Targeting Large Fish on the South Branch

[Mail]

I Know there are plenty of fish in the South Branch, and without a doubt there are plenty of fishing pushing 20 inches. Obviously there different methods of targeting these larger fish. In your opinion,what is the best and most efficient way to specifically target these large 20 Inch ~ Browns and rainbows? Would it be throwing a large streamer like a sex dungeon or other streamer used on Western rivers? Or it would it be a more standard way of fishing for trout of any size? My basic question boils down to, if I were to spend my season targeting large 20+ inch fish on the south branch above the KLG, which method of fishing would grant me the most success, (Not worried about numbers) In your opinion?

 

[Rusty Spinner]

You might assume big streamers, but I have seen a lot of big fish from the SBR fall victim to tiny flies, especially big bows. Of course these fish are holdovers and not wild, but I see more big fish when I guide come to net on small flies than on large flies. If you want to "target" them, fish the public waters nearest the clubs

 

[Thursthouse]

The biggest trout I've seen on the SBR came out and took a swipe at a smaller trout I was bringing to hand - so that also made me think about larger streamers. I tied and tried them with marginal success (no monsters). The biggest trout (rainbow) I have hooked into on the SBR gently took a lafontaine sparkle pupa.

 

[tompg]

try night fishing with big files in the summer

 

[flyI4]

Time of year is a big factor. Surprisingly, winter time is one of the better times to target larger trout on that stream. This is because fish bunker down in the better holes to get through the winter and the bigger fish lead the pecking order. Therefore, the best spots hold the best fish and its obvious where those spots are. As for fly selection- this time of year its tough to get a big fish to chase a streamer. You can try dredging one and using a very slow retrieve but I think you have a better shot with nymphs/egg patterns fished deep in the slower pools. Deep pools and especially deep tailouts of pools are what you are looking for. During the spring- I think a streamer is a good choice once the water temps climb a bit to high 40s/low 50s. Last thing is you gotta consider location when you are fishing the southbranch. There are several clubs on the southbranch and many 20'' fish are put in by them. If you fish the water at the edges of these clubs (preferably on a high water day when the fish have moved around) you are likely going to have a few of these fish leaving the club boundaries. This is a good time to try a large streamer since they will be less wary and looking for a nice meal. Also- dont be the guy that chucks streamers at noon on a sunny day. Hit the stream at first light and you will see a dramatic increase in the amount of strikes you get during times of the year that water temps have warmed and the fish are comfortable at that time of day.

 

[Mail]

Would you say it would be wiser to focus my efforts on a different NJ river such as the Pequest or Musky? I am not sure how the ecological productivity of the rivers differ and to what extent. I know of the Private property in the lower end of the Gorge, Shannons which ends at the Vernoy Road Bridge, and lastly the Angler Anonymous property at the upper end of the Claremont Stretch but those are the only ones I am aware of.

 

[Rusty Spinner]

Would you say it would be wiser to focus my efforts on a different NJ river such as the Pequest or Musky? I am not sure how the ecological productivity of the rivers differ and to what extent. I know of the Private property in the lower end of the Gorge, Shannons which ends at the Vernoy Road Bridge, and lastly the Angler Anonymous property at the upper end of the Claremont Stretch but those are the only ones I am aware of.

Hit any public water on any river that has clubs nearby and you're likely to run into some big fish. Just a clarification on big, club-stocked fish. Most clubs don't stock big fish. Instead, they release them when caught and feed them which allows them to grow large. For example, the average Shannon's private water fish is stocked between 13" and 14" in length with a few up to 17". When we catch 28" fish, they have been in the river for a few years. We only feed twice/week, but other clubs feed daily and some twice/day. Growth rates will vary if you feed a lot, obviously.

That said, there are clubs on most rivers and not just the SBR or Musky. But one of the largest fish I ever saw in the SBR (no, not Aaron's big brown) came from an area far, far away from any club waters. It may have been a club fish as it was a giant rainbow, but it swam a long distance from any club if it was and it was in non-stocked water in that river. Big fish are where you find them and that will nearly always be a prime lie. Learn to identify the prime lies and you will catch more big fish.

