What about wetting a line in some flowing water?
I was going to forgo this outing to make a quick trip back to Atlantic City to visit my friend and co-worker Mark who took an unexpected medical leave yesterday. After I spoke to him on the phone and was instructed to proceed with plan "A", I had no choice but to comply.
Get well soon buddy - this post is for you!
Last year during a similar trip to NJ several of us tried unsuccessfully to fish the KL Gorge a fine piece of trout water between Califon and High Bridge NJ.
This is the South Branch of the Raritan River and is C&R managed fly fishing only territory.
We got blown out by a rainstorm then but the sky has been cloudy but rain-free all day today.
I enlisted the services of my trusty companion and semi-professional photographer to capture the moment. (Photos by Tracy)
The Ken Lockwood Gorge
Surveying the Waters
Preparing the Selected Fly
Tight Loops
Mending
Searching close to the rocks
Low backcast to get under the trees
"High Sticking" the pocket water
A look back
I did not land a single fish but saw a few rising just as we were leaving. In all I saw about eight other fishermen in a 1/2 mile stretch and only saw one fish caught.
The water was low and clear and the fish were educated and spooky. I'm sure I was using what probably worked "yesterday" or "sometime last week".
One guy told me that I should plan to be there "tomorrow" after the rain when the water would be a little cloudy but not too high. Whatever the magic formula, day, or time, is didn't change the fact that I got to fish in a beautiful place with all the sounds and smells of a real trout stream. What could be better?
It's off to NY tomorrow and then Lake Champlain on Saturday. I'll bet I can tempt a yellow perch or a pumpkinseed to one of my hand-tied specials. Stay tuned!
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