Lower South branch float trip 5/22/2021:

[BillSmith]

Floated and fished the South Branch of the Raritan river from Camp Carr to the take out just above Rockafellows dam, about a 5 hour float trip. We caught trout throughout most of the trip. Stanton Station is beautiful, saw a bald eagle and lots of life along the river banks. Through the entire float trip we saw only 2 tires ( thank you Central Jersey Stream Team) The river will soon lose its "trout" look as the weeds on the bottom are starting to grow, then it will be prime time for Smallmouth bass.

[martalus]

Looks like a fun trip! Did you get any smallies on this trout trip? Any catch and cook on the trout riverside?

[BiggerThomas]

This is an under-rated way to fish the SBR imo. Nice job.

[BillSmith]

Very few SMB but they should become more active as the water gets warmer.

[lightenup]

any pike?

[MickyFinn]

Must have been plenty fun!

I was about to comment that you must have had low water and been scraping or running aground on the gravel bars--and then I wondered how the water level was for you?

The South Branch was actually "up" a bit on Sunday--and more turbid than it's been lately. I checked the USGS stream gages for High Bridge and Stanton. Interestingly, their was no sign of any rise in water level on the High Bridge gage--but there definitely was a rise and fall at Stanton. Why?

Then, it came to me: They must have released some water from Spruce Run Reservoir. Why?

[coaltrout]

Must have been plenty fun!

I was about to comment that you must have had low water and been scraping or running aground on the gravel bars--and then I wondered how the water level was for you?

The South Branch was actually "up" a bit on Sunday--and more turbid than it's been lately. I checked the USGS stream gages for High Bridge and Stanton. Interestingly, their was no sign of any rise in water level on the High Bridge gage--but there definitely was a rise and fall at Stanton. Why?

Then, it came to me: They must have released some water from Spruce Run Reservoir. Why?

we floated saturday, yes we scrapped bottom a lot.
No pike, havent seen one yet in the SB but that day we didnt exactly float over the spot where they normally are (from what i hear)
SMB were in deeper water.
We saw a lot of beds (sunfish or bass?) yet nothing was on them/bedding, perhaps finished up and done.

[BillSmith]

Water release come from 2 places, the pumping station that gets Round Valley water and releases from Spruce run. They release water for the water intakes in Bridgewater and also to stop saltwater encroachment near New Brunswick. I'll look for the schematic (I lost it) that also shows releases from the back of Round Valley.

[BillSmith]

Found it

[lightenup]

I have heard of and seen many pike in the Camp Carr area..