Quick trip
Quick trip
I was in town for a family party this weekend and am sticking around as my dad goes through some medical issues. After dropping my wife and kid off at train in Trenton (more of a dump that I remember) I stopped by Packers Island on the SBRR and slung a spinner around looking for any aggressive stocked trout that may have migrated there or willing smallies. One fish took a swipe but not sure if it was a smallie or trout. I then drove up to Califon/Vernoy for old times sake. Fish were not interested in the spinner and there were lots of rising fish so I broke out the fly rod-the last time I fly fished was in September in the Shenandoah mountains and the time before that last spring in Maryland. This past year I have really targeted shad and smallies on the Potomac. I was a little rusty but did manage a cookie cutter rainbow on a sulpher and a wild brookie on a hares ear in a short session. I may had back out this evening for a longer session. With the clear water and hatches and good water temps, this is great dry fly season. Also good to see wild brookies in Vernoy right where I last saw them 10+ years ago.
Re: Quick trip
I fish that stretch a decent bit since I moved to that area 5 years ago and a week ago I also got a wild brookie there. First one I've ever caught in that stretch so figured that was good to see.
Re: Quick trip
Its amazing-the brookie was the exact same size (about 6 inches) in the exact same place in the exact same riffle as 10-15 years ago.
Re: Quick trip
A good lie is a good lie . The fish may change but some of the spots don't . A friend and I talk about 1 spot that always has a trout in it . The trout may change , the way that lie has food funneled into it has not , and that's why there's always a healthy sized fish in it .
Re: Quick trip
welcome back temporary to Dirty Jerzey . Its like you never left but a little worse
Was known as Troutman1
Re: Quick trip
Thanks-its a bit of a bitter sweet trip-we had the first big family party since Christmas of 2019 which was super nice. My dad started chemo today which is less nice. Spending a few hours at some of my old fishing haunts does provide some solace. My brother happened to be down in DC a few weeks ago when the diagnosis came in, so the fact that we had some epic shad sessions was also the fish Gods proving some succor.
Re: Quick trip
Godspeed for your Dad's recovery man ......martalus wrote: ↑Mon May 17, 2021 3:35 pm
Thanks-its a bit of a bitter sweet trip-we had the first big family party since Christmas of 2019 which was super nice. My dad started chemo today which is less nice. Spending a few hours at some of my old fishing haunts does provide some solace. My brother happened to be down in DC a few weeks ago when the diagnosis came in, so the fact that we had some epic shad sessions was also the fish Gods proving some succor.
Was known as Troutman1
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Re: Quick trip
Those wild brookies come from a tributary above Shannon's Private Water/Raritan Inn. The private water sees a fair number of wild brookies in certain areas (where the big browns and bows don't hang) and always has.
"A sinking fly is closer to Hell" - Unknown
Re: Quick trip
I took an even quicker trip to the edge of the yard for a few casts on the home creek. Forgot to grab my polarized sunglasses and just had on a hares ear with no indicator casting up stream to the biggest hole in the stream-it is slow moving water so without the glasses and indicator, felt like I was fishing blind. Fortunately I was able to use the force and detect a strike from a healthy and feisty pan sized wild brown which put a decent bend on the old 3 weight. Thought about bringing him in for lunch but thought better of it and released him.
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