Floated the Pequest with my son on Saturday!

[dcabarle]

I figured it was time to bring my son out for an all day trip. We left Friday evening and stayed at the Capra Inn. (They offer a reasonably priced shuttle service). Saturday morning, woke up, picked up my ship, then went to the car wash. The shit this thing picks up over the winter is incredible. I'll have to clean it again next week. After the car wash, we made our way to the river but I should have really stopped to pick up some rusty spinners. I kept saying to myself, You better stop and get some. Sometimes you have to listen to yourself. I pulled into the boat ramp and as I'm getting the boat ready and getting my gear together, I realized that I carry wayyyy too much shit with me when I fish. It takes me 20 minutes to load the boat up and get it in the water.

I didn't expect expect Justin to pick up the fly fishing thing immediately so I brought a spinning rod with us to ensure he'd have something to do while watching me try my new T&T rod out (I'll save this for another thread). The weather was pretty good all day long and bugs were on the water all day long and to top it off, the trout were loooking up all day long. The wind wasn't terrible either. It was blowing and blew hard at times but it was reasonable.

There wasn't a shortage of rental boat idiots on the water (Mainstem of the Pequest). There should be a class for these idiots prior to renting a boat. I had a few different people run my fish over multiple times. I'm just happy there were heads all day so this didn't pose too much of an issue and I remained calm while trying to teach Justin how to cast. Aside of the rental boat retards, we were even run into by some kid in one of those single seater boats. Yeah his father apologized but you know... It's a pretty big fucking river, there was no reason whatsoever to be so close to ANYONE. I kinda wish he woulda fallen out of that thing just so I could watch his father get hurt trying to save him. (the water was only knee deep so I don't think it was too much of an issue.)

We hooked into a few trout which I quickly handed Justin the rod and tried to help him get the hang of controlling a trout. It wasn't until the end of the day we actually brought his first brown to the net. I call that a success to see him holding his first trout and having that nice smile on his face.

I think the day may have been a little too long for him so next time I take him out, it will only be for a few hours. He said he had a good time but wouldn't want to do it for 9 hrs again. I think he'll come around. I'm just happy he was able to bring the fish to the net by himself otherwise, I may have lost him.

So here's the picture I waited to take all day long!


1 thing... If you rent a drift boat, don't float in the direction that someone is casting, especially if there is plenty of river on the opposite side. Someteimes it's understandable that it can't be avoided but come on... A little courtessy is all anyone could ask for.

 

[G Lech]

Way to go dude!
Now wasn't that better than hockey practice?

 

[AKSkim]

After reading that maybe you should bring back the Beetle.

NAWwwww.. just kidding.

Great fishing trip report.

 

[BIGBOW]

Great pic and trip report. Did you mean the Del river? Im only aware of the Pequest in NJ and that pic is somewhere else. Maybe Im wrong, I know the water is low as heck on the Pequest in Jersey right now and Id think unfloatable.

 

[GARYB]

Glad you had good time with son.
He almost is hugging that trout like the beetle

 

[JeffK]

No, it's the Pequest in North Newbistan.

But seriously, Nice to see that smile on your son's face. I raised three kids and have taught youth fishing and canoeing and my advice is to take it easy. Kids love the outdoors and most parents need to get their kids out there more. You are doing a great thing. However, you can burn kids out. Keep trips a few hours. Go to places where the fishing is easy even if the fish are small or are stockies - kids don't care, they just want to hook up. Mix it up with some side activities. Hike to a nearby waterfall, skip stones, catch crayfish, pick wild berries, make a fire and cook hot dogs for a break, etc, etc. These are all things that will keep a kid interested in going outdoors, but not make it all about fishing. Kids need to be mid/late teens before they get the attention span you have. The whole outdoor thing should be an adventure and a good bonding experience from both sides.

Your son is at a good age. He will get more and more interested as he gets older until that dreaded day when he discovers girls and cars. If you did it right he will slack off a few years and then return to his roots. I'm starting to take my grandson out now and passing this stuff on is really satisfying.

 

[Future Fanatic]

How'd that fish taste?

 

[boom2it]

We floated past at the end of the day as you were taking the picture, nice job. I wish I could have fished that section it looked like nice water. We were anchored up having lunch and watched you cast for a bit earlier in the day, you know the spot, nice hole with some big fish working, unfortunately I was broken off twice and LDR another there, nice cast btw especially in some of that wind. I finally was able to get the guide to move to another location after he sat in the boat for 3 hours with his feet up while I waded behind the "middle rock" (we were there at least 2 hours before you got there). Spinners worked nicely end of day. I would have liked to see more of the river and fished a few more spots but my guide seemed to have his two favorite spots to stop and anchor up at. Looked like you and your son were having a good time. I had a feeling that was the you I should have introduced myself we were next next to each other for quite some time. I know what you mean about the rental boats, even trying to pass them they then turn towards you and start fishing where you want to pass, then we move and they turn again......ughhhhh.....or they start racing you down the river.....

 

[Trouser Trout]

Great you got that pic before you yelled at him for getting his line tangled.

 

[dcabarle]

Way to go dude!
Now wasn't that better than hockey practice?

I'll get back to you on that! jk

Great pic and trip report. Did you mean the Del river? Im only aware of the Pequest in NJ and that pic is somewhere else. Maybe Im wrong, I know the water is low as heck on the Pequest in Jersey right now and Id think unfloatable.

Del river? What's that?

No, it's the Pequest in North Newbistan.

But seriously, Nice to see that smile on your son's face. I raised three kids and have taught youth fishing and canoeing and my advice is to take it easy. Kids love the outdoors and most parents need to get their kids out there more. You are doing a great thing. However, you can burn kids out. Keep trips a few hours. Go to places where the fishing is easy even if the fish are small or are stockies - kids don't care, they just want to hook up. Mix it up with some side activities. Hike to a nearby waterfall, skip stones, catch crayfish, pick wild berries, make a fire and cook hot dogs for a break, etc, etc. These are all things that will keep a kid interested in going outdoors, but not make it all about fishing. Kids need to be mid/late teens before they get the attention span you have. The whole outdoor thing should be an adventure and a good bonding experience from both sides.

Your son is at a good age. He will get more and more interested as he gets older until that dreaded day when he discovers girls and cars. If you did it right he will slack off a few years and then return to his roots. I'm starting to take my grandson out now and passing this stuff on is really satisfying.

My mistake was expecting him to last through-out the day. I knew he wouldn't and I was being selfish. I'll get him out again and take most of your advice.

We floated past at the end of the day as you were taking the picture, nice job. I wish I could have fished that section it looked like nice water. We were anchored up having lunch and watched you cast for a bit earlier in the day, you know the spot, nice hole with some big fish working, unfortunately I was broken off twice and LDR another there, nice cast btw especially in some of that wind. I finally was able to get the guide to move to another location after he sat in the boat for 3 hours with his feet up while I waded behind the "middle rock" (we were there at least 2 hours before you got there). Spinners worked nicely end of day. I would have liked to see more of the river and fished a few more spots but my guide seemed to have his two favorite spots to stop and anchor up at. Looked like you and your son were having a good time. I had a feeling that was the you I should have introduced myself we were next next to each other for quite some time. I know what you mean about the rental boats, even trying to pass them they then turn towards you and start fishing where you want to pass, then we move and they turn again......ughhhhh.....or they start racing you down the river.....

Yep, I saw you on the opposite side of me. Hope I didn't disturb you. I try to keep my distance from people. There were plenty of fish in the "Cemetery Pool". That pool is either hit or miss, was was well on the other day. As for your guide... This may sound odd but I wish I had a guide who left me alone while I fished! Just row the boat and let me fish! Right after you left, the rental boat came in and the guys who followed you fished directrly over where I was fishing. I suppose I shouldn't complain too much because there were heads working everywhere but they could have move down 50 yards and had the same action. I've stayed in that pool for 5hrs at time and had to row out in pitch darkness. I love it there when it's on. The last pool you saw me at (where the picture was taken) has always been a day saver for me. Just when I think I'm going to leave the water empty handed, this pool ALWAYS produces.

