Trout Opener..... 2017! WOW!!!

[FASTEDDIE29]

Well, the big opener is almost here for those of you that wait for it all year. I myself have done plenty of Troutin' this winter and I can tell you theres currently holdovers and wild Trout out there as of right now. Not sure if they started stocking yet but man certain stretches of creeks and streams already have plenty of fish in them. Amazing how these fish can hold up in streams that barely had any water in them this past fall! Strong reluctant little Trout they are.

Anyway, myself and a few buddies are headed back to the same spot as last year. We'll be celebrating the life of my brother, Frank Viggiano!!! He loved Trout fishing as much as I do! There's just something about the running water and scenery that puts the mind, body and soul at ease. I'll be out with Frank's brother Mike V and a few other maniacs bright and early. We'll have the grill going rain or shine and always have a great time no matter what. If anyone out there is looking for somewhere to go please feel free to join my crew Saturday, April 8th for the big opener. PM, text or call for location info. This place was pretty much empty by 930 am last year. I'm in no rush to get a limit of stockie Rainbows and rush home. I'm out there to have a good time with my brothers! Plenty of room for more anglers willing to join us! Let me know gang!:)

On that note, WHERE ya GUYS and GIRLS HEADED???
OPENING DAY TROUT is almost HERE!!! TIGHT LINEZ!!!:D

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[AndyS]

Was thinking of heading up and doing some trout fishing in NY that opens April 1st, but by the looks of things it's gonna be blown out ! Big snow pack melting along with predicted rainfall.
Looks like lots of rain in the forecast but I'll take that any day over bone dry rivers and streams.
Big D is flowing nice too, glad to see water for a change !

[BottomBouncer13]

I'll be fishing the rockaway in boonton township being that I live walking distance away now. If anyone wants to join pm me. I have caught my limit plus 4 years running now. I'm also thinking of making it a marathon and bass fishing splitrock in the afternoon.

[Dave B.]

I haven't fished Opening Day or weekend for many years. Spent a lot of opening days during the past 15 years doing angler surveys for F&W, which I'll be doing again this year at Tuckahoe Lake in upper Cape May county. The following weekend I'll be on the Flatbrook in NJ and the Bushkill in Pa.

Good luck to everyone heading out on the 8th! Decent water levels for the first time in a LONG time combined with tens of thousands of fresh stockies and a LOT of fall holdovers as Eddie has proven bode very well for great success!

[gwl2oneida]

Tight lines gentlemen, and more importantly stay safe. River can be a dangerous place to fish.

[23cardinal]

Buddies and I usually do opening day at nomehegan. Nice easy day, no bumping for space, and just relax. Get into the wading once The crowds thin out by Monday or so

[Capt. Lou]

I was hoping Eddie would invite me , but did not happen ! I guess I'll go out and try my best to catch a trout 🐟 Maybe get lucky and catch a keeper !:D

[Hookmanski]

Hey all! This is my first post, glad to be a part of the site. I'll be out all day saturday in Hunterdon county. I live right behind the spruce run creek, so I've got a couple secret spots ;) Good luck to all, tight lines!

[FASTEDDIE29]

Hey all! This is my first post, glad to be a part of the site. I'll be out all day saturday in Hunterdon county. I live right behind the spruce run creek, so I've got a couple secret spots ;) Good luck to all, tight lines!

Welcome to the site dude! It's THE BEST! That creek is quite the little gem for sure. You catch em up and let us know how you do!

TIGHT LINEZ!!!:D

[FASTEDDIE29]

I was hoping Eddie would invite me , but did not happen ! I guess I'll go out and try my best to catch a trout 🐟 Maybe get lucky and catch a keeper !:D

Your invitation is in the mail and will probably come back to my residence. I forgot to buy a stamp............:rolleyes:

Hahahahaha! You'll get em Cap'n! You always do!!!

[Lard Almighty]

If I do go out, it'll be in the afternoon, after the kids and googans have had their fill. One of the ponds by me is a bonus broodstock lake, I may hit that for a couple of hours.

[Dave B.]

