Outdoors in RI: Gone fishin’ after night at the RI State House

Tuesday was a great day with some hurdles being crossed.  Numerous fishing folks continue to have a lot of success in Rhode Island waters.  Even this writer did. He is finally back in the game. The kitchen sink wasn’t needed this time as every spoon thrown out caught a trout.  The 5-trout limit was obtained in about 30 minutes. 

While inspecting the catch Abby continues to show some rare characteristics of pointing. The path that led me to getting Abby wasn’t a coincidence. I feel very fortunate having found her.

An afternoon fishing trip landed these trout, which is very surprising as in the afternoons trout are usually taking a siesta. Going early in the morning was not happening due to getting to bed at 1:30 am from a very late night at the RI State House gun bill hearings. Copious amounts of coffee were needed to jump start the brain as Abby thought it was play time at 5 am.

Like the many anglers, Steve and his friend, Leddy, have done very well. Steve has submitted numerous photos of their awesome catch.  They fished different ponds and did well at each so apparently they have the knack.

For the 1st time in 15 years this writer was stopped by a Game Warden on the evening of opening day.  Another first was having my license displayed on my cell phone. Got to love technology.  The matter could change for the worst rather quickly if one’s cell phone dies while out fishing, though.  Keep the phone well charged as no battery power will mean you’re fishing without a license.  If one looks to the right of their name on the license, there is an equipment ID number. Being diligent and determined to identify the number, as some have said they have no idea what the number means, turns out that number would be what would be placed on traps if trapping in the outdoors.  Apparently trapping is not as popular as it used to be, hence the question mark relating to the meaning of the number.

The gun hearings at the RI Senate Judiciary are over for the moment.  All bills are tabled for “further study” – which actually means they can go to committee a second time with no public input and be voted on – or not.  The usual course of action is in the very last moments of legislative business, they will skip committee and go straight to the floor as a bargaining chip.  As a realist if I were part of the anti-gun group I would seriously consider throwing in the towel.

(Editor’s note: Some testimony noted ways schools could be hardened – this clip made the media circles as window treatments – or shades – was one suggestion – yet no mention of SROs, or even metal detectors or backpack checks).

WWII analogies are often used in this column. We are now at the “Marianas Turkey shoot” stage with eyes on Iwo Jima (future AR-15 case at the US Supreme Court).  The anti-gun crowd is concerned about violence. The question comes to mind “whose violence?”  The “yellow shirts” were respectful. The most that can be said is this writer’s stern approach to the legal facts.  On the other hand, one red shirt became somewhat hysterical as she was not getting her way.  Further, an orange shirt guy drew the attention of Capitol Police as he started yelling in a threatening manner. Again, whose violence? 

Two Republican Senators took a great deal of interest in engaging both sides of witnesses. While the committee did not laugh at this writer (as occurred in the House), it is troublesome that both senators were being cut off mid-sentence. This behavior dismayed this writer as he does not tolerate first amendment rights violations, especially when said conversations are on a fact-finding mission.  It must be noted that some on the committee were uncomfortable with this writer’s testimony.

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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.