Cinder Worm Workshop, Fed. Fish & Wildlife Service

[Captcastafly]

Cinder Worm Workshop 2010

Back by popular demand! We will be offering another tying and fly fishing seminar structured on the Cinder worm swarm that takes place every spring in Rhody’s salt ponds. These sessions are free and pre-registration is required. Register early and reserve a seat. Space is limited. Last year there were numerous individuals that missed out. Dave Pollack and Capt. Ray Stachelek are facilitators again for this event.

“Last year was unbelievable,” says Ray Stachelek. We had overflowing crowds of tiers exploring a new venue. The trained staff of experienced volunteers really supplied the necessary input each night. Their creative talents and friendly demeanor made everyone feel comfortable and wanting to return.

Kettle Pond Visitor Center and Ninigret Refuge

Observe one of nature’s fascinating spring rituals. See thousands of cinder worms as they wiggle their way to the surface performing their annual mating courtship. Quietly wade the secluded coves of Ninigret Pond. See the simple peace and beauty of a sunset over tranquil water. Listen to the silence around you. Suddenly it’s interrupted by dozens of surface feeding stripers. Finally, fly fish for those stripers using the tiny cinder worm flies you tied yourself. This isn’t some fisherman’s dream? Its reality and it can happen if you participate.

The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service in partnership with RI D.E.M. are organizing again a Cinder Worm Workshop. There will be two weekday evening classes in fly tying instruction on cinder worm patterns and one weekend evening of fly fishing. We would like to have everyone attend both workshops, but if you can’t, any of the options are available.

Fly Tying Instruction - Kettle Pond Visitor Center on May 4th and 12th between the hours of 6:30 – 8:30 pm. Bring your own tying tools or use ours. We have a limit amount of equipment on hand.

Fly Fishing - Ninigret Refuge (entrance through Ninigret Park) on May 15 begins at 4:00 pm and we will fish the worm swarm till dark. Introduction to practical rigging and casting instruction will be covered for those in need of additional assistance. Fly Fishers will then fish the many coves of Grassy Point area. (We can’t guarantee the weather or fish, but past experiences have shown that this is prime time for the worm mating season.)

The program is open to adults or child over the age of 15 regardless of skill level. Instruction and guidance will be provided by some of the area’s leading fly fishing specialists. We encourage the use of personal fishing equipment. RIDEM Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Aquatic Resource Education program will provide the necessary outfits (other than waders) for beginners and entry level registrants. Pre-registration is required for borrowing gear.
For further information and registration contact:

Chuck Bullington – (401) 364-9124, ext. 44 or Charles_bullington@fws.gov

[Captcastafly]

The first tying class on May 4th for cinder worms workshop is rapidly approaching. Need to pre-register before classes start. Generally there is no walk-ins due to limited space. Last year we had a waiting list.

[Captcastafly]

Just a reminder that the first cinder worm tying class meets tomorrow, Tuesday, May 4th at the Kettle Pond Visitor Center at 6:30. This event is sponsored by the Federal Fish and Wildlife.

We have a full roster of 40 registered classmates. Apply to the waiting list gives you a chance to participate. Frequently there are a few openings along the way with last minute cancellations.

[Captcastafly]

It was like the good old glory days seeing so many enthusiastic worm tiers Tuesday night. Who says this sport is waning? Plenty of electricity in the air when Phil brought in a handful of live worm specimens from Ninigret Pond for all to view. It looks like it’s going to be a banner year for the worm swarms with the warmer spring weather. Lots of stripers feeding on these critters can be a frustrating experience as others had found out.

Next tying class is Wednesday, May 12th. We are thinking of expanding the roster past 40 for this next class. We have extra instructors. We are also looking for more experienced volunteers to take smaller groups out on Ninigret Pond Saturday, May 15th. Having smaller groups is helpful knowing that everyone would be spread out along the shore line. Knowledge of casting and knot skills is essential. Just look to the first post on this thread for more contact information. Thanks again for your help promoting this event.

[Captcastafly]

Just a reminder.....

Second tying session tonight (Wed.) at 6:30 pm for the Cinder Worm Workshop at Kettle Pond Visitor Center.

Saturday is fly fishing the Worm Spawn on Ninigret Park starting at 4:00pm.
All are welcome to fly fish. No limitation on numbers to fish.

[Captcastafly]

This is it! ...... finally a chance to tryout all those cinder worm patterns tied in class.

Cinder Worm Fishing today at Ninigret Pond starting at 4:00 pm.
There is fly gear on loan from DEM for those without equipment, but you must sign out to use it.

[Captcastafly]

We showed.... but the worms didn't?

We had over fifty five anglers strong, ready to go and waiting for the worm emerge. There was no shortange of anticipation or energy. Sorry to say nature didn't co-operate with the worms mating this evening.

It was a great night weather wise once the wind died down. A few silversides and plenty of grass shrimp around but no stripers. The spawning should continue once the temps rise and stablize.

Thanks again for everyones participation and help during the tying sessions and fishing outing. It was a great event again. Have a great fishing season.

[JSeamans]

Didn't get to meet you but saw your truck. It was good just to see the park, been going down there 15+ years but never set foot on that side of the pond. I will definitely go kayaking in there sometime.

My highlights were stepping into a massive hole at the kayak launch, bushwhacking out to the cove through trees and brush only to find if I'd gone another couple hundred feet the path would have taken me right to it, and one worm a kayaker spotted.

A good day though, at 7 I headed over to my usual seaside spot and landed a 30-incher on a heavy yellow/white clouser drifted in the channel and grabbed dinner at the Matunuck Oyster Bar.

[Captcastafly]

Sorry I missed ya Jon. Showing new anglers the basics of casting. Did see that you signed in. Glad you could make it. Sounds like you had a full day ending with a nice supper.

[bostoned]

Yes, it was a great night....weather and company wise, just if the fish would have cooperated. But it was a great time nonetheless.

I got there a bit late but finally found the place, stupid traffic. Talked to a bunch of nice fellas and actually saw 2 fish break but that was it. Not a bump or bite in sight.

Someone fishing with seaworms showed up and said that people had been catching fish earlier in the day using bait. But with 50+ fly guys around if the fish were around in numbers I would have expected at least 1 hookup.

I will have to make sure to mark this on my calendar for next year.