Lower South Branch 7/2/18:

[AndyS]

Original plan was to bumb around on the North Branch but for whatever reason it is running very cloudy. Didn't want to take the time to find out where all the mud was coming from since it was a long float planned and time was getting on. Since Luke and I were already at the confluence we side stepped over to the South Branch, that was running nice and clear.
Launched at Blackpoint Road and the township redid the parking area so it's not all mud and deep ruts, instead it was nicely graded lot and stones were put in.
Did our float thing, Luke got a few nice SMB just under photo worthy, I stunk it up and got nothing. No Keitechs=No Bass for me :) (since I'm such a hack at SMB fishing)
Large carp were very prevalent through the entire river, so much so Luke snagged one by accident. Saw some carp that looked to be pushing 25 pounds !
All in all not bad, I'm just not a summer heat kind of fisherman, think I went swimming 20 times today. Saw 2 Bald Eagles in the "fishy" spots, find the eagles, find the fish.
Also, I expect to see dead trout floating by, have never seen it during a summer on the lower South Branch yet.

[kcritch]

I give you boys credit for going out in that heat...too hot for my blood dude. River looks great. Sorry you got the skunk but at least you didn't torture the kid by making him pull tires. Ha!

[thmyorke1]

Thanks for the float, Andy. I dont mind pulling tires but fishing is always a blast too :D

Turns out South Branch Rockaway Creek is up a foot; it's from round valley discharge. There is why the North Branch was so stained.

I think I might fish the lamington for lake trout soon :p

[AndyS]

I am still looking forward to doing the North Branch MEGA float, that is from Far Hills to the confluence, just a mere 11 miles :).

[Mark B.]

Trout refuge:

RARITAN RIVER NORTH BRANCH
(Far Hills) - Ravine Lake dam to Rt. 512 bridge, FW2-Trout Maintenance

[thmyorke1]

Trout refuge:

RARITAN RIVER NORTH BRANCH
(Far Hills) - Ravine Lake dam to Rt. 512 bridge, FW2-Trout Maintenance

I think we will be launching further downstream. Such as the fairgrounds or even lower under the 202 bridge.

I have hauled out a tire myself right underneath that bridge.

That TM stretch does seem healthy. Would be cool if that spillway from the ravine lake was open to fishing, along with the whole lake and the whole upper north branch upstream of the lake :D

I imagine billions of wild browns swimming in peace behind all the posted signs up there !

[Mark B.]

Fishing is allowed in areas of this Somerset Co. Park below Ravine Lake.

http://www.somersetcountyparks.org/parksfacilities/natirar/Natirar.html

[thmyorke1]

Fishing is allowed in areas of this Somerset Co. Park below Ravine Lake.

http://www.somersetcountyparks.org/parksfacilities/natirar/Natirar.html

Yep, familiar with that. Some "nice" fish in that stretch :)

Know anything about the lake itself?

[Ken Lyons]

I gave a kid who lived in that community a Senko and a circle hook. The next day he showed me a picture of a 5 pound bass.

[AndyS]

Just another dam that needs to be removed to restore Brook Trout populations. Ravine lake is a carp infested swimming hole for the rich.

[FASTEDDIE29]

That’s some primo Smallie water all through there. See any monsters cruising around? Water looks great!:D

[thmyorke1]

That’s some primo Smallie water all through there. See any monsters cruising around? Water looks great!:D

We passed by some ones nice fish cruising around. I think I saw two that had to be at least 17 inches. Didn't spy any giants however... those were smarter not to be seen ;)