Fall Stocker Scene

Got to the river at sunset with my two-weight TFO and began casting upstream of anyone else, discovering that my bodacious shrimp streamer had too much weight to cast on that rod. So I tied on a beadhead black Wooly Bugger, and though at first I had a little difficulty casting that, too, I compensated and from thereon it was a little rough but functional.

I covered some water, mostly just enjoying the water and the heavy sound of insects and getting into various patterns of jigging, stripping, and drift. Warm temperatures meant I took off my jacket and remained in short sleeves. Even as it got dark, I felt comfortable.

Nothing ever hit, but I spoke to two young guys who had a couple. The fall stocking had people out fishing in force, and I felt impressed by the guys with head lamps that came on as darkness fell. I was far from the last guy out.

New Jersey Trout Fishing  

Native Brook Trout Action

Oliver Round and I planned on the trip for many weeks, since sometime in August, I think, when October 6 seemed that other world of fall. I thanked him when it finished, especially because he had selected a brook new to me. It certainly has native brook trout, although I'm unclear on whether or not any wild browns. It flows into Pohatcong Creek. That might make you wonder if any browns swim upstream, although the brook is very small. 

We did find a brook trout fully nine inches long or better--the mouth of a watersnake clamped on its tail. I grabbed the snake and held it in front of the active GoPro on my head and Oliver's phone. The snake dropped the trout before he could snap the shot, and I quickly flung the snake aside into the water, it's wide-open mouth having gone for my arm. That snake had very powerful jaws. The trout was sort of towing it around, but the snake would not let go.

I'll post the video on YouTube at a future date.

To add an interesting catch to the story, I had seen the trout duck under a crevice and I was setting up to target the fish--possibly I would wait it out until my presence became part of its environs--when suddenly that snake came out from underneath with it. I thought at first it was an eel.

Oliver caught his on a dry fly. I hooked one on a sinking ant with a little red on the body; Oliver got a good look at the fish and said it was bigger than his. I will never forget the flash of silver catching sunlight as it struck. 

One of the photos below shows a strange brook trout between a leaf and the clump of leaves. Must have been sick. Would not spook. 

After we thoroughly fished the range we had from where we had parked, we drove on downstream and found a very interesting spot. It was the only one, because private land upstream and down was an access problem. I caught seven or eight chubs; Oliver caught one. With polarizers, he sighted eight brook trout stacked underneath two logs. Repeatedly, we tried to get sinking flies to them, but although chubs kept hitting, the trout stayed put.

It makes sense that if you know about holes holding trout on a given stream, you can come prepared to stalk the fish very carefully and even sit and wait long before making the first cast. We were happy to do some exploring today instead.

The elongated grey patch is a brook trout.

 

Pohandusing Brook

 

Knee Deep Walleye Derby Report

 Laurie Murphy:

The Knee Deep Club held their last contest for 2020 this past weekend for walleye with 22 entries. First place went to Bob Smith with a 5 lb 4 oz walleye winning $178. Second place went to John Moran with a 4 lb 9 oz, winning $107, and Lou Marcucci took third with his 3 lb 7 oz walleye, taking home $ 80 . Gift certificate winners included Jack Dziduch with his walleye weighing 3 lb 1 oz, Bob Smith Jr with a 2 lb 3 oz fish and Roger Cole with a 2 lb 1 oz. fish. Jr member Mateusz Dziduch won the rod & reel combo with his walleye. Knee Deeps next contest won’t be until January when hopefully there will be plenty of ice. Keep your fingers crossed … Hybrid Striped Bass continue to hit the liver & Crappie are being caught on smaller herring or small rubber jigs and yellow perch are starting to hit also. Jigging with ice rapalas has just started for walleye and Hybrids and should continue thru November. We are  well stocked with them, so stop by to check them out. They may be a little pricey but they do work well.  We are open with boat rentals thru the end of October and will continue with just bait & tackle with shortened hours into December so please call ahead. Please stay safe & well … Have a great week !