Rhode Island Fly Fishing Guides

Fly Fishing In Rhode Island

Rhode Island might be a tiny state, but it’s big in fish. The state lacks the huge lakes and reservoirs of many other states, but the smaller lakes with Rhode Island’s borders provide some excellent opportunities for fly fishing. There are also numerous streams and rivers that offer some great angling.

Off the coast, many opportunities for saltwater fly fishing arise, along with scores of Rhode Island fly fishing charters to take you to the hot spots.

Saltwater Fly Fishing In Rhode Island

Along its coast, Rhode Island includes river mouths, sounds, inlets, flats, islands, and tidal creeks and rivers. Offshore are ledges, artificial reefs, deep pockets, and the blue water of the Gulf Stream.

Perhaps the most popular saltwater species with anglers is the striped bass. These fish grow very large and provide heated battles when hooked. The record for the state striper is held by a 75.4-pound giant, which is a new record. The old record was 70 pounds. The current record was landed near Block Island. Many Rhode Island fly fishing charters target stripers.

Another popular fish with inshore and nearshore fly fishermen is the bluefish. Blues are extremely aggressive feeders that are often found in large schools. When they get into a feeding frenzy, they’ll attack almost anything. Once hooked, they make lightning runs, changing direction frequently. If you think you’d enjoy some of this action on the fly, book a fly fishing charter in Rhode Island.

Fly Fishing In Rhode Island

Freshwater Fly Fishing In Rhode Island

Many fly fishermen “cut their teeth” on trout, and Rhode Island provides some excellent trout fishing. Species include brooks, ‘bows, and browns. The state record brookie weighed 3 pounds, 12 ounces, and the record rainbow weighed in at 11 pounds. The state record brown trout weighed 7 pounds, 5.5 ounces.

Lakes in Rhode Island that have good numbers of trout include Tiogue Lake, Wallum Lake, Barber Pond, Beach Pond, Watchaug Pond, Wyoming Pond, Hopkins Mill Pond, and Stafford Pond.

Trout streams in the state include the Beaver River, the Branch River, Winsor Brook, Adrich Brook, the Blackstone River, Log House Brook, the Chepachet River, the Saugatucket River, the Pawtuxet River, the Wood River, the Ponaganset River, Dolly Cole Brook, the Harris River, the Moosup River, and the Flat River. Rhode Island fly fishing guides know where quiet streams are brimming with trout!

Landlocked salmon can be found in Beach Pond and Barber Pond. Salmon can also be found in some of Rhode Island’s rivers.

Rhode Island doesn’t leave out the bass fishermen, either. Both largemouth and smallmouth can be found here. The state record largemouth weighed 10 pounds, 6 ounces and was landed in Carbuncle Pond. The record smallie weighed just under 6 pounds and came from Wash Pond. Most of Rhode Island’s lakes and ponds contain bass, and some of the best are Echo Lake, Watchaug Pond, Indian Lake, Beach Pond, Stafford Pond, and Wardens Pond. Fly fishing guides in Rhode Island who chase bass are your best bet for landing a “hawg.”