Outdoors in RI: Maine fishing, vacay choices, tracking 2A, elections, voting – Jeff Gross

by Jeff Gross, contributing writer

This heat wave will throw a monkey wrench into the excellent trout fishing from Rhode Island to Maine. Until Monday trout fishing continued to excel everywhere.  In fact, for you Rhode Islanders traveling to Maine, and also for you Mainers for the 3rd time in 3 years, this writer caught a nice Brook Trout on a Yo Zuri Bass Lure on McGrath Pond in Belgrade, Maine.  While the fish is somewhat obscured, the colors were that of a Native Brookie. The photo isn’t the greatest I admit, as I was taken by surprise it was a Brook Trout and did not have enough time to properly set up my camera on the platform.  Tip: when the standard Gold Spoons and Orange Spoons are not working don’t be afraid to throw the kitchen sink out there.  Back in the day we used to slam trout on a 3-inch floating Rapala in Gold and silver schemes.  However, the warm water species are getting active.  Many in RI and Maine are getting some great bass. Also, this writer caught the largest Crappie of his life at 14″ in length.    

Brown Tail Moths of Maine

For everyone enjoying the State of Maine, the Belgrade Lakes area seems to be Brown Tail Moth free.  Last year at this time I was inside Togus VA Hospital with a severe case of Brown Tail Moth rash. The Brown Tails were causing so much havoc that the pharmacies were giving out recipes for an excellent rash remedy.  I actually brought the ingredients with me in 2024 but so far have not had a mark. My forward observer, Mercedes, told me in early May there was no sign of the moths this year in Belgrade.  Her observation was right on target. Unfortunately, my friend, Jon, reported the moths are out in force in Bar Harbor.

Vacation Options

Fishing vacations became the norm post-911 when airlines turned on their customers and started treating the customers like so much cattle. Being a fan of driving, a vacation east of the Rocky Mountains is a target. Now it is the norm for me as airlines are now suffering accident episodes, runway overshoots, violent passengers and air crew or other serious in-flight problems to an average of 2 incidents a week. To amplify the decision, it has just been reported that a US customs officer was allegedly caught stealing $19,000 in cash from travelers. The safety and security of trips to Maine – and other states – is now that much more appealing.

2nd Amendment updates

This is what happens when you live among communists. So far, 3 states are not abiding by the US Supreme Court Decision in Garland v Cargill.  These 3 states – Vermont, Washington and Rhode Island – are refusing to accept the decision. This is how 1861 started.  RI AG Peter Neronha is still saying bump stocks are machine guns because of the bump stocks’ rate of fire.  That is a fabrication as there is no official definition anywhere defining what a machine gun rate of fire is in the NFA.  In fact, besides clearly detailing the major mechanical differences between a machine gun and bump stock, Justice Thomas delved into the fact a person with a “lightning-fast trigger finger” can hit the same discharge rate of a bump stock. RI came up with unjustified and unproven standards for bump stocks. 

Be warned that when SCOTUS strikes down the AWB and mag bans (notice I said when, not if) Neronha and the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations will not comply and will keep magazines over 10 rounds illegal. It is the intent of the AG and most RI politicians to disarm and make criminals out of honest hard-working patriots. Rhode Island officials consider the US Constitution and the RI Constitutions nothing more than toilet paper. Both Susan Collins and Angus King of ME and Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse in RI co-sponsored a communist attempt to circumvent the rules and fast track S 1909 Banning Bump Stocks in the US Senate.  Fortunately, the Patriots in the Senate shot down the attempt.