 

[flyI4]

Would you say it would be wiser to focus my efforts on a different NJ river such as the Pequest or Musky? I am not sure how the ecological productivity of the rivers differ and to what extent. I know of the Private property in the lower end of the Gorge, Shannons which ends at the Vernoy Road Bridge, and lastly the Angler Anonymous property at the upper end of the Claremont Stretch but those are the only ones I am aware of.

The south branch is as good a spot as any to target large fish in NJ. The pequest is also a good choice- and the entire trout conservation stretch has big fish in it- not just by the hatchery outflow. Did not fish it last year however so not sure how the change in stocking last year due to the disease at the hatchery may or may not have impacted the quality of fish in the stream.

 

[sneelhead]

the pequest is for lack of a better word, shit, compared to what it was prior to the fish kill. low flows and poachers pretty much cleaned the place out. my folks live 2 min away from here so its more or less my home stream.. hope it recovers this spring. (talking tca area specifically)

The south branch is as good a spot as any to target large fish in NJ. The pequest is also a good choice- and the entire trout conservation stretch has big fish in it- not just by the hatchery outflow. Did not fish it last year however so not sure how the change in stocking last year due to the disease at the hatchery may or may not have impacted the quality of fish in the stream.

 

[Simms]

Big fish in NJ is like asking if I can find quality stripers in Newton.

Head north about 1.5 hours and put your time in there.

 

[JeffK]

Pequest was on fire for large trout in late August through September, slowed a bit in October and has been tough for me since. It seemed without the brood fish stocking that the big fish were pushed away from the hatchery area by the pressure and went well into the general regs area. Have been hiking the rail trails in the area and have seen bait guys at the good holes away from the road in the general regs area, so word does get around and I think many do go home on a stringer.

I agree with fly14. Winter is a good time for big browns in daylight hours. Fishing at night in the summer can yield some big ones and figure out where the good lies near club water are.

 

[sneelhead]

they did an unannounced stocking at the spillway in august (friend works at hatchery). water was crazy low that month and once word got out that fish were back poachers cleaned them out accordingly. we've seen it so bad at times having to call warden on russians for fishing worms under indi's and having multiple stringers throughout the conservation stretch. no joke

seeing as how those fish stack like sardines in 4" of water below that spillway and hug that bank for 3/4 of year, i have a hard time believing pressure pushes fish into the gen regs waters :/

not sure how accurate this is but friend at hatchery claims before the fish kill and doing away w the brood stocking, the hatchery struggled to keep that stretch stocked due to poachers not to mention the financial burden it imposed.

Pequest was on fire for large trout in late August through September, slowed a bit in October and has been tough for me since. It seemed without the brood fish stocking that the big fish were pushed away from the hatchery area by the pressure and went well into the general regs area. Have been hiking the rail trails in the area and have seen bait guys at the good holes away from the road in the general regs area, so word does get around and I think many do go home on a stringer.

I agree with fly14. Winter is a good time for big browns in daylight hours. Fishing at night in the summer can yield some big ones and figure out where the good lies near club water are.

 

[Simms]

Plot twist: Sneel is a Russian

they did an unannounced stocking at the spillway in august (friend works at hatchery). water was crazy low that month and once word got out that fish were back poachers cleaned them out accordingly. we've seen it so bad at times having to call warden on russians for fishing worms under indi's and having multiple stringers throughout the conservation stretch. no joke

seeing as how those fish stack like sardines in 4" of water below that spillway and hug that bank for 3/4 of year, i have a hard time believing pressure pushes fish into the gen regs waters :/

not sure how accurate this is but friend at hatchery claims before the fish kill and doing away w the brood stocking, the hatchery struggled to keep that stretch stocked due to poachers not to mention the financial burden it imposed.

 

[Rusty Spinner]

If you guys want to target big fish in the SBR, you can always hire me through Shannon's to fish our private water

:fish:

 

[FIN-ITE 34]

they did an unannounced stocking at the spillway in august (friend works at hatchery). water was crazy low that month and once word got out that fish were back poachers cleaned them out accordingly. we've seen it so bad at times having to call warden on russians for fishing worms under indi's and having multiple stringers throughout the conservation stretch. no joke

seeing as how those fish stack like sardines in 4" of water below that spillway and hug that bank for 3/4 of year, i have a hard time believing pressure pushes fish into the gen regs waters :/

not sure how accurate this is but friend at hatchery claims before the fish kill and doing away w the brood stocking, the hatchery struggled to keep that stretch stocked due to poachers not to mention the financial burden it imposed.

First off, that TCA should have been one of the first to be designated a 365 No Kill. That aside, the Division should be loading up on WCO's for that stretch and search, sieze and fine the living bejusus out of those guys. It's time that they started a stop and frisk policy for anybody fishing that TCA. That includes checking cars for over the limits. Take your 4th Amendment rights and shove them because they don't pertain because of the Open Fields Exemption.

 

[sneelhead]

agreed unfortunately as far as i know that section still reverts to general regs rules during the spring stocking period so it can turn to a real circus there during some of prime months of the year

First off, that TCA should have been one of the first to be designated a 365 No Kill. That aside, the Division should be loading up on WCO's for that stretch and search, sieze and fine the living bejusus out of those guys. It's time that they started a stop and frisk policy for anybody fishing that TCA. That includes checking cars for over the limits. Take your 4th Amendment rights and shove them because they don't pertain because of the Open Fields Exemption.

 

[FIN-ITE 34]

agreed unfortunately as far as i know that section still reverts to general regs rules during the spring stocking period so it can turn to a real circus there during some of prime months of the year

Agreed, it is a Seasonal TCA and should have had the same designation assigned to it as the KLG. If you couldn't keep any fish and was artificial only, it would made it much easier to patrol that area. Frisk every person that steps on the TCA for bait and check cars for fish. Done deal.

 

[Simms]

Shameless plug

if you guys want to target big fish in the sbr, you can always hire me through shannon's to fish our private water

:fish:

 

[Rusty Spinner]

Agreed, it is a Seasonal TCA and should have had the same designation assigned to it as the KLG. If you couldn't keep any fish and was artificial only, it would made it much easier to patrol that area. Frisk every person that steps on the TCA for bait and check cars for fish. Done deal.

Except that the new No-Kills at KLG and the former fly only stretch of the Flat Brook were designated to protect not only holdover fish, but the wild fish that exist in those two stretches of their respective rivers. The Pequest fish are really only holdovers and straight out of the hatchery, so I doubt anyone will demand a similar No-Kill for that seasonal TCA. But I agree that patrolling it should be a higher priority as I've seen (and reported) lots of illegal activity there over the years.

One of the old posters here that left (Janos, but I can't recall his screen name right now) used to hold an end of the year party in the Pequest parking lot on 12/31. Fly guys from this site and others would gather to say hello and fish that TCA on the last day of their license year. Two years ago, a CO approaches us and asks if anyone has a tape measure which someone did. He and his partner nailed two bait guys will full stringers (each) with numerous fish under 15" and no fishing licenses right next to the bridge by the main parking lot (duh). Seems you could get writer's cramps writing tickets there most days....

 

[FIN-ITE 34]

Seems you could get writer's cramps writing tickets there most days....

Would seem a better revenue stream than red light cameras.

 

[tomfly]

Exceptional fish (large fish) I find to be a conundrum. I understand that the state and the clubs stock big fish. This post has a lot of suggestions on fishing near the club. That is all find a dandy but what is fun that. I agree they are there. The fish I try to target are not where you would believe they should be. Any stream has the ability to hold a big fish giving that the conditions are correct. There are factors that come into play. The main factor is; can the stream maintain a suitable yearly temperature that promotes growth? Some would argue that the stream needs a suitable bio mass that can sustain large fish. But large trout will feed on rodents and small birds when the opportunity is there.

These are things I take into account.

I am not talking about a stocked fish while I write this. I am talking about a fish that has developed his size in the stream. This fish always has the advantage on his side! He is going to be extremely comfortable in the area he chooses to habitat. (Contrary to popular belief, he will not be in the meat hole)
He is going to know that section of the stream very well. He will be in a position to see you coming. He will want to feed with very little effort and when the conditions are right for him. He will always be in a section of the stream that has little to no fishing pressure. (The B and C water). He will not be fooled easily. He is the point of the tip of the spear in that section of the stream. There are sections of the KLG that conform to these parameters.

I have caught a few fish like this over the past 30 years (27 inch +). I can honestly say I count them on one hand. I have lost more then I have landed. There were a few I hooked into the Lackawaxen that I still wake up in the middle of the night shaking my head. When fishing for that fish. It is a commitment, sometimes an entire season. Most times it is a lesson in futility, like finding a diamond in a mountain of sh@@. Brian stated they will take small flies on occasion (advantage goes to the fish). For me more often the not, when I get that fish to take a fly, it has been on a large Stonefly.

