It was the middle of August, and I was out fishing with some friends. It was extremely humid, and the temperature was in the 90s. If it were not for the ceremonial gesture of getting the boys together for one last fishing trip with our friend before he moved away, I doubt any of us in our right minds would have chosen to be out there. It was oppressive. The guy working at the baitshop even busted on us a little for fishing in such unbearable heat. I joked that at least we wouldn’t run into other fishermen at our spot.
I knew the first chill of late summer would be here soon, the one that transitions to early fall. Hooded sweatshirts get pulled out of the closet, and the city will come to life with college students. It won’t be long until we see pumpkins on doorsteps and Freddy gloves at CVS. As the days get shorter, the trees get more colorful.
Rhode Island has a wide variety of trees in its forests, which makes for amazing foliage that draws people from all around. Autumn in New England is incredible, but unfortunately, it usually disappears as fast as it sweeps in. I can think of a few ways to soak it all up in the short time we have before it turns into winter.
There are few things more calming and serene than a kayak trip on one of Rhode Island’s great rivers. In the fall, against a red and orange backdrop of foliage, there are a number of excellent places to drop in for an afternoon on the water. Various parts of the Blackstone River in Cumberland, the Pawtuxet River in Coventry and the Hunt River in North Kingstown are areas I am fond of skimming through. You will probably want to work your way against the current first so the trip back will be downstream and much easier after a long day of paddling. You can also avoid that hassle altogether and just go to a pond or a lake. Lincoln Woods is a great place to drop a kayak. There is even a boat ramp with easy access.
If saltwater fishing is your thing, there will be a lot of activity around our shorelines. Conimicut Beach, the Charlestown Breechway and the West Wall at East Matunuck are some of the more well-known spots with relatively easy access. There is, however, a lot more coastline off the beaten path for those looking to explore a little more. The striped bass that migrated north in the spring are going to follow the shoreline south in search of warmer waters, and they will be bigger this time.
In freshwater, the fish are on a feeding frenzy trying to bulk up for the winter. They are on the move, which calls for a more active bait or lure. There are too many places to name, but Lincoln Woods is a good place to start. It is easy to find, easy to park and easy to fish.
Hiking is amazing in the fall. The horse trails of Goddard Park, the woods that surround Carrs Pond in West Greenwich, the trails of Arcadia in Exeter and Lincoln Woods are places I am fond of. Just find out if you need to wear any orange clothing. It will be hunting season, and some of the hiking woods could be popular hunting spots. Orange is not only safe to wear, but it is the law in some areas. Dem.ri.gov will give you specifics on where, when and how much you need to have on, and where hunting is permitted.
Whatever you do, just get out and enjoy this all-too-brief season.
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