Garden State Trout

I became a bead head fan about 15 years ago and combining the short line technique with a bit of Czech nymphing technique keeping the fly moving has been deadly for me on NJ waters. Favorite bead head patterns include the copperhead (Cooper bead head with Copper wire ribbed hares ear), Copper John, ...

With good flows and cool nights you can fish portions of the lower Musky, Flatbrook, and similar colder water streams along with the colder Brookie streams through the Summer. To me it is fishing from 6 to 8AM or at dusk if the water is cool enough. I use 66F a my max for wild bookies and 68 if I am...

I use a shortie vest that I have had for over 35 years, carry five fly boxes, tippet material, floatant, clipper, scissors and other necessities, attach my wading staff and net if I am using one, and have never felt burdened by it. I have a belt clip on retrievable net holder but never trusted it. I...

Every few years I tie a few buggers but have never caught a trout on one. I know that many anglers have a lot of success with them but since I have no confidence in the fly I use them, well, every few years for about an hour.

When was the last time Brown Trout from Hackettstown were stocked anywhere?

Also, if you must touch the fish be certain to wet your hands so as to not remove the protective coating on the trout's skin. I am a big fan of barbless also and the majority of times I never have to touch the fish but just grab the fly and turn and it comes right out with very little trauma.

Good luck on the West Branch. I have not fished there in quite a while, but the dry fly fishing was great all day and when there was a hatch it was insane.

I normally do well early season with a copperhead nymph (copper bead head copper ribbed hare’s ear), Partridge and Orange Soft Hackle, Copper John nymph, and small fluttering caddis dry flies. My only time out this season I caught a bunch of wild trout with fluttering caddis dries and one using a Co...

Hi, I am NJpatbee. I have been fly fishing for trout for 45 years and fishing for anything that swims for over 58 years. I am a former president of North Jersey TU (FSB Chapter) and I am a fan of the Big Flatbrook, lower Musky, SBR, and a number of small WTS waters. Although we have lost some waters...

Yes - I did not see another person and it was a Saturday.

If you do a little research and know what type of outfit you want you can get some great deals on-line. If you want some professional help visit a local fly shop like Shannon's in Califon where they will set you up well.

I went to my favorite NJ WTS on Saturday and was greeted by about 15 yards of large fallen trees including a hemlock with about a 3 foot diameter trunk halfway down my usual trail. I had to crawl and lift myself thrugh the barrier for 15 minutes. Howeer, the fishing was excellent with some surpising...

Glad your back!