I remember a trip to the Matapedia River in New Brunswick, Canada where I was going to be fly fishing for Atlantic salmon, and my guide was a famous Salmon fisherman, inducted into the Atlantic Salmon Hall of Fame. I had fished all the Alaskan species and this was going to be exciting. I looked at a variety of fly patterns, consulted with a few fly manufacturers and put together a handsome collection of absolutely wonderful patterns. Honestly, I may have overdone the quantity.

I woke early the next morning and was greeted at the river by a man clearly in his 80’s with a corduroy brown jacket, proper green vest, hip waders, and cap. I couldn’t wait to show him my beautiful fly selection! After a few pleasantries I reached into my vest and pulled out Box 1 of 5 chock full of the best flies and asked “so which one should I use?” he looked right at me and said, “the one that will catch fish” My heart sunk and I remember thinking “really”? I just spen $400.00 on freaking flies! Was he kidding? As he leaped from rock to rock with the agility and precision of a twenty year old I thought that this day, at the very least, would be a very interesting day.

So how is this little story related to turkey hunting and camouflage? Well after some lengthy discussions he shared his philosophy with me. The point Mr. Adams was trying to make was that to be successful in hooking a salmon, I had to blend into the river, be one with the river, its natural surroundings, and its biology. Meld into it. Fish like a fish. Be both the hunter and the prey. You can apply this same philosophy to turkey hunting.

Blend:

I am always asked if I prefer one pattern or another or “is there one best camo “pattern of what seems to be 230,000 patterns out there? The answer is no. But soon the latest real tree mossy oak AGP turbo platinum double secret super probation 4D leafy pro pattern will be released and it will also guarantee your success…….Nonsense. Here’s a better tip. Look carefully where you live/hunt and try to pick up the colors and hues of your terrain. In general you want a wide variety of colors in the pattern you select as you may be hunting the edge of wetlands in the morning or maybe in an old oak grove the next day.

Do you need one of those 3D leafy or gillie suits? Nope! I’ve been hunting turkeys long before the advent of the 3D leafy suits and a military grade heavy and hot gillie suit weighing me down also wasn’t in the cards, and I did just fine. The good news is that there are some real bargains around in 3D leafy suits and they are an excellent tool for blend and break up.

You want something light that you can slip over some neutral colored clothes. One thing not to forget is to cover you face, hands and gun. Facemasks and gloves are inexpensive and easy to find. Want to be different? Buy some camo face paint and have some fun with patterns. Don’t have a camo gun? No worries. You can buy a slip-on universal sock that will break up the outline of your gun.

Breakup:

The other main objective of using camouflage is to break up the human form. You can also use the cover you’re in to blend into the environment. Use your surroundings to naturally camouflage yourself.  Use some pine boughs stuck in the ground in front of you to break up your pattern, throw some leaves/ferns/whatever naturally occurs around you on your legs or on top of your cap. Weave a branch or two into the webbing of your vest or backpack. Anything you can do to distort the human form will help. My Great-Uncle Art Crelan, a master hunter/trapper was an expert at both blend and break up, didn’t use modern camouflage and always came home with the game.

Next post…..Scouting!

Gobble Gobble,

Ringo

Up until this point in the season, the duck hunting has been, let’s say, challenging… Months of the usual borderline obsessive scouting with the birds seeming to stay one step ahead of us.  It’s tough to tell whether it was the exceptionally warm winter or the ducks getting educated with all of the hunter pressure.  Either way, we were determined to give it one last shot for the season.

We knew that the morning of Jan 20^th was going to be our final duck hunt of the 2012 season because a lot of the Kettlebottom Crew were shipping off to Miami the following day.  Capt. Jay Howell had been seeing nice sized rafts of Eider at a spot that we are very familiar with (in the east passage of Narragansett Bay).

I woke up to a couple inches of fresh snow on the ground and it wasn’t too cold, about 33°F.  Jay Howell, Tommy Munro, and I met @ the boat launch for 5am.  Our usual routine began – suit up, gear up, and launch the boat.  Everyone has their role – Jay on the helm, Tommy backing the boat down, and me enjoying a cup of coffee.  We then took a short cruise to our spot and set the decoys (By the way, anyone who has set Sea Duck decoys knows how quickly everything can become a tangled mess!).  Luckily (for Tommy) everything went perfectly smooth.  We even had a few minutes before shooting light to settle in and enjoy a beautiful Narragansett Bay sunrise.

Shooting light was at 6:39am.  We started to see flights of Eider only a few minutes into shooting light and the action did not relent.  Our decoy spread was perfect – the birds were convinced.  We saw a pretty even mix of drake and hen Eider, typically seeing between 2 and 8 birds per flight.   We also saw a number of other species  – black duck, golden eye, scoter, merganser, goose, etc.  We had a harbor seal lurking around us for most of the morning waiting to pick up any ducks we couldn’t get to in time!

It wasn’t long before we had two drake Eider in the boat and the third bird we pulled in was a banded drake – we were ecstatic!! The next bird was a banded hen – then a few birds later another banded drake!!  I had never seen a banded eider – I would never have dreamed we would pull three in one hunt!

