Garden State Trout

I will be working in CT myself, so no RVTU Opening Day Shenanigans if they are holding it this year for me. But I expected a few to mention it. Off to Mass. tomorrow for some survey work. Hope many of you have plans to get on the water soon.

I'll skip Saturday, will be out Sunday morning for a couple of hours.

Not much crew left here
I wait until the week after stocking ends for the locations I like. I have to drive too far to wait in a line.

46er, I am in the same boat as you. I have to drive 11/2 to 2 hours to get to the South Branch. So I do not start until May to fish. Now with the price of gas I may not even fish this year. I will see what is going to happen with the gas prices. Bill the Mailman

Vance, the GIS map the state has is a big help this year as it is easier to find location's closer to home, pretty surprised with the number, but none close by have any boulders in the off color water There is always the Toms. A fellow from PA put together a very nice map for that state.

NJ - https://gisdata-njdep.opendata.arcgis.c ... 35/explore

I'm going to be out for the opening bell. It's what I've done for 49 years running, no need to stop now. Tradition and memories. If I catch anything that's just a bonus.

Drossi wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 10, 2026 8:26 am

I'm going to be out for the opening bell. It's what I've done for 49 years running, no need to stop now. Tradition and memories. If I catch anything that's just a bonus.

Good luck, with the low water it's going to be a blood bath.

will start the season off monday. have no time for the BS on opening day madness

Have fun for all that are headed out. It's T minus five minutes and counting....

cappy wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 10, 2026 3:45 pm

Good luck, with the low water it's going to be a blood bath.
[/quote]

It wasn't at least for the hour or so I was out. The nice weather brought out a lot of people but I only saw two fish caught. I got a nice holdover rainbow and I saw 1 other guy catch what looked to be a brown. Otherwise there was mostly people walking around putting the fish off.

Good to hear Drossi, hopefully most of the Trout scattered throughout the stream.

My only fishing thus far in '26 has been ice fishing. I plan to get out at some point this week, likely over in PA. Hendricksons are starting to hatch on local rivers and streams.

Rusty Spinner wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 13, 2026 8:44 am

My only fishing thus far in '26 has been ice fishing. I plan to get out at some point this week, likely over in PA. Hendricksons are starting to hatch on local rivers and streams.

Hey Rusty, with your busy work schedule/traveling just wondering which streams in PA are worthy of your time?

cappy wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 13, 2026 5:31 pm

Rusty Spinner wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 13, 2026 8:44 am

My only fishing thus far in '26 has been ice fishing. I plan to get out at some point this week, likely over in PA. Hendricksons are starting to hatch on local rivers and streams.

Hey Rusty, with your busy work schedule/traveling just wondering which streams in PA are worthy of your time?

I fish McMichael Creek more than any other PA stream right now. But we just landed a job this Summer on the West Branch of the Lackawaxen which will get some angling attention this year as well. I also hit some NY rivers like the Neversink and others in that area. We have open projects in MA, CT, NY, PA, VA, and NJ, so lots of water for me to fish when I bother to find the time. And I have my annual Trout Louts trip later this month into early May. Our 26th year together on the West Branch of the D.

Haven't fished McMichael Creek in many moons. Hope you make out soon.

My Son tried the Toms yesterday, said the tree damage from the winter storms is everywhere. No room for even a roll cast. He saw only 2 others and they were walking out complaining Doubt if it will get cleared as I am not aware of any canoe/kayak rentals for that river anymore, the annual canoe race is set for 8/1. Great news for the trout

46er wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 15, 2026 8:13 am

My Son tried the Toms yesterday, said the tree damage from the winter storms is everywhere. No room for even a roll cast. He saw only 2 others and they were walking out complaining Doubt if it will get cleared as I am not aware of any canoe/kayak rentals for that river anymore, the annual canoe race is set for 8/1. Great news for the trout

I do know the Toms TCA needs a lot of woody debris. I'm guessing these downed trees are largely dead ash? Wood = good for fish, bad for fishing.

The Jersey Shore TU has a cleanup scheduled for Saturday the 18th.

https://tu.myeventscenter.com/event/Jer ... nup-115552