Weds - Fishing with Dad report

[RRabiner]

As indicated - my Dad arrived from NJ for a few days visit - and it was my job to get him into fish -

We left NEB this morning and rounded Castle Hill to see Brenton doing its best imitation of a scene from Hawaii 5 0 - with huge surf and breaking waves over the entire reef

Puttered over to see if it was fishable - but with rollers in the range of 6 plus ft – wind in a different direction to the swell – it was more of a mix master than I cared to deal with - and while Dad is in good shape - he is 80 after all - so Brenton was not the place to try fish today.

Motored down to Seal Rock - and took a few drifts by it - but it wasn’t producing solidly enough for my liking( nor was Gooseberry ) and Lands End was breaking like Brenton - so we headed East for so more protected water

Ended up over at Sakonnet –( looked for any fast movers on the trip across – nada ) and got set up on East Island - Dad's first cast right into the white water was rewarded by a big take - that turned into a double - one on the plug and one on the teaser –two 28 “ fish- with the fish released - and it feels good here mojo working –( but I have had that one successful shot with nothing every else to follow - lets see if it produces again – Got back into position to take another drift and Dad's next cast is rewarded by an even bigger take – and as I am on a fish as well – I am beginning to think that – “OK we had found the fish we were looking for “ spot.

For the next two plus hours - we drifted / motored- in and out of the surf line-in big rollers- all along the rocks taking stripers from 28 in - 36 in - either singles or doubles – with both of us frequently on fish at the same time

They were not picky about the retrieve - nor the plug - nor the fly - While i wanted to be a purest today and use the fly rod- the attention to detail / surf and rollers precluded me from alot of use of the long rod - and I had to basically stick to plugs for the ease factor- as I was the " guide" - as well as handling releasing all fish

Fish were all extremely active - following surface plugs for two and three times if they missed- and were willing to strike literally at the boat

Being from NJ - white water fishing is not something that he is familiar with = and 15 - 20 foot off of rocks in big swell is similarly a new and " novel" concept .

He thought the visual aspect was absolutely spectacular - and by the end of the day - was able to sort of discern where a striper would be hiding in the rocks.

Around 1:30 - a bit tired - we broke for lunch - and then decided to run up the River to look for blues.

Saw nothing resembling blues on the ride up the river – so we ran over to Barrington Beach to find the Blues . We got up there in a building breeze –and found a bunch of birds working some bait – but with no visible fish

Tried a bunch of the areas /flock of birds to see if we could raise a blue or two – but were not rewarded with any joy

So as the day was getting long – he tiring a bit – we decided to call it and head for the barn.

Final tally – probably 40 fish – largest 36” – one terribly worn and torn thumb from releasing the fish - and two very happy campers.

GO EAST

[Frightnight]

Really enjoyed your story about your Dad. Glad you had so much luck with him. Having a father that lives far away and not seeing him much, I am envious. I too am a father, and love the precious moments I get with my children, because they are getting so old now, don't seem to want to do as much with their parents. Wish I was fam iliar with the Sakonett area, and "East Rock", where ever that is, so I get get some of that action. I have been getting skunked so much in I have not seen middle to lower end Narragnsett Bay, I have ready to give it up for the year. I hear that the fishing is suppose to be better in September and October, but I've not seen it. Thanks for the story, signed, "The Dormant Fisherman".LOL

[RRabiner]

Yep - the fishing has sucked for a few weeks- everyone was compalaining -but it is going to get better-

It's September - and you only have a few more months until you will will be climbing the walls just to try and go fishing

Take a good look at the end of Sakonett on Google Earth Maps - it will all become clearer -

[crazygoof]

Great story! Glad you and your Dad found fish. Can't get mine to come out, he just won't leave Montana, no matter how good I tell him the fishing is.

[Frightnight]

End of Sakonett River? Near the mouth near Newport and Little Compton, or the North end?