Tag Archives: spring

Have You Ever Seen The Rain?

Spring arrived quickly this year; there was no melting snow to supplement the water level of the streams here in New Jersey. That being said, Trout season has been charging hard out of the gate. As I write this, glancing at the weather forecast, we should be receiving a substantial downpour this evening into tomorrow. With luck the low water issue will be rectified quickly.

Accidental Carp

A month ago, Larry Chandler posted a blog titled, “Carp on the Fly.” Whilst pondering that piece, I was stoked on the idea of hooking into a Carp. In an average year, Carp are sought during the warm summer months when other fish are not biting. Friday after work the Moose Knuckle Fishing Crew dropped in at the Black River to rip a few lips. Water at the Kay Pond was a mere trickle. Returning to the point I was throwing the Moose Knuckle Fishing Wooly Buggerwhile slow strip retrieving easily along the mucky bottom. There were stocked Trout nibbling on the Bugger, I simply could not land one. Then along came this juvenile Carp, my first Carp on the Fly.

Carp On The Fly

Smallmouth Bass are Biting

Anticipating the downpour to commence on Saturday I met up with my fishing buddy Chris on the Paulinskill. Again the water was warm and sluggish, we have already addressed the lack of rain issue. Chris and I each pulled up two trout; my two were on a size 12 March Brown Nymph and the Wooly Bugger (fly is so hot right now). The feeding activity was sluggish much more so than last weekend; likely the result weather and low water.

Cute Little Smallmouth Bass

While Trout may not thrive in the current conditions, Smallmouth Bass sure do! During warmer months, the Paulinskill is an exciting Smallmouth fishery. When the Trout hide in the refreshing water of natural springs, Smallmouth veraciously feed. Looking forward to many good days this summer.

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Up Next Weekend: Live Updates From Sanibel Island Florida

Rippin’ Lips Jersey Style Weekend II

Following Tuesday’s Slay Ride, the Moose Knuckle Crew was out again on the streams of beautiful Northwest New Jersey. The water levels are more indicative of early summer than mid April. Nonetheless, the trout do not seem bothered by the missing water. There are bountiful quantities of Trout in all the streams around here. Across the state, most anglers swear by the size 14 through 18 Hare’s Ear Nymph. In addition, I have caught ample trout on the Mickey Finn, Gray Ghost, Moose Knuckle Fly Fishing’s Woolly Bugger, and the Hornberg Wet Fly.

Moose Knuckle Fly Fishing Black and Coffee Wooly Bugger

South Branch of the Raritan

Saturday, the crew met in Califon, New Jersey to visit out friends at Shannon’s Fly and Tackle. At present, the South Branch is low, thus the fish are weary of the anglers seeking them. We had limited success down in the Gorge with a mixture of wet flies, the Coachman, and a Brassie. Additionally, it was reported to us, the stocked Brook Trout were going bonkers over a dead drifted White Wooly Bugger. Here I will give a shout out to the Califon General Store and their Jersey Devil Sandwich. After eight hours of fishing it hits the spot. If you enjoy spicy Horseradish combined with delicious Roast Beef, like myself, you need to try it! Overall my fishing was mediocre, pulling just one Brook Trout and one Rainbow Trout. Others in the crew did better than me.

Blairstown

Sunday brought the team to one of my personal favorite places to fish, the Blairstown section of the Paulinskill. This slice of water, above and below Paulina Dam, is generously stocked with sizable Trout. Furthermore, the water supports year round Smallmouth Bass, Crappie, Sunfish, Perch, and various warm-water species. It is conveniently located near Dale’s Market, renowned for their Dale’s Famous Breakfast Sandwich and The Blairstown Wine Gallery, a liquor store with a bar within 30 feet of the Paulinskill. Remember to support local business when you are out fishing, the big chain stores make enough money.

Yellow Perch ate a size 18 Copper Brassie in the Mud Pool

Approaching the stream, I had a good hour of pools to myself before Mark arrived. I prefer to tie on a colorful traditional streamer, for example the Gray Ghost, in order to prospect for some lunkers and determine what lies beneath. This is a tried and true tactic in the Paulinskill with its long, slow and meandering pools. Off the bat, I hooked into a few Rock Bass; a mediocre fish to get the rod bending, as always I was there for a Trout. I commenced dead drifting the Gray Ghost whilst performing a varying speed strip retrieve. Soon enough, Rainbow Trout on, the fight was intense and aerial. Rainbow Trout on hooking, shoot for the moon and when they do, they spit the hook right back at you. Following this epic loss, I tied on a Hornberg Wet Fly, executed the requisite drift, and caught a nice Brook Trout. This fly was real hot, many strikes, I just could not hook one into the mouth.

Blairstown Bow

Mark an expert Bass Fisherman, was on site to spin fish. Subsequent to witnessing a Trout gulp a top water Dry Fly, he will be joining us Fly Fishing soon enough. Mark’s day was a solid recovery from Saturday’s lack or Trout. I was casting my Wooly Bugger about 50 feet from him and it appeared he had taken a big cast and been snagged. I found it strange for him to snag, he had on an intermediate sinking two inch Rapala. Then there was action, the line was moving! The “snag” was a fish, and a large one! Mark, an avid Bass and Salt Water angler, had hooked his first Brown Trout ever. Not only was it his first Brown Trout ever, it didn’t even fit in my net!

Mark Beardmore’s First German Brown

Dry Flies Finish Strong

Continuing on after Mark’s fish of the day, it appeared as we moved upstream that small intermittent hatches were occurring. Some Trout would randomly rise to take small flies from the surface. Not being able to directly match the hatch, I tied on my size 14 Coachman and enticed a few strikes, while missing all hook sets. Reasoning that a Coachman is a good attractor fly, I tied on my CDC and Deer Hair behind it. The Brook Trout really loved this combo and they came after it, though it still proved difficult to set the hook. Finally, I moved downstream a bit and was able to lip hook a Brook Trout. Upon reaching the goal of a Trout on a Dry Fly, we packed up and walked back to the truck.

Brook Trout ate a Moose Knuckle Fly Fishing CDC and Deer Hair behind a Coachman

Until next weekend:

Mother Goose was not pleased with our choice of fishing holes

Going Green For Twenty Twelve

Great food and service with a smile at Spring Creek Guest Ranch

Rumor had it the fishing was good on the Green River in late March.  Therefore, a weekend trip had to be made to assess the situation for myself.  An A and B trip was the plan and we took off after work on Sunday to get on the river first thing Monday morning.  Instead of camping that first night, we got a room at the Spring Creek Guest Ranch and stayed in luxury.

There’s something awe inspiring about rivers large enough to take a drift boat down that gets you every time.  Especially one with such a robust history of exploration as the Green River.  Although the river is nothing like it looked like in the 1800’s, mans’ impact has made the Green River below Flaming Gorge one of the most prolific trout fisheries in the United States.

Ted and Aaron stopping to fish an eddy
Healthy brown
Ted showing us how its done

After copious quantities of alcohol and several fish, day one had to come to a close.  Beautiful weather and the most ridiculous midge hatch I had ever seen we’re some of the highlights of the day.  Below are some from the night and the following day.

Jefe taking it all in by the fire
Best dinner on the river I've ever had
Best breakfast I've ever had on a river trip all thanks to Ted
Aaron getting prepared for Day 2
Jefe examining Matt's catch
Day 2 also had a pretty incredible midge hatch

Matt admiring his catch on his hand crafted YUM

All good things have to come to an end

In closing, the rumors aren’t true and you probably shouldn’t come here.