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ISO of fishing clubs on private water

M

mike999

New member
My old club is just a little to far "5 hours from Jersey" so wondering if anyone
knows of any clubs looking for members within 3-4 hour drive of Jersey. $30,000 to fish on The Brodheads is a little out of my price range and some of those waters I have made it on to, aren't so great! Pretty to look at.
Cheers
 
Why pay for the cow when you get the milk for free as there is fantastic fishing to be had all over the Brodheads as well as the other local streams . Always boggles the mind why people pay that kind of money to fish alpo fed trout. I get invited to fish the Henryville club a couple of times a year and that is enough as I like to venture on my own anyway and there are just as many if not more fish to be caught in pulic waters !! Just my 2 cents.:)


Henryville Conservation Club last I heard was $25,000 per share and $1,800 a year dues may have gone up since they aquired more stream a couple of years ago.
 
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I'm trying to count how many trips to Paradise Valley I could get for $25,000, and I have to use my toes.
 
Wow, now I don't feel so much a fool.

One of my favorite and best private waters around is Skytop's infamous Leavitt Branch of the Broadhead and no club needed. 35 buck a day gets you access to all that private water and it is teeming with monstrous trout eager to take a fly. You can even keep a fish or two if you'd like. I'm lucky enough to fish every day if i like, my wife works there, and i wouldn't trade it for any public stocked stream that has a name.

And its true, its tough to pick a private club based on their creek if you've never fished it. Try and get access to these private waters before you buy in (it's a helluva lot easier to do than you think, just gotta put some ffort into it). Makes the decision a lot easier. As mentioned before, some waters are better to look at than fish. I have access to the henryville stretch of the broadhead as well. Fish it more than most of the members. Sure, plenty of nice trout in there, but it is put to shame by say the Pohaquiline stretch of the Mcmichaels (which is semi-public now anyway). I fish Bright Creek a few times every year, this creek has that disgusting swamp gas smell and is just one massive flat mud bottomed creek, looks like crapt, but this creek can put any other to shame. I believe the bottom of the creek is made up of trout crapt with the number of fish in there, and the fertility of this creek create 16 inch native brookies. I'd buy into this one in a heartbeat (especailly that they own a private stretch of the Big-Bushkill which can make a grown man cry), but way too much to buy in. I guess its all a matter of what you want and how much you believe a native versus stockie, quantity versus quality is worth to you.

Cheap clubs are hard to come by as well. Blue Devil Rod and Gun club owns a beautiful stretch of Pocono Creek by Camelback but all they have is 10 inch native browns for a less than $1000/year dues. Beautiful creek, awesome people (heck they let me fish it for gosh sake) but it just aint worth it.

I'll be buying into a club here in the next 10 years and I know after hitting all these private creeks, I just wouldn't feel right buying into a club without actually checking out the creek (except maybe the Pocono Lake Preserve, that's my dream). Just my $.02 to add to your buy in.

And remember, there's always the Spring Ridge Club (death to Donny Beaver...booooohhhh!!!:looser:)

Dr. JM
 
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DR JM what do you mmean by semi private for the McMicheals creek. I have a house right by there and I just stopped to look at the creek and was ushered off of there property. So I am curious as to what you mean by semi private. I asked about joining and was still ushered out. Nick
 
The Raritan Rod and Gun Club on the Upper North Branch has some nice water. All you need is a few million to buy land and some old money to fit in with.
 
Other NJ clubs are the Black River Rod and Gun club in the Black R gorge up from Pottersville (I fish there now and again and it is sweet water), Angler's Anonymous on the SBR in Long Valley (seems like nearby open water to me - and their big fish do move), and Warren Rod and Gun and some other club on the Musky between Asbury and Bloomsbury (good water). Pohatcong Sportsmans' Assoc has the last few miles of Pohatcong Creek, which used to be my favorite spot before going private. Don't know how you get into these clubs, but there are some clubs with nice water in NJ.
 
If you want the atmosphere associated with a club, then some of the ones mentioned are good choices, especially if you are willing to pay the $$. However, much of the high quality water in the NW Jersey/NE PA/ and S NY region is open to the public. I belonged to a club on the Paulinskill many years ago which stocked many large trout, but found it not nearly as interesting as the open areas on the Flatbrook, S Branch, Musky, West Branch D, McMichaels, Lackawaxen, Little Lehigh, and the many dozens of smaller wild trout streams. You may be pleasantly surprised at what you find close to home (I guess your new one).

Good luck in your search.
 
trout48 said:
DR JM what do you mmean by semi private for the McMicheals creek. I have a house right by there and I just stopped to look at the creek and was ushered off of there property. So I am curious as to what you mean by semi private. I asked about joining and was still ushered out. Nick
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Yes trout, the Mcmichaels is no longer some exclusive Philadelphia Lawyers fishing club water, it is open to the public with a catch or two - only residents of jackson or Chestnuthill Twp can fish it, only one permit per person for a half day trip, FFO barbless hooks. The permits are free and also limited. Of course, if they don't check you while on the water, the permit never gets marked and you can go out again. I made it out three times this year and will probably be out again next week. The upper drainages are completely open to the public, no catch.

