Swimmin with the trout
 

Fished numerous places on the south branch Monday, from Clinton on south.
Had many trout rising on flies all around me, most of the day. In the shade of one bridge I stood at rods length with a half dozen bows, for over an hour. I watched as they avoided every offering I had. They just snapped up flies off the surface. I floated a butter to them, still no takers. Threw every type of artificial in the box. I left the fly rod home and that may be the only ticket for these picky ones. In three hours I only manged a a little smallie and a sunfish. Feeling let down after finally fishing the mighty raritan and taking a skunk, I had to stop in on a local Mud stream and in 15 minutes caught a nice brookie , a small largemouth, a yellow perch, and a couple of sunnies. I guess Mud isn't all that bad after all... you can't eat scenery.

Re: Swimmin with the trout
 

HAHAHA, At least you caught something!!!

Re: Swimmin with the trout
 

These stocked trout are super finicky. I've tried every possible rig, lure, bait, and technique I know in my newbie arsenal and have yet to catch one.

Re: Swimmin with the trout
 

Been there, done that two weeks ago. Witnessed hundreds of surface bugs getting slammed for hours at the North Branch and South Branch.
On the South Branch there was a guy flyrodding sulfer flies. But he was such an amateur he was tangled more than in the water. He still hooked up fifteen trout. I had a lot of laughs seeing his act and listening to him complaining. Anyone else probably could of caught forty that afternoon. I managed three floating butterworms that day.

Re: Swimmin with the trout
 

I have found that SIZE can matter at certain times and that a much smaller offering (16 to even 22 hook) with the appropriate fly and presentation can work. Man I know they are small, even harder to see if a dry fly and ya gotta sometimes use instinct, but...