Raritan river 5/1/25:

[AndyS]

Not much today, fished around Duke Island Park and watched a group of anglers put a hurting on the recently stocked trout, the guy with the fly rod was having a blast ! Fished up and down from them, nothing. Went down to Robert St and got 3 stocked trout and one small SMB. I did hook a nice trout that smoked my drag, jumped, big head shake, waved a fin and the fish was gone. Tough with the low gin clear water, we do need rain. If you are into bow fishing you can mop up with the carp in the shallows right now. Worked my way down to Somerville Petersbrook Greenway where the tree schmutz was starting to be a PIA, at least the wind wasn't blowing 2000 mph ! On the river I looked further down to what seemed to be someone's dog, I stood and watched waiting to see the owner show but that didn't happen. Stood and watched some more and took a photo. Best to take the high road and avoid confrontation. One more trout stocking on May 7th for the river. The blue bells are being replaced by honey suckle now. Carried out what trash I could find at every location.

[Broad Bill]

Andy from the coloration, that might be a baby fox. The black legs and ears make me think it might be. Maybe the mother was killed and the little fellow is on his or her own or the mother was somewhere nearby out of sight. I think the babies are more nocturnal this time of year, pretty much stay in the den during the day and only come out with mom at night so who knows. If something did happen to it's mother, it might be worth reporting it to F&G or a rehabilitator to see if it can be captured and saved. Or then again, maybe it is a dