Lopatcong Creek surprises

[Chris Smorul]

I was bored today so I took a walk down to the little creek to see what changes were brought by the recent high water. The first thing I noticed was the orange fence near the sewer authority. From what I gathered the creek had washed out the steep northern bank far enough that it destroyed a portion of an underground storm line. There were sections of large diameter terra cotta sewer line lying in the creek and the 2 ends of the line were portruding from the bank. What used to be a rather large tree fall that had damned up the creek for the past 4 years was now gone and several nice looking runs were now in its place.

A little farther upstream I saw more evidence of the high water. Many large trees had fallen across the creek and another large logjam had been washed away. I saw many opportunities for some tight fishing that weren't there last year including a deep pocket between a few logs.

My favorite run hadn't changed but just up from it the northern bank had risen causing the stream to become fast, narrow, and deep. I can't wait to drift a couple of nymphs through that water.

The biggest surprise of the afternoon came when I reconned the creek behind the old Agway store. Beavers had taken up residence and were in the process of cutting down some saplings.




I even saw one swimming in the creek. He spotted me and smacked his tail on the water and disappeared into a hole in the opposite creek bank.

A little farther upstream the large retaining wall had collapsed into the creek, the large blocks of stone now provdiing excellent structure in the large pool that is there.

It looks like the creek has taken on a new look. I am going to have to learn it all over again.

[frankm]

Amazing how those little fellows work. Hey Chris now you have a new stream to figure out without traveleing