Hollywood makes millions promoting violence.  Actors and actresses lecture us on banning guns while they live in their ivory towers having made millions promoting a violent/gory movie.  While they have a 1st Amendment right to make such a movie, I will not indulge in the movie.  1.2 years ago, I eliminated my cable TV and have not looked back.  Now, instead, I educate myself on the internet.  Mark W. Smith (4-boxes Diner) puts out constitutional videos almost daily. Jared Yannis (Guns and Gadgets) and William Kirk (Washington Gun Law) do as well.  I learned more in 1.2 years of these videos than I have by watching 40 years of TV.  Moreso, Hollywood is not making money off me anymore.  By supporting Hollywood financially by watching their TV or movies I am helping defeat my constitutional rights. I would prefer to cook a candlelight dinner followed by a little dancing on the deck in the moonlight rather than go to a theatre that aids in violating my 2A rights. 

The latest propaganda push from the Anti-Gun mob is the founders could not have envisioned bump stocks, AR-15s, or large volume magazines. The same can be said about the 1st Amendment.  The founders did not envision TVs, computers, radio, wireless printers, stereos, records, CDs, video games, cell phones, the internet, MP3 media, but all are without question protected by the 1st Amendment. The same most certainly applies to the 2A in which “The right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed”.  Under the Democrat belief about the 2A – none of the mentioned media tools would be protected by the 1A as well.

Elections have consequences

The Republicans have a daunting task of gaining seats in the RI State House even after 3 Democrat Senate seats were vacated, and one house seat as well. I say daunting task as I am an Independent and vote for the person, not the party, nor who the Union orders me to vote for, but I see an uphill battle for the Republicans. Since 1920, Democrats have controlled the State House.  I hear people constantly complaining on a large scale of how bad conditions are in RI, however, they continue to vote Democrat.  I believe in a fair and balanced government, so for those Republicans here is a tip: you need to figure out how to get the voters to stop voting blindly inside the polling booth. The negative commentary about Republicans in the public sector needs to be addressed in public as well.  So many voters in RI misrepresent the truth skewing the election results. 

Again, I am an Independent and just want a fair and balanced election. To further amplify the problem for Republicans is the poor voter turnout. In 2022, 34% of Republican voters turned out. That low number is unacceptable.  My brothers and sisters in the US Military either paid the ultimate price, put their lives on the line, or have their lives in danger right now in order to protect your right to vote, among other rights. If for no other reason you owe them a debt of gratitude to get off your lazy complacent ass and spend an hour or 2 voting. These veterans, past and present, often did tours of 2-6 years and more; you can give them 120 minutes of your time.

It is apparent that testimony at the RI State House is a waste of time.  Statements are being made that deals are being struck behind closed doors. Is this a violation of the open meetings law? After this writer testified before the RI Senate Judiciary Committee regarding the Mandatory Forced Safe Storage bill and how it is a clear violation of the constitution, and wasn’t 2 minutes down the hall, the Senate voted without even reading the written testimony that was submitted that night. The vote was immediately called for by Sen. Mark McKenney.  Tell me that vote wasn’t pre-planned.  For those that feel they are getting wonderful service from the elected leaders in the RI State House, I can recommend a good Cranial Colorectal Surgeon to you.

Suppressors/Silencers

While RI legislators may or may not have passed a law for law enforcement to use Suppressors/Silencers (apparently the legislators deem their serves as unworthy to protect their hearing), the State of Vermont passed legislation allowing everyone to use Suppressors/Silencers while hunting.  Apparently as granola crunching as Vermont is, the state still respects the 2A and its people.

Post Offices, more…

Also noteworthy is the Second Amendment Foundation and the Firearms Policy Coalition who filed suit in Federal District Court regarding the ban of Concealed Carry at US post offices.  If a preliminary injunction is granted against Merrick Garland and the USPS, then SAF and FPC members will be able to carry inside US Post Offices.  Also, of the exact moment of this paragraph, Jared of Guns and Gadgets reported that GOA filed against NJ regarding gun owners needing a permit to purchase a firearm and can only buy 1 gun a month.  A permit to purchase lawsuit that goes to SCOTUS will directly apply to RI’s Blue Card and also any needed permit to purchase ammo.  The RI AG will have no excuse other than to obey that decision by SCOTUS.

till next week – Jeff

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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, Commentary, and Whimsical. He can be reached at: [email protected].