New Jersey Limestone 2-27

[Chris Smorul]

Fishing was pretty hot on my little creek this past Saturday. I got to the creek around 2 PM and fish for about an hour and a half. Flow was normal for this time of year, running a little high and gin clear. Water temp reading was 49.4 degrees measured midcurrent in the shade. There were plenty of midges flying around which brought a few fish to the surface to feed.

I fished a shortline nymphing rig with a size 14 french tickler as an anchor and a size 14 pineapple express as a dropper. The stream changed somewhat over the winter with some old holding areas gone and some new ones elsewhere. The wild browns have moved into these areas and are actively feeding. I caught 8 fish, all on the dropper. The major hatch in this creek consists of sulphurs and I believe the pineapple express goes a long way to imitate their larva. The browns hit hard and I had some nice little battles with a few of them. Size of the fish ranged from about 7 inches up to the monster 12 incher that bent my rod nicely.

One great thing that I noticed was that the 2 favorite holes that the bait fisherman swarm during the put and take season had for the most part filled in. No other sizeable pools had formed however the current had dug out some nice pockets that are perfect for polish/czech nymphing.

I apologize for the lack of pictures. I have decided that this year I am only going to photo fish that are extraordinary and just release all others as quickly as possible.

[Chris Smorul]

That was Sunday, not Saturday.

[AaronJasper]

Well done! You must agree that it's funny to hear New Jersey and limestone stream in the same sentence. Then you throw in wild trout and it really confuses people! New Jersey does that that though

[tim_y]

Nice to hear that you got out. I think we'll all agree that if you're willing to put in the work, there are little gems everywhere. In regards to the stream changing, you should see what happens to the Esopus each Spring. The entire river changes. Even the rocks that are the size of VW Bugs get pushed around. You can never rely on you're favorite hole being there and you have to relearn everything each year. Unfortunately, it will probably be blown out until June with this rain.

[Chris Smorul]

One of the nice things about this stream is that because it is so small even after a torrential downpour it becomes fishable in a few hours. You can literally watch it become clearer.

[H Dot Verseman]

looks like you had a nice day, good work.

[Chris Smorul]

H,
I am probably gping to fish the creek again on Saturday, weather permitting. Let me know if you want to hook up.
Chris

[Chris Smorul]

Report from 3/18

Water temp measured 51.4 mid current in the shade at around 11 AM. Creek was flowing high and clear. Tons of midges around with a scattering of olives from time to time. Took 2 small browns in the deeper current on a BH olive nymph.

[frankm205]

Nice Chris, I can't wait to fish in 50+ degree water again. That must have been sweet!

[Chris Smorul]

This stream has 2 major and countless minor springs that feed it. The spring water percolates out of the ground at 55 degrees. It never freezes during the coldest winter months and I have rarely taken a temp reading over 63 degrees during the summer. Oh, and the spring water is quite a refreshing drink in August when you are sweating your butt of inside your waders!