Friday Fishing Tips, 5/27/2022 – Jeff Gross

By Jeff Gross, contributing writer

As a reminder to all the clubs in the state, feel free to contact me to post your clubs’ Fishing Derby results or any other event.  As you can see, Emma did a great job in Woonsocket’s Sportsman’s Club’s Trout Derby. Emma came in 2^nd with a 14.5 inch Rainbow and 6 trout, total. Her mom taught her well.

Maybe Emma could teach this writer as 4 hours at Barbers Pond yielded an empty creel. The trout were there but turned their nose at what I offered. 3 days later friends did well at Barbers Pond – must be me.

Carrying an ultralight rod can be helpful when the lunker bass are not biting. Hooking into a 12” bass on an ultralight with 6-lb test can give you a lot of excitement especially if you are in a kayak. Remember to handle gently and don’t fling them into the air to release them as some supposed “pros” do.

With gas prices high many will keep fishing trips local. Hooking up the boat or putting the kayak or canoe on the roof for a day’s adventures. Tip: Double check all the straps or tie downs. Nothing can ruin a trip more than having an accident. In a previous year on a trip to Maine a family had their bow strap break and their Boston Whaler cartwheeled off the trailer on the Maine turnpike. Miraculously the boat survived, but the 40hp Yamaha motor was snapped in half. The image of the young daughter and father walking down the highway to perform a sort of clean-up is burned in my memory as the father had a look of shock, and the young girl was in tears. Since that moment my bow is tied down extra with a safety rope. This rope also eliminates bow bounce which can wear out trailer tires fast.

Most of the trout stocked in Rhode Island are above the 14-inch mark. That said, Massachusetts considers a 12-inch trout exceptional. New Hampshire 8” in the White Mountains is large. What can I say, we may be spoiled in Rhode Island by the efforts of the RI DEM. Christine Dudley and staff do an awesome job!

One of the problems I am noticing is the shredding of hooks. The pictured hook was beat up by a 14” Rainbow.  I am finding it is easier and faster to swap out the treble hook rather than waste time trying to bend it back as the metal is already weakened. Tip: carry some spare treble hooks for the above reason. Just as important, please don’t throw the old treble hook on the ground or in the water. It may end up in someone’s foot or a dog’s paw. Ensure the new treble is the same size as the one it is replacing as a smaller or larger treble may throw the lure action off.

Tight lines – and see you next week.

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Jeffrey “Jeff” Gross spent 21 years as an Analytical Chemist at the USCG R&D Center in Groton, Connecticut, Woods Hole Laboratories, and Helix Technologies. Changing careers is a “great learning experience for everyone”, Jeff says, and I’m an avid outdoorsman and conservationist, a student of the sciences, and the world. The US holds too many wonders not to take a chance and explore them”.

Jeff is the Model Train and Railroad entrepreneur. Proud Golden Retriever owner. Ultra strong Second Amendment Advocate and Constitutionalist. “Determined seeker of the truth”. 

Jeff is a RIFGPA Legislative and Legal Officer, Freshwater Chairman, NRA Liaison.

His subjects include Outdoors, Second Amendment, Model Railroading, and Whimsical.

He can be reached at: [email protected].