Week of Oct. 4th: Pre-Stocking Checklist
The New Jersey State Department of Environmental Protection Division of Fish and Game will begin the fall stocking next week. Anglers are already out, hoping for the wild brown, native brookie, or holdover before the thousands of “stockies” enter the system. Local anglers are here to tell you, the additional fish are welcome. It was a rough summer for our rivers and streams.
Several folks came into the shop this weekend and, with a knowing smile, had positive reports. Always welcome news, I gingerly probe further, seeing if they found any trout. Frankly, I have not, after fishing through Califon and heading upstream to where it gets kind of skinny, and could only find chub and one small bass.
The happier folks may have found skinnier water and had more time to walk further. WD40s and smaller caddis, tan or brown, and BWOs #18 or smaller have enticed these mini-miracles out of summer holes as recent rains have apparently ended our drought!
It’s true! The reservoirs are filled enough for the drought to be considered over. There was more than average rainfall recently and, while the South of NJ is still in a “watch,” the rest of the state’s warning is lifted.
Our rivers still feel a bit low, but they do look beautiful! Before you head out, it is good to take inventory of your gear. We have plenty of leaders, tippet, and indicators. There is more variety of fly line in stock than I can remember. Small stream rods, in 2, 3 and 4 weight have had a run recently, with Moonlit, Nirvana, Readington, and a Winston rod finding new homes.
After the coy anglers reveal their success without pinpointing their secret spot, their fly choice is telling nonetheless. Zebra midges, small olive wooly buggers work subsurface along with the WD40 and RS2s. I already mentioned elk or deer hair caddis and BWOs and would add Kayla’s Peach and yellow stonefly. AJ and Sam have worked hard to restock their killer streamer patterns which can be found on the carousel near the register. These may come in handy when the two and three year old broodstock trout are put to pasture with their “stockie” progeny.
If you are looking further north, our Douglas rods were born in steelhead country! The DXF or LRS in a 6 weight is rod enough for salmon and steelhead - I got my LRS for this reason, but added a spey rod from Guideline to the arsenal to try swinging flies in far-to-reach places. Guideline’s NT11, in a 7 or 8 weight, are built for steelhead and will cut through the wind in storms like we had last year. Visit our online shop or come by to see which one feels best in your hand.
Last essential checks are boots and waders and there is only one way to do that…get them wet. Cooler days are settling in, but if you have a leak it's best to find it now before it’s really cold. Repair patches, kits, and tubes of sealant are good to pick up before you need them and we have those too.
Ten days isn’t too long to wait, but I am hoping for one more foray to the Catskills before NJ streams become alive with sipping trout. If I get lucky and get to go, I’ll write about that next week.
See you out there,
Roy B. nj