Originally, fishing clubs were ever-present in coastal communities; almost always exclusively male-dominated and far from family-friendly. Bragging rights were the name of the game, and most of the better anglers sold their catch to help put some money on the table. Motors were less reliable, gear was heavier and electronics were nonexistent. Going out nightly in search of big fish was not for the faint of heart.

The sea could be unkind to a beginner and it was mostly left to oneself to learn how to improve. Presentations were often designed to create business and/or sell something, seminars where education was the focus were rare. Books and some better quality magazines did partially fill in some knowledge gaps. Eventually, gear began to improve, outboards became more reliable, electronics and weather predictions started to be a help. Clothing and safety gear improved. Families began to participate and clubs like RISAA were formed. Education was increasingly recognized as a means to improve as an angler and to understand how the oceans and ecosystems all tied in together. Fish were only a part of the puzzle.

Some clubs didn’t adapt to the changes and died out. Some weren’t able to be sustained because members drifted away as free time became increasingly a rare commodity of the modern family. But it hasn’t spelled the death of all clubs. Many clubs, not just RISAA, have stayed viable as our 28 affiliate clubs can attest. Most clubs now not only have a fishing purpose but also have adopted a charity or worthy cause that they support annually which not only helps bring the members together but also serves a higher purpose.

RISAA’s size has allowed it to have an entire Foundation dedicated to supporting worthy causes that we are proud to take up. Beyond the Foundation, RISAA’s diverse membership has lent itself towards the creation of committees that allow anglers to focus on specific techniques (fly fishing, kayaks, surfcasting, etc.) if they choose as well as more policy-based activities (legislative committees) that seem increasingly important as marine resources face ever-increasing threats and competition from outside interests. Fish stocks face increasing pressures both from environmental stressors and users groups. Fishing clubs that can push back and speak up for both members and the fish have become increasingly needed. Each individual voice matters, as does a club’s ability to help stake out proposals that are responsible to the fish as well as reflecting the needs of our anglers.

If you are part of RISAA celebrate it, because of you we exist. If you have a fishing partner who isn’t yet a member, reach out and see if we offer something that would appeal to them. Consider joining a committee yourself. See our list of committees with contact information on page _, the Who’s Who page.

We have grown and thrived up to now by encouraging diversity of interests while still staying true to our common fishing bonds and stewardship of the environment. No reason to change now.

Catchem up

For me, 2021 brought many of those permanent memories. Of those, none was more enjoyable than landing a near state record fluke, with two of my lifelong fishing partners at my side; and none sadder than that September morning when I got a call from Rich Hittinger informing me we had lost Steve Medeiros.

Mixed in between the highs and lows was an August seabass trip with one of my sons and my dad who, at 84, gives me hope I can fish as long and as well as he can. Such trips are increasingly to be cherished because, as we know, time moves on. Watching my son Shawn work a 10 weight fly rod along a surf break, or seeing my grandson battle a scup from his grandfather’s boat–these are the moments that I increasingly find more important than how big a striper I can catch. Listening to that same grandson proudly explain to his great grandfather that, “when the bobber goes down, it means you have a fish!” is just one of the many things that makes our multigenerational sport so special in my eyes. No one is relegated to cheering from the sidelines. All of us get to participate. Even my little Italian Nana who never set foot on a boat fishing could sure make a good fish soup from whatever fish we managed to bring home when I was a boy.

Now, when I allow my mind to wander towards the 2022 season, I am filled with hope, both for the fishing to come and for our Club. RISAA’s membership remains healthy and shows signs of the kind of growth we need to remain as the voice of all Rhode Island and Northeast anglers. RISAA continues to be recognized by State and Federal officials when considering fishing regulations as well as shoreline access, a subject that Steve and the RISAA Board of Directors has increasingly focused on as of late.

While the fishery forecast isn’t all rosy, we still have much to look forward to. Our Tautog fishery is really second to none, and RISAA aims to keep it that way. Scup fishing remains a highly reliable way to fill a cooler either from shore or boat, and our local Striped Bass population seems to be in better shape than in many mid-Atlantic and northeast states, although few will deny that the numbers coastwide are down and there is not a lot of encouraging data regarding our most treasured fish. Fluke stocks, while clearly in trouble, may benefit from new management approaches and the Rhode Island Black Sea Bass season might finally be adjusted to allow more anglers to participate in the fishery earlier in the spring if RISAA, with membership support and involvement, can be persuasive on this issue.

Will the tuna return? When will the albies show? What great new lure will we buy at RISAA’s Saltwater Fishing Show in March? Will we land our best fish yet in 2022? These questions remain unanswered, but one thing I know moving forward is that it remains a true privilege to represent this organization, and together we can continue to celebrate what a wonderful sport we have chosen to engage in.

Catch em up