Striped bass certainly are the main reason I fish! but before I got the salt taste, I was an avid trout fisherman.

Rhode Island has the best stocking program on the east coast bar none! The average trout are 15 inch fish and weigh 1 to 2lbs.On ultra-light tackle they are a handfull in a roaring spring river. Up until about 1986 I never missed an opening day.It was a blast,we would camp out the night before and have one hell of a cookout,play cards all night and shoot the breezz.Then, early in the AM We would put on the gear and wade into the wood river,It was peacfull and relaxing,The steam rising up off the river and the crisp spring air.It would only take about 30 minutes to limit out on some hefty trout! After that it was catch and release until we had enough.

Then we would head over to the nearest country breakfest spot and chow down!! Tasted great! After an afternoon nap it was time to cook the trout for dinner.

I have freinds that work at the state hatchery's and they tell me the fish are healthier and bigger than ever! Two weeks after opening day all the class A Trout ponds and streams get "stocked" again.It makes for some greta fishing.

Why am I saying all this? Because it is a great way to kill time between the school bass arrivals,especially with the cold spring we are having.

Depending where you go for trout,the secenery is fantastic! and it certainly beats the view's at the providence river.I gurantee you wont be reeling in someones septic-tank overflow baby ruth bars in the wood river or the carolina trout pond (Carolina was my favorite pond)

Rhode islands trout fishery is 1st Class!! All the way.The fish are big and hungry and the fresh air is great! Im not saying there better then bass but , they are as fun to catch as any micro-bass from the "crowded" west wall...........

Good to hear about the trout, and it may be an alternative for some (maybe next year). And it does beat the shoulder-to-shoulder of the West Wall...

I've never been to the state hatchery but American Fish Hatchery down near URI is excellent. Clean , water. Big , beautiful trout in at least 3 varieties (rainbow , brook and brown). We used to do the opening day scene down at Abbot Run which is actually in MA but a short bike ride (when I was a teenager) down the road from me. Funniest thing was that on opening day , it was hard to get a spot but just one week later , you could have the place to yourself.

#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^& you are so right RI has the best stocking program around and as usual CT sucks . You can count on 8 to 12 in fish in Ct with the occasional bigger fish . They usually restock about 2 weeks after opening day but with just small fish . Last year I was in a river when the stocking truck pulled up next to me I moved up river and fished that section when they left caught over 100 trout that morning many recaught time and time again but not one was over 10 inches . I wish they would do away with opening day and still stock the rivers , just to many fools on the river that weekend . I had to vent a little since this will be a topic of conversation this month here in Ct .

#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^& I'll be there ,doing my annual with Bo C , you probably know him /hes from the beach /He commericial fishes with #^&#^&#^&#^& S, has a 23 seacraft. anyway we go to the summer place of the well known local that now just does mounting// great place ,no crowds put in your canoe downriver in the Wood. have some fun and we get back his parents always have coffee and goodies// nice day good ,good people//later