Raritan river 5/24/17: Trout and Bass

[AndyS]

Started at the shale flats in DIP and got a few trout. Moved down a bit and got a really nice Smallie. Took a break hit Quick Chek in Raritan Borough for more kawfee then went up by da falls. Fished the big bend below the falls. Again trout and SMB. Guy soaking Power Cheese at the falls had 4 trout in da bucket.
Left there and went to Robert St. Caught trout all through here, even well below where the dam was removed as per advice from Kcritch. The trout were holding in the semi-fast water. Lost count, trout looked pretty good, some deep red color and some had full fins.
Over to Manville McD's for a quick bite then went into the Peters Brook stretch in Somerville. Worked up river a bit and got a nice SMB. Worked my way well down river and got a few really nice SMB, it was quality over quantity in Somerville, no stocked trout there.
Good day, fish all around.

[AndyS]

A few more.

[BT67]

sounds like a good day, been following the site for a while and I know the river conditions have a lot to due with your hard work. Flows look optimal for this time of year.

I lived in Hillsborough from 85-95, never really fished the areas you are, spent more time out in SBR in Hunterdon county and the North Branch.

[kcritch]

Awesome day you had there capt. A lot of ground covered for sure. Love the river pics but more fish pics would be nice too..HAHA! That river is a new beast since those damns (and 400,000 lbs of trash) were removed. Definitely worth giving it a new look BT67. It's a whole new world out there and only going to get better I would think. Great report Andy!

By the way I thought Monday was your day off??? what's with this Wednesday stuff?

[tycomps]

Great report (I took Ken's advice on the black and gold spinners a few weeks ago and the trout devoured them), what were the smallies hitting on?

I know.......JIGS!!!! :D:D:D

[meatwad555]

Cool report. It was definitely a great day to be out, looks like you enjoyed it.

[kcritch]

I know.......JIGS!!!! :D:D:D

Now that's funny right there...HAHA!

[Billfish715]

Please remind the less well-informed lurkers that you practice CPR (Catch Photograph Release) since the bass season is closed until June 15th. All fish caught until then must be released.

[AndyS]

Funny, I don't know size and bag limits because I rarely keep any freshwater fish at all. I may keep a few Rainbow trout from Round Valley but that is it. All fish are C&R for me. Yes bass season is closed.

[Jigman13]

Nice trip Andy!

[Bill Willix]

That really looks like a great river. The only section I have ever fished is up in Budd lake /Flanders and Ken Lockwood section. I love reading the post from down that way it seema like you never know what you are going to catch. And I some already said from teading the post over the years I know you have a lot to do with the vitality of that river great job.

[FASTEDDIE29]

Nice day to walk the entire river..... Well half if it maybe! Good report!!!:D

[AndyS]

The benefits are three fold for me. I get to fish water close to home which is a major + in my book. NO river too large. Prefer larger water over smaller streams any time. Learned not to be intimidated by big water since I started doing float trips with a guide on the Upper Delaware river.
Last and of course not least, get to see the effects of how in water clean ups help the fishing and fish population.
Started fishing the river as a wee lad many years ago, lots of memories made on this river.