Families Search For Trout At The Ponderosa For Fishing Season Debut

Even ‘Little Joe’ Barboza had some trouble catching fish at the Ponderosa - Ponderosa Pond in Little Compton, that is - at the 2011 opening day of trout and general freshwater fishing season on Satuday.

Before the early frost evaporated and the air warmed into the 50’s at noon, just two people had shown up to the 10-acre site to fish: the Barbozas, father, Joseph, Sr., and Joseph, Jr,, the first to arrive after the official 6 a.m. start.

Red-winged blackbirds were staking out their territories in the tall reeds encircling much of the pond and a few geese flew overhead, an occasional one landing and swimming on the pond. One muskrat swam away from his den. Experienced adult anglers pointed out tell-tale circular ripples and bubbles for fish to their children.

And there were plenty of trout to be caught, insisted Walter Elwell, 60-year-plus member and President of the Little Compton Grange, which received permission from the Sakonnet Preservation Association, owners of the site, to sponsor the two-day, for kids-only fishing derby.

“We were notified yesterday the DEM had arrived to stock the pond at 9:30 (Friday),” said Elwell, accompanied by his wife, Norma. “They didn’t tell me exactly how many trout they stocked, but the minimum was 250. And they said they hadn’t fed them for a few days.”

The Elwells not only brought light refreshments such as doughnuts and hot beverages including hot chocolate, hot cider, and donuts, but there were also plenty of literature available about opening day rules, fishing facts, state records and other regulations. Walter even brought along his tackle box and a can of worms. He lent out a rod, occasionally unsnagged lines and gave out pointers to the youngsters and adults trying to help their children.

After four hours, about 30 youngsters, an equal mix of boys and girls from age 2-13, and their parents or guardians, were not able to snare a fish.

A Portsmouth grandmother, Bonnie, accompanied her grandson, Caleb, for a cross-generation family initiation. “This is the first time I ever used a pole,” said an eager Caleb, adding “I used a stick before with a hotdog.” Bonnie was thrilled, too, when she made her first successful cast.

Colin, of Little Compton, stayed for over four hours. “It is a lot of fun,” said the young teenage boy who used a variety of lures from his tackle box. “I had three or four nibbles.”

Many families arrived after they had traveled to other sites in town where they had stocked trout, such as Wilson’s Pond and Adamsville.

No matter what they tried for bait or lure, from to real worms to fake worms called Powerbait, and from tall rods that dwarfed some youngsters to others that were less than two feet long, there were just a few teasing nibbles, and some alleged sightings of the elusive trout.

“I got one, I got one,” said one, only to discover it was a weed. “I see one,” said several.” “Did you see that?” repeated many others.

Uncle Roger Guillemette of Little Compton accompanied his enthusiastic nephew, Aidan. “This is his first time,” said Guillemette, watching his small nephew focus closely for any bites or movement in the water as he reeled in the line time after time.

“It was very successful and we’ve had a good turnout so far,” said Elwell after 4.5 hours. “Some said they’d be back later today or tomorrow.”

It is an experience the association strongly endorsed, said President Abigail Brooks, noting the association would like to rid the pond of the 6-10-foot high wall of invasive Phragmites, or reed grass,  continuing to reduce open water. “This is one of only two properties owned by SPA that allows access to the public,” she said.

With weather in the 60’s on Sunday, that gave kids a second chance to make that big catch. And if a child does catch a trout, they will be eligible to apply for the “First Fish Award” certificate from the RI Division of Fish and Wildlife.

But the biggest reward kids and adults all got was just being in the outdoors sharing the experience of trying to catch a trout with family or friends. Most said it was “fun” anyways. Catching a fish: That would have been a bonus.

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