Tight lines gentlemen, and more importantly stay safe. River can be a dangerous place to fish.

I'll definitely second your statements! Especially the latter part given the torrential rains we're presently having, the heavy rains forecast for Mon night into Tue, and then another round of rain for Thu! Be safe guys, no trout is worth your health or life!

[briansnat]

I've been fishing for 50 years (and boy are my arms tired :)) and I have yet to go out on opening day. As a kid I used to beg my dad to take me out on opening day and he will tell me "It's amateur hour, you don't want to be out there, it's crazy".

I know it's exciting and have many friends who look forward to it, but things get crowded enough in the few weeks following that I can't begin to imagine the opening day crowds. The annual pic of dozens of anglers forming a circle at the base of Saxton Falls is what I have in my head.

Good luck and tight lines to anybody who does go out!

[FASTEDDIE29]

It's a yearly tradition for me and plenty of others in the great garden state! I can't just let it fade away after so many friends and memories have been made! You gotta pick the right place to go and enjoy the day with friends, family, a brother you haven't seen in a year, a nephew, niece, son or daughter! It's a bonding experience that I enjoy thoroughly. Kinda disappointing that tradition seems to be dying all around me! I personally can't let that happen! On that note, "I'll kindly ask one more time? LOL!!!"

Where ya headed for the NJ Trout Opener???

Good luck and as always TIGHT LINEZ!!!:D

[RyanMac14]

I'd like to get out later in the day with some guys if anyone is interested. Maybe around 4 or 5

[Capt. Lou]

Eddies correct in his assessment , I always loved opening day as a tradition , and yes there are many persons trying their luck on that day . Like was mentioned many never even comeback , so to put up,with others enjoying one day or part of it doesn't bother me .
Plenty of fish to go around , I never have an issue getting into decent areas I share with other anglers .
The past four months I practically fished alone , so one day with opening day anglers doesn't bother me .
Some anglers that I met earlier this winter where worse than opening day crowd, there stream etiquette was lacking in many respects but if u really know how to catch trout u have very little issue .
Many hog water or wade indiscriminately with no regard for other anglers, but it is what it is , so enjoy yourself it's always a great day when your on the water.:)

[troutaholic]

I will be out there on the opener, with tow of my buddys. not to fish hard , just to have some fun , see some friends an watch the fishing games . stop at johnnys for some hotdogs .

[NJSquatch]

will be at the annual spot on the 'Po with my old school fishing buddies....hope it will be fishable...lots of rain in the forecast....

[youngdumbandfulloffish]

It's a yearly tradition for me and plenty of others in the great garden state! I can't just let it fade away after so many friends and memories have been made! You gotta pick the right place to go and enjoy the day with friends, family, a brother you haven't seen in a year, a nephew, niece, son or daughter! It's a bonding experience that I enjoy thoroughly. Kinda disappointing that tradition seems to be dying all around me! I personally can't let that happen! On that note, "I'll kindly ask one more time? LOL!!!"

Where ya headed for the NJ Trout Opener???

Good luck and as always TIGHT LINEZ!!!:D

Couldn't agree more. I'll be at Nomo in Cranford with a lot of coffee, breakfast, a handful a great friends. There is plenty of time to wade and fish better waters but Opening Day is just a great way to start the year and bring people together.

Has anyone ever got pizza delivered to a county park?

[FASTEDDIE29]

Couldn't agree more. I'll be at Nomo in Cranford with a lot of coffee, breakfast, a handful a great friends. There is plenty of time to wade and fish better waters but Opening Day is just a great way to start the year and bring people together.

Has anyone ever got pizza delivered to a county park?

LOL! Absolutely! Just pick the address closest to where your fishing! The delivery guy will call you in most cases when he's at the delivery address. Keep your eyes peeled for the fresh, hot pizza delivery vehicle...... Too that pizza with stocked rainbows trouser trout and it's party time, LOL!!!!

[kcritch]

Hey Andy...We doing the Duke Park thing again? Aint never any fish there...Well except when Wilson catches a Smallie!!! But as many have said...it's just great to get out with a few buds and enjoy the day.

