The Rhode Island Saltwater Angler’s Association (RISAA) is an organization formed many years ago to provide Rhode Island anglers with a community of fellow anglers with whom to share fishing locations, tactics, and tall tales and to provide a platform with which anglers could contribute to the political discussions affecting our waters and our rights to fish them.  With over 6,500 active members, RISAA has been a strong voice to preserve our rights and to help influence new laws and regulations for the good of RI’s fisheries’ future. 

In addition to allowing open dialogue with both politicians and within the angling community, RISAA volunteers and organizers are also active in community programs to introduce new anglers to the sport and to help disadvantaged youths explore the seas.  On June 18, the Kettlebottom Crew was proud to participate in an annual program, called Take-A-Kid-Fishing Day, for the third year in a row.  We had the option to fish the Fluke Till Ya Puke Tournament instead but there was no way to ignore the call for volunteers for RISAA’s event– there was no debate on our Crew which event had priority.  With our new boat, the Lacey J, we were in a position to be able to take a crew of 4 to 6 youngsters and their chaperon out on what was to be the first boat trip for most of the kids attending.  Greenwich Bay, where the event was held, was a bit hectic early morning with 75 volunteer vessels in need of a slip, the fleet assembling to accommodate over 250 kids!!  The weather report was marginal, with a chance of showers, but somehow the sun fought back the clouds– it looked like a perfect day.

After the Captain’s meeting, we were assigned our crew– four excited kids, three girls about 7 or 8 years old, a little boy of about 5, and their chaperon.  Pushing off the dock, we headed into Greenwich Bay to search for our quarry– harbor Bluefish.  It didn’t take long before we were hooked up and the radio was alive with chatter about other’s successes.  The Bay seemed absolutely FULL of fish, many times resulting in double and even triple hookups of Blues ranging from 16 to 24 inches.  Each kid caught 4 to 6 Blues in the couple hours we had with them, proudly comparing their latest catch with the other fish coming over the rails.  Even the chaperon, along for the ride to keep an eye on the kids, got in on the action, landing a few fish himself. By the time we got back to our slip, the kids were all smiles and excitedly talking about taking home fillets for dinner.  We accompanied the crew, Ziplock bags of fillets in hand, back to the marina, where RISAA had set up a barbecue for everyone involved, giving us complementary burgers, hot dogs, salad, cupcakes, gummi worms, and ice cream.  This year, each and every boat did well and the smiles were definitely universal.

Barring catastrophe, the Kettlebottom Crew will definitely be participating in the Take A Kid Fishing event next year.  We have taken part in the event for three years now and look forward to next year.  There is nothing more rewarding than giving a youngster their first taste of saltwater fishing and seeing their excitement, enthusiasm, and amazement as they land a “huge” fish.  These kids will never forget their first experiences on the water– and neither will we…