He is calling the weekend "Shallow Water Striper University." It will include a panel of experts known for their ability to catch big bass on light tackle. The series of seminars is scheduled for Mar. 12-14 at the Sheraton Motor Inn in Warwick.

"This weekend-long event will be the first of its kind ever held where the entire focus is totally on how to find and catch more striped bass," White said.

"An all-star line up of experts will teach you how to become a better angler as they share their secrets for success." Several of White' fellow charter-boat captains will appear, including Joe Pagano, Blaine Anderson, Pat Rena, Ed Hughes, Jack Sprengel, Jerry Sparks, and Dave Cheiffo, as well as big-bass specialists Mike Laptew, Dave Pickering, Billy "Eel Man" Nolan, "Crazy" Alberto Knie, and Steve McKenna.

"Topics will include rigging and fishing soft plastic lures, fishing live bait, live eel fishing, menhaden fishing, fly fishing, kayak fishing, controlled depth fishing, tube and worm trolling and a lot more," White said.

Friday evening will feature a pool demonstration on fishing soft plastic lures effectively by White and Herb Reed, owner of Lunker City Lures and the creator of Slug-Go, Fin-S and other lures. Hot dogs and beer will be free on opening night.

The event is scheduled to start March 12 from 4 to 9 p.m. It will continue March 13 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and March 14 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The cost is $89. Proceeds will benefit RI Kids Special Olympics. Seating will be limited to 130 people, and White said, "Everyone who registers will receive a tackle bag worth at least $35 in value."

Register by mail by sending a check, payable to Shallow Water Striper University, to Wood Boat & Motor, 3630 West Shore Road, Warwick, RI, 02886 or stop by Ocean State Tackle in West Greenwich or Quaker Lane Outfitters in North Kingstown.

For more information, call Jim White at 828-9465.

On Barber Pond, left to right, Mike Barner, Nick DelBrocco, and Don Culp found fishing relatively slow today.

An icey breeze of preparations for Super Bowl parties -- something kept fishermen off the ice today. Several ponds in South County were virtually abandoned.

Two 8-pound trout reportedly came theough the ice at Barber Pond, according to Don Culp of North Kingstown who fished there today.

His friend, Mike Barner, hooked a large salmon today, but he couldn't get the fish out of the hole. The fish had taken a shiner.

Nick Del Brocco, another member of the North Kingstown ice-fishing trio, caught chain pickerel on shineres. On a jigging rod, he fishes a rig that resembles a tautog set-up, with a sinker on the bottom, and two dropper hooks above the weight. One of the hooks is about 12 inches off the bottom, and the other was higher.

Barber Pond, on Route 2 in South Kingstown, was stocked with Atlantic salmon and trout earlier this winter.

"For 34 years, outdoor enthusiasts in New England have looked forward to the Worcester show to help them get ready for the upcoming season," said show director Jonathan Sauers. "The wealth of experience and knowledge represented in our seminars and clinics is second to none.

"Whether it's the all-star line up of nationally known guest speakers or the hundreds of guides or factory representatives, there are easily 500 lifetimes of hard-earned "smarts" represented. Every exhibitor and guest speaker is here to help you succeed in the upcoming 2010 outdoor season."

Bass fishing, a favorite among many expo-goers, is well-represented. Mark Zona of ESPN's Greatest Fishing Show, and Tim Horton, one of the top all-time money winners on the professional bass circuit, will share their secrets of success.

New England's own father-son bass team, Steve and Joe Lucarelli will be on hand Sunday with techniques from novices to tournament anglers. "Steve and Joe are fresh off another incredible tournament season with over $300,000 in career earnings," said Sauers."Everyone can learn something from this great line-up of bass angling pros.

"Saltwater anglers have the opportunity to learn new tips and techniques from many of the best teachers that New England has to offer.Capt. Jim White, the monster fish expert; Mike Laptew, the underwater videographer and Dave Pickering, Rhode Island's poet laureate of saltwater angling will all hold court at the expo."

The American Sportfishing Association's "Advanced Saltwater Seminar" is scheduled for Feb. 13 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Instructors include nationally recognized experts such as Blaine Anderson, Mike Laptew, Jim White, "Crazy" Alberto Knie [pictured here] and Dave Chieffo.

"This is a hands-on approach to saltwater fishing." sauers said. "Everything from the boat to the surf will be covered." Advance registration of $50 is required. The $50 includes a four-day pass to the Expo. Go to www.sportshows.com under Features to register.

Show hours are Thursday and Friday from 12:30 to 9:00 p.m.; Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.. and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $11 for adults and $3 for children under 12. Children under five are admitted free. Discount coupons are available on the show's website.

Rick Cady saw a pair of eagles at Lake Tiogue over the weekend, and Thom Pelletier found a pair roosting near his house on Black Rock Reservoir. Both lakes are in Coventry.