Aaahhh yes opening day...Andy's kawfee and donuts and giving away fishing supplies he don't want cluttering up his garage anymore, Wilson pointing out that my rod is too whippy and that I don't have enough line on my reel, standing in cold high muddy water that hasn't seen a trout in 20 years, Shucker covering 3 miles of river and changing is lure 100 times in the first 15 minutes, then back to the parking lot to share excuses and lies of the beasts of the day...yes sir good times...good times indeed!

Hope to see some of you somewhere that day boys.

[Jigman13]

Hey Andy...We doing the Duke Park thing again? Aint never any fish there...Well except when Wilson catches a Smallie!!! But as many have said...it's just great to get out with a few buds and enjoy the day.

Aaahhh yes opening day...Andy's kawfee and donuts and giving away fishing supplies he don't want cluttering up his garage anymore, Wilson pointing out that my rod is too whippy and that I don't have enough line on my reel, standing in cold high muddy water that hasn't seen a trout in 20 years, Shucker covering 3 miles of river and changing is lure 100 times in the first 15 minutes, then back to the parking lot to share excuses and lies of the beasts of the day...yes sir good times...good times indeed!

Hope to see some of you somewhere that day boys.

Someone woke the gentle giant! Hahaha... great post buddy. Great post.

[Mark B.]

I’ll be counting / interviewing you guys @ Lower Echo Pond, Mountainside.
Please have your licenses prominently displayed.

[AndyS]

Stopped the M&G on the Raritan ribber opening day because no one ever caught a trout !!! Then Wilson peels off with FE and the go to some bridge on the Passaic and catch 100 trout in 10 minutes !! Go figure !!:D

[kcritch]

Someone woke the gentle giant! Hahaha... great post buddy. Great post.

Finally got warm enough to come out of hibernation. HA! Can't wait to start getting out and about on a regular basis.

See you soon my friend!

[Jigman13]

Finally got warm enough to come out of hibernation. HA! Can't wait to start getting out and about on a regular basis.

See you soon my friend!

Looking forward to it bud. It's all about to start happening.

[Moz]

Stopped the M&G on the Raritan ribber opening day because no one ever caught a trout !!! Then Wilson peels off with FE and the go to some bridge on the Passaic and catch 100 trout in 10 minutes !! Go figure !!:D

That's a shame to hear it stopped. Think I might turn up there on Saturday and see what happens. At least it's never crowded and offers some nice smallies.

[Jigman13]

If it rains like they're predicting thurs into fri the raritan will be a mudslide. Most rivers are gonna be blown out. 22' at the ladder now. Will reach flood stage i.e. 28' if the monsoon occurs. Be safe out there guys.

[FASTEDDIE29]

Me and the boys are hitting the creek bright and early regardless. The grill will be going and I'll have the coffee on the camp stove in the percolator. I gotta get out of the house and see what's going on out there! Looks like rains coming but ya never know! It could miss us kinda like that 24 inches of snow did last month. We'll be out for sure.

Ahhhhh yes, the Raritan! Plenty of fish for the Cormorants to eat prior to opening day, lol! If worse comes to worse everyone bring there helmets. We'll meet up at the Raritan at 10 am for a brown water rafting trip down to the bay! See you fellas out there. TIGHT LINEZ!!!

[Jigman13]

Hahaha... that'd be a raritan adventure for sure FE!

[FASTEDDIE29]

Float trip! YEA BUDDY!

Rain report,

Working in Scotch Plains today and the drizzle is making everything wet! Haven't seen any signs of torrential down pours anywhere in my travels so far. Maybe the streams will survive and our little Rainbow colored baitfish won't wash into the Delaware or Raritan bays, lol!!!

What's it doing out where you I've or work guys and girls? Any severe weather out there in NJ yet???? Let us know! Thanks in advance!!!

TIGHT LINEZ!!!!:D

[kcritch]

Workin in Roseland...same thing with a constant drizzle but nothing big yet. Probably won't get anything bad until rush hour!!!

[Eskimo]

.

The radar indicates the worst of the storm is staying West of New Jersey.
It's just starting to rain hard down herin Trenton right now.

