In in a matter of 5-6 weeks we will be fishing the beginning of what we call "The Fall Run". This annual event is when our various migrating fish (Stripers, Bluefish, False Albacore and Ocean Bonito) begin the process of gathering their luggage, feeding non-stop and getting on-board a southbound train for their winter homes. This typically begins in late August when we start catching Ocean Bonito in our near-shore waters. These speedsters, part of the tuna family, are a wonderful fish to catch on flyrods and light spinning tackle. They are cousin to the False Albacore, but one huge difference, Ocean Bonito are absolutely wonderful table fare, prepared on the grill and sashimi style. Some boating anglers will carry a "sashimi kit" aboard that consists of the fixin's to prepare a wonderful dip for thinly sliced raw bonito. That kit includes, fresh lime, soy sauce and ginger. Very thinly sliced raw bonito dipped in this simple mixture is to die for. For those who would rather cook their fish, filets on a charcoal grill are wonderful. As respects False Albacore (not edible), we begin targeting these fish about the second week of September.

Kyle Leard- Orvis/Manchester, VT  First Albie

"The Release"- near-shore Albie fishing H. Earl Evans photo

The predominant bait for Bonito and False Albacore are the Bay Anchovy. When we begin to encounter bait balls of anchovy, these fish are just around the corner. It's best to target them while the bait balls are intact, once the bait gets dispersed from boat traffic, rough weather and predators, it becomes increasingly difficult to catch these fish without having to chase them down or for the more patient anglers, awaiting their return, as they typically feed in circles.

Bill Taylor/ Bass Pro-  Atlantic Bonito

At the same time the "tunoids" are in-town, we also have good numbers of stripers and bluefish, together making September and October some of the very best fishing we get in Rhode Island. Aside from the Bay Anchovy we have Alantic Silversides, Butterfish, and Mullet... a veritable smorgasbord of bait for these hungry fish.  In July and August when it's best to fish in the early morning or early evening (and night), during September and October good fishing can be had throughout the entire day. Another bonus is that the tourist season is essentially over so there are typically less boats on the water, particularly during the work week making it an optimal time for serious anglers to wet a line if they can use vacation days or play hooky from work. 

Skinny Water Charters gets busy for the fall run starting the first week in September, and continuing through mid-October. Launching the boat in Newport Harbor gives me access to Narragansett Bay, Newport and Jamestown waters  area waters  Sakonnet Point to the east and Narragansett and Pt. Judith to our west. As the action shifts further west along our southwest beaches I will trailer my boat to Stonington, CT and launch at Barn Island which gives me quick access to the Rhode Island's southwest shore beaches, the Watch Hill Reefs, Little Narragansett Bay and Fishers Island, NY. 

If you are interested in fishing with me this fall it's a good idea to give a call or write me an email in the near-term and we can discuss the dates that will work for you  (401-465-8751, info@SkinnnyWaterChartersRI.com). 

September and early October fishing conditions in Rhode Island are generally better than any other month due to greater numbers of fish and more variety, tons of bait, great weather, day-long feeding frenzies, and considerably less boat traffic.  

 Bird Casting for Accuracy (and fun!) 

Recently I was giving a fly casting lesson in a nearby park. We were practicing distance and accuracy drills using traditional props of brightly colored hula hoops and soccer cones. Fun targets but static, not dynamic in any way, and incapable of providing feedback. Several blackbirds were nearby foraging in the grass for worms and insects- hopping, pecking, chasing the flying varieties, you know the drill, but as my practice fly landed in their vicinity they quickly chased it down thinking it was an easy meal.

Hmmm I thought, ... moving targets that eat bugs, looks a lot like trout fishing to me, but absent complications such as drag, matching the hatch, tippet size, the list goes on.

If you practice casting in parks there are a myriad of targets from which to choose- trees, bushes, discarded coffee cups, dog doo (bad choice), but all of them are static in nature. They help as targets and range points only, but they aren't optimal because fish move and you really should be casting at moving objects to simulate a more realistic environment.

I've tried practice casting to moving targets in the past, children and dogs (using a harmless yarn fly with no hook), and although they are perfect in a number of ways, parents, owners and animal rights groups provide feedback, but not the kind I'm looking for.    But birds...!

So quite by accident I discovered that parks with birds offer a great practice area that include dynamic targets for improving distance, accuracy, speed and presentation skills... combined with constant feedback!

So now, prior to arriving at the park I tie on a yellow yarn fly (no hook) to my leader, then microwave a bag of popcorn (birds prefer Orville Redenbacher Gourmet- the buttery kind.) Then upon entering the park I carefully approach a "bird-active" area and begin dropping the popcorn in small piles (I do save some for lunch by the way). In short order I have lots of moving targets at varying distances and directions. As each pile of popcorn is consumed, the birds become conditioned and aggressively fly to and run down my artificial fly. The bird approaches, bends down for the easy meal, I  retrieve the fly or do a pick up and lay down cast a few feet away... and the bird continues the chase.   Perfect!

Wanna get some real belly laughs and simultaneously improve your fly casting techniques?... try "bird casting", it's a hoot.

This season Skinny Water Charters has made charitable contributions to two great organizations,  Fishing For a Cause and the Newport Art Museum.

Fishing for a Cause® is an annual saltwater charity fishing tournament established in 2011 by and for the benefit of the Schwartz Center for Children located in Dartmouth, MA.  They provide education and medical services for children with special needs. Our contribution to their auction were two, 2-hour fly casting lessons.

The Newport Art Museum is one of only 5% of American museums to be fully accredited by the American Association of Museums. For more than 100 years, they have served Rhode Island and regional communities as a cultural gathering place with a reputation for inclusiveness, professionalism, high-quality exhibitions and programming, and dedication to individual growth and learning. Our contribution to their fund raising silent auction was a 6-hour fishing charter, that includes a one-hour casting lesson and lunch.

• The folks at RIO Products have developed an application to assist anglers in determining the proper fly line for their rods, the type of water they fish, and their favorite species.  Click the following link to see how it works, Line Selector, Finding The Right Gear For You. This application is available for the desktop computer as well as the iPhone, iPad, and Android devices. 

• Although I can purchase my leader and tippet material as well as tapered leaders through my pro discount with RIO Products, I prefer to tie my own tapered leaders from various strengths of monofilament and fluorocarbon fishing line. Nothing fancy, and nothing that a local department store or tackle shop doesn't sell. I typically use Berkeley Trilene in 40, 30, 25, 20, 15 and 12 pound test.The following link will take you to the American Casting Association's website where you will find a number of leader formulas used for a variety of applications.  Fly Leader Formulas.

The following is a simple formula that I generally follow when constructing my saltwater leaders: 

1. Decide on overall leader length of your leader. For most saltwater applications I use an 8 foot leader/tippet. 1/2 of this length will be a butt section. Use 40-lb mono for 8-10 weight fly lines & 50-lb mono for 11/12 weights.
2. Reserve 2 feet of desired tippet strength.
3. Remainder of leader is a mid-section, stepped down in 1 or 2 equal segments between butt and tippet.
4. Example: 8 foot, 12-lb tippet leader for a 10-wt. line = 2 ft. tippet+ 1 ft. 20-lb + 1 ft. 30-lb + 4 ft of 40-lb butt section.

•  The Sexy Loops website is loaded with information on fly fishing and fly casting. Bookmark it on your computer or handheld. It's a wonderful resource.

Sexy Loops- The World's Best Fly Fishing and Fly Casting Website