Photo Credit: Billy Black
Here's a brief bio about Fort Adams:
Largest Coastal Fortification in the United States
Built between 1824-1857
Originally intended to protect the entrance to Narragansett Bay, Fort Adams provides a visual record of military history from the 1820's to the end of World War II.
In 1799, the United States erected a brick fortress on this site. By the end of the War of 1812, the first Fort Adams was in disrepair. The burning of Washington during the war had proven the inadequacy of many coastal defenses, prompting the Fortifications Board to study the problem. Fort Adams was selected for reconstruction as a "Class A Work", and Congress made an initial appropriation of $50,000 for the task. Lt. Col. Joseph G. Totten, the foremost American military architect and engineer of the day, who later became Chief Engineer of the Army, supervised the construction until 1838. Begun in 1824, the new, third system, Fort Adams was essentially completed in 1857 at a total cost of $3,000,000.
Fort Adams was designed to defend against both land and sea attacks. Three tiers of cannons protect the East Passage of the Narragansett Bay and extensive earthworks provided protection from land assault. The walls were erected from granite shipped by schooner from Maine, and shale was quarried on site, as well as brick believed to have been made from clay obtained within Rhode Island.
The Fort was designed to accommodate a peacetime garrison of 200 and a war complement of 2400 with 468 mounted cannons, although at no time was Fort Adams ever armed or garrisoned at full strength.
* In May of 1965, the fortification complex and the adjacent waterfront property was given by the Navy to the state of Rhode Island for use as a state park. Since that time the fort has been opened for public use and partially restored. Period guns and carriages are on display. Access inside the old fort is by daily guided tours, mid-May thru Columbus Day, every hour on the hour from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
* Extra special thanks to John Stanton of FortWiki.com
Today, it stands stands ready for your enjoyment.
Photo Credit: The Fort Adams Trust
So, with that said, today it stands as one of my favorite places to fish all year around. Here's how to get there. If you have a GPS for your car, or you have one on your cellphone, enter this address: Fort Adams Drive, Newport,RI
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Photo Credit: Google Earth
The above first photo shows the road Harrison Avenue at the bottom. At the lower left, you will take a right onto Fort Adams Drive, then a right at the intersection at the first tree. Then take the second right (in front of the beach area) which is also Fort Adams Drive still, and make your way down past the old Mule Barn to the deep water launch ramp. If you have a trailer, you will have to park on the right. Pickup trucks and cars/SUVs will park on the left.
Photo Credit: Google Earth
The second photo above gives you better view of the area. It also shows you that this is where Capt. Jim Barr of "Skinny Water Charters" uses this same launch ramp for their guided fishing excursions.
Photo Credit: Google Earth
The third photo above shows you to the right of the park Brenton Cove. All those little specks in the photo show you just how congested it is with fishing boats and sailboats. This is a kayak angler's dream to fish at night! You have two options here. You either fish the cove area, or you can head out up to the point and fish that area as well.
* * * Author's Note: Please be respectful and stay clear of the other fishermen fishing at the point by not getting to close to them at night. You won't be able to see their tackle or lines flying out towards you. * * *
Photo Credit: Google Earth
The fourth photo above shows you where the ferries come & go out of the harbor area. The lighter shaded area where the sailboats are clustered seems to be less congested with underwater weeds. I have fished out and around the point to the left of the fort, but you will be pulling up a lot of sea grass/weeds as well.
Photo Credit: Google Earth
The fifth photo above shows you the tip of the park. The small lagoon area is located at the end of the park, and is usually loaded with small sailboats that you can rent for the day. I have fished this area by down the gangway onto the docks to fish this area at night in the spring. I would recommend NOT to paddle in this area at night. It's too tight an area to turn around in.
From early Spring, when the emerging sand eels take to the water, small undersized stripers are at the beginning of their feeding frenzy, the Newport Harbor/Brenton Cove area is alive with splashes of striped bass and small juvenile bluefish breaking the surface everywhere your head will allow you to see. It's an awesome sight to see at dusk shortly before the sun sets. The best way to enjoy this is by kayak. Your kayak will get you to where you want to go in between all the sailboats and power boats moored in the harbor/cove. From the cliffs next to the mansions, along the docks, along Wellington Avenue, and all the way past the Fort's point.
At the opposite end of the park there's a foghorn at the point, if you're shore fisherman, this is also a hot spot for the crowd that likes to fish at night. Some people bring coolers, while others bring a high powered lantern trying to entice some fish to bite their bait. Aside from stripers, fluke, and bluefish, there are also the not-so-popular skate present in the harbor, too. The only problem with this location, is you will have to use a cart or a small wagon, to carry your belongings out to the point. Game Wardens/Park Rangers will also do patrols at night around the grounds and perimeter - and they WILL be checking to see if you have the proper licensing with you.
If you've never fished this area at night at the end of May to early June, you have no idea what you're missing. This is by far my favorite place to fish in early spring and will continue to be for years to come! Hope to see you there sometime.
As usual, keep those lines wet & tight! - J