 

[NJpatbee]

I have had fun catching some very large stocked trout in NJ but I do not consider catching them extraordinary accomplishments - most of the trout I pursue in NJ (and elsewhere) are wild trout and those are the trout that I consider when I look at size. There are some surprisingly large brown trout in some of our trout production waters of which I have landed a few, but nothing in the 24"+ category - an 18-20 inch wild brown in NJ is an exceptional fish. I have hooked a brown trout in a small tributary to the Delaware in NJ in the Fall that was enormous but it quickly snapped my 6x tippet and shook off the barbless nymph - most likely a spawner from the Delaware but I cannot be certain it was wild.

Large wild trout IMO are relative to the water they are, the food available, and the trout's genetics. I spend a fair amount of time chasing wild NJ brook trout and have caught several in the 12" range, which in my eyes is a trophy and usually my most memorable fish of the season. Likewise, I use to spend a fair amount of time on the Letort Spring creek in PA which is as rich a stream as there is an although not large water some of the brown trout would be trophies on any water in North America (old timers used to say that the brook trout were almost as large before the browns took over). I suppose its all relative, but I have caught brown trout in the upper SBR that appeared wild to me (I cannot be 100% certain but they were certainly not out of a concrete runway any time in the last couple of years) in the 18" range and was elated.

 

[Stevester]

My experience is pretty similar to PatBees. I have hooked a few big fish over the years, some landed, the biggest usually get away since normally I am fishing smaller flies on a 5X or smaller tippet. Now I don't normally target big fish, they are a nice bonus when they decide to take my fly. And let's be serious, ALL the big rainbows and browns can trace their heritage to a hatchery since they are not native to the eastern US.

Steve

 

[flyI4]

Yes- no "native" browns or bows on the east coast. But u can't say that catching a large "wild" brown or bow doesn't have many bonuses including the fish's colors, the fight, and often the challenge that comes with fooling a large wild fish. If u catch enough wild fish- u start not even wanting to catch stocked fish anymore.

 

[Davre]

I am not talking about a stocked fish while I write this. I am talking about a fish that has developed his size in the stream. This fish always has the advantage on his side! He is going to be extremely comfortable in the area he chooses to habitat. (Contrary to popular belief, he will not be in the meat hole)
He is going to know that section of the stream very well. He will be in a position to see you coming. He will want to feed with very little effort and when the conditions are right for him. He will always be in a section of the stream that has little to no fishing pressure. (The B and C water). He will not be fooled easily. He is the point of the tip of the spear in that section of the stream. There are sections of the KLG that conform to these parameters.

Agree 100% here. There are MANY surprisingly large trout in the KLG. I've fished that river for most of my life, and though new to the forum, I've no doubt seen and chatted with most of you gents on the banks. That out of the way; yes, there are A LOT of big fish in the gorge. There are many big stockers, some really big holdovers (mostly just the brownies that survive the tough winter/low water combo of the last few years), and a few big stream-born trout.

Every season that river changes slightly and the big ones find a new home. It is typically around (or under) structure. Every now and again you locate one of these prime lies (like the fallen tree below the bend this year, or the logjam by the upstream lot last year...) where a BIG fish lives.

Over the years I've found that these fish will feed AGGRESSIVELY at certain times. They leave cover and get fat. My favorite is right as a storm begins. The pressure drop and broken water surface encourage them to leave their holding lies and feed. I've seen some phenomenal fish in these situations. One brown trout in particular completely reshaped my idea of what is possible in our waterways.

 

[MACFLY]

f@ck!n Russian commie bastards. Go fish the ponoi and leave our american fish alone

they did an unannounced stocking at the spillway in august (friend works at hatchery). water was crazy low that month and once word got out that fish were back poachers cleaned them out accordingly. we've seen it so bad at times having to call warden on russians for fishing worms under indi's and having multiple stringers throughout the conservation stretch. no joke

seeing as how those fish stack like sardines in 4" of water below that spillway and hug that bank for 3/4 of year, i have a hard time believing pressure pushes fish into the gen regs waters :/

not sure how accurate this is but friend at hatchery claims before the fish kill and doing away w the brood stocking, the hatchery struggled to keep that stretch stocked due to poachers not to mention the financial burden it imposed.

