Raritan river mega float 11/17/13:

[AndyS]

Put in at Robert St. in Raritan. There were 2 guys behind me getting ready to launch what looked like a 14 ft. deep V, walleye guys, maybe ?
Floated so fast I hardly had time to fish, plenty of deep water despite the lack of rain. Saw schools of Quillback not long after I launched, so to the guy who thought he saw a 28" Brook Trout guess what, these fish light up just like Brookies. Did float over a big Channel Cat also.
First fish came where the old Conco pipe was, where the entire river goes down to about 10ft. wide. I dropped in the fast water, thought I was snagged on the bottom and up comes a huge smallmouth, arches on the top, I spin around in my seat and drop the tip of my rod, fish gone. Dropped in again and had another nice fish but lost that one also. Spent a good half hour there, nothing. Every time I tried a lure with 2 hooks on it all I got was leaves. Floated past the 2nd 287 crossing, new territory for me. Found no less than 5 nice riffles that I'm sure would hold smallmouth. The entire area down to Landing Lane bridge looks like good smallmouth water.
Found some interesting things as I floated down the river. Found a homeless encampment in Bound Brook, a stack of plywood in a tree, and a boat.
I'm beat, paddled my buns off. Looked like some interesting water down by Landing Lane bridge, I think if I had floated any further I would have been into schools of bunker :)

[Billfish715]

Andy, You are really on to something by highlighting some of the ecological issues with the lower Raritan. Try to garner some support from the American Littoral Society. They do beach and other ecological clean ups.

Tim@LittoralSociety.org
Bill@LittoralSociety.org

Maybe they have some resources or might be looking for a project for next year. All things float downstream so eventually all that you discovered will make their way into the bay and beyond. It's worth an email.

[Billfish715]

http://blueraritan.org/

http://www.anjec.org/LowerRaritan/RREnvironment.htm

You or anyone can contact the agencies listed above to see what actions are being done and what else is in store. The NY/NJ Bay Keepers can also be contacted. The more people who pass along their concerns the more attention that will be directed to it. I appreciate your love and attachment to the river of your youth.

[FASTEDDIE29]

Sounds like a great time. Great weather yesterday!

[AndyS]

Trying hard not to mix politics with fishing on here. I have been in touch with the Sustainable Raritan River Collaborative the last 4 years and we have another meeting December 5th. I think you are right, everyone lives down stream of someone else. There is also a lot of work going on in the North and South branch also, so it's all good, thanx for the heads up.

[Eskimo]

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Found some interesting things as I floated down the river. Found a homeless encampment in Bound Brook...


Well, that's not good. Last thing a river that's used for the water supply needs is an encampment of hepatitus-infected junkies defecating in the river.



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