Rocky Point Foundation

I got a chance to stop by the Rocky Point Foundation booth at the Saltwater Fishing Show in Providence, RI last weekend. Good stuff and I'd recommend that you all check out their website at http://rockypointfoundation.org/ .

Remember the Rocky Point Amusement Park on Warwick Neck in RI? Closed in 1995 and has been vacant since that time. In 2008 the city of Warwick acquired title to 41 acres of the property's 1 mile shoreline, with plans to develope permanent public access to that waterfront property for fishing and recreation. However, not having control of the remaining 83 acres of the property is preventing that goal from becoming a reality.

The Foundation believes that the best long-term solution for Rocky Point is acquisition of the entire property by the City of Warwick and/or the State of Rhode Island, for use as a public park. To that end, DEM Director Michael Sullivan and Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian are exploring possibilities for acquiring for public use part of all of the rest of the property. Their vision is to create a sustainable public park with appropriate facilities to take advantage of this superb resource, provide for vehicular access, and make sure the property is forever accessible to and enjoyed by the Rhode Island public. However, making this vision a reality will require the cooperation and support of city, state and federal authorities and charitable foundations, as well as the enthusiastic support of the public.

Check these photos of the shoreline we could all have access to, if this becomes a reality...

Not bad, huh? Go to http://rockypointfoundation.org/ today and sign up as a friend or make a tax deductible donation.

 
http://www.skishingnewengland.com/

New England Saltwater Fishing Show

Went to the NE Saltwater Fishing Show put on by RISAA today.  Good show again, as usual, and busy.
Sophia and Ben had a blast!

Skishers in Training

My kids, Sophia & Ben.  Next generation skishers in training.

A group swim off Scusset Beach, MA.

Sophia and Ben checking out a cool piece of seaweed.

Ben looking cool after a swim.

Washdown after a swim at Gooseberry Island, Westport, MA

Skishing Gear and Safety

Skishing can be a thrilling and rewarding method of surfcasting for striped bass.  However, it is important that anyone looking to get into skishing for the first time do their homework and make sure that they are properly equipped and prepared.  Safety is paramount. 

The article I wrote on Skishing Gear and Safety is a great place to start.

I would also recommend to, as much as possible, use the buddy system.  Learn the currents in the area you intend to skish, before getting in the water, and go with an experienced skisher whenever possible.

If you have any questions about Skishing Gear and Safety, don't hesitate to ask questions and learn the answers.

http://www.skishingnewengland.com/

A photo to whet your whistle:

NOAA Saltwater Angler Registry

Keep in mind, that before fishing for striped bass this year you'll need to purchase your state's Saltwater Fishing License, or if your state (like Massachusetts) has not yet implemented their own registry, you'll need register with the NOAA directly.  Registering with the NOAA is free in 2010 and covers you in any state that does not have its own Saltwater Fishing License in place.

To register, go here https://www.countmyfish.noaa.gov/

I took care of mine today...

http://www.skishingnewengland.com/

Spring is in the air!

Today dawned bright and clear.  A layer of frost coated the windows of my truck, and had a be scraped off before I could leave for work.  Despite the tempurature this morning, it feels like spring.  Striped bass, fresh from the ocean to our south, will be swimming through our waters before we know it.

Time to start getting the skishing gear in order......

Why Skishing?

So here’s the question, “Why would YOU choose skishing over surfcasting from shore in waders?"

Some well known skishers have said, “I skish to get away from the billion morons on shore.”  I must say I strongly disagree with that mentality, and it saddens me that this philosophy is one that is being thrust to the forefront as a primary reason for skishing. 

True, skishing does put some distance between you and the more conventional surfcaster, but to use that as your primary reason for skishing is a small minded and haughty position to take, in my opinion.

Whatever happened to the attitude of helpfulness and mentorship? Why allow yourself to become so jaded toward those who prefer to keep their feet on the rocks or sand that you look down on them as somehow inferior to you?  For me at least, that is NOT what skishing is about!!

For me, skishing is about many things that have absolutely nothing to do with feeling like I have to get away from other surfcasters in order feel better about myself.  It’s about pitting myself and my abilities against the power of the sea.  It’s about the serenity of floating along, weightless in the darkness, and feeling current and the waves roll under me, knowing that at any time a battle could begin. Skishing is about the thrill of fighting a fish in its own environment, and winning.  It’s about putting myself in a position to work productive sections of shoreline and submerged reefs from a different angle, or which would be inaccessible to me in waders or by boat.  It’s about reaching the blitz that is beyond casting range from shore.  It’s about being able to release caught fish in the best possible condition with a minimal amount of handling.  This is what skishing is all about to me.

Skishing is not always the most productive approach to surfcasting in some areas or in some conditions, and I have nothing against donning the waders and dry top instead of the wetsuit in some situations.  The choice has nothing to do with how I feel about other surfcasters in the area, nor is it an elitist or hostile attitude that drives me to don the wetsuit and go for a swim.  Some of my closest surfcasting friends are not skishers, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

My goal, and the whole point of http://www.skishingnewengland.com/, is to provide a balanced and realistic view of skishing in New England waters, and to help (to the best of my ability) those who decide to get into skishing to do so as safely and as well prepared as possible.

http://www.skishingnewengland.com/

http://www.stripercoastsurfcasters.us/

Welcome

Welcome to my new blog! Stay tuned for lots of new content coming soon!!

SkishingNewEngland.com