Fresh Water
When people think of Rhode Island fishing opportunities immediately they think about our world-class saltwater. Rhode Island has some great fresh water fishing for Trout, Largemouth Bass and Northern Pike. I frequently fish these waters in a canoe, kayak and a Lund 16 SSV (equipped with a 55 lb thrust Minn Kota trolling motor), and would be pleased to guide you in these relatively unheralded fresh water locations. Some of my favorites...
- Blackstone River-world class dry fly fishing for trout-April thru June in a wide open western-style river. Great caddis hatches!
- Wood River System-many hatches throughout the season have the trout "looking up". The Hexagenia limbata (giant Michigan Mayfly) hatch in June/July and early August is spectacular
- Worden's Pond-Watchaug Pond- early season for Northern Pike, and Largemouth Bass thoughout the summer and fall. The biggest Bluegills most have seen, a wonderful training ground for new flycasters!
Salt Water
Rhode Island and surrounding coastal Massachusetts and Connecticut have an abundance of absolutely great water for shallow-water fly and light tackle angling for Striped Bass, Bluefish and Weakfish. Also False Albacore, Ocean Bonito, and Schoolie Blue Fin Tuna ply our near shore waters. Some of my favorites areas...
- Narragansett Bay-the bars at Conimicut Light, Gaspee Point, Calf Pasture Point, Rose Island, Dyer Island, Barrington Beach, Common Fence Point, Castle Hill ledges, Wickford & East Greenwich Harbors, Hope Island, Providence River system, Green Island, Green River, Nag Pond, Colt State Park, Newport's reef system, and Prudence Island
- Sakonnet River-and the reefs at Sakonnet Point extending north to Mt. Hope Bay and the Kickimuit River
- Little Narragansett Bay-Pawcatuck River, Sandy Point to the Napatree boulder fields, Stonington Harbor & surrounding coves and cuts, and the "The Kitchen"
- East & West branches of Westport River
- Rhode Island's Salt Ponds-WORM SPAWN Pt. Judith Pond, Quonochontaug, and Ninigret. These ponds have great flats areas that Stripers will move onto in low light conditions. Ninigret Pond offers the closest thing you will experience to dry fly fishing for Stripers. The annual Cinder Worm spawn brings aquatic worms to the surface for their mating ritual, and the Bass are all over them (and so are we) with 7-10 weight flyrods and a variety of worm patterns that I tie.
- SPECIAL OPS FISHING- night fishing using the Mako "mothership" and an inflatable to access remote locations where large Bass feed in skinny water. We fish small creeks, gravel bars, and docks- anglers required to wear provided "nitepaks". Not for the faint of heart!
Left click on these images for larger views of our fishing waters
Our Waters
Capt. Jim Barr
Newport, RI
401.465.8751
JamesBarrRI@gmail.com
