Garden State Trout

Got out yesterday on the Pequannock (not fishing, just a late lunch along the river). There were the occasional Hendrickson coming off and a bunch of BWOs along with varied caddis and plenty of midges. I saw two rises were all, but it was cold and they were likely feeding below the surface. This colder weather seems to have slowed the early hatches on local streams. What are others seeing?

I haven't been out since Monday evening nor have I been near a river during the daylight hours since then. So I've seen zero bugs. Good to know the hendricksons have started popping though.

Drossi wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 10, 2025 1:18 pm

I haven't been out since Monday evening nor have I been near a river during the daylight hours since then. So I've seen zero bugs. Good to know the hendricksons have started popping though.

Normally, once the Hendricksons start, they don't stop until they are done. This is one of those years where they launch for a day or two, then stop for a few days, then come off again when it warms up. Hopefully it warms soon and they get going good. I'll be up on the upper Delaware and in PA streams soon as well, so haven't been in NJ much myself lately fishing wise.

They had snow last night in the Pocono's, more to come this weekend.

Went out this morning, plenty of Trout, no bugs.

cappy wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 11, 2025 7:47 pm

Went out this morning, plenty of Trout, no bugs.

It should happen the next few days, possibly this afternoon for starters. Temps mostly over 50 in the daytime finally.

I was out yesterday on the Musky hoping for some top water action. Went down to Hampton. The water was a little higher than I thought it would be. Lots of caddis on the water but nothing rising or splashing. Made a move to Mansfield. Nothing hatching! I did manage a half dozen or so on nymphs but it was a slower day than I had hoped.

the royal coachman wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 15, 2025 7:17 am

I was out yesterday on the Musky hoping for some top water action. Went down to Hampton. The water was a little higher than I thought it would be. Lots of caddis on the water but nothing rising or splashing. Made a move to Mansfield. Nothing hatching! I did manage a half dozen or so on nymphs but it was a slower day than I had hoped.

We forget how cold it got at times this past fall and winter. As we all know, hatches rely on "degree days". The warmer it is, the sooner bugs hatch. We had a below average temperature winter around here, and the insects are delayed as a direct result. Some years, the Hendricksons are done by NJ's opening day. Not this year. That hatch should happen mid afternoon today and throughout the weekend. You can attend church for Easter and still have ample time to hit a local stream for the hatch by 3pm.....

I am off next week and should be out Monday or tuesday. i was going to ask what is going on but it sounds like i got my answer.

joe_panella wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 18, 2025 2:22 pm

I am off next week and should be out Monday or tuesday. i was going to ask what is going on but it sounds like i got my answer.

Joe,
I've been seeing Hendricksons on PA and NY streams. I have not fished for trout in NJ since '23 myself. It's getting harder and harder to catch stocked trout (in any state). Guess I'm a wild trout snob, but what can you do? What I haven't seen yet is a really good hatch that gets every trout in the river up and feeding. But it will happen one day soon.