North Branch Raritan Info?

[bigduhon]

I am thinking about heading out for some smallie action later this week. Anyone have any thoughts on the North Branch of the Raritan?

I've spent some time around AT&T off of 202, but only ever managed a couple of stocked trout (probably no longer around) and some really small smallmouths. I'm thinking there's got to be some bigger smallies hanging around. :guns:

I've had minimal success dead drifting PT Nymphs and dead drifting, swinging, and stripping buggers. Any other suggestions?

If not the NB Raritan, where should I be for some decent smallie action?

 

[jcstikfish]

If not the NB Raritan, where should I be for some decent smallie action?

The Delaware is the place to be. Let us know which area you would like to explore/are closest to and I'm sure myself and others can offer up some directions to access points and some general tactics.


~James

 

[bigduhon]

Hey James...great to see you on here.

The big D is unfortunately not an option. With the sun going into hiding slightly earlier and earlier everyday, I can't swing the drive even if I leave work slightly early. By the time I'd get there, I'd have to go home.

I was looking for a slightly more central option...

 

[JeffK]

Although not the N Br Raritan, I fish the Musky, SBR, and other small NJ and NYS rivers for smallies. The larger ones are there, but they are in the devilishly hard places. Try tight to undercuts, under low hanging trees, real close to chunks of concrete, around submerged logs, and other very well protected lies. First step is to find the good spots - there may only be a good big fish spot every 1/2 to 2 miles apart. The second step is to find a way to fish them - either where to get the perfect cast or a clever way to drift the fly to the lie. You need to get real tight. Bass pros always talk about the difference between a fish and getting skunked may only be an inch. It is the same with flies. The baby smallies are aggressive little buggers that roam all around easily fished flats. Those bigger guys are tucked away during the day and only move out at night. A 15" smallie in NJ may be an 8 year old fish - the max age for trout in NJ is about 4 years. Those big smallies are smart, old fellows. When I found out how slow smallmouth in streams grow I gained a whole new respect for the larger specimens.

I like crayfish or crayfish like buggers in small streams.

 

[theartoflee]

A couple of places to peek at would be where rt22 crosses the NB. I have had good luck fishing for trout there and would think it would hold smallies as well. Try parking on the side of 22 and go down stream.

You should also check out where 202 crosses the NBR right after the hills complex before the jug handle for 287/78. The water by 202 has some good smallies in there and I have done well with black Zonkers. those are two solid spots on the NBR I know of another good spot however that primarly holds trout and not smallies.

 

[Empty Creel]

Even more south on 202 (as in south of the Somerset Circle) the road crosses the Raritan once again. There's parking on either side of that bridge. I only fished it twice, and it was years ago, but got into some smallies there without having to walk far (very important in determining a proper post-work fishing destination). The zone between 22 and 202 (it might be called River Road) might be worth exploring.

 

[MACFLY]

I am thinking about heading out for some smallie action later this week. Anyone have any thoughts on the North Branch of the Raritan?

I've spent some time around AT&T off of 202, but only ever managed a couple of stocked trout (probably no longer around) and some really small smallmouths. I'm thinking there's got to be some bigger smallies hanging around. :guns:

I've had minimal success dead drifting PT Nymphs and dead drifting, swinging, and stripping buggers. Any other suggestions?

If not the NB Raritan, where should I be for some decent smallie action?

On the contrary

if you proceed upstream where the river does a major bend to the right you will find a number of spots for both smallies and trout. Try stripping a muddler through these spots. You will know what i mean when you get there. It is a bit of a walk from the bridge by AT&T but not that far and worth it. There is also a pool where north branch crosses under 202 (We used to call it the ball park spot since there is a big ballfied you can park by and walk across to the stream. Downstream from the bridge about 30-40 yards is where a creek enters in (i think its the Peapack but not quite sure). There is a good pool below that which usually surrenders a number of smallies. Of course with the water in its current state the amount of water may be greatly reduced.

 

[miserjoe]

The whole north branch is a wonderful fishery

 

[Trout-Sniper]

James, you said the Delaware River is the place to be? Ive only fly fished the Delaware once but i was pretty new to fly fishing then. I was wondering what dry flys would be best to use if i went to the Delaware now. I go fishing right on the Delaware water gap on the Pennsylvania side. Is this a good place to fly fish? And what are some good dry flys to use at this time Late February/ Early March? sorry for all the questions but being a young flyfisherman i have a lot to learn.

Thanks for all the help:beer:

 

[Corndog]

James, you said the Delaware River is the place to be? Ive only fly fished the Delaware once but i was pretty new to fly fishing then. I was wondering what dry flys would be best to use if i went to the Delaware now. I go fishing right on the Delaware water gap on the Pennsylvania side. Is this a good place to fly fish? And what are some good dry flys to use at this time Late February/ Early March? sorry for all the questions but being a young flyfisherman i have a lot to learn.

Thanks for all the help:beer:

TS,

You're in a good area for smallie action, but drys this time of year...not going to happen man. Smallies get real lethargic in the winter on the Big D and are hard to catch on anything...even bait. But hold your horses until spring (late April) when the smallies turn on real good and you can hammer them on the surface. Take about any large fly and twitch it on the surface and Wham! they will come out of the water to take it. Large Muddler Minnows and Mice work great. Don't tell anyone I told you this, but I use a single hook rapala and hammer them. What ever you use, fish it like a wounded minnow.

Good Luck,
Cdog

 

[BIGBOW]

Trout Sniper,
C Dog is right with the dries, but look for that action to really pick up in about a month or 2. The area of the D (by the Gap) has good fishing, but be prepared to catch diff species of fish, with the exceptional trout here and there. The further north you go the more trout you'll encounter. Look for protruding rocks and hit the water in front or behind them. Plenty of smallies usually if the trout can't be found. The Jersey side has Old Mine Road follow the river for quite a ways with some small parking spots spread out. Not too familiar with the PA side, but the few times I've been on that side and followed the river I didn't see much parking and the river was a ways from the road.

 

[Eagle Claw]

What ever happened to Dave the Trout ? He seemed to be the expert on smallmouth on the Delaware. If you want info on smallies send him a pm or
look up some of his previous p threads, look under Dave the Trout.

 

[AKSkim]

What ever happened to Dave the Trout ?

What ever did happen to DaveTheTrout, ever since he ran that fly fishing equipment drive haven't heard from him.

Anyone know what ever happened to all the equipment? Just wondering who he donated it to. I seem to remember if it was the Boy Scouts of America??? or did it go to some other organization?

 

[Eagle Claw]

Maybe he took on step too many by that dangerous weir dam he was always talking about or maybe he now runs a sport shop specializing in new and used fishing equipment. Joking aside, has anyone got any info on him. I was looking forward to his spring reports on bass in the lower Delaware.

 

[babyblue]

If I remember, Ralph seemed to be friendly with Dave, maybe he knows.

 

[theartoflee]

This was one of the last times I saw Dave..



Have not heard from him in some time but think he went further East.

 

[jcstikfish]

Have not heard from him in some time but think he went further East.

Azores?


~James

 

[onemorecast]

I seem to remember him posting a message about his father becoming ill and that he was concentrating his energies on that. That was one of the last posts of his I noticed.