the whole river was abetter trout conservation area before they changed to stocking the river 6 times each year instead of the long time twice a year,it was not even designated anything special.if the state made a certain area on the PQ a conservation area,why will you never see a conservation officer at the PQ and have never seen one in 40 years.nj does not have the state resources to try and improve anything about wild trout and politics decides what happens inthe rest of their programs.[/QUOTE
You make a point about stocking over wild trout and the fact that the CO's are understaffed. But it sounds like you have been trout fishing in NJ almost as long as I have, and IMO the trout fishing and management program today has greatly improved over the last 3-4 decades. The introduction of the YRTCA program, the designation of 35+ waters as WTS waters with restricted kill limits and artificial lures, and the introduction of a 9" minimum size limit have made the trout fishing in NJ the best I have ever seen. Popular waters like the Musky, South Branch Raritan, and Pequest provide fly-fishing opportunities 12 months/year, and the quality of the fishery has improved, especially in the KLG. Now there is a TCA and 2 WTS stretches on the PQ, a WTS on the Wanaque, and hopefully we will have a YRTCA on the Flatbrook in 2012.
I have fished for trout 3 times in NJ since late March, and have caught at least 60 trout, all wild. The new regs on the PQ may need to be reviewed, but I am optimistic that the trout fishery can be improved. As for the lack of COs, many of us fish neighboring PA and NY, and it is the same story in these States also. Poaching does take place, on the PQ as well as the Beaverkill, but most anglers tend to follow the F&G Code.
Although I have never been involved with it, there is a Pequonnack Watershed Coalition which might be a good vehicle for some of your concerns. Good things can happen!