Re: Trout Opener..... 2017! WOW!!!
 

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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.

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Re: Trout Opener..... 2017! WOW!!!
 

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.

Re: Trout Opener..... 2017! WOW!!!
 

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.

Re: Trout Opener..... 2017! WOW!!!
 

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.

Re: Trout Opener..... 2017! WOW!!!
 

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