Garden State Trout

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.

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.

Shameless plug - I am presenting tonight at Ramsey Outdoor (Succasunna) on Fall and Winter Trout Tactics. Lots of little tips to catch more fish.

Just sayin'

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!!!!

BillSmith wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 17, 2018 12:19 pm

Just sayin'

That's a funky conehead wooly bugger!

lightenup wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 17, 2018 12:27 pm

shamefully, a woolly bugger...

This sounds like a man I could have a beer with!

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.

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!

When, where and more than one!!!!

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!

When, where and more than one!!!!

I know a place in Tewksbury we could all meet at.....

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!

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.

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!

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.