Lehigh River Browns

[Matt L]

Got out today for the first time in a long while. Fished an area 5 minutes from my house. I fish this river a lot but usually only get some smaller smallies and an occasional 12 inch trout.

In about 3 hours had about 7 solid hits. Hooked up with 5, caught two. All fish were big though. Smallest was about 17", this one in the pic was close to 19" but pretty skinny. The others were wider.

Had one smack the lure a few times right up to the bank. Big wide Brown, like watching the big browns you see at cabalas in the pools when you feed them.

Didn't get any hits in the faster moving areas but in the deeper slow areas, I got hits.

All on a thin black and silver rapala. Based on the report from the Delaware, maybe I should have been throwing something bigger.

[AndyS]

Nice fish. Lard and the guys have been talking about getting out there, you sold me.
I started tossing big stuff in that area of the Delaware thinking maybe a musky or tiger musky is in the prowl. I've seen Lard throw some big bass lures and come up with some nice trout.

[Matt L]

If I wore my waders, I could have hit a lot more spots. I was in walking purchase park. Its a pretty desolate area actually. Hunters, a few ATVs which arent supposed to be there, a few folks with dogs.

Whats up with the big browns this time of year? How come no other trout, rainbows, or brook or otherwise?

I thought the same thing about using some bigger lures and maybe hit a musky but had no idea the trout would be willing takers. Maybe next time.

[Matt L]

Oh also. I know that area you were fishing I think in the D. Used to live in Easton. Always looks great but never get much. My best time was at night in a thunderstorm with lightning, I caught about a 26" striper and a big flathead catfish on chicken livers.

Tried for stripers at night a few times with eels but no luck. They do get them there though. ALso on chunks too.

[Capt. Lou]

Browns are very active feeders in water temps in the low to mid 40,s
in my 15 seasons running Gt. Lakes charters , we often regularly caught bit browns in water temps in upper 30's right after ice out.
Lack of hatches in cold water turn them into opportunistic feeders, most waters contain enough minnow life to induce this change in feeding habits.
They don't actively feed like in 50 degree temps, but they do feed just not regulary.
Holdovers generally develop different feeding habits , compare it to you not settling for hamburger , when you can save energy & grab a steak now & then.
Metabolism is slowed by cold
water temps, so a solid meal can or has to last awhile.
Even a couple of degree change in water temps, can offer up a banner day even in the middle of winter!
It all refers back to water temps!

[Matt L]

Thanks. That makes sense. Also explains why it would be good to throw those bigger lures, working the slowly with a erratic action thrown in.

Cold water, looking for a big meal to keep them going without expending a lot of energy.

[FASTEDDIE29]

Nice job dude!!!

[ReelErIn]

Nice day good jobhttp://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj295/reelerin/thumbsupjpg.gif

[Matt L]

So I went back on Sunday, all pumped. Throwing bigger rapalas...nothing, then back to the rapala I had success with...nothing....skunk

Saw one big swirl on the surface. That was it all day.

ahhhh....fishing

[Wilson]

So I went back on Sunday, all pumped. Throwing bigger rapalas...nothing, then back to the rapala I had success with...nothing....skunk

Saw one big swirl on the surface. That was it all day.

ahhhh....fishing
Is the area you are fishing a no-kill area or have any special regs?

[Ismellfishy]

While i was at lehigh university about 6 years ago, i used to walk or drive down to the river some afternoons. caught some nice browns on suspending 3" rapalas. Had one go 18" and then landed a monster @ 25", my largest trout ever, with no one around, no camera phone, just a mark on my rod how long it was. theres some nice ones in there. they were pretty skinny, but what can you expect from an early march trout

[Matt L]

I don't think so. I don't keep freshwater fish usually so I don't follow the regs much.

I can tell you that I don't see much fishing pressure on the Lehigh. The area I launch my boat is a biatch to fish to get to the good spots I like because You have a pass an area where the current is strong and the water is about a foot deep.

I almost never see another boat either though either. Maybe some tubers in the warmer times of year. A few girls in bathing suits now and then. Not a bad way to kill a few hours

Nice gashes on my prop but its a 20 year old 2 stroke. I don't worry much. lol