Yesterday, birdsonthe.net reported a bald eagle sighting over the Providence River, near Bold Point in East Providence.

There have been more sightings in the skies above Warren, Barrington and Bristol.

Eagles come to southern New England ahead of fish that spawn in the spring, such as American shad, herring and alewives. Bald eagles prey on the fish.

The largest concentration of eagles in southern New England is at the mouth of the Connecticut River near Essex, Conn. Occasionally, golden eagles soar among the bald eagles in Connecticut.

The program is scheduled to start Feb. 15, and it will continue for seven Monday nights from 6 to 9 p.m.

"There will be six Monday nights of fly tying instruction in all, and on the seventh night we will hold our annual fly fishing spring party at the clubhouse," Ed says.

Instruction will cover freshwater and saltwater flies, and all tying materials, tools if needed, will be supplied.

The classes are open to everyone. The cost is $20 per night, and participants are not required to attend every class. "Come at your leisure, your choice," Ed says.

For more information and to register please call 401-568-3185.

Ice fishermen who braved the icy weather found a mixed bag of fishing contitions today.

Though nighttime temperatures fell dramatically, high winds Friday and Saturday kept large patches of open water on Watchaug Pond in Charlestown and many other large lakes in Rhode Island.

There were a few fishermen on Worden Pond in South Kingstown today, but the cold wind across the big pond made fishing uncomfortable for many anglers who fished elsewhere or went home.

Nearby, the much smaller 30 Acre Pond, pictured at right, had safe ice that attracted a handful of fishermen, but the bite was slow around noon.

Down the road, Hundred Acre Pond had so much open water that no one was fishing.

At Barber Pond in South Kingstown, Joe Rovinski said the bite had been very slow, but the ice was safe.Nearby, John Roderick agreed that the fishing had been slow, but he caught a few trout on mealworms.

Ken Johnson said he fished Carbuncle Pond in Coventry this morning and caught some action early, but the bite quickly died.

"While most of us think all the stripers are enjoying a southern vacation, there's quite a few bass that can't afford the trip," says Pat. "They're resigned to spend the winter in quite a few New England estuaries. Nearby, we have the Thames, Housatonic and Connecticut Rivers. Bob is going to tell you how you can have never ending striped bass fishing."

Add the Providence River to that list.

"Rod building class starts Feb. 17," Pat says. "This three session class covers all the basics and beyond. At the end of the class you'll have a custom 7-foot spin rod. Cost is $40 plus parts, which are discounted to recover the class cost. Space is limited to 8 students and reservations are a must. Call me at (860) 388-2283 for details."

Workshop participants will learn about the equipment needed to have a successful ice fishing day, the types of bait and lures used for ice fishing, and view a demonstration on how to use an auger and set up a fishing rig. The program will also review ice and cold-weather safety procedures and what to do in case of an emergency. Ice permitting, after the instruction participants will have a hands-on fishing experience on a pond stocked with fish.

The workshop is open to adults and children age six and older. All materials and hot chocolate are provided, and registration is required. Cost is $7 per person or $5 each for families of three or more. Call Kimberly Sullivan at DEM's Division of Fish & Wildlife at 539-7333 to register or for more information.

Locations to be stocked Wednesday include Carbuncle Pond in Coventry, Olney Pond in Lincoln Woods State Park, and Round Top Pond in Burrillville. Thursday, Silver Spring Pond in North Kingstown, Barber Pond in South Kingstown, Meadowbrook Pond in Richmond, and Wood River Rt. 165 to Barberville in Exeter will be stocked. A current fishing license and a Trout Conservation Stamp are required. The daily creel and possession limit for trout are two per day.

Saturday's walks will range from less than a quarter mile to more than a mile, depending on the abilities of each group, said Ed Rizy, a member of the park committee. "It's for people who like the outdoors, who aren't aware of what we have at Melville. Even in Portsmouth, there are people who don't know what's there."

The Navy gave the 153-acre tract to Portsmouth in 1978.

Since then, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and volunteers have removed rubbish, created and blazed trails and installed picnic tables in some of the most picturesque sites. Some overnight camping is allowed in a white-pine grove where a full-sized reproduction of Native American teepee stands, said JoAnne Emerson, another member of the park committee. The site is open to Scout groups only with special permission from the town. The town also owns a fully developed 30-acre campground on the site.

In the 1940s, the federal government built two large reservoirs, connected by several small ponds, to provide water to the Navy.

Today, the state Division of Fish and Wildlife stocks the two large ponds with trout. The smaller ponds between the reservoirs are filled with watercress and other aquatic plants and animals. The land around them is home to a variety of mammals such as deer, coyotes and several others, possibly even bears.

