Outdoors in RI: Strike a pose, Ice Fishing, Expos, Wildlife on the move, Health tips, 2A – Jeff Gross

by Jeff Gross, contributing writer

Photo, top: Candy Yow

Ice Fishing

Ice fishing for trout was great, but short lived, in Rhode Island – so far. As you can see in the photos, above and below, some great Brookies are being caught. Not only is the Rhode Island bite great, but up on Moosehead Lake they have some significant ice and are catching Brookies in the 18–23-inch range.  Might be worth running up to Maine for a weekend getaway. If the weather will make up its damned mind, we could have some long term, nice, open water fishing, or some great ice fishing here in Rhode Island.  One lucky angler caught a new RI State Rainbow Trout record.  See the RI DEM Facebook page for the great photo of the catch. The Rainbow Trout weighed in at 15lbs 12 oz.  Great Job Zachary!

Photo Shoot!

The RI DEM is accepting saltwater photos for their upcoming 2024 Rhode Island Recreational Saltwater Fishing Guide.  Your displayed catch does not need to be a 2023 catch as previous years trophies are also acceptable.

DEM UPDATE: Due to photo quality and resolution requirements, we can only accept photos that are submitted via email or our new submission form. Submit your photos at https://ridem.wufoo.com/…/ri-saltwater-angler-photo…/ by February 29, 2024. Include your name and location details for photo credit with the submission. If you have already sent your submission in via email, it will still be considered. 

Fishing Expo coming up:

For the first time ever, this writer will be in a position to attend the Fishing Expo in Marlboro, Massachusetts at the Best Western Conference Center. 2024 is the first year the Fishing Expo did not conflict with the Amherst Railway Society’s Big E Train Show. 

Many RI fishing lure manufacturers will have the lures on display at the show. Since I am a newbie, I’ll need plenty of time to peruse all the gear. Like Most fishermen – we cannot have enough lures and fishing rods.

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Here a Moose…there a Bobcat…

Rhode Island now has Moose, Bear, Bobcat, now Fisher Cats have even returned. There was even a 3-foot alligator spotted in Melville Pond back in 2010. I have 2 friends that have seen a young Mountain Lion in their yard in West Greenwich. Another Rhode Islander came forward stating he also saw a Mountain Lion while hiking in Exeter. I received some questions regarding providing documentation of the Mountain Lion release in Pachaug State Forest. So I am going to push back here:  If all the other native and non-native species are making their way back into Rhode Island, why not a Mountain Lion?

In the Pacific Northwest there are Mountain Lions galore and numerous large game species as well.  As the USA gets smaller on a daily basis, I crossed paths with Candy Yow.  Candy is a large game hunter and offers a free event at the Pacific Northwest Sportsmen’s show. See Candy’s nice Elk in the header photo.  Here are the event details:

Ladies Day Out

With Candy Yow, Emcee, the Pacific Northwest Sportsmen’s Show presented by Leupold is excited to introduce the first-ever all-women, women-only, free event on Friday, February 16th, from 2PM-4PM. It’s free to attend and participate. This is a hunting and fishing event for women with several noteworthy speakers, goodie bags, recipes and fun! Hunting educator, Candy Yow, will be emceeing the event with several top-tier women who hunt and fish sharing their stories. If you’re just interested in getting started or you’ve been hunting and fishing your whole life… ladies, this event is for you. It’s an opportunity to connect, learn, and be entertained.

Registration is free with admission into the show so they can plan on enough goodie bags and raffle items, so knowing how many ladies will be joining is a huge help. Limited to the first 500 women that sign up. Looking for a winter girl’s getaway?  The above is a great change of pace. Here is the link for more information: The Sport Shows | The West’s Largest Hunting & Fishing Events

2nd Amendment Update

Ladies consider getting together with your girlfriends and each contributing $5 to NAGR in one check.  NAGR is at the head of the class as having the best chance to knock the AR-15 ban and Mag bans out of the park. 

NAGR will be petitioning SCOTUS for a Writ of Certiorari in the coming month. Your donations will pay the costs of fighting to prove that the Second Amendment protects the AR-15. Consider using a portion of your tax refunds and also getting your shooting clubs to donate as well. If SCOTUS grants Cert it likely will hold Oral Arguments in November of 2024, and put an end to similar topic bills being submitted in the RI State House.

RI legislators might focus their time on fixing problems like the failing bridges and infrastructure, or the severe problem of homeless Veterans, and not waste valuable time trying to challenge the constitution.

Just when you thought the left has hit an all-time low, the Maine Senate President told Maine hunters they must support anti-gun legislation if the hunters want to continue hunting. His words sure sound like some sort of blackmail or coercion.  For many Rhode Islanders, Maine is a second home, and we hunt and fish there.

Safety Tip

Dozens of people are either suffering with pneumonia or like myself, getting over it.  When you get home tonight, use 409 spray cleaner and wipe down your steering wheels, doorknobs, cell phones, TV remotes, and Computer Keyboards and Laptops. Of course spray the cleaner on the cloth and not on the device you are cleaning, and be careful with computers and cell phones. I am sure we all prefer to be outside enjoying nature than home, sick in bed.

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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]