Garden State Trout

Wondering if anyone has been out after the rain. Was thinking of heading out this weekend, however Saturday supposed to get 1" to 2" of rain into the evening, so Sunday most likely not a good day.

On the day after Thanksgiving, I went to my parents for a nice feast/bonfire. The weather was as good as you could expect in late November. I snuck away down to the brook between supper and dessert and took literally one cast and got this nice 14 + inch wild brown on a Mepps spinner. I have always found the best time to catch the largest wild browns in the middle of the day is in the late November-March time frame. In warmer weather, the big ones seem to feed mostly in low light/night time conditions. This fish was looking a bit skinny-not sure if it is post spawn or if it has outgrown the stream. If regs had allowed and I had not just eaten a huge meal, I may have harvested this fish. Alas I released him and went up to the house for pumpkin pie.

With the Covid situation worsening, this is going to be a tough winter. Lack of sunlight in winter time often leads to some blue feelings, but at least its a nice time to get together with others for some lights and holiday cheer. The summer/fall has had great weather to be outside with friends and family and numbers have not been too bad in my part of DC and Hunterdon county where my older parents live. Things seem to be closing in though-after six months of not having any cases at my kids school, they finally had one this past week and it is closed down temporarily and things seem to be ramping up in the area. While I am not super concerned about the health impact for me and my wife and kid, it does make me more worried about visiting my parents who are in good shape, but in their mid 70s. Covid could be bad for them but loneliness is also bad/possibly worse so it makes for some difficult choices. They can't get the vaccine out fast enough! Hope you all are doing well and getting out for some fresh air, fellowship, and trout!

martalus wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 03, 2020 3:46 pm

With the Covid situation worsening, this is going to be a tough winter...at least its a nice time to get together with others for some lights and holiday cheer...it does make me more worried about visiting my parents who are in good shape, but in their mid 70s.

Nice fish, but keep your logic straight here, old boy! Or, just get your holiday cheer outside around that bonfire

Sorry, i see my sentence wasn't clear! I meant that usually, despite the winter doldrums, one can find solace in the company of others for some holiday cheer. This year, its a bit more complicated.

both my friends hit creeks for browns and it was good. Water dropped back down pretty quickly. Although it did hit pretty much the highest peaks this year in some gages.

I went out before the rain. Fishing was slow, but I was part of the issue. Slow on strikes, and lazy with my tactics and tackle. Got one and missed several strikes for who knows why? There are fissh to be had, but I bet the rain moved them around....the search continues.

if anyone's fishing saturday, will be interesting since most of the rain comes tonight. Maybe another wash out like earlier this week. Best of luck

Got out yesterday. Wanted to do some exploring and try a new stretch of river so hiked into a section of the Black River I've never been to before. Was a nice and at times difficult hike in. This section of the river looked amazing and had the feeling like I was definitely gonna get into some fish. Didn't catch a thing or even get a nibble.

My parents have not left their house in over 9 months other than some important dr visits for blood work and checkups. I bring them everything I can from mail to food to prescriptions. I wipe every down, where a mask in and out of the house - even take my shoes off outside. They are very depressed especially not being able to see their grandkids. Even more depressed after Biden "won" the election.

Glad to see some of you are catching Trout. Last time out I hit the Flatbrook in several locations with no luck.

Nice size brownie, although as you stated it does look thin.

This weekend's rains should help with flows. I hope to get out this week even tho it's looking pretty chilly.