A Sad Place Named The Musconetcong

Yesterday Afternoon I hooked up with Aaron on the Musconetcong River out in the area of Asbury. I really haven't been out on the Musky Since I was a kid..( My Father had no issues with tresspassing into the private waters with his son) Now as an adult I realize why we had to tresspass in order to catch fish.. Whatever little section of public land we fished yesterday was an insult.. At either end we were cabled in like caged animals.. When we first arrived we noticed the slobs fishing bait had there stringers half full, near there limit complaining the fishing was slow..Well Hmmmm maybe its slow because there all in your freezer, I thought and I knew Aaron was thinking the same.. I really think some rivers in NJ should have a delayed Harvest, (Extend the fun a little)...Should the musky be one? I don't know but I know a few rivers that would benefit from it.
In are travels looking for fishable public land we drove through a very strong sulphur hatch, but we never found a fishable spot. We both managed a few, Aaron did quite well despite the lack of fish...I must admit the musconetcong is crap, its either the bait guys clean it out or there's five signs on a single tree warning about tresspassing, Its a Joke!
http://i928.photobucket.com/albums/a...Picture006.jpg A Caged Jasper

http://i928.photobucket.com/albums/a...Picture005.jpg
http://i928.photobucket.com/albums/a...Picture004.jpg

I think that some of these guys have no idea that there is no such thing as a trout fairy that comes and puts fish in for them to kill. What they do in that stretch of stream us disgraceful. The best was the guy who was begging about getting his six all season long and that he was having trouble filling his stringer that day... I mean for him to act surprised that the fishing is declining shows a major lack of intelligence :)

You guys can't really be that upset over some people taking fish legally. I don't think there is a issue with people taking fish. The reason why states stock fish is to get license sales. The trout fairy by the way is the hatchery. They come every year sometimes twice a year and sprinkle some trout in rivers, lakes and ponds.

I have been down this road before but ...

What confuses me the most is how the same fishermen that complain about the lack of fish in a stream or how short the "season" is, many times are the same with their freezers full of trout. I believe there can be a balance between the art and harvesting. I haven't "harvested" in about 10 years but I don't think it is wrong either. We need to continue educate the public respectfully and kindly, especially youth.

There is a major difference between harvesting fish and hoarding. The best part was that he was complaining about the lack of fish.

You can respectfully kill a fish here and there, but keepng limit after limit on a daily basis is disgusting. I don't care if it's your "god" given right, or because you own a license you can keep them. It's both wrong and unsporting, as well as selfish.

Unfortunately, people either throw back their catch, or try to kill their limit every time. There really aren't many people who are in the middle category.

IMHOP the issue is more about how folks were introduced to fishing than anything else. You can't blame folks for hording, harvesting, catching & eating, or whatever you may call it. Many anglers/fishermen starting out fishing, started out wrong. "I'm going fishing to get a meal". Sometimes, its for themselves, family or even friends. I rather teach a person to catch their own than bring them a bunch of fish I caught.


Imagine if those of us who fish pretty frequently always kept our limit every time out that would be devastating here in NJ. When I show people pictures of where I went, and tell the stories of what I did all they say is nice pic's but did you eat the fish or who did you give them too?

P.S. Just because its legal doesn't always mean its right. It's your choice and if your following the rules I can't be mad at you, but don't expect me to listen to your bickering about a lack of fish around.

The practice that gets me is when bait fishermen catch fish after fish in a catch and release area. I would almost rather see them put two on a rope and leave. The way they work the fish over just to save a hook and then drop the stunned trout in the water is unacceptable.

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