Outdoors in RI: Tiverton fights fishing, PFDs are law, Trout Season, game dinners, 2A – Jeff Gross

by Jeff Gross, contributing writer

Fishing in Tiverton?

Again, Rhode Island Democrats want to ban something. The Tiverton Town Council has proposed limiting and also banning saltwater fishing in some town waterfront areas. Justifications stated by the Tiverton Council President are that people from Fall River are littering and drinking in public.  She also stated that kids are running around unattended, and kids are getting fishhooks in their feet while swimming. It is a civil offense to litter and a criminal offense for open containers.  Enforce the law.

People who fish should not pay the price for inattentive parents. Contacting the various area hospitals no ER or administrative staff could corroborate the Council President’s statement of any children who were in Tiverton that had fishhooks in their feet. Eliminating fishing should not be tolerated as a supposed way to keep “those who litter and drink in public from Fall River”, out of Tiverton. If an excuse for the law is drug use then thank those at the RI State House for that legalization mistake. Tiverton can join Warwick, Providence, West Greenwich and other local towns and entities that banned public pot use. 

Tiverton can expect a court challenge, as Charlestown did and lost, as did Narragansett, and the city of Cranston.  Fishing men and women are now enduring what gun owners in RI have been enduring for years. “We the People” advocates are not tolerating any further legislation that violates federal law or violates the US Constitution. Lawsuits are now rising up like daisies everywhere, so those involved in rights limiting should be on notice. 

Further, in Massachusetts, for example, legislators are being sued personally for their unconstitutional red flag laws. Also, many are disgusted with the unnecessary bashing of the RI DEM Environmental Patrol Officers (EPOs) by a Tiverton Town Council member at the hearing Monday night. If his allegations were actually truthful, why did he not take action with the DEM? This same council member feels this ban connected with a parking fee for nighttime fishing is a good way to generate revenue for the town. Just what Rhode Islanders need – more fees and taxes. Fishing men and women should not need to pay a fee or tax to put food on the table. Unfortunately, too many in RI are brainwashed about paying more taxes and fees and as a result they don’ know any better.

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Trout Season’s here!

With opening day of trout season tomorrow one can find a multitude of locations to fish without paying a fee to park.  A trio of pointers for opening day. 

Tip #1 – Accessible Platforms to Fish

John Cianci and I will be guiding for disabled veterans so they can fish. We will use the handicap platforms at various trout areas in the state through out the year.  Please be understanding of the fact these veterans risked their lives to protect the American way of life including our Hunting and Fishing heritages. Please also understand the disability platforms on our waterways were built to aid all disabled, including veterans, so be aware of their needs and yield the fishing platforms to them.

Tip #2 – Personal Flotation Devices

After a particularly wet winter and recent above-average rainfall accumulations, many water bodies throughout Rhode Island will have raised water levels and fast-moving water. DEM is reminding anglers – particularly those fishing from a boat – to exercise personal safety precautions while in pursuit of their first trout of the season. Anyone going out in a boat, canoe, kayak, or vessel of any kind should wear a lifejacket, or personal flotation device (PFD) to help ensure they enjoy a safe Opening Day fishing experience. Wearing a PFD while paddling in Rhode Island is no longer optional; it is required, according to new boating safety regulations announced last year by DEM.

The new PFD regulation states that all operators and passengers of canoes, kayaks, sailboards, kiteboards, paddleboards, and any other paddle craft must always wear a United States Coast Guard (USCG)-approved PFD while underway, regardless of age. DEM drafted the new rule in response to three fatal kayaking accidents in Rhode Island in 2022 in which none of the three drowning victims was wearing a life jacket.

Tip 3# – Be aware of those around you

Be aware of your surroundings. Watch where one casts and watch the casts of those around you. Trout waters will be crowded for the first 2 hours.  Don’t end up like Jeff as a result of a careless fishing person.

Rhode Island Fish and Game Protective Association game dinners

The Rhode Island Fish and Game Protective Association is now 2 for 2 this year with outstanding game dinners. Another mouthwatering menu was served up as you can see on this menu. The club game committee and entertainment committee both deserve “atta boys” for all of their hard work and efforts.  The efforts were obvious and appreciated by the 590 in attendance.  The dinner has outgrown 2 previous venues. Stay tuned for future dates.

One of the items I can look forward to with the 2024 elections is the fact that on January 22nd the new president will get an email from me asking him to reel in the Office of Special Council.  Rhode Island has many federal employees who cannot run for office under the Hatch Act of 1939 and this is handled by the Office of Special Council in Washington. In early 2022 a special panel declared that federal employees can, in fact, run for partisan Town Council or School Committee. This was in addition to federal employees were already allowed to run for nonpartisan positions.  However, the Special Council office said it would not abide by the decision and enforce their vision of the Hatch Act.  How typical of this administration.

A town in Rhode Island is missing out on a phenomenal pro 2A Town Council candidate as she is a federal employee. When the new president is sworn in on January 22nd, I have every reason to believe he will be displeased with the Special Council office (Jack Smith’s office) and will see my request in a positive light and be motivated to intervene.

Mag Bans, Red Flags, more 2A

New Jersey’s mag ban case was argued, as well as 3 CCW cases in California. Stay tuned for the outcomes.

Gun owners in Maine contacted me for recommendations on how to litigate the potential Red Flag Law in the Augusta State House.  This request occurred as I tipped off GOOM about my participation as a plaintiff in the RED flag and Restraining Order lawsuit in process against the Massachusetts politicians.  Hopefully the Maine legislature cans the Red Flag idea and does not end up like Massachusetts.

Since there is a growing number of progressives in Maine, I recommend Mainers remind them that “We the People” are in a majority, contrary to what the politicians think. For instance, I contacted Maine Governor Janet Mills five times last year with the intent to speak to her directly about the Brown Tail Moth infestation in Maine.  She never answered nor returned my voice mails.  Mainers need to start at the top and remind Mills of “We the People”!

There is an important conference hearing at SCOTUS today, Friday, April 12th on the Ghost Gun case/laws. A decision is set to be issued 9:30 am Monday.  This case will DIRECTLY affect Rhode Island if SCOTUS hears the case. Odds are very high for this case to be heard.  Stay tuned!

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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].