Mulberry Alert

Within the next week, the mulberries will be out and ripe all over the state. They are just about there. If you know of a mulberry tree along the the shore of a carp pond or river, you are golden. These berries can be red, purple, white and even pink. Whatever the color, carp go crazy over mulberries, like kids eating candy.

Technique here is simple. Pick a berry off the tree, and impale a size 6 or 8 hook into it (see picture) and freeline the berry in the area where they are falling. Sometimes the carp will pluck it right off the surface. At other times they will hit it on the drop or on the bottom. One other suggestion here. Sometimes the berry will not sink. If that happens, squeeze it gently and then it should then sink.

The biggest mirror carp I have ever caught in RI was caught on a freelined mulberry. That should tell you just how effective this bait is.

River Fishing Hot Right Now

My focus has really shifted from ponds and lakes to rivers. All the rivers offer hot fishing right now. So long as the flow remains slow and the water remains cool, this hot fishing should continue. Last week I was at the Ct. River for three days and landed over 20 common carp into the mid twenties. This week I am focusing close to home and catching big numbers of mirror carp up to 18 lbs. The hot producer in both spots has been homemade pineapple vodka flavored maize along with a couple of kernels of flavored sweet corn from The Bait Stop.
Check out my father fighting a tough fish from the CT River. Not bad for an 78 year old fisherman!

Successful Fish-in

Many thanks to the CAG members along with the general public who came to our fish-in along the Lower Blackstone Canal on Saturday. We had 40-50 anglers attend. Some fished, others just came along to observe and ask questions.The purpose of a fish-in is to showcase carp fishing and share information. And, yes, we did catch some fish. The group ended up with 10 mirror carp up to 12 lbs. Young Johnny Joseph (picture at right) landed the biggest one at 12 1/2 lbs.

For those new to carp fishing, the RI Carp Association is a part of the national group, the Carp Anglers Group. If you are from RI and join the Carp Anglers Group, you are automatically part of the RI Carpers. You can join the Carp Anglers Group by signing up on their website at http://www.carpanglersgroup.com/ Membership benefits include 4 magazines (NACA) a year, discounts on some online carp stores, tournaments, and a great network of fishermen as a resource. The RI Carpers frequently hold informal get togethers, send out periodic newsletters and e-mail updates of carp fishing information.

Change of Plans for Fish-in

Unfortunately, we have to change the venue for our RI Fish-in. It will be held at the same time, June 6 from 9:00 am until late afternoon/evening. However, we can't hold it at the Rivers Edge Recreational Complex due to the Riverfest canoe race that day.
So, here's the new spot. It is in the Blackstone River State park off Rt. 123 in Lincoln, RI. This is a unique spot in that you can fish the Blackstone River, the Lower Canal as well as a place we call Secret Pond. To get to this location, take Rt. 146 north or south and proceed to the Rt. 123 exit. Follow Rt. 123 east or "down the hill" for a mile or so (this is Breakneck Hill Rd. which becomes Front St.). Take a left at a sign that says "Blackstone River State Park" just after the Lincoln Plaza. There is a large parking area here. From here, it is a 6-7 minute walk to the place where we will be fishing. Walk to the bike path and cross the large bridge spanning the river. At the east end of the bridge, there is a gate. Go through the gate and walk the path toward the river. It will bring you to the canal which will be where we will start. There is a high bank here, so if you have a bridge net, take it along. This is a very scenic area and a place that has lots of mirrors. Let's hope they are hitting!
Hope to see you there. If you get lost, call me at 401-648-1970.

River Carp in On the Water Magazine

The latest issue of On the Water magazine has my article on river carp fishing. It is a tell all story about how to fish big and small rivers for carp here in NE. The story outlines equipment, rigging, and baits and has some stories about my experiences of learning how to fish big rivers at CAG fish-ins along the banks of the Merrimack River.

Taking on the CT River

I have always wanted to fish the CT River in MA for carp, and today I finally got there. Thanks to friend, Khrys, for showing me some spots that were very productive.

The river itself is MASSIVE with a fast flow. I was fishing my usual hot set up which is two kernels of flavored sweet corn (testing for The Bait Stop) along with a kernel of Wild Whiskey maize on a hair rigged hook. Up ahead was an oatmeal based method ball. A three ounce inline lead was needed to just barely hold bottom.

Well, the alarms were buzzing for Khrys and me as we landed about 17 carp with at least a half dozen in the twenties (see pic at left). It was hot fishing for decent fish and fulfilled my goal of getting to and fishing the CT River for carp.

RI Fish-in on June 6

The RI CAG annual fish-in will be held at the Blackstone River this year on Sarturday, June 6. It will start at 9:00 AM and will run till the afternoon or evening. It will take place at Rivers Edge Recreation Complex off Davison Ave. in Woonsocket. This is a brand new park located at the end of the access road off the west end of Davison Ave. which is located off Rt. 126. There is rougly a half mile of cleared bank along this park, so there is lots of room to fish. Note that this is a sunny place with no shade. Bring your umbrellas or sun screen. We will be prebaiting the spot so it should be productive. The river is nationally known for its big numbers of mirror carp. Baits such as corn and doughbaits work well here.

A fish-in is basically a non competitive event in which experienced carp fishermen explain and demonstrate how to fish for carp. These events are often attended by newcomers who come to learn about carp fishing and to fish along side experienced fishermen.

June 6 is a free fishing day in RI. Out of state fishermen do not need a RI license for this event.

Should the river be high and fast due to rain swelled waters, the event will be cancelled.