Coventry man named new director of RI Saltwater Anglers Association
Scott Travers of Coventry has been appointed executive director of the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association. He replaces Greg Vespe, who took the helm to bolster the organization after Steven Medeiros, the founding executive director, died in 2021.
RISAA represents more than 7,500 recreational anglers and 29 affiliate clubs in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Travers moved to Rhode Island after graduating from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. He is a retired member of the Portsmouth Police Department and served as their harbormaster. Most recently, he was a technical assistant to the Aquatic Resource Education and Hunter Education Program of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and has sailed all over the globe as a commercial sailor.
“I enjoy all aspects of being outdoors on the water and in the field," Travers said. "I think we should all do more to protect our wild spaces and the environment, which gives life to literally everything. It's all about the wise use of renewable resources."
The RI Saltwater Anglers Association provides education to members regarding fishing techniques, improved catches and the overall enjoyment of fishing. The group's mission is to foster sportsmanship, support marine conservation and the sound management of fisheries resources.
Fly-tying program set for Thursday
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Aquatic Resource Education Program will hold its annual "Hex hatch" fly-fishing and tying session from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, July 6, at the DEM’s Acadia Management Area campus at the Hunter Fish and Wildlife Education Center.
Visit dem.ri.gov/events/intro-hex-hatch for more information.
Fly-fishing anglers should flock to the Wood River in Rhode Island for the annual Hexagenia Limbata hatch, Rhode Island’s largest mayfly. Fly instructor Ed Lombardo will talk about the "Hex Hatch," where to go, how to fish it and the recommended fly-fishing set up. The program will include an opportunity to tie several flies that have been successful over the years. There is no cost for the program.
For information, contact kimberly.sullivan@dem.ri.gov or call (401) 330-0634.
Where’s the bite?
Striped bass and bluefish. “The bass bite slowed greatly in the Bay and Providence River. Not many pogies [Atlantic menhaden] around in the Bay,” said John Littlefield, of Archie’s Bait & Tackle, Riverside. Harrison Gatch of Watch Hill Outfitters, Westerly, said, “Striped bass fishing on the reefs has been pretty good with customers taking fish to 48 inches using live eels at night. And during the day, top water lures are working well with bluefish mixed in.” “The striped bass bite has been OK from the surf, but anglers are fishing from Narragansett to Watch Hill to find the fish. Block Island’s Southeast Light and the Southwest Ledge are producing for anglers trolling with wire,” said Elisa Cahill, of Snug Harbor Marina, South Kingstown. “The pogies disappeared for a couple of days, so anglers must move to find the fish in the Bay. The best bite is off Newport, where kayak anglers continue to do well trolling tube and worm,” said Dave Henault, of Ocean State Tackle, Providence. Ed Lombardo, fly fishing expert and guide, said, “We fished The Charlestown Breachway Sunday and Tuesday of this week. The sand eels were very plentiful, and the striped bass were there in very good numbers. My Ed's Fly worked very well — color, burgundy body and tail, no flash wing on top, didn't have to match the sand eel naturally. Both outgoing and incoming tides fished well."
Fluke (summer flounder), scup and black sea bass. “Fluke fishing is picking up," Cahill said. "Last Monday, we saw better fishing and bigger fluke being caught in 50 to 60 feet of water from Matunuck to Green Hill, at the East Fishing Grounds and in the Block Island Wind Farm. However, the black sea bass bite has been slow with anglers catching frisbee-size scup all along the coastal shore.” Gatch said: “We have had a good bite along the southern coastal shore to Fishers Island, New York, with the best bite at Block Island. Customers are not hooking up with many keeper black sea bass but south of Block Island and Fishers Island the bite is good.” Henault said: “Anglers from shore are catching large scup all the way up the Providence River to Sabin Point, Rocky Point and Conimicut Point. Fluke are being caught commercially on the channel pads from the T-Wharf at Prudence Island and south as well as off Newport and the Sakonnet River.”
“Giant bluefin tuna fishing kicked off last week with one customer bringing in a 465-pound fish fully dressed [likely a 500-plus-pound tuna]," Cahill said. "The bite was east of Block Island and Cox Ledge."
“Freshwater fishing continues to be good for largemouth bass with shiners still being the bait of choice for anglers," Henault said. "Ponds producing for customers include Olney Pond at Lincoln Woods, Turner Reservoir in Rumford and Stump Pond in Smithfield."
Dave Monti holds a captain’s master license and charter fishing license. He serves on a variety of boards and commissions and has a consulting business that focuses on clean oceans, habitat preservation, conservation, renewable energy and fisheries-related issues and clients. Forward fishing news and photos to dmontifish@verizon.net or visit www.noflukefishing.com.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Scott Travers is new director of RI Saltwater Anglers Association
