Janet Coit a collaborative leader

It was nine years ago when I had my first opportunity to speak in depth with Janet Coit, former director of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM).

We spoke about a variety of subjects. Her commitment to conservation, her Department’s role of environmental regulation, proactive conservation, and her desire to make Rhode Island and climate ready mitigating impacts on coastal shores, habitat and fish. And, she was committed to branding Rhode Island seafood to help bolster fishers and our economy. At that first meeting, I got insight into the type of collaborative leader she is.

In my world of fishing, she always seemed to make decisions with the best interest of the fish, habitat and the environment in mind, keeping the politics out the decision making process as much as possible.

So it is with great pride we as Rhode Islanders get to wish her well on her new job as the head of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries). If she does half the job she did here in Rhode Island, our oceans, the fish, climate ready fisheries, shared use of our oceans and all the people in our country are going to be big winners.

Janet Coit, we wish you well on your new assignment.

Block Island Inshore Fishing Tournament, July 24 and 25

“The Block Island Inshore Fishing Tournament is back again this year after a short hiatus,” said Capt. Chris Willi of Block Island Fishworks, a bait & tackle shop/charter business located on Block Island.

The tournament will start at 5:33 a.m., Saturday, July 24 and end Sunday, July 25 at noon. There will be an ‘After Party’ at Capt. Nick’s Rock & Roll Bar, Block Island from 2 to 4 p.m. with a brief tournament awards ceremony.

Anglers can enter online at sandypointco.com/bi-inshore-tourney and then pick up their participant bags on Friday, July 23 at one of five co-sponsor locations including Block Island Fish Works, Block Island; Ocean State Tackle, Providence; The Saltwater Edge, Middletown; Snug Harbor Marina, South Kingstown; and Watch Hill Outfitters, Westerly.

“We have many Massachusetts and Rhode Island anglers from the mainland fishing here. So there is no need to attend a weigh in on the Island as we are using a smartphone app to register entries by length. Thanks to a sponsorship from the Block Island Wind Farm and Ørsted, all tournament entry fees are being donated to the Block Island Fire Department and Rescue.” said Willi.

The Tournament will offer cash cards/swag/and sponsor prizes totally $10,000 with fluke, black sea bass, striped bass and bluefish as well as boat, shore, youth, team and photo divisions.

Where’s the bite?

Striped bass and bluefish. Expert fly guide and fisherman Ed Lombardo said, “We had positive striped bass results fishing in the Narrow River, Narragansett last week. Multiple school bass and a keeper.” Matt Conti of Snug Harbor Marina, South Kingstown, said, “There is an early a.m. bass bite on the Southwest side of Block Island. Anglers are hooking up with eels and trolling umbrella rigs.” The bass bite in the upper Providence Rover continues to slow with fish being taken in the mid portions of the East Passage.

Black sea bass, scup and summer flounder (fluke). Matt Conti of Sung Harbor said, “When wind and tide are in line anglers are doing well, catching all their keepers in an hour or two.” The black sea bass fishing improved for anglers along the southern coastal shore this week and in Narraganset Bay. We caught three nice keepers while fluke fishing around the Newport Bridge with a strong scup bite on great Ledge along Jamestown west side just North to the bridge with an occasional fluke fixed in.” Greg Vespe of Tiverton found some great fluke while fishing in the east passage in the Newport area weekend when fishing with is cousin in heavy fog.

Bluefin Tuna. “The school tuna bite moved east this week to the Claw area. This time of year these fish are chasing bait and following the whales so they are on the move,” said Matt Conti of Snug Harbor. Dick Pastore reports on the RI Saltwater Angers Associaton blog, “FYI the bluefin tuna bite is still hot at the Gully.” Angler Eric Weybrant and his fishing partner daughter Rowan Alexander of Charlestown said, “The BFT bite is still strong SE of Block Island. We started trolling west of the Gully about 6:30 a.m. Saturday and worked east. We ended up moving over toward Coxes starting on top of the SW corner then finally found fish a couple miles south. Radio chatter indicated that some medium school size were being caught further east a couple miles south of the Claw. Cedar plugs worked. Don't know why I spend so much on fancy trolling rigs?”

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 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.