A few weeks back now a few friends of the MKFF crew took a trip up to the Adirondacks to get away from the city and rip a few lips. High expectations were felt throughout the cabin as the crew started to roll in. However, the day before is when I had arrived to take a quick day trip up to the Ausable River with my brother-in-law as the ladies stayed behind to catch a few rays. Not knowing what to expect, I prayed for a slammin day with a good friend and a few beastly trout. My expectations were met pretty well.. Here’s my story…
The Day BeginsFirst Cast Beaut
Baetis Dun
After a few hours on the Ausable, and a handful of nice trout, we decided to call it a day and head back to the house, the babes, and the beverages. The next day, however, would show the true force of the bass fishing in the Adirondacks.
The Cabin. Heaven.Overcast and Cool? Deadly Popper WeatherThe Three SistersFly Fisherman Take OffDaves Typical CatchMark Chipping In
Everyone SHUT UP! I Caught A Fish
There is a lot going on in this picture and I approve of it all
All in all the weekend birthday break was a blast. Can’t wait for more adventures with the MKFF crew! Tune in next week for the lips that are ripped off of Block Island!!!
Ice Fishing is coming to a close once again in Northern New Jersey. A fun season with a few memorable catches and of course many fun times that we won’t forget. What can we say, we can be lazy fishermen too! Setup your lines, grab a seat, wait for a flag! Heck, that sounds pretty nice to this angler. However, the season is ending and the trout are waiting for our arrival. So ladies and gentlemen, let’s follow this bloggers lead and get out there and catch some fish please! Opening day in New Jersey isn’t for a few more weeks yet, but that doesn’t deny us the opportunity to get out there and test our lines, flies, and attempt to remember how to shoot a fly. Needless to say, the MKFF crew took to the river and has begun testing the waters for you all. A short bit about my first adventure into the rivers of Northern New Jersey for you all to enjoy and to help get pumped up for the upcoming trout season!!
Still some snow left on the Earth when i went out, but that just makes me push on harder, wanting, determined to catch a beautiful trout to kick off the Spring (well, upcoming) season. As I walk through the wilderness, I come upon the perfect little nitch of Van Campens Glen. Desolate. Hidden. One of those spots you dream about finding and can only hope to one day see in real life. I set up my 6 wt. fly rod, grab a 22 Bead Head Serendipity, slowly make my way into the water and cast out just above a downed tree upstream. Cast after cast I can see 3 fish checking out my fly, but they just don’t seem to be buying the ‘tasty’ treat I present to them.This in mind, I decide to to change up my fly. On goes a 24 Black Stonefly. First cast with the changed fly really seemed to have piqued their curiosity. Hit after hit the fish can’t seem to choose whether or not this is the meal they want or not! Finally, after much hesitation and false hits, I finally have a taker on the line!! After about a minute or so of a small fight, I have the first fish to the beginning of the Spring season. A beautiful 15 inch trout on the end of my line and I can do nothing but smile. This is going to be a great season.
Number One
So begins the new season of fly fishing. Ending Ice fishing with a bang and beginning trout season with a thud? Sounds like the ending and beginning of a kick ass season. Stay tuned for some more fun adventures and awesome fish from the MKFF crew!
I sit here compiling this blog entry, hoping, that these passing thunderstorms finally break the humidity and usher in pleasant early fall weather. The topic for today’s installment is exploring the pristine headwaters of northwest New Jersey. Due to a bit of foresight and a failed government dam project, a large area of Warren and Sussex counties consist of protected state and federal parks. These forested areas protect much of the cold-water fisheries of the area.
Key to fishing a small mountain stream like this is determining where the Trout are holding.
As early as Monday, most of the streams were flowing at under 20 CFS. As result of the thunderstorms we have experienced, the area is again fishable. Infusions of the fresh, cool water have certainly livened up the Trout.
Setting Out
I drove around in my FJ conducting ever-important reconnaissance on the varying water conditions in the region. As we have previously discussed in an earlier New Jersey wild trout streams blog, not all sections of water will produce Trout. I have found it is useful to review maps and aerial photos to determine likely Trout holding areas ahead of time.
Abandoned Remote Fishing Cabin
Holding Areas
In a mountainous environment, Trout will hold in a small number of places. Key indicators of trout suitability are depth, coolness, and availability of cover. These areas can be summed up as follows:
Head and Tail of Long Pools
Large Rocks
Deep Undercut Banks
Bridge Abutments
This Bridge Abutment Held Fish Along Both Sides
The conditions of headwater streams will vary depending on season and water levels. Experimentation generally works well as there is no set method that will work to catch fish.
Success
When approaching a new target, I prefer to throw general attractor patterns. In the late summer and early fall, an indicator fly should be set up with a dropper. The options for indicators in a Brook Trout stream include; Tootsie Roll Ants or Royal Coachman trailed by a Midge, Hare’s Ear Nymph, or a Purple Prince.
The Mighty Creek Chub
I took my initial cast and had a hit, then several more. The fish hitting were way to small to set the hook into. Migrating into some bigger water, I was able to land one of the little Creek Chubs. Continuing down the tail of a large, Hemlock shaded pool, I had a beautifully colored Brook Trout dancing on the end of my line.
This Brook Trout Inhaled a Royal Coachman
More MKFF Coming Soon
As we move into the fall, MKFF will be providing up to date blogs on all the activity from fall stocking season. Keep checking back for more!
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