A lot of fishing clubs organize take-a-kid-fishing days, when members gather to take children fishing in private boats. Sometimes they catch fish. Sometimes they don't.

Afterwards, they generally have a cook-out, and the clubs' commitment to children is fulfilled for another year.

West Bay Anglers is different.

Each year, the small club raises enough money to take children on several fishing trips aboard the Seven Bs, a party boat out of Point Judith.

Working with Russ Benn, skipper of the boat and the Rhode Island Party and Charter Boat Association, the club is planning nine trips this year. By fishing with the Seven Bs professional crew, everyone generally catches fish.

With only 30 or so members, West Bay Anglers has asked larger fishing groups for a hand, says Jeff Barker, but no one has stepped up.

So once again, the club is relying on individual anglers to participate in its fourth annual Rhode Island Striped Bass Tournament, scheduled to run May 31 to June 7.

Cash prizes are $500 for the winner, $300 for second place and $200 for third. The entry fee is $25, and proceeds benefit a summer-long program to take kids fishing aboard the Seven Bs party boat. Prizes will be awarded June 7 at the Warwick Fraternal Order of Police on Tanner Avenue.

Details are available at tackle stores and the club's website, www.westbayanglers.org.

New rules workshop

Regulation changes for hunters and freshwater anglers will be discussed at a public workshop Wednesday evening in Wakefield.

The state Division of Fish and Wildlife is proposing changes to permit requirements for fishing tournaments, boating regulations for state launching ramps, and the deer-hunting limit on Prudence Island. The agency is also recommending a pheasant-hunting weekend for children before the regular hunting season opens.

There are several proposed changes to hunting regulations, especially to deer-hunting rules, said Lori Gibson, a wildlife biologist for the state. Lotteries will no longer be required to hunt state lands on Prudence Island or the Francis Carter Cooperative Archery Deer Hunt. The proposed quota on Prudence Island has been reduced to 50 deer. The agency remains committed to managing the growing deer population by focusing on hunting female deer, she said.

Most of the other changes are strictly date changes reflecting the calendar shift.

The agency is also proposing regulations to govern the use of air-gun rifles for small game species.

The workshop is scheduled to start Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Stedman Government Center on Route 1 in Wakefield.

A public hearing on the proposed regulations is scheduled for June 10 at 7 p.m. in the Warwick Police Department's Community Room at 99 Veterans Memorial Drive in Warwick.

Copies of the proposals are available online at www.dem.ri.gov, by clicking on "Regulations," then "Proposed Regulations," then "June 10th Public Hearing" from the homepage. They are also available on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at DEM's Division of Fish and Wildlife office at the Stedman Government Center at 4808 Tower Hill Rd. in Wakefield.

Celebration of ducks

Bruce Lewis, president of Ducks Unlimited, is coming to Rhode Island for the state's sponsor event June 12 at the Dunes Club in Narragansett.

"I look forward to attending the Rhode Island event," Lewis said. "Thanks to the hard work of DU volunteers we can utilize opportunities to conserve important habitat on the East Coast."

Approximately 400 people are expected to attend this year's dinner.

Ducks Unlimited (DU) has saved 305 acres in Rhode Island, and the state organization has more than 860 members. DU work in Rhode Island conserves wetlands that benefit waterfowl and other animals in the Atlantic Flyway, a major migratory corridor.

Weekend adventures

This weekend, the L.L. Bean store in Mansfield, Mass., begins a weekly series of "Walk-On Adventures" for customers to try such activities as fly casting, kayaking, GPS treasure hunting and other sports. Each session costs $15.

L.L. Bean provides equipment and transportation to the activity site. Register at the store, at 280 School St., in Mansfield.

Walk-On Adventures program schedules are available by phone at 800-559-0747, ext. 37222, or online at www.llbean.com/ods.

tmeade@projo.com /401-277-7340