Category Archives: The Paulinskill River

The Paulinskill is one of the last unspoiled watersheds in New Jersey. It is also home to some massive holdover Rainbows and Browns. In addition to the wild and holdover trout populations in this stream there is a an unparalleled indigenous population of Small Mouth Bass. The river begins from to smaller tributaries which combine in Warbasse Junction, Sussex County; this smaller upper section has limited public access as it winds through the active and fallow agricultural lands of northwest New Jersey. Below Marksboro the river is more accessible, larger and well stocked. Moving into Knowlton township the Paulinskill joins Columbia lake before emptying into the Delaware.

The Paulinskill River, The Pequest, Trout Fishing, Wildlife Photography

Week II Fishing Report

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New Jersey Trout season is moving into its second full week and third weekend. The weather remains seasonably cool and rainy, as is expected in early April. This year is in sharp contrast to last year where the Trout suffered through low water and high temperature conditions. The waters have been warming up during the mid week and cooling of during late week heavy rainstorms.

Lesser Scaups hanging out at the proving grounds.
Lesser Scaups hanging out at the proving grounds.

Bass Fishing

First Bass of 2013
First Bass of 2013

The verbal reports are enthusiastically saying that Bass are starting to bite. I was able to land a small guy on a Wooly Bugger in the pond! Dave and Mark both reported significant sub-surface Bass activity in their favorite ponds. If it rains on Friday we will be out Bass fishing the lakes until the rivers clear up and the flow subsides.

The Pequest

The industrial revolution started in places like this.
The industrial revolution started in places like this.

I normally hit the Pequest up once or twice a year, especially the TCA, you have a good chance at hooking into a hog here. On Saturday morning, I ran the Belvedere Fox Trot to benefit Parkinson’s disease, afterwards it dawned on meto fish here. There are miles of public access right through the center of town and we have permission on some of the private water too.

The inside of George's
The inside of George’s

Though the scenery was beautiful, the water was murky. Fishing was not happening for us, that being said, Mark had a swing and a miss on the Rapala. We marched all the way down to the Delaware and fished the mouth, still no activity. Four hours of pounding water with streamers and no fish, it was time to stop at George’s for a drink. George’s sits in an old brick building, hanging partially over the Pequest. Inside is a bar structure that dates back 150 years, road signs on the wall for State Route 69, since rename Route 31 to prevent sign theft. This bar is part of authentic Warren County and you should stop here, that’s the MKFF seal of approval.

The Paulinskill

Brookie on a Mickey Finn
Brookie on a Mickey Finn

After the difficult day we had on Saturday it is always nice to return to your home waters. Despite the sunny day, the river temperature were holding in the high 40s, barely warm enough to encourage active feeding. Not to be deterred, I jumped in to some shallow slow water, which I expected to be warmer, tied on a Mickey Finn and quickly pulled up two Brook Trout.

Mark caught a Brookie too.
Mark caught a Brookie too.

Mark and Dave pulled up about an hour later, we branched out in search of new territory. The Paulinskill will hold fish year round and stocked Trout migrate up and down the river some distance. It is important to check bends in the river far away from stocking locations.

Hiking for Trout.
Hiking for Trout.
Fishing at the dam.
Fishing at the dam.

Until next weekend…check out our Paulinskill River Fly Fishing Kits, $23.37 plus tax and shipping for 16 flies and a split foam case. Everything you need to Fly Fish the Paulinskill River and we include a printed version of our hatch chart along with tips and tricks. 

Motley Crew
Motley Crew
The Paulinskill River, Trout Fishing

Dispatches From Opening Day

Day 1

Unlike many regions with large natural reproducing populations of Trout, New Jersey has something of a spectacle for “Opening Day.” Normally, anglers prefer to fish in peace and solitude, especially when seeking the illustrious Trout. If you are seeking quiet, relaxation and seclusion, Opening Day is something to be avoided. Realistically, it’s as if the nation’s most densely populated state, hosts a riverside party one-day a year. Once you accept Opening Day for what it is, a spectacle, its actually quite enjoyable.

Waiting for the starting buzzer.
Waiting for the starting buzzer.

The MKFF crew arrived early to find upwards of twenty people assembled in one of our favorite holes. On numbers alone, we were able to establish dominance at the pool, effectively holding the “worm dunkers” at bay as they coveted the prime territory our troops were holding. Nick was hysterical, issuing minute-by-minute updates as to how close we were to 8AM.

Thirty minutes of casting into a moderate sized hole with ever increasing numbers of bait fisherman is enough to drive you mad. The cool temperatures in the previous week had also made the fish a little slow. We quickly voted to move on to less traveled waters.

Not bad for the first Trout of the day.
Not bad for the first Trout of the day.

Around mid-day Mark was able to cast off the skunk, pulling in a nice Brook Trout. Simultaneously, several miles and a few towns over, Mike caught his first New Jersey Brown Trout since moving to California mid-way through last year.

Posing with his cutie.
Posing with his cutie.

Once every bit of water in the state had been walked through uncountable times we decided to stop by Dr. Ed’s party for lunch. Every year he puts together a delicious lunch of Jambalaya, Smoked Trout and Jameson Whiskey. This year Mark added his Brook Trout to the smoker.

Trout getting delicious.
Trout getting delicious.

Day 2

While everyone else slept, (after a long night of Opening Day festivities) I headed back to where we started. There may not be as many fish in the river on day 2; this is fine considering there are many less people. The weather was more cooperative, two days in the mid-sixties really livened up the Trout.

Stockie Number 1
Stockie Number 1

I took the time to set up a quality nymph rig out, using a Flashback Hare’s Ear Nymph and a Pheasant Tail, weighted with a small to medium sized sinker, the Trout wanted to feed! My rig quickly pulled up several small Brown Trout and more surprisingly a Perch!

Stockie Number 2
Stockie Number 2

As I was standing there, taking in the solitude, two children about 10 years old, walked to the other side of the river from me and took a cast. They watched quietly as I pulled up a Trout, no sooner had a minute gone by and they had a Trout on too! The one kid, wearing a pair of short Muck Boots, walks out into the stream and SPLASH, he face plants!. I chuckled to myself, it happens to the best of us, take a bath to land that Trout (He emerged from the water unharmed and holding his Trout).

Perch on the Fly
Perch on the Fly

Stay tuned for updates from Weekend 2.

The Paulinskill River

Smallies on Funday

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Now that the primary elections are complete, I have once again focused attention on generating some quality reading material for our audience. The MKFF Team East assembled in full force at the Dale’s Market parking lot on Sunday morning. Eating Dale’s Famous Breakfast Sandwich on the tailgate of Mark’s Toyota Truck has become a regular ritual for the team. In a future video blog we will evaluate the Taylor Ham or Pork Roll sandwiches available from the shores of the Paulinskill. For today, we decided to provide you (our readers), with a short synopsis on Fly Fishing for Smallmouth Bass with info on the species, techniques, flies, and river conditions.

When Nature Calls The Bio Wipes Are Ready

Conditions

Early in the season we reported on the low water levels and high temperature. Fortunately, conditions have changed. On June 11, in Blairstown, the river is flowing at 160 CFS. I neglected to take the temperature, however, what I can report is that the temperature is in the higher range of optimal for Trout. Evening thunderstorms are ideal for controlling the river temperature.

Mark And Kuhn Fishing A Slow Run

Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass occupy a habitat similar to that of Trout; they are more amenable to a wider variety of water temperatures. Thus, you will locate Smallies in watercourses with sand or gravel bottoms and cool, clean, and clear water. In the Paulinskill, when the balmy summer heat forces the Trout into the cooling springs, Smallies occupy the territory vacated by the Trout.

Smallmouth Bass

Juvenile Smallmouth Bass feed on Zooplankton and Midge Larva. The adults feed on Crayfish and other aquatic invertebrates. The adults typically reach sizes of 12 to 15 inches, possibly reaching a maximum of 24 inches. One to two pounds is the typical weight of an adult Smallmouth.

Baby Turtle Hanging Out Riverside

Tactics

Smallies that make the Paulinskill their home tend to hold in a few key areas:

  1. The shade of overhanging branches and logjams.
  2. Behind large rocks and other obstructions in the stream.
  3. Areas of visible current or runs.

I have found that Smallmouth Bass will feed on almost all of the same flies that the Trout will consume in similar sizes. In addition, the Bead Head Woolly Bugger, preferably green with some flash, size 10 or 12, pulls fish out of the Paulinskill.   Rainbow Trout Pulled Out Of A Cool Section Of River

Bragging Rights

As I indicated above the water temperatures and conditions were optimal for the full range of Paulinskill River species. Special shout out for Mike’s Bass Grand Slam!

  • Mike Busteed – Smallmouth, Largemouth and Rock Bass
  • Mark Beardmore – Smallmouth, Sunfish, Brook Trout, Shiner
  • Christopher Kuhn – Smallmouth, Rainbow Trout, Sunfish
  • Deborah Walters – Smallmouth, Sunfish
  • Dave Boynton – Smallmouth
    Green Woolly Bugger With Tan Marabou

     

Fly-Fishing for Smallmouth: in Rivers and Streams