Look it up in the pocono record archives.

Dr. JM
 
BHC, even among all those fed trout, its the natives that catch your eye, and the upper broadhead has its share. As for the Mcmichaels, Pohaquiline for the last two years has not stocked any trout upstream of 715 in Mcmichaels - that's the stretch I adore. A few wind up in there anyway every year, but hey, its the name of the game. Wide open and roaming native trout. See, even at bright creek which is stocked well beyond the carrying capacity for the stream, somehow, the midget brookies in there survive and grow big, easy enough to tell and you know which one to take a second look at and adore.

Dr. JM
 
Hi Dr. Jim,

That is what I'm tring to say most if not all of our public waters contain wild trout of verying sizes. If that is your game why pay to fish as there are many local streams that contain exclusively wild trout and alot of them!! And the only thing it cost to fish them is your time and gas to get there much cheaper than a club fee..

As you can see in most of my post I manage to find quality fishing most every where I go both for large and small wild trout. And find and catch them consistently .. The excitement is more in the pursuit and admiring the wonderful surroundings these wild gems live in. Catching them is the icing on the cake!!Many times I have gone to a spot with intentions to fish.Only to set and watch as these little guy's go about their day undisturbed and it is trully amazing and relaxing to see!!As it has been said hundreds of times before it's not only about the fish!!:)
 
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This whole thread makes no sense to me. I mean no offense mike and others here who belong to or want to belong to these expensive clubs, but I don't get it I guess.

Why would I pay to fish exclusive club waters when I have so much public water to fish?

It can't be for the privacy, cause I can fish many spots on many rivers and rarely see other fishermen.

It can't be for numbers of fish, cause the waters I fish now have an abundance of fish.

It can't be for the beauty of the private stretch, cause the northeast has many gorgeous scenic rivers that are open to the public.

Is it for relationships with others that fish the private waters. Over the years I have made some great friendships with guys and gals I've met on the public waters. Many of them here at NEFF.

Is it cause the fish are easier to catch/less of a challenge?

Is it cause you are guaranteed fish because of overstocking?

Or... Is it so you can thumb your noses at those of us who cannot afford to join?

Cluelessdog
 
Corndog said:
This whole thread makes no sense to me. I mean no offense mike and others here who belong to or want to belong to these expensive clubs, but I don't get it I guess. Me neither

Why would I pay to fish exclusive club waters when I have so much public water to fish? because then your not "special", your with the general public

It can't be for the privacy, cause I can fish many spots on many rivers and rarely see other fishermen. that's cause everyone crowds into the defacto clubs, the special regs waters like the TCA's

It can't be for numbers of fish, cause the waters I fish now have an abundance of fish. Shhhhh

It can't be for the beauty of the private stretch, cause the northeast has many gorgeous scenic rivers that are open to the public.that would require people to do research and exploration, why do that when you can pay for it

Is it for relationships with others that fish the private waters. Over the years I have made some great friendships with guys and gals I've met on the public waters. Many of them here at NEFF.again regular people, not card carrying exclusive club members. that will not due

Is it cause the fish are easier to catch/less of a challenge?ding, ding, ding...we have a winner

Is it cause you are guaranteed fish because of overstocking?guaranteed dumb fish to stroke the ego

Or... Is it so you can thumb your noses at those of us who cannot afford to join?think exclusive golf country clubs...complete with the 19th pool so they can all sit around and pontificate about how much better fishing their club waters is than fishing with the plebs.

Cluelessdog
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Exclusive clubs are for guys with little dicks.

"What gives you the right.....to put a great big fence to keep me out or keep mother nature in....man you're some kind of sinner....
 
Google "Springridge Trout Club" or "Donny Beaver" and you should get some hits for water that Mr. Beaver leases and sells shares to fish anually.

It depends on how much loot you are willing to spend a year. You can get airline tickets to Montana for $500 round trip, get decent lodging for $50 - $60 a day, and fish for free on the Madison, Big Hole, Beaverhead, and many smaller creeks. Let's say you don't need to eat filet mignon every night so $20 should be enough for meals. A season license is about $60. A rental car about $300 per week. So for $3600 you can spend a month in MT catching lots of big fish.
 
Dr. JM said:
Yes trout, the Mcmichaels is no longer some exclusive Philadelphia Lawyers fishing club water, it is open to the public with a catch or two - only residents of jackson or Chestnuthill Twp can fish it, only one permit per person for a half day trip, FFO barbless hooks. The permits are free and also limited. The upper drainages are completely open to the public, no catch.

Dr. JM
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Its still called exclusivity even if a handful of local citizens are allowed to fish there. Funny how Monroe County Open Space Funds - which are collected from ALL Monroe Cty Twps not just Jackson/Chestnuthill - were used to acquire this "public" land. Apparently if you live in Price or Stroud Twps, your sh*t out of luck if you want to fish there. Open space funds should be used for exactly that - open space - not exclusive space.

