Did Some Fishing and a Photo Shoot

Showers changed my mind at first. Instead of a Round Valley photo shoot, I would fish Bedminster Pond for a short while, then the North Branch Raritan nearly a mile below the stocking point. I caught nothing at Bedminster Pond, but did have probably a sunfish play with my worm, and something else pick it up, though I never quite felt the weight of a bass. 

I began with a large spinner. I expected either quick result or that nothing would happen, so I began worming close cover. I fished nearly 40 minutes. That place sometimes fishes well in March, and then it seems the water's got to be really warm and you catch a few just before the algae is too thick. 

It's already got free-floating algae. Some.

At Round Valley, spritzers of rain fell, and I finally decided I would subject my lens to no more. The camera itself is pretty rain resistant. (How much, though, is a guess.) I got about 35 shots and deleted more than half, but a handful are interesting. 

Still want to try for trout far from the dump spot. I spoke to one guy at the pond who had been fishing far from the stocking points. He said he's limited out every day since the 10th.

 

Climate Project at St. Michael's Farm

D & R Greenway 

Some Hybrids & Walleye in Laurie's Report

 Laurie Murphy:

The State and The Knee Deep Club have completed their Trout stocking and the season opened officially on April 10. These trout will take to trolling small spoons, Rapala husky jerks, or small spinners in shallower water along the shore lines and backs of coves. The Knee Deep Club will hold their annual Trout & Pickerel contests on Saturday April 18. Crappie fishing continues to be great, with several slabs brought in this week.  Alex Stockton weighed in with his crappie at 1 lb 7 oz, along with Kevin Cole’s at 1 lb 12 oz, and junior Knee Deeper Brooke Hughen with a 1 lb 3oz fish. Despite still being early in the season, Aaron from Lake Hopatcong Guide Service has again reported some good Hybrid Striped Bass and Walleye action at night with Chris Mackin, catching Hybrids in the 6 - 7 pound range, using suspending jerkbaits, and larger grubs and swimbaits. Aaron operates a full time guide service on the lake and welcomes anglers of all levels to come experience some of the best multi-species fishing that NJ has to offer. Walleye season at this time is catch and release only until May 1st. Bass fishing was also good this week, with Matt Teeter’s catch and release smallmouth of 3 1/2  pounds, caught on a soft plastic swimbait.  Bass season remains open until April 15th. Have a great week ...