.

[NJSquatch]

Tstorm just pushed through Morristown

[kcritch]

Update from Roseland....

The Ark is complete and she's floatin like a champ.

Departure time is 6PM...$125 per man plus tip (Ladies are of course free!) All bait and tackle provided. It will be a fresh to salt combo trip estimated return time 40 days! But there is no clock our our boat boys....and absolutely no restriction on the amount of adult beverages!!!

Damn it aint pretty out there for sure! Good luck tomorrow and be safe.

[FASTEDDIE29]

Lol!!!! Not as bad as they predicted actually. More of a quick flash flood causing rain rather than a river flooding for a couple days rain. Were good to go! I see the blue skies breaking through the clouds now. River gage predictions are way lower than originally posted. Easy peasy! Let's go catch some baits, lol!!!! See you maniacs out there!:D

[Jigman13]

That storm front played "just the tip" and bailed. Should be ok by Saturday. Still trying to figure out what I'm doing!

[FASTEDDIE29]

Rabbit.....Rabbit.....

Headed out the door shortly! Good luck out there guys and gals! Enjoy the day with family and friends! Be safe and let us know how you do!

YEA BUDDY!!! TIGHT LINEZ!!!:D

[tautog]

Did not fish but saw 14 cars at the falls at Hockhockson Brook at 9 am.

[BottomBouncer13]

Tough for me this year. I did better then most in my area. Landed 5 mostly small stockies on worms. Only thing I caught on a line was a tiny pickerel on a spinner. Water was dirtyish and way too high. This was at the rockaway

[Eskimo]

.

Update from Seeley's Pond. I caught three stockies on Power Cheese.

A lot of the regulars that usually quickly limit out caught few or no fish - which is just weird. :confused: I don't know if the fish weren't there or if they were were just scattered away from the places they usually accumulate or maybe they were there and just not feeding normally.

Another odd thing this year was I saw three ospreys. One kept hovering over the pond even though it was surrounded by people. This is an urban pond that usually don't attract that kind of wildlife. It's possible the ospreys were hammering the trout all week and that's one of the reasons they were scattered.

.

[thmyorke1]

Middle brook east branch, chimney rock

I didn't see a single trout, but I started fishing after work at 1pm.

I got a cute bass though. Picture attached.

[Billfish715]

.

Update from Seeley's Pond. I caught three stockies on Power Cheese.

A lot of the regulars that usually quickly limit out caught few or no fish - which is just weird. :confused: I don't know if the fish weren't there or if they were were just scattered away from the places they usually accumulate or maybe they were there and just not feeding normally.

Another odd thing this year was I saw three ospreys. One kept hovering over the pond even though it was surrounded by people. This is an urban pond that usually don't attract that kind of wildlife. It's possible the ospreys were hammering the trout all week and that's one of the reasons they were scattered.

.There have been ospreys around that stretch from Watchung Lake and to the east for a number of years. Three is an unusual number as they usually pair off by now. I don't know of any nests in that area, however. Seeley's and the Union County waters usually get stocked close to opening day. Seeley's was still off color when I drove past yesterday. That might have contributed to the low catch rate.

[baetis]

I fished the same spot I've fished the last 10 years with my 11 year old son. The area we fish usually produces 20-30 fish for 8 some odd people,that fish it. This year my son and I combined for 6 fish (one breeder) and there were only two other fish landed. I don't know if it was because of the higher water, or if not as many fish were put in, or they dispersed. The cookie cutter stickies were a little smaller than past years. Worms were the bait of choice.

We headed back out near sunset and caught 4 small stockies at a lake/pond during the last hour of light. Saw a really nice hook jawed bow caught and released. Fish was probably pushing 5lbs.

[23cardinal]

Me youngdumbandfulloffish, wlawler12 and two friends had our nomehegan hangout. Got fish on powercheese, they loved butter worms, spinners and trout magnet. Fish def seemed smaller than last year, but fatter. 10-12 inches. 17 in total, bunch of crappie and a few brave larry s. Had a blast- glad to see everyone else did too