A small group of volunteers — including Ray Lippe, Debbie Carr and George Hadley — have joined members of the Department of Environmental Management to release about 250,000 brown-trout fry on the Blackstone River. The baby fish are from the same German strain that has proven its ability to go to sea and return to the Pawcatuck River in Westerly.

“They were nice and healthy,” said Lippe a long-time advocate for the Blackstone. “They were plump little fish that wiggled off.”

The first brown trout imported to North America came from Germany. The fry released on the Blackstone were of the Seeforellen strain, said Peter Angelone, the supervising biologist in charge of Rhode Island’s trout program. The Seeforellens’ ancestors were imported from Bavaria. Connecticut has successfully introduced them in coastal rivers. The fish go to sea and return to spawn. Biologists strip the eggs from returning females, and semen, or “milt,” from males and incubate them in a hatchery until the fry hatch.

Connecticut has been sharing the fry with Rhode Island; this is the first year Angelone’s staff has released them into the Blackstone. “It’s a pilot program,” he said. “Next year, we may release a million.”

Similar plantings have been successful on the Pawcatuck. Last fall, biologists trapped and examined about 100 returning adults at the Potter Hill fish ladder, including some 5- and 6-pounders. An angler reportedly caught an 11-pound trout below the dam there.

Rhode Island biologists do not strip eggs from returning fish. Angelone believes that natural selection will produce progeny stronger than hatchery-raised fish.

The baby trout released into the Blackstone still have sacs of nutrition from their eggs. By the time their bodies absorb the eggs sacs — in about six weeks — there should be an abundance of aquatic insects for them to eat, said Angelone.

In three or four years, when the fish are grown and ready to spawn, Lippe said, the Blackstone should have working fish ladders allowing the trout to get around the dam at Slater Mill in Pawtucket.

Seminar doubleheader

The Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA) will present a doubleheader when the group holds its next seminar tomorrow at 7 p.m. in West Warwick.

Robert Barlas, the owner of Wickford Rodworks, has been building and repairing rods for 10 years.

“It’s really a hobby that has gone out of control,” he said. “What was once something to pass the time during the winter months has turned into a full-time job.” In his seminar, he will explain the options and components available with a custom rod, and the care that a custom rod-builder takes in assembly and turning of a work of art.

Then, Armand Tetreault, owner of Rhode Island Poppers, will present a seminar on “Building and Swimming a Classic Metal-lipped Swimmer.” He will describe how a metal-lipped swimmer is built, and for those who want to try making their own lures, he’ll give a few pointers on how to turn wood bodies, what hardware to use, how to seal and paint them and where to find the necessary items. He’ll also give some advice on properly swimming them.

The seminar is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. at the West Valley Inn in West Warwick and is open to everyone. Non-members pay $10 to benefit the RISAA Marine Fisheries Scholarship Fund.

Hardwater tournament

Gerry Fournier is launching a benefit ice-fishing tournament in Harrisville on Feb. 2. The event will be on a private pond on the Crystal Lake Golf Course.

Crystal Lake holds bass, pickerel and perch. Opportunities to fish there are rare.

The entry fee is only $10 per person. Some of the money will go to a prize purse, but most of it will benefit Between The Cracks. The fund gives money to residents of Burrillville and Glocester who need financial help for whatever reason.

This winter, Fournier expects an increase in calls from folks who need help paying high heating costs.

Crystal Lake Golf Course is on Route 102 in Harrisville. The tournament is scheduled to run from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. There is no preregistration. Just show up to help our neighbors and enjoy a day of ice fishing on a private pond.

Dinner for the birds

The Ruffed Grouse Society’s Rhode Island chapter has scheduled its third annual fundraising dinner for March 8 in West Warwick.

In three years, the society has donated $5,500 to the state Division of Fish and Wildlife for research and habitat improvement, according to Ed McGovern. The fish-and-wildlife agency has been creating conditions to promote the growth of young trees in “early successional” forests that benefits wildlife on state lands. Meanwhile, the society is working with the owners of private lands to develop habitat for upland birds and other wildlife.

After their dinner, the local chapter will offer a silent auction and a live auction with works of art, guns, hunting gear, and gifts.

The event is scheduled to begin with cocktails at 5 p.m. Dinner will be served at 7 p.m. at Ivy Garden, formerly Evelyn’s. Tickets cost $50 for a membership and dinner, and $25 for a guest. For reservations, call McGovern at (401) 539-3178.

tmeade@projo.com