It's October

I know I haven't written in a while, well work and other trivialities have conspired to put a kink in my fishing. Reports from others show good fishing on the wood with the primary catch being rainbows with a few brookies mixed in to keep things interesting. The water level continues to be low with deeper pools along the river holding trout. The water clarity is very clear which requires careful approaches and delicate presentations along with no drag. On another subject the September meeting had a good turnout, lets try for a better one in October.


John

Happy Fall

Well Fall has arrived for 2010, although today was pretty warm for the 22nd of September. Reports from the river is that the water temp is in the low 60's with lower then normal water levels. Fish are being caught however the water is very clear so you will need a very precise presentation. This past weekend I broke down and for the first time used flouro-carbon leaders, which when combined with small soft hackles fished slowly allowed me to catch some very nice rainbows.


John

Just thinking

Well after a very tough summer weather wise things are finally beginning to pick up. The recent rains and cool weather have both caused improved water levels along with lower temps. The chapter was able late last week to stock approx 800 fish in the Wood which has helped put a string in most peoples steps. Speaking for myself, this past weekend I was able to catch several very nice fish, of course I also lost more fish then I have in a very long time. Oh well it all evens out in the end. Reports from the Farmington remain flows of app 100 cfs with the fish on small flies. A challenge that is well worth the attempt.


John

A New Year

As the chapter begins a new year of meetings in Cranston, first let me say I hope everyone had a pleasant and successful summer despite the adverse weather conditions which restricted both planned stockings and other chapter projects. The chapter is preparing to enter some new and exciting areas in particular didymo education and prevention along with a program to assist local boy scouts with their fly fishing merit badge. If anyone has any other ideas for projects please feel free to bring them up at the meeting


John

Fishing News

I fished the wood today on the section downstream from the check station. After the rain the river has come up slightly with an improved flow and temps in the mid 60's. I saw extremely limited insect activity on the water(primarily small caddis flies). I didn't see fish rising till I got below the fast water section. My recommendation for fishing during the mid-day period would be either terrestrials or small soft hackles with 5x or lighter tippet


John

Fishing News

First for the news we have all been waiting for, as I write this it is raining out and the forecast is for at least another day of rain. I have to admit that I didn't realize how dry it had become until I checked conditions on the Farmington and saw a stream flow of just over 100 cfs. Anyway depending on how much rain we get the chapter should finally be able to schedule our long delayed float stocking. On another note we are still planning on the project to repair the stairs on the Falls and the Wood for sometime in September. We will keep you informed


John

Thoughts

Recently I have been thinking about how TU should be looked on by it's members and more importantly by the public as a whole. There is a large group within TU that believe we shouldn't be closely associated with fishing, instead acting like every other conservation group in the country. After giving it much thought I can't go along with this idea. TU was formed 50+ years ago by a group of fisherman in Michigan with the sole goal of protecting the local streams they fished, and by doing this maintaining if not enhancing their fishing. So join me in embracing the heritage of fishing that TU was founded on and that made it the strong group we know today.

Trout fishing

Fishing is still slow here in RI. With low water levels over the majority of the Wood, the only fishable areas are the deeper pools where the fish can find cooler water down deep. While the weather forecast for the next week is calling for moderations in temp there is still no rain in the immediate future. On the bright side, guys who have gone to fish the Farmington are reporting good fishing on small flies(tricos in the AM) with light tippet(7-8X). So there is a possibility for those who enjoy technical fishing with the real possibility of breaking off a big fish.


John

The Wood

Lately I have been thinking on our chapters role on protecting and enhancing the fishery on the Wood. While I know a few people will violently oppose this idea, I believe the greatest protection for the Wood is people fishing and enjoying it. If we are to accomplish any projects of significance, the most important thing that is required is bodies on the ground willing to do the hard work. More importantly is there is a large group of anglers in this state whose goals and wishes are opposed to ours. There is only one way we will combat this, and that is to have a significant membership that will communicate our wishes to the state. In short I believe that actions which will deter fisherman especially young ones from the Wood is at best counter-productive at worst extremely harmful.

John

I'd like to see

Lately with the low water levels and continued lack of rain making fishing at best difficult, I have found myself thinking about the future and things I would like to see. First I would like to see more streams and rivers statewide that are fish able for the entire summer. Does this require the continued efforts in dam removal on the Blackstone or just identifying suitable water and increasing the stocking efforts? To be honest I'm not sure if either of these are feasible or even if they will work, but I'm really just thinking out loud here. But the thing I would really like to see is an increase in the number of younger members at our meetings. I believe that this is the single most important factor in TU's growth and continued strength in the future. Sadly I have no idea how to accomplish this, at least not without help. So if anyone knows a young person who might be interested in our work please invite them to a meetings. Thanks for your time

John

Thoughts

I fished the Wood this afternoon downstream from the check station to just below the fast water. First the good news, the recent stretch of cooler temps have helped the water temps considerably. The bad news is we still could use a good soaking rain due to the low water levels in most areas. I didn't manage to catch anything although there were sporadic rises for small to medium size ants brown in color. Oh well at least I managed to work up a good sweat.


