Although there is not a lot to write about during the winter unless you are a skier or ice fisherman, I thought I'd mention a few things that have come to my attention.
Right now Bass Pro Shops is having there biggest sale of the year. If you have gotten their circular, you may have seen some great deals. I went today. It was extremely busy as it will be during all weekends throughout the sale. I bought about 15 items mostly lures and fishing line. Other than the Smarties and Sprite ( a great combination if you are looking for a belly ache) everything I bought was on sale.
One of the best deals right now is the Tourney Series Rods. They are normally $50 but are on sale right now for $30. I love these rods, unfortunately, I can't make up a good enough excuse to justify buying another one.
Also for my money the Powerstick surf rod in the 8 foot size is as good a schoolie rod out there. Right now it is $49.99 but is usually over $ 60. I love mine, so unless I want a " back up" I don't have any reason to buy another.
If you go, be warned fisherman wait all winter for this event. WEEKENDS WILL BE CROWDED. I also suggest taking the time to look over the circular so you can remember to get everything you want in one trip.
The Rhode Island DEM stocked 3000-4000 trout in some of there lakes in the last couple weeks. This seems like a great idea. However Rhode Island closes the fishing season from March 1- April 9 so they can have an opening day. Other than a couple guys who may have caught a few ice fishing, none of these fish have been caught. Lets hope these trout survive the next few weeks and will be in the lakes on opening day.
The Springfield Sportsmen Show is being held this weekend. I looked over the seminar schedule and other than Dave Pickering's seminars, there really isn't any I would go to. I went to Dave's seminars at the Worcester Show. There is a slide of me in his powerpoint presentation fishing the Providence River in winter a few years back. I was fishing Point Street Bridge. The odd thing is, I was wearing shorts. More proof I really am an idiot.
Speaking of fishing for wintering stripers, I went down to Providence last week during the warm up. It was about 35 degrees that night ( no I wasn't in shorts) however it was warm enough to fish without gloves. I parked in front of Hemmingways and fished on both sides of the river. It was high tide on a warmish night after a warm day, fishing should have been good. After 2 hours of serious fishing I left without one hit. In years past on a night that warm, there would have been 10 guys out. This night I was all alone. More proof that guys have given up this year on what used to be a unique and productive fishery.
I am hoping to start spring fishing by the end of the week. I am rooting for the somewhat warmer temps to break up the ice. Looking back at past fishing logs, I have had my canoe in the water some years in late February, and caught my biggest trout ever ( from a canoe with no ice on the ponds) in March. The last few years I have been spending March in Providence. This year I will be going back to targeting bass and carp and later in the month trout.
This year I will be putting more pictures of fish I catch on the blog. Not for bragging purposes, anyone can catch quality fish if they put in there time. The reason is because I hope to give more fishing reports this year and if I have pictures of fish caught the reports will be more credible.
If going saltwater fishing this year, don't forget you need a saltwater permit. For MA residents it is $10. Not sure about RI. The good news is the permits are reciprocal meaning Mass and Rhode Island will honor each others, so you can get one permit to fish both states.
