Plows opened the access points to the Wood. Fished for a few hours this afternoon. Fish are visable in the sun however the melt has started and snow is falling into the river creating havoc. The water level is already beginning to rise. With the warming trend and rain over the next few days the Wood River will blow out. Hopefully it will push the debris which is lying throughout the river. Next weekend my be a washout. Trout river close at the end of February. Dang...

Fished the Wood River yesterday from 1:00 to 4:00. Blizzard NEMO was just starting to hit southern New England. Water levels along the Wood River in Arcadia are excellent. The water is very clear and cold. Trout are spread throughout the river. They are pretty spooky at this time. This time of the year insect activity is null. Other than the occasional tumbling nymph or caddis larva trout will take up feeding lies with very few predators on the river. Bright egg patterns under a strike indicator have been working well euro dredging 3 flies will always catch fish. You can also can try down and across swing be targeting the far bank under-cuts and swing the fly slowly accross the river. Work gently down stream covering small sections of the river. With water temps in the low to mid 30's I don't anticipate trout to be holding in the limited fast water on the Wood. It's now 3:00 on Saturday, the storm is over and the sun is out. Hopefull some of the access points will be open tomorrow.

Cinder Worm Hatches & Striped Bass in Rhode Island

Aside of opening day the next big fishing event for fly anglers in Rhode Island is the Cinder Worm Hatch. Many anglers have been fishing for striped bass during this event. What triggers these worms to emerge? What drives striped bass into the salt ponds to feed on these small creatures which range in size from 1" up to 3"? Taking my own historical data into consideration here are what I believe are some of the factors and conditions to look for.

· Spring moons (New & Full ~ April & May) with the most dramatic high & lows.

· Water temperature

· Tides...

I have found that spring moons dictate to these little creatures when it is time for them to perform their mating swarm. When water temps reach the mid 50's around these moon tides it triggers the mating swarm. In many instances it seems the first batch of Cinder Worms Hatch in the further most reaches of the salt ponds where the water flow & temperature remains a constant. Once the emergence occurs in these areas, after a few evenings the hatch seems to emerge itself out and we find no more hatches occur in these areas. As water temps begin to rise throughout the pond hatches will occur in various areas. Thus explaining why worm hatches may appear in areas which may only be 100 yards apart. After a mild winter in 2011 we found hatch as early as mid-April. Mild winter water temps lead me to believe that this has a factor in the emergence; this also seems to be the case when we experience a cold front with big incoming tides which drop the water temps in the midst of good hatch nights. On those cold front nights worm hatches are null and void. Example: In May of 2010 we had some consistent nights with prolific hatches. Water temps approached 60 degrees. On one evening we had a cold front come in and the water dropped to the low 50's. Was this a shock to the worms or are water temps a dictating factor. I have also found that as May progresses and we find consistent rise in water temps throughout the salt pond, I have found myself in the presence of worms close to the outflows where water temps remain in the mid 50's to 60 degrees. Once the water temps hold in the mid 60's and we are working hatches closer to the outflow it seems the hatch is winding down.

What effect do tides have: Once we have consistent hatches and worms are secreting eggs & sperm phermonal activity drive striped bass into the salt ponds. Moderate tides seem to be the best as strong moon tide may on occasion bring cooler water sometimes slowing hatches.

Indicators of Hatching Areas: Seagulls & Swans both of which feed on worms, as a boat and wade angler as I seek out likely spots for worm emergence I look both feathered creatures. They feed on worms. On almost every occasion when I find a flock of either gulls or swans in a particular cove it is almost certain they will be worms emerging that evening. Nature has a way of letting us know what is about to happen.

 

Lets face it, Rhode Island anglers are positioned perfectly to intercept striped bass as they make the run from wintering areas. Striped bass in route to spring and summer feeding grounds such as Narragansett Bay are intercepted by swarms of mating worms. It reminds me of when I am looking for a nice place to eat and I am driving Atwells Avenue on Federal. The restaurant with the strongest smell of garlic is my place.

As for myself, I put 20 to 30 days on the water with and without clients during the cinder worm swarms. My post is not is purely observation, historical data and time on the water. The combination of the three factors above are what I have experience to be the combination of important elements which could make or break a night of successful angling during the last weeks of April through the first two weeks of June.

 

 

 

Captain David S.Porreca

www.riverandriptide.com

Winter Fishing the Wood River

Holiday Fishing the Wood River: I have recently fished the Wood River, a nice break during the Holiday Chaos here at River & Riptide Anglers. The winter months can be fantastic along the Wood River. Most the area I frequent is at the confluence of the Falls & Flat Rivers just up-stream from Rte 165 in Arcadia Mgmt Area. During the tail end of the year be to check the hunting regulations as Blaze Orange is required in varying amounts during the hunting season: http://www.dem.ri.gov/pubs/regs/regs/fishwild/hunt1213.pdf.
Water levels during the fall and start of winter can vary and you'll find a mix of wild brook trout and stocked rainbow and browns. The occasional wild brown trout may eagerly take the fly, a well noted surprise to Rhode Island anglers. This time of the year nymphing tactics are most productive caddis abundance on the river bottom. Patterns such as olive caddis larva, pheasant tails and various darker nymphs will work well. Try a bright egg fly tied with a bead in front and small split shot to get the fly down. During un-seasonable weather you may also find surface activity on peak sun days, try small gray midge or tiny black stones tapered to 6 or 7X tippet. Surface activity is always welcomed as it showcases the health of our fishery. Generous float stockings throughout the season have resulted in a higher rate of sustainable fishing. This allows fish to be spread throughout the fishery allowing anglers the opportunity to spread out and enjoy the resource. Don't be afraid to hike a bit to find a pool or run away from the typical spots as fish will move to take up feeding & holding lies throughout the river. The winter months are not time to put your gear away as angling opportunities remain productive along the Wood River.

Wood River Brown Trout

 

Joe Grenon Just before landing a Wood River Rainbow

 

 

The Wood River below Rte 165

 

 

False Albacore invade the Rhode Island shoreline. Over the past several weeks we have great False Albacore fishing with Albies from the East Passage of Narragansett to the South side of Fishers Island New York. A variation of baits with predominant Bay Anchovy have been present. We target the speedsters with small flies on number 2 or 4 hooks. A mix of white, pink and tan SF Blend, EP Fibers or Bucktail will do the trick. Fast casting action with quick retrieves are key when these fish are blazing through bait. The action started first of September and water temps have remained in the mid 60's. I would expect False Albacore to be around through mid October. Get out hang on and enjoy.

Summer is here and the Wood River is fishing better than ever. Its Early June and we are seeing excellent Hexagenia Limbata Hatches. Mixed in are Light Cahills, Mahoganies and a good hatch of Yellow Sallys. Most of these hatches are present during late the late afternoon and early evenings. Mid day terrestrials such as ants, beetles and inch worms are working well. Water levels for this time are excellent. To find solitude try fishing the upper reaches of the Wood above rte 165

Take A Kid Fishing

I cannot stress how important our resources are without our children. Kids must get an early understanding of our natural resources. What better way than to take a kid fishing. Look beyond the crowds and embrace our youth. If you're out on the river and you see youngster fishing. Lend a tip or two and help them be better stewards. The gesture will go miles.