John

Just thinking

This year has been a very odd, hopefully once in a lifetime year on our beloved Wood river. From the floods of March which scoured the bottom and changed once popular wade able stretches of river to pools which are now over your head. This was followed by our current stretch of very warm weather combined with little or no rain. But just to show that everything has a reason the deep pools left by the floods, became sanctuaries where trout were able to find cool water. So we have what is in effect a new river with new challenges to conquer. My recommendation to all is go out and enjoy.


John

Thoughts on conservation ethics

Lately I have found myself becoming more and more concerned about the conservation ethics of some anglers. As all of us are aware the last few years have seen a concerted effort to ban felt soled waders in an effort to help stem the spread of aquatic species such as didymo. While this is by no means a perfect solution to the problem, I believe it is a vital first step in this fight. Sadly however there seems to be a large population who feel that since the organisms can be carried by other means(boot uppers, shoe laces, waders etc), this step is worthless and not worth the effort. Sadly this is something that must change

Fishing News

Well sadly there isn't much to report as far as fishing news, at least nothing good anyway. It shouldn't be news to anyone that the water level on the wood is very low. To make matters worse the latest report of water temps is 68 - 70, and until we get some rain this will very likely go up. So I would strongly suggest using caution when deciding to fish the wood or any other local trout stream.

John

Didymo

By now I'm sure most of you have read about the effects of didymo on various bodies of water, along with several prevention efforts up to and including the ban of felt wading shoes. The chapter will be soon beginning an educational effort in this area. In the beginning this will be primarily educational with signs being posted at major fishing areas along with material on proper cleaning of gear to be distributed with the help of local shops. Further info to come

John

Fishing News

I fished the check station stretch this morning. The river is till low but cool. Found fish rising steadily but it was difficult figuring out to what. After many failed attempts and a discussion with a father and son team from Ma, the fish were rising to ants. Which made sense since there was little if any insect life on the water.

Catch and Release

If you are planning on releasing your catch. Please pinch your barbs down to assist in hook removal. Also try to keep the time spent playing the fish to a minimum, and keep the fish out of the water for as short a time as possible. Remember we are all trying to ensure fishing for the generations to follow.


John

Thoughts

Just a thought. With the recent high temps and low water conditions. If the water feels to warm, maybe give a thought to not fishing and wait for better conditions.

John

Fishing News

Fished the pines this morning. Found water low but cold, with a moderate flow. The only insects this morning seemed to be mosquitoes. Saw two seperate fish dimpling but for the life of me I can't tell you to what. Tried both caddis pupa and soft hackles with no success. Oh well there is always next time.


John

Wild and Scenic

Over the last couple of months, several people have expressed concern over possible ramifications of "Wild and Scenic" designation for the Pawcatuck and it's tributaries. I have good news, the research I along with others have done shows no relationship between wild and scenic, and stocking programs or local fisheries mgt practices in general. So unless something new crops up with this we can all rest easy.

Fishing

Reports from the Hex hatch are sporadic hatches in large areas. Possibly due to the new river anatomy causing lower then normal water temps in areas. On the positive front there are continued reports of wild brookies being caught. Along with sporadic reports of wild browns.

John

Regulation hearing

The DEM conservation hearing will be Wed June 30th. I have been told all 3 of our proposals will be heard and considered(extention of the 2 fish area, c&r for brookies in the wood, banning of felt soled waders as a beginning of a didymo prevention effort). John Troiano will be attending as the chapter rep.

John

The Hex hatch

The hex hatch has been going strong for approx 1 week now. The warm weather having helped things greatly. Get to the river early to claim your spot, and bring a few extra flies in case you lose some. Also consider fishing spinners in case you have some time the next morning

John

The chapter

As a new trout season is going strong here are some thoughts I would like to share
First there have been some conflicts raging in this chapter that I believe have finally been ended. I hope this allow all members to once again concentrate on the conservation projects that we have been known for.
Second the chapter has been given a chance to submit suggestions for special reg water other than the Wood. Please contact any member of the board with your suggestions.
Finally the chapter will be beginning an effort to prevent the spread of invasive species in state waters. The first step in this effort will be a proposal to ban felt waders in this state.

John