South Branch Raritan River

[lightenup]

Monday was an amazing day of fishing. As is typical for NJ waters, not much rising in the early afternoon, but sub surface fishing was incredible...every other cast, in fishy water, brought a take, several dozen fish were landed...iris caddis was the fly of choice....get out if you are in NJ! A few sulphurs were hatching, but no takers..caddis were egg laying and hatching...saw 1 riser, but very sporadic, got 1 refusal and had to head home.

 

[Rusty Spinner]

I'm either headed to the Musky or the SBR after work today. Looking for solid surface action on sulphurs, so the Musky is my money river for that action. But time might keep me local on the upper SBR.

 

[lightenup]

I'm either headed to the Musky or the SBR after work today. Looking for solid surface action on sulphurs, so the Musky is my money river for that action. But time might keep me local on the upper SBR.

I left the river at 4:30, a few sulphurs were starting, but the fish were on caddis...good luck, let me know what happens.

 

[Future Fanatic]

I left the river at 4:30, a few sulphurs were starting, but the fish were on caddis...good luck, let me know what happens.

You really have to go with streamers if you are targeting those sea runs...

 

[lightenup]

You really have to go with streamers if you are targeting those sea runs...

I don't fish streamers.....and we were targeting steelhead...:nose-picking:

 

[Rusty Spinner]

I left the river at 4:30, a few sulphurs were starting, but the fish were on caddis...good luck, let me know what happens.

We had a good sulphur hatch (Invarias) and some small BWOs and caddis plus a few craneflies, but only the red breasted sunfish were eating on top or so it seemed. Stupid stocked rainbows don't know what a meal is yet. And it was high, off-colored and crowded to boot. Taking off tonight, but will be on the Musky later this week which IMO is the better sulphur river by far. It's just a bit too high still today.

 

[lightenup]

We had a good sulphur hatch (Invarias) and some small BWOs and caddis plus a few craneflies, but only the red breasted sunfish were eating on top or so it seemed. Stupid stocked rainbows don't know what a meal is yet. And it was high, off-colored and crowded to boot. Taking off tonight, but will be on the Musky later this week which IMO is the better sulphur river by far. It's just a bit too high still today.

I'm completely jealous that I work almost every night and miss the evening hatches, plus it looks like rain Sunday and Monday, so blown out rivers perhaps.....guess early morning spinner falls should be my target.....

 

[Rusty Spinner]

I'm completely jealous that I work almost every night and miss the evening hatches, plus it looks like rain Sunday and Monday, so blown out rivers perhaps.....guess early morning spinner falls should be my target.....

That does suck. Maybe you can switch that Mickey Dees to breakfast and lunch only, at least at the drive-through window? :crap:

In all seriousness, get that one night or so you have off each week and hit the rivers now until dark thirty. The sulphurs are both hatching most evenings and spinners are falling right at dusk into dark.

 

[greg s]

I've always done best on the South Branch with sulphurs right at dark on a little wet fly.

 

[lightenup]

Yes, dusk is best for Sulphurs....if the rain isn't too bad this week end, I should be able to get out Sunday or Monday evening, anyone want to join?

 

[MACFLY]

Yes, dusk is best for Sulphurs....if the rain isn't too bad this week end, I should be able to get out Sunday or Monday evening, anyone want to join?

I have to sharpen my hooks but thanks anyway

 

[greg s]

I went last night, heavy sulphur hatch at dusk but nothing seemed to be on them except one dink on a wet fly/emerger. So when all else failed, switched to a muddler, then caught a couple.

 

[lightenup]

I have to sharpen my hooks but thanks anyway

Yes, yes you do...

 

[Matt Grobert]

I have to sharpen my hooks but thanks anyway

It's about time, maybe now you'll actually hook and land a few. :thumb: