 p.m.at Wright’s Farm Restaurant, 84 Inman Road, Harrisville, R.I. The event is open to the public.
“This is a major milestone in our club’s history. We welcome and would be honored to have as many past presidents, board members, inactive members as possible, as well as those presently active in the club. It was their energy and foresight in the beginning that helped the club grow and prosper to where it is today,” said Capt. Ray Stachelek, president of the Rhody Fly Rodders. “Sixty years is a long time, and when you think about the technological advances during this period it is amazing; from the Chase Bobbin Holder, to rotary vises, to light cure adhesives, and the progression of the fly rod from bamboo, fiberglass, to the current state of the art graphite.”
Capt. Stachelek said there will be lots to see and do at the celebration. For information and tickets, contact Capt. Ray Stachelek at www.castaflycharters.com or 401.884.379.
New England Saltwater Fishing Show in March
The New England Saltwater Fishing Show is Friday, March 8, to Sunday, March 10, at the Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence. If you like to fish on the salt, you are in for a big treat. The show is the largest saltwater fishing show of its type in the Northeast.
The Show features tackle, rods, reels, lures, electronics, charter guides, boats, engines, accessories, clothing and much more. More than 300 fishing related manufacturers are expected to be represented at the show.
“From what we hear so far, you won’t want to miss the show specials offered by exhibitors and the great ‘how to’ seminars being offered by some of our areas top fishers,” said Scott Travers, executive director of the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association, Show sponsors. “Learn strategies and tactics to target species such as striped bass, summer flounder, tautog and a host of others.”
For information on the show or how to reserve a booth at the show as an exhibitor, contact Scott Travers at travers@risaa.org or 401 500-2634.
Norton man produces video on his Canal striper season
One of the highlights of my week was getting an email and a link to a striped bass video from angler Robert Pesa of Norton, Mass. Robert is a surfcaster who fishes from the banks of the Cape Cod Canal.
This year was a particularly good year for Robert , who caught 174 striped bass. Some over the present slot of 28” to < 31”, many under the slot, but enough fish fell into the slot size, affording him 15 great striped bass dinners this season.
In addition to being a great angler, Robert is a pretty good video producer too. Here is a link to the video he posted on YouTube that highlights the ups and downs of his striped bass season on the Canal. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88k47YiX8f8.
Right Whale Management Area in effect
NOAA Fisheries announced last week the annual opening of a Seasonal Management Area (SMA) in Cape Cod Bay to protect North Atlantic right whales, starting on Jan. 1, 2024.
All vessels 65 feet or longer must travel at 10 knots or less in this area to reduce the threat of vessel collisions with these endangered whales. The Cape Cod Bay SMA is in effect through May 15, 2024.
Because vessels of all sizes can strike and injure a right whale, NOAA Fisheries also encourages vessels less than 65 feet in length to slow down to 10 knots or less within active SMAs.
The Cape Cod Bay SMA includes all waters of Cape Cod Bay, with Northern Boundary of 42°04’56.5”N, 070°12’W to 42°12’N, 070°12’W, then due west back to shore.
All boaters from Maine to Virginia, or interested parties, can sign up for email or text notifications about the latest Right Whale Slow Zones at NOAA Fisheries - Stay up to date with Right Whale Slow Zone notifications (govdelivery.com). You can also follow NOAA Fisheries on Facebook (@NOAAFisheriesNEMA) and Twitter (@NOAAFish_GARFO) for announcements.
Where’s the bite?
Freshwater fishing in stocked ponds for trout and salmon continues to be very good, with a decent largemouth and smallmouth bass bite. For a complete list of trout stocked ponds in Massachusetts visit Mass Wildlife at Trout stocking report | Mass.gov and in Rhode Island visit www.dem.ri.gov/fishing, or call 401-789-0281 or 401-539-0019 for more information on trout stocking.
Saltwater. The tautog and black sea bass seasons closed Dec 31. Anglers have now turned their attention to cod fishing, striped bass fishing in holdover areas, with many switching off to fresh water fishing. For the past couple of years striped bass fishing in salt ponds has been outstanding, with anglers catching fish to 35 inches. Most striped bass holdovers are small school size bass. If you want to try your hand at cod fishing, call ahead to make a party boat reservation; vessels generally sail between 5 and 7 a.m. and return in the afternoon. Visit www.islandcurrent.com and www.francesfleet.com.
Dave Monti holds a captain’s license and charter fishing license. He serves on a variety of boards and commissions and has a consulting business focusing on clean oceans, habitat preservation, conservation, renewable energy, and fisheries related issues and clients. Forward fishing news and photos to dmontifish@verison.net or visit www.noflukefishing.com.
