A great surf spot to hit in the fall or when a big storm is brewing out front.
The Narrow River, actually the Pettaquamscutt River, is a little over 6 miles in length and is more of a tidal marshland. It is one of those spots that is almost always worth a look. It is on a short list of spots that I make it a point to at least check out when fishing the Gansett shoreline, and it is a spot that seldom disappoints. I really only concern myself with the mouth of the river where it dumps into Narragansett Bay at the northeast end of Narragansett Beach, but gamefish of many varieties can be found well inland. It even hosts a small over-wintering population of striped bass according to some locals.
While I was long familiar with the existence of the Narrow River, it took me quite a while to add it into regular rotation. However, once I had fished there I quickly realized its potential—especially late in the fall or when a big storm is brewing. To substantiate this fact one only needs to look back at the night of November 2, 2012 when angler Nick Gibbs landed a 58-pound striped bass on a black, 7-inch Bomber at this spot. The catch was made after the departure of Hurricane Sandy, and just before the arrival of nor’easter Athena, amid several nights of big surf and heavy rains. While catches such as this are not the norm, I know of similar catches made over the years.
Accessing the river in the fall is rather easy as parking can be had at the north end of the Narraganset Town Beach lot (The lot is open in the fall but closed at midnight in the summer.) which is located on Route 1. Walk to the surf and turn north. You can fish your way along this beach, and I have done well casting needlefish as I walked when well-defined bars and holes set up throughout the stretch to the river.
Once you arrive at the river mouth, take some time to get a feel for the waves and how they are rolling in; this can be a dangerous spot so take care when wading out on the sandbar. When/if you decide to wade out, go s-l-o-w-l-y as there is a drop-off that comes out of nowhere, and as it is made of sand it is very easy to lose your footing.
Fish can be found anywhere from up inside the bend of the river on out to River Rock. When the current is running (I prefer the bottom half of the drop and the start of the rise.) the outer water has produced the most fish for me. However, as the current slows and eventually turns to come back in, the area right around the tip of the peninsula, casting north to the northeast, should not be missed.
Any type of swimming plug like Bombers, Red Fins, SP Minnow, metal lips and so-on produce here while the current is flowing, as do live eels and large rubber baits like the Slug-Go or Hogy.
