Ken Lockwood Gorge road update

[pistolpete]

The Gorge is open, but if you mean to cars I don't know. It was from the bottom up to the trestle late last week when I toured the work being done but I don't know as of today.

For nymphs, you can't go wrong with Iso nymphs size 10 and 12, caddis in sizes 14-18, RS2s in size 18 or 20 or any Pheasant Tails or Hare's Ears in sizes 10 -20. Fish in the Gorge aren't picky in my estimation, just put the fly down in the pocket water where they lie in wait. Good luck!

I went last night and it was closed on the Hoffman end as well as the south end...you have to park and walk up to the Trestle Bridge....or you could be a jerk ignore the road closed signs and drive up to the trestle bridge parking lot like some idiot in his Beemer did last night!!! no wonder we are the fattest country in the world!!!

 

[springman]

Apparently on Sunday when they're not working it's open up to the bridge construction site because i saw no signs and we are not the only one's up there.

Also, i'm not sure why everyone has complaints about teh work being done. it seems to me they shored up some areas that would erode when flooded with wired rock structures and it appears to me that it would take a heck of a lot to wash this away.

And what's wrong with providing a handicap access point where someone who cannot walk will have a chance of enjoying the beauty of the gorge? Heck i'm looking forward to some possible night fishing off that thing. It also appears that this will be withstanding any flood that comes it's way.

Are they grading the road when done all this by the way?

 

[Ryan R]

Apparently on Sunday when they're not working it's open up to the bridge construction site because i saw no signs and we are not the only one's up there.

Also, i'm not sure why everyone has complaints about teh work being done. it seems to me they shored up some areas that would erode when flooded with wired rock structures and it appears to me that it would take a heck of a lot to wash this away.

And what's wrong with providing a handicap access point where someone who cannot walk will have a chance of enjoying the beauty of the gorge? Heck I'm looking forward to some possible night fishing off that thing. It also appears that this will be withstanding any flood that comes it's way.

Are they grading the road when done all this by the way?

Well maybe because by doing all this invasive construction work in the very heart of a WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA they are ruining it as a Wildlife Management Area and instead making it a suburban park. How many gorge's have you been down in that have imrpoved concrete handicap accesses?

I agree that this should help with drainage and sedimetn load from the road. But the point is there shouldn't be a road thru there nor any handicap access piers. Walk in and walk out only. Plenty of other more suitable river accesses that could use handicap access piers.

 

[AKSkim]

by doing all this invasive construction work in the very heart of a WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA they are ruining it as a Wildlife Management Area

Ryan I bet you are also one who protests to save the whales, Spotted Owls, and NJ Black bears.

 

[springman]

if you can tell me of a place in nj where you have to hike in a mile from your car to find a stream and then there's the chance to catch trout, i'll go there.

 

[SleepsWithFishes]

if you can tell me of a place in nj where you have to hike in a mile from your car to find a stream and then there's the chance to catch trout, i'll go there.

I could , but I cant, its something you just have to figure out on your own, and if you do, well , its more than worth it,.:bootyshak

 

[springman]

fishes, i was being sarcastic since i never would give away a secret spot either.

i meant that there is very few, if any, places to find complete privacy in NJ streams where there are loads of trout to be had. the gorge for one is the most packed place of them all and there is no fear from people chucking spinners right over you. there is little courtesy there from these types is what i've experienced thus far. spinners should be banned there. I can see fishing with flys under a clear float like you do for steelhead but chucking a spinner all around the meat hole is a joke and a useless effort most of the time. Heck, i've seen empty worm containers there as well. i think there are people who just don't give a crap about following rules.

 

[JeffK]

There are more places in NJ than most people think where there are catchable numbers of trout and very few other anglers. Some you have to walk to, some are right under most people's noses. For example, the Claremont TCA has twice as many trout as KLG - measured by electro-shocking so can't argue about it much. Do you think those TCAs are two pockets of high concentrations of trout with barren water in between? Or is there a possibility that water quality, insect life, and trout numbers are somewhat continuous between the two places? Do all the trout vanish immediately outside the TCA boundaries.

Also, the concept of "fishing Disneyland" can also apply. For example, the hatchery outflow at the Pequest can put you in front of plenty of fish - but it isn't really a natural experience. In the real world you have to stalk trout a lot harder, or have them scatter to the winds (whether you realize it or not). In heavily fished areas they get somewhat used to people (if the fish in the Pequest hatchery outflow stopped feeding for 30 minutes every time they were spooked they would starve to death), but see plenty of flies and get conditioned to avoid any flies. In lightly fished areas fish tend to be skittish about every potential predator, but are more more willing to take a chance at any potential meal. You will develop a different fishing style if you stick to special regs areas.

 

[springman]

I agree Jeff that there are trout everwhere in the south branch. even below clinton i would think many hold over. I have hit the jackpot on a few holes below the gorge in the middle of summer.