By 930am, we had 10 birds in the boat (9 Eider and one Merganser) and the action began to slow down.  We then collected the decoys and steamed back to the launch.  This was one of those hunts where everything just came together perfectly – a truly memorable day on the water.

Can’t wait for next season!!!

The fishing has been awesome lately– check out the Fishing Report post on the Cox-Sports website for the latest updates on the Rhode Island fishing scene…

In other news, the night bite for Striped Bass has been awesome– and well within reach of shore-bound or paddle craft anglers.  Fish have been showing up all over my personal home turf, Narragansett, provided you can find the right place at the right time.  There have been sizable schools of Sand Eels pushed into shallow water across Narragansett after dark, everywhere from the along Anawan Cliffs and Bonnet Shores,  the mouth of Narrow River, the Town Beach and Seawall, Scarborough Beach, in the Great Salt Pond of Galilee, and everywhere in between.  On any given night, I’ve been driving from spot to spot until I find surfacing fish and launching my canoe or kayak to chase down the fish.  Using soft plastics on a light action 12 lb test class rod, the fish have kept me up until all hours of the night– in fact last night a red-hot bite kept me on the kayak until 3am, from which I caught over a dozen fish up to 32 inches– and I would never have quit if I didn’t have to get up for work this morning.  From shore, there have been nights of non-stop action on everything from schoolies to fish up to 36 inches at Narragansett Beach and Scarborough Beach– with most fish hitting right in the surf in a foot or two of water!!  It’s been UNBELIEVABLE!  Just remember– these fish are keyed into small baitfish this time of year so downsize your gear, including breaking out the fly rod and a sand eel pattern if you can, and hit the surf!

It’s been the best shore fishing of the season and shows no sign of slowing down!  Fish NOW, sleep later.  See you out there…

Ty

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…

The past couple weeks have been dynamite on the water!  If you don’t get out there now, you will definitely miss the best action we’ve seen yet this year!

Block Island has been full of fish, though the dogfish have made eeling hard.  Parachute jigs and umbrella rigs have been coming through for us though– and some days it seems there is no end to fish from 32 to 45+ inches!  In the North Rip, the Stripers and Blues are chasing loads of sand eels and can be caught on the surface using soft plastics, pencil poppers, or Deadly Dicks.  Light tackle and fly guys have been having a blast!  We are still waiting for the 50+ pound fish to begin to show but it should happen any time.

Inshore, surf guys have also been nailing stripers left and right.  Narragansett Beach and Narrow River are loaded with fish that are, again, after the sand eels.  If you go with small soft plastics or small plugs or poppers, they will definitely cooperate.  Reports from all over the Bay and along the South Shore have been excellent, as well.

For those who prefer Fluke, the bite has been very good both inshore at the usual spots and off Block Island.  Block Island is swarming with Dogfish, though, so the bite is hard to come by without a few too many uninvited guests tearing up your rigs.  Your best bets are off Point Judith, along the South Shore, or in the Bay.  Black Seabass and Scup are also showing in a big way, though the Seabass season won’t open until July 11 however, based on the good catches, they will not be hard to come by once the season opens…

Get out there and FISH!!  You won’t be disappointed!

Striped Bass are the BIG news right now and the fishing has been hot! 

The upper Bay, from Providence River and the Bristol/Warren area all the way down to Greenwich Bay and Prudence Island are holding schools of Menhaden, known locally as Pogies.  If you can find a school and snag a live pogie, chances of hooking up to a big Bass are very good.  Most people have found good action using a 30 to 50 pound Florocarbon leader tied to a 6/0 to 8/0 Circle Hook.  Remember that, with a Circle Hook, you will have a hard time hooking up unless you allow several seconds of free-spool to allow the Striper to take in the bait.  Once the Striper has the bait in its mouth, simply tighten the line gradually and allow it to come completely tight with the rod tip pointed at the fish– the hook should catch the corner of the fish’s mouth without a conventional hook set.  Once the line is tight, gently pick up the rod tip and begin the battle.  Trying to set a Circle Hook conventionally will usually pull the bait from the fish’s mouth without coming tight.

Along the South Shore, from off Newport down to Westerly, has also been holding fish with the majority of the forage being Sand Eels, Squid, and small baitfish.  Parachute Jigs, Umbrella Rigs, and trolled plugs have been producing good catches.  Inshore and from shore, fly fishermen and topwater guys have also been scoring regularly.  The Cinder Worm hatch is winding down in area estuaries so chances will improve using small plugs or soft plastics– no more frustration watching fussy Stripers surfacing without a fish to show for a full day’s fishing.

Out at Block Island, the fishing is incredible!  Again, parachute jigs, Umbrella Rigs, and trolled lures have been very effective.  Jigging with Diamond Jigs has been effective on the deeper humps, as well.  At the North Rip, fish chasing Sand Eels on the surface have been falling victim to poppers, pencil poppers, soft plastics, and Deadly Dicks.  Eeling has also been getting better, if you can stay away from the Dogfish, which have also moved in in large numbers.  Many fish in the 30 to 40 pound class have been caught and the bigger fish should be moving in any time.

