Fly fishing school this weekend; fluke tournament a success

The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) Fish and Wildlife Aquatic Resource Education Program will hold a Saltwater Fly Fishing School, Saturday, June 29 at the Narrow Rive Bridge, Route 1A Boston Neck Road, Narragansett. All students must have some fly fishing experience.

Edward Lombardo, local fly fishing expert and school instructor said, “Equipment including fly rod, gear and flies will be provided, however, participants should bring their own waders.” The cost of the program is $15 per person which includes lunch. Students must be 16 years or older. Ages 16 and 17 need be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian. Register with Kimberly Sullivan at 401/539-0037 or kimberly.sullivan@dem.ri.gov.

‘Fluke Til Ya Puke’ tournament big success

The 14th Annual ‘Fluke Til Ya Puke’ fishing tournament held Saturday, June 15 was a big success once again. Organizers, Captains Brian and Peter Bacon of Big Game Sport Fishing charters, South Kingstown, say it is the largest summer flounder (fluke) tournament in the world. The tournament has multiple entry categories and over $50,000 in prizes.

Capt. Peter Bacon said, “We had our fingers crossed with the weather Saturday and lucked out with an eight hour window of good weather during the Tournament. About 90 percent of the fish we weighed in were in the six to seven pound range. The largest fish, we had about four fish over nine pounds, were caught off Montauk, NY.”

12,001 anglers participated in the Tournament, down slightly from last year, likely due to the predicted bad weather. The ‘biggest fluke’ prize of $5,000 went to Bill Robinson with a 10.20 pound fluke; followed by Nino Averso, 9.74 pounds; and third place went to Eric Alleyne with a 9.38 pound fluke.”

For additional information and a complete list of winners visit www.biggamefishingri.com or the tournament Facebook page at www.facebook.com/FlukeTilYaPuke.

Where’s the bite?

Striped bass fishing has improved greatly off Block Island. Capt. Rich Bellavance of Priority Fishing Charters said, “Sunday the bass fishing at Block Island was outstanding with miles of fish in the 20 inch to 46 inch range. We are catching them on umbrella frames and parachute jigs. They are feeding on small sand eels. The southwest corner has been the best but there are also fish at the north end (although smaller) and the southeast side is yielding blues and bass.” John Littlefield of Archie’s Bait & Tackle, Riverside said, “There are not a log of pogies around in the Providence River/Pawtucket area. Anglers are catching keepers in the Conimicut Light and Rumstick Point areas trolling tube & worm.” Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle, Providence, said, “Steven Estrada caught a 45” striped bass at India Point Park, using Atlantic menhaden chucks. The shore anglers are doing much better this week now that the bass are moving closer to shore.”

Fluke fishing is mixed. Capt. Peter Bacon of BIG Game Sport Fishing Charters said, “During the ‘Fluke Til Ya Puke’ tournament last Saturday anglers fishing the south side of Block Island had to battle dogfish to land fluke.” Capt. Bellavance said, “Fluke fishing Saturday was OK. Customers were landing fish in the six to seven pound range with the largest fish weighing in at 7.5 pounds.” “Fluke are being caught in the mid-Bay region on the shipping channel pads in the Prudence Island ‘T Wharf’ area,” said Henault. Littlefield said, “Some reports of customers catching keeper fluke drifting along the side of Dutch Island in the West Passage of Narragansett Bay in 40 to 60 feet of water. No major reports of fish being taken in the middle bay area.”
Scup fishing is improving in the bay. Henault said, “Scup to 16” are being taken under the Mt. Hope Bridge, off Barrington and at Colt State Park.” Littlefield said, “The scup bite is just starting to improve with fish now being caught at Colt State Park.”
Freshwater fishing. “Fishing for largemouth bass improved this week for customers with a lot of anglers targeting them,” said Littlefield. Henault said, “The trout bite is off, however, customers are catching largemouth and the carp fishing has been very good.”

Dave Monti holds a captain’s master license and a charter fishing license. He is a RISAA board member, a member of the RI Party & Charter Boat Association, the American Saltwater Guides Association and the RI Marine Fisheries Council. Follow Capt. Dave on twitter @CaptDaveMonti. He’ll be tweeting about ‘Where’s the bite’, fishing regulations, national fishing policy, and issues that impact the fish. Forward fishing news and photos to Capt. Dave at dmontifish@verizon.net or visit www.noflukefishing.com.