The wind was tough at times but we had fun. I was using a T&T 5wt with a 6 wt line. I anticipated it being pretty windy and I wanted to see how the rod performed in the wind with a 6wt line on it. Rather well I'd have to say. I don't think I'd use the 6wt line on this rod with normal conditions. The reel I had on was an old Sage. What a piece of crap.

There on some spots on the river that are just great. Your guide knows that. He probably hates to leave rising fish because you never know what you can expect down stream. I get you though... seeing more of the river. There's a lot of great water to fish from where you were to where you were taking out. Did you get harrased by the rangers?

 

[boom2it]

no problems on where you were anchored up. I was amazed at how much line you were throwing, I guess the 6wt line can really help get through the wind, noticed you were side arming it also which I think would help too. I don't mind being left alone, but had I known I was going to wade by myself I would have just gone out alone or done my own exploring with the pontoon boat, which is what I will do next trip, that and he was a complete drip. oh well either way it was still great to be on the river, plus I learned a couple new things as far as casting and wind.
Funny thing with the Ranger, I had to take a leak so bad when we got to the pull out so I went behind the big Pine tree, was just about to drop the waders when a truck pulled down, decided to wait for it to go by, standing there with waders almost down as both rangers give me the "don't do it" look, decided to hold it until I got back to my accommodations.

 

[MACFLY]

You have to be flippin kidding me.

You can't pee in the woods...good grief this country is going into the toilet..no pun intended.

no problems on where you were anchored up. I was amazed at how much line you were throwing, I guess the 6wt line can really help get through the wind, noticed you were side arming it also which I think would help too. I don't mind being left alone, but had I known I was going to wade by myself I would have just gone out alone or done my own exploring with the pontoon boat, which is what I will do next trip, that and he was a complete drip. oh well either way it was still great to be on the river, plus I learned a couple new things as far as casting and wind.
Funny thing with the Ranger, I had to take a leak so bad when we got to the pull out so I went behind the big Pine tree, was just about to drop the waders when a truck pulled down, decided to wait for it to go by, standing there with waders almost down as both rangers give me the "don't do it" look, decided to hold it until I got back to my accommodations.

 

[boom2it]

You have to be flippin kidding me.

You can't pee in the woods...good grief this country is going into the toilet..no pun intended.

I probably could have gone further into the woods, but I was standing right next to the road behind a tree when they slowly drove past and gave me the evil eye, I decided not to piss them off :crap:

 

[dcabarle]

no problems on where you were anchored up. I was amazed at how much line you were throwing, I guess the 6wt line can really help get through the wind, noticed you were side arming it also which I think would help too.

Trust me, it wasn't the line. I'm just a master.

I don't mind being left alone, but had I known I was going to wade by myself I would have just gone out alone or done my own exploring with the pontoon boat, which is what I will do next trip, that and he was a complete drip. oh well either way it was still great to be on the river, plus I learned a couple new things as far as casting and wind.

I understand. If you're paying close to or above $400.00, more is to be expected. I saw him in the boat relaxing with his feet kicked up on the side and his hands behind his neck! I couldn't help to think, "wow, this guy has it made!" I thought it was pretty funny. I should have taken a picture. Comical!

Funny thing with the Ranger, I had to take a leak so bad when we got to the pull out so I went behind the big Pine tree, was just about to drop the waders when a truck pulled down, decided to wait for it to go by, standing there with waders almost down as both rangers give me the "don't do it" look, decided to hold it until I got back to my accommodations.

I'm sure this is a surprise to you but right at the top of the hill to the left, there is an outhouse... but damn, what's wrong with taking a leak in the woods!?!?!

 

[AKSkim]

Trust .. but damn, what's wrong with taking a leak in the woods!?!?!

Attracts bears.

 

[Future Fanatic]

but damn, what's wrong with taking a leak in the woods!?!?!

Says the anti fracker....

Who was the guide, btw...

 

[boom2it]

Says the anti fracker....

Who was the guide, btw...

Guess I could have done my own fracking, but I'm already full of natural gas. An outhouse in the upper parking lot go figure, you would think this individual would have let me know this information, another strike.
Sorry I don't think it would be appropriate to name names, at least not in a forum of this magnitude.