Oh well, I'd rather fish Hypsy, Fall and Bowers Brooks anyways since most anglers don't like overgrown, tiny brook trout streams.
 
tompg said:
The Raritan Rod and Gun Club on the Upper North Branch has some nice water. All you need is a few million to buy land and some old money to fit in with.
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Tom - what details do you have about that spot? I fished there for a little while this Sunday and caught a few nice Rainbows before I got shooed out by some lady who lived across the street. Seeing as how I was parked on the street, I didn't want any harm or tickets to come to my car. However, its my understanding that all rivers are public. There were no signs posted for fishing, just no trespassing on the banks. I was fishing the middle of the river, not even keeping the fish.

I'd like to go back and get some more fishing in. Any suggestions? I'm thinking about just having my wife drop me off so I don't have the car on the side...
 
Well you got lucky if some old lady just chased you out and not the private patrol they higher to catch and prosecute people. There's not much river that cannot be seen from a house or the road so if you go with the drop off, include camouflage. I lived very close to the river for about 10 years and had my share of run ins with private warden. The folks in the area have been there for generations and the local cops will most certainly protect the local interests. It a shame because there is some pretty cool trout history in the area. One house at the corner of Hub Hollow and Mosle Rd had its own hatchery operation at one time and could again. There are cold springs everywhere in the hills and the land is still pretty unspoiled. If you go plan for the worse and let your lawyer know ahead of time. Perhaps cover of darkenss will be your best ally.

Natirar is open to the public. It's not the same below the dam butis the NBR.

Tom
 
Thats great info Tom! It really is a beautiful area, and I couldn't believe the size of the fish I caught. Its sad that streams could be used like that - basically not allowed to fish even though the rivers themselves are public. This is the response I got from NJ F&W when I asked about fishing:

Generally speaking, the waters of the state are public but the shorelines, as well as the bottoms, can be privately owned - if a person owns property along both sides of a stream they would also, therefore, own the bottom and prevent a person from wading on "their" stream. A person could float or canoe through, but not drop an anchor if the landowner posts No Trespassing signs.
You can check with our fisheries staff at 908-236-2118 to see if they are familiar with this location and what access is public. I will forward your message to that office. PT

Any more info you can send over Tom? You can PM if you want to keep the stuff private.
 
India Brook upstream and across Rt 24 may or may not be the same stream and may or may not be that good, but it does have some open water.

You could also dangle from a bridge and fish all day without breaking any trespass laws. You just need a good harness and someone to let you down easily.

I am working on a fishing dirigible. When it is finished, I will use to legally fish any public water in US. First stop: NBR, second stop anywhere Ted Turner has confiscated.

Tom
 
tompg said:
India Brook upstream and across Rt 24 may or may not be the same stream and may or may not be that good, but it does have some open water.

You could also dangle from a bridge and fish all day without breaking any trespass laws. You just need a good harness and someone to let you down easily.

I am working on a fishing dirigible. When it is finished, I will use to legally fish any public water in US. First stop: NBR, second stop anywhere Ted Turner has confiscated.

Tom
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I've fished it a few times - its much smaller water, which means smaller fish, but it does have some wild browns. They really are beautiful. Its fish like that that make you wish there was someone with you to take your pic holding the fish!! I've got more pics of my hand holding the fish or the fish on the ground than anyone should have.

Plus, nobody will give you a hard time there. Since its small, its hard to fish with someone else and if anyone else is there, you need to skip it cuz the fish will be spooked. Then, further south is the stupid posted stretch which holds great fish but is apparently owned by a phantom rod and gun club. Seriously - google ravine lake or raritan rod and gun club or ravine lake and game club and you will get like NO results. Still can't find out too much more about the place. Never seen ANYONE fishing the river either - such a wasted opportunity!!
 
I drooled over the private water on the NBR for a long time. There are some huge fish in there and I bet a few hold over and reproduce. I've filmed nice sized wild browns (8-10")and seen 20 inch rainbows. I just can't imagine where they would run when you hook 'em. Catching a big fish there most of the time would be a bit anti-climatic. Like fishing in a tub. On the other hand, I bet it would be great fun when the water is very high. I swan/floated it after a hurricane in the early 80's and it was wild. Stupid and dangerous as well most likely.
 
AKSkim said:
Don't know about you BHC...

I would rather have my mouth directly on the tit...

As always.. a tit lover.

AK Skim
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untitled-1.jpg


"Hey sailor, goin' my way???"
 
tompg said:
I drooled over the private water on the NBR for a long time. There are some huge fish in there and I bet a few hold over and reproduce. I've filmed nice sized wild browns (8-10")and seen 20 inch rainbows. I just can't imagine where they would run when you hook 'em. Catching a big fish there most of the time would be a bit anti-climatic. Like fishing in a tub. On the other hand, I bet it would be great fun when the water is very high. I swan/floated it after a hurricane in the early 80's and it was wild. Stupid and dangerous as well most likely.
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I caught 2 rainbows, both 2-3 lbs each in 20 minutes on that stretch. The fish are definitely there and they are just WAITING to be caught. Sad that its "private".
 
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