Melville Park has five marked trails, numerous side trails and walking access to the Bay, all totaling over 4.5 miles. A trail map is available online and on the bulletin board at the park's entrance.

"The walk will be held Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m.," said Joanne Emerson, a hiker who walks the trails there several times a week. "We'll have hot chocolate, coffee and a fire."

Walks will start near the bulletin board at the intersection of Smith Road and Bayview Terrace, off West Main Road.

Workshop participants will learn about the equipment needed to have a successful ice fishing day, the types of bait and lures used for ice fishing, and view a demonstration on how to use an auger and set up a fishing rig. The program will also review ice and cold-weather safety procedures and what to do in case of an emergency. Ice permitting, after the instruction participants will have a hands-on fishing experience on a pond stocked with fish.

The workshop is open to adults and children age six and older. All materials and hot chocolate are provided, and registration is required. Cost is $7 per person or $5 each for families of three or more. Call Kimberly Sullivan at DEM's Division of Fish & Wildlife at 539-7333 to register or for more information.

Gil Bell on Watchaug Pond with two big crappie he caught today

Charlestown ice fisherman Gil Bell caught two dinner-plate sized crappie on Watchaug Pond today, and he pretty much had the place to himself.

Gil also found that his honeyhole already had been drilled by some fishermen over about 30 feet of water yesterday. The holes hadn't iced over.

Gill fishes only artificial lures, and he caught today's big "calico bass" on a new Puppet Minnow that he just bought. One fish was 14 inches long, and the other was a 15-incher.

He was fishing near the state boat-launching area. Earlier in the day, he caught several stunted pickerel in a nearby cove.

Writing on Birdingonthe.net, Butch Lombardi of Warren describes a place on the east side of the Bay where eagles have spent the last two winters, and he has seen them again. He writes:

"The location is on the spit of land between Merriman's Pond and the Palmer River
(GPS - 71.17.000w 41.46.675n approx.) approximately where Warren,
Barrington, and Swansea meet. Unfortunately this is private property and the
closest public access to this area of the Palmer is the foot of Belvedere Ave.
in Barrington. Belvedere goes all the way to the water and if you look northeast
across the river this is the area I've found them in. I also photographed one
sitting in a tree on the Barrington side about 300 yards northeast from Belvedere Ave.
along the Barrington shore in '08."

The Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA) is opening its Jan. 25 fishing seminar to everyone who brings canned goods for Rhode Islanders who need food.

The seminar will be a double-header, said Steve Medeiros, RISAA president. It will feature University of Rhode Island professor David A.Bengston, discussing trends and changes in Narragansett Bay, and charter boat skipper Pat "T-Man" Renna, sharing secrets about light-tackle trolling.

Connecticut charter boat captain and striper fishing enthusiast, "T-Man" Renna is known for his innovative striper trolling techniques and tackle innovations. He is the creator of T-Man Striper Tubes and Quick Change Keel trolling system as well as a variety of angler proven lures. Pat has many years of trolling experience on the waters of Long Island Sound and the Connecticut River.

A member of the Team Daiwa Pro Staff, he has several magazine articles and television appearances to his credits. "He is a highly sought after speaker for his Light Tackle Trolling Instructional Seminars," said Steve Medeiros. "Many anglers have improved their fish-catching skills as a result of attending Captain Pat's seminars and instructional charters."

Professor Bengtson and his graduate students have studied most of the species that inhabit Narragansett Bay, and the unique ecological and environmental assets of the Bay and the Rhode Island coastline, Steve said. He has also done much research on aquaculture and other fisheries.

"He will give an overview of the predator-prey and ecological relationships that occur within the Bay, and the changes that have occurred over the past several years," said Steve. "This is the type of seminar that all anglers should attend to improve your personal knowledge of the marine environment."

Normally, the seminars are open to everyone, but non-members are asked to pay $10. The Jan. 25 program is open to everyone who brings canned goods.

Steve said, "The most needed items are tuna, peanut butter, canned beans, canned soups, stews, chili, canned fruits, canned vegetables, canned juices, canned tomato sauce, nutritious breakfast cereals, whole wheat pasta, and brown rice. No snacks or chips please."

The seminars are scheduled to start Jan. 25 at 7 p.m. in the West Valley Inn on Blossom Street in West Warwick. The restaurant starts serving discounted dinners at 5:30.

David Henault, owner of Ocean State Tackle is closing his big store at the Centre of New England shopping center at Exit 7 of Route 95.

He has discounted hundreds of rods and reels and thousands of lures and accessories so he can clear out the store by Jan. 31.

Henault says he will concentrate all his efforts on his original store in Providence. Earlier, he had announced the closing of his store in Bristol.

High fuel prices began to weaken the tackle business in 2008, Henault says. The store's poor visibility, the recession and foul weather last summer were like a volley of punches that led to a KO.