For those with a taste for Fluke, fishing has also been decent, though the throwback ratio has been pretty high in the usual Fluke spots.  People have also been catching a lot of Black Seabass, though the season does not open until July 11 and they must be thrown back for now.  Tautog is also closed for the months of June and July to allow time to spawn.  The bigger Fluke tend to hang out in deeper waters and taking various colored jigs, tipped with Squid.  Several Fluke to 10 pounds have been coming over the rails– so if you’re catching shorts, consider moving slightly deeper and hang on tight! 

Offshore, Shark fishing is getting good, especially to the South and West.  There have been sporadic reports of Yellowfin Tuna popping up in the Canyons, showing up with some early eddies.  Keep an eye on the sea surface temperature maps to find good temperature breaks, look for a good weather window, and get after them!  If you find some action PLEASE LET US KNOW!! 

Don’t let the good times pass you by!  See you out on the water!

Today, May 24, 2011, marks the conclusion of the RI Spring Turkey season and more focus on the Striper season in the Bay.  The fishing is heating up fast, with many large fish taken via live Menhaden and soft plastics on jig heads producing some great days on the water.  Tautog fishing has been decent but will soon close for the months of June and July– get them while you can!  The bottom bite for Fluke and Seabass has also been getting better by the day– some say the Seabass bite is hotter than in years past.  It is definitely time to hit the water!

For those lucky enough to score a RI Tom Turkey, the next step (after checking and cleaning the bird) is to cook it to perfection.  It would be a shame to ruin a good thing with a bad recipe!  Here is a Kettlebottom favorite, a recipe with which Lynn Roach keeps Robb and their sons looking forward to next year’s season!

peheat oven 450*

oven safe skillet

            Dry Rub

1Tbs fresh chopped thyme

1Tbs fresh chopped rosemary

1Tbs fresh chopped sage

1 Tbs kosher salt

1 tsp fresh cracked pepper

    Ingredients

1 freshly killed wild turkey, breasted

2 Tbs olive oil

2 shallots

2 garlic cloves

1/2 cup of red wine

Wild turkey is one of my reasons for loving Spring.  The breast meat is the tastiest and most substantial part of the bird.  Once breasts are cleaned and free from skin and feathers you can make a simple dry rub consisting of 1 Tbs chopped fresh thyme, 1 Tbs chopped fresh sage, 1 Tbs chopped fresh rosemary, 1 Tbs kosher salt, and 1 tsp fresh ground pepper.  These 5 ingredients mixed together will aid in sealing in juices and enhancing in flavor.  

Begin heating an oven safe skillet over a high flame with 2 Tbs of olive oil.  Place the dry rubbed breasts in the skillet once oil is hot but not smoking.  Do not touch the meat or the heat, let it sear and create a nice crust on outside.  After about 3 minutes lift meat with tongs to check to see if it is golden to dark brown.  You may need additional minute or 2 to achieve this.  Turn meat and place in a preheated oven of 450*.  Meanwhile chop 2 shallots and 2 garlic cloves.  After about 10 minutes, take the pan out of oven and place on a platter and cover lightly with foil.  An internal temperature of 160* will indicate doneness of turkey breast.  Add the chopped shallots and garlic to the hot pan and do not forget the pan is extremely hot so be sure to remember to keep your oven mitt on.  Turn heat to medium to maintain temperature and stir shallots and garlic for 2 mins to open up their flavors.  Add 1/2 cup of red wine (whichever is your favorite to drink, or have on hand) to pan and deglaze.  Let bubble and reduce to 1/2. 3-5 mins.  After meat has rested for at least 5-10 minutes slice and drizzle with reduction.  This goes well with just about anything.  Mashed potatoes, buttery noodles, grilled/roasted asparagus, and sauteed spinach are just a few pairings that go well this delightful dish.  Enjoy!

ITS SPRING!!  After a hard winter spring has sprung!  The Forsythia shrubs are coming alive with their bright yellow flowers that means its time to Fish!!  Winter Flonder are here and are showing up again in Narrow River .  Remember these tasty fish are found on sand bottoms in deep holes in the rivers.  They love clam worms or the old timer’s way with a piece of hot dog and a kernel of corn!  Stripers are showing up around Providence and even at the west wall after a good run of Buckies!   Remember the squid are not far behind so get ready to load up on bait for the Fluke season.  They had a good run last year off the south coast but you can always grab some at the bridges in Narragansett Bay.  So get that boat ready and dust off your rod and reels– but don’t put your shot gun away just yet!      The  2011 spring Turkey season starts this week April 28th and the RI turkey are every where!  Remember to respect land owners and ask permission if you see some grand Toms struttin’ there stuff!  So we’ll see you all out on the water or on the field for a much deserved Spring season!  Remember if you need a charter boat to put you on the fish this season just give us a call at Kettlebottom Outfitters!!  401-474-0871