South Branch strikeout

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SBRtool
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South Branch strikeout

Post by SBRtool » Wed Oct 17, 2018 7:56 am

Finally got out for the first time in forever. Started at old Claremont TCA and than hit a bunch of spots from Long Valley down to the KLG. Avoided an old go to where one side of the river is public but new owner on the other side likes to give me a hard time and didn't feel like the headache. Probably fished for a total of 4 hours but covered a lot of ground and moved quickly. Didn't catch a thing and I'm not sure I ever got a bite. Most excitement I had was setting the hook into a few leaves. Also hit the Musky yesterday. Water was pretty clear but water was high and moving pretty fast so I didn't stay long. Hope others having more luck than me.

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Rusty Spinner
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Re: South Branch strikeout

Post by Rusty Spinner » Wed Oct 17, 2018 10:09 am

Water temps are dropping and fish are moving into their fall and winter pool habitats. Low and slow is key. Think lots of weight and dragging bottom until next spring.

FYI - this is the 5 year drawdown for Lake Hopatcong, so the Musky's flows will be artificially high into November, regardless of rain.
"A sinking fly is closer to Hell" - Unknown

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Rusty Spinner
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Re: South Branch strikeout

Post by Rusty Spinner » Wed Oct 17, 2018 10:10 am

Shameless plug - I am presenting tonight at Ramsey Outdoor (Succasunna) on Fall and Winter Trout Tactics. Lots of little tips to catch more fish.
"A sinking fly is closer to Hell" - Unknown

BillSmith
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Re: South Branch strikeout

Post by BillSmith » Wed Oct 17, 2018 12:19 pm

Just sayin'
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lightenup
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Re: South Branch strikeout

Post by lightenup » Wed Oct 17, 2018 12:27 pm

Fishing has been tough on the SBR, I managed a few hard fighting rainbows in the Gorge Monday...iris caddis and shamefully, a woolly bugger were the ticket. One of the fish was a large left over bow that fought very hard for 3 to 4 minutes, several runs and a couple jumps..it was a blast on the Hardy reel...bzzzzzzzz. Other than Monday, I managed one trout in 2 weeks, a wild brown, so that was worth it. Just sent my year old leaky waders back to Simms, so any serious trout fishing is out until they are returned, hopefully not leaking. Waders suck!!!!

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Drossi
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Re: South Branch strikeout

Post by Drossi » Wed Oct 17, 2018 2:59 pm

BillSmith wrote:
Wed Oct 17, 2018 12:19 pm
Just sayin'
That's a funky conehead wooly bugger!
You're NOT worthy
Purveyor of the dark art of the long rod
slingin' cane

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BiggerThomas
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Re: South Branch strikeout

Post by BiggerThomas » Wed Oct 17, 2018 9:19 pm

lightenup wrote:
Wed Oct 17, 2018 12:27 pm
shamefully, a woolly bugger...
This sounds like a man I could have a beer with! :lol:
"Most anglers spend their lives in making rules for trout, and trout spend theirs in breaking them."

-From Letters to Young Fly-Fishers, (1926) Sir George Aston,

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BiggerThomas
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Re: South Branch strikeout

Post by BiggerThomas » Wed Oct 17, 2018 9:20 pm

Rusty Spinner wrote:
Wed Oct 17, 2018 10:10 am
Shameless plug - I am presenting tonight at Ramsey Outdoor (Succasunna) on Fall and Winter Trout Tactics. Lots of little tips to catch more fish.
I remember John Collins presented winter fishing techniques years ago...still have his handout.
"Most anglers spend their lives in making rules for trout, and trout spend theirs in breaking them."

-From Letters to Young Fly-Fishers, (1926) Sir George Aston,

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lightenup
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Re: South Branch strikeout

Post by lightenup » Thu Oct 18, 2018 3:25 pm

BiggerThomas wrote:
Wed Oct 17, 2018 9:19 pm
lightenup wrote:
Wed Oct 17, 2018 12:27 pm
shamefully, a woolly bugger...
This sounds like a man I could have a beer with! :lol:
When, where and more than one!!!!

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Rusty Spinner
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Re: South Branch strikeout

Post by Rusty Spinner » Thu Oct 18, 2018 3:31 pm

lightenup wrote:
Thu Oct 18, 2018 3:25 pm
BiggerThomas wrote:
Wed Oct 17, 2018 9:19 pm
lightenup wrote:
Wed Oct 17, 2018 12:27 pm
shamefully, a woolly bugger...
This sounds like a man I could have a beer with! :lol:
When, where and more than one!!!!
I know a place in Tewksbury we could all meet at.....
"A sinking fly is closer to Hell" - Unknown

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lightenup
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Re: South Branch strikeout

Post by lightenup » Thu Oct 18, 2018 4:54 pm

Rusty Spinner wrote:
Thu Oct 18, 2018 3:31 pm
lightenup wrote:
Thu Oct 18, 2018 3:25 pm
BiggerThomas wrote:
Wed Oct 17, 2018 9:19 pm


This sounds like a man I could have a beer with! :lol:
When, where and more than one!!!!
I know a place in Tewksbury we could all meet at.....
Who invited you? lol...McDonald's doesn't serve beer. but I guess we could make an exception. ;)

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Rusty Spinner
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Re: South Branch strikeout

Post by Rusty Spinner » Thu Oct 18, 2018 6:31 pm

lightenup wrote:
Thu Oct 18, 2018 4:54 pm
Rusty Spinner wrote:
Thu Oct 18, 2018 3:31 pm
lightenup wrote:
Thu Oct 18, 2018 3:25 pm


When, where and more than one!!!!
I know a place in Tewksbury we could all meet at.....
Who invited you? lol...McDonald's doesn't serve beer. but I guess we could make an exception. ;)
That's what I like in a drive-thru! :lol:
"A sinking fly is closer to Hell" - Unknown

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coaltrout
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Re: South Branch strikeout

Post by coaltrout » Sat Oct 20, 2018 7:05 pm

I haven't touched the SB for trout this year yet. I fish the lower stretches. Last year it was really good for fall trout but this year pretty poor for spring.

The stocked trout are starting to get hungry. Good fishing coming up these upcoming weeks. But a minor delay once these leaves fall in mass.

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