Week of May 25th 2025: Memorial Day
Week of May 25th
This week marks our privilege to continue the 157-year old tradition of honoring Memorial Day. Monday is a day to mourn and remember those who gave their lives for the principles of democracy as enshrined in our Constitution. The brave people who lay down their lives did so protecting every freedom-loving human so that all may enjoy the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Whether you enjoy the parade in Califon, visit a memorial in your hometown, or just take a moment of silence, this is a solemn day of remembrance of our country’s foundation and those who died willing to protect her.
Last week on the rivers saw more high flows. Anglers were out soon after the flow crested and were not disappointed. The red dart and blow torch patterns are really getting a lot of attention, but don’t discount small flies in high, off color water. Small pheasant tail, beadhead or flashback, or both, can be great droppers after a larger lead fly - a giant stone or heavy mop.
The mayflies are out in abundance and the sulphur hatch especially is hard to miss. I was out in Central PA, camping in Bald Eagle State Forest, watching Penns Creek roar by with members of Ridge and Valley Trout Unlimited, guided by Pres. Jim K. In spite of the high, off color water, we all caught fish, having to explore the area for fishable waters. Like NJ, I turned my attention to the tributaries that run into Penn’s Creek and went on the hunt for brookies. They were there in abundance. The following days, fishing increasingly larger streams - the Big Poe Creek and Spring Creek - yielded several of Pennsylvania’s wild brown trout.
In the evenings the soft shoulder and slower slack water cleared up along Penn’s as it winds through the campground at Poe Paddy. Several anglers caught brown and rainbow from Penn’s along the bank using different methods - including dry flies. On the final morning of the trip, Penn’s was wadable and a few more brown trout cooperated before another round of storms appeared on the horizon and most of us pulled stumps and headed home.
Like PA, early weather this week chased many anglers back behind the bench to round out late spring and early summer fly boxes. Wednesday evening, in particular, was downright raw and wet. Still, around 7:00 PM, a short passing shower brought a sudden flurry of surface activity as the change triggered a burst of midge or BWO activity and the freezing fingers and dwindling enthusiasm were forgotten.
The drought may be officially over in most of our Garden State. The flows are exquisite this weekend and the weather is improving everyday. We are in Prime conditions right now. Stop by the shop and check out our restocked and updated fly selection. This year seems to be the year of the pheasant tail and especially in small sizes. Rio has produced very interesting variations on their nymph, wet flies and soft hackle patterns. Peruse the BWO, ISO, March Brown, and sulphur selection. Every fly in stock should fish, to be frank, but we can let you know which seems to be working based on live intel and recent experience.
The hatch is on at night - stay until past dark. Light cahill and, again, sulphurs are the ticket, when you can see them; otherwise, think midge and griffith’s gnats as the fish can key in on insects we can not see.
See you out there, Roy B.