 

[flyI4]

Agree 100% here. There are MANY surprisingly large trout in the KLG. I've fished that river for most of my life, and though new to the forum, I've no doubt seen and chatted with most of you gents on the banks. That out of the way; yes, there are A LOT of big fish in the gorge. There are many big stockers, some really big holdovers (mostly just the brownies that survive the tough winter/low water combo of the last few years), and a few big stream-born trout.

Every season that river changes slightly and the big ones find a new home. It is typically around (or under) structure. Every now and again you locate one of these prime lies (like the fallen tree below the bend this year, or the logjam by the upstream lot last year...) where a BIG fish lives.

Over the years I've found that these fish will feed AGGRESSIVELY at certain times. They leave cover and get fat. My favorite is right as a storm begins. The pressure drop and broken water surface encourage them to leave their holding lies and feed. I've seen some phenomenal fish in these situations. One brown trout in particular completely reshaped my idea of what is possible in our waterways.

I am with you on this. Everyone knows there are some big stockers that are put there over the course of the year- but there are also some huge fish that are long term holdovers and even some wild. My dad hooked a fish on a large klinkhammer dry of all things that was gigantic one evening. The fish was in the meat hole in the middle of the gorge thats closer to the top end. We knew it was nice at first, but as the fish came closer we realized it was a huge brown in the mid 20s and had huge quarter sized dots. The fish looked as good as any wild fish I had seen and likely was a multiple year holdover. Unfortunately the fish got a second wind and ran across to the other side where he wrapped around a log and broke off. Very exciting but heart breaking to see it get off. I have also taken some nice 18-20'' fish there that were big browns and were what I assumed to be club fish that moved up from below or long term holdovers. You can easily tell the difference based on the colors when u hook/land a fish that has been there a while. Also, the fight is often a bit more resembling of a wild fish and not just a heavy wet sock on the end of your line.

 

[lightenup]

I am with you on this. Everyone knows there are some big stockers that are put there over the course of the year- but there are also some huge fish that are long term holdovers and even some wild. My dad hooked a fish on a large klinkhammer dry of all things that was gigantic one evening. The fish was in the meat hole in the middle of the gorge thats closer to the top end. We knew it was nice at first, but as the fish came closer we realized it was a huge brown in the mid 20s and had huge quarter sized dots. The fish looked as good as any wild fish I had seen and likely was a multiple year holdover. Unfortunately the fish got a second wind and ran across to the other side where he wrapped around a log and broke off. Very exciting but heart breaking to see it get off. I have also taken some nice 18-20'' fish there that were big browns and were what I assumed to be club fish that moved up from below or long term holdovers. You can easily tell the difference based on the colors when u hook/land a fish that has been there a while. Also, the fight is often a bit more resembling of a wild fish and not just a heavy wet sock on the end of your line.

The Meat Hole does hold large fish year round, and gets pounded by fishermen...sometimes(most of the time) those fish are very selective and will challenge even the best of you out there.....I fish the Gorge often being that I live minutes from it, and find large fish almost everywhere.....I saw one that had to be pushing 8 pounds earlier this year down by the bend pool, down stream of the tressle.......and after last years state stocking prigrams, Shannon's has improved the quality of fish in the Gorge with the donations and the stockings they did.......Kamloops are waaayyy better than the state rainbows, and the browns Jim stocks seem to be in better condition as well....not to mention the wild fish that live there....
Love that place, I don't know why some people think it isn't cool to fish there....

 

[Rusty Spinner]

My biggest wild brown from the SBR, a full 23". Fought like an upper Delaware fish and I could never get a great photo of the entire fish because it was still so hot when I landed it. It jumped out of my hand when I tried to get the full body picture. Spinner fall one evening last year.



My biggest holdover brown from the SBR, a fat pig well over 25" and 8 lbs. Not nearly the fish I show above because it is a holdover and not wild, but this fish was not stocked at anywhere near this size. She grew to this size over a few years (best guesstimate).

 

[Rusty Spinner]

That thumbnail photo was a mistake and I can't seem to edit it, but has nothing to do with the other 2 browns...in fact it might be a Montana fish from last summer. My bad