My time in Colorado is almost done. Jess and I are starting our drive back east tomorrow, so I decided to get back into the Stagecoach Tailwaters one last time. With the access road still closed, I borrowed my neighbors bike to cut down the travel time.
The fishing started slow with temps around 15 degrees when I first arrived. Nymphing zebra midges was the way to go until about 11 o’clock when more trout heads started to look up towards the surface. Black and olive size 20 RS2’s were the next flies that took trout. At about noon, aggressive surface activity picked up and I switched over to Charlie Craven’s size 20 mole fly. This fly did the most damage and was consistently nailing the fish until about 1:30 when the trout began sipping in more of a rhythm. When this started, I still got some on the mole fly, but when I tied on a snowshoe spinner it was instant success until I left. 21 trout in total, 4 on nymphs, 17 on dries. The size range was 8-20″, great colors on the rainbows! Now back to the New Jersey for a week, some fishing with fellow bloggers Chris, Dave, and Zach, then off to the Bahamas in pursuit of bonefish! Thanks Steamboat Springs for everything these past 6 weeks, it has been amazing.
Lower Tailwaters
Middle Tailwaters
Size 20 Zebra Midge on the NoseA fiesty little guyJust over 19″ on the Zebra MidgeSize 20 Black RS2RS2 again
RS2 Hook: 20 Thread: Black Tail: Two Split Microfibbets Wing: Snowshoe Hare Foot Body: Black Superfine
This guy was just over 20″, had him on a size 20 mole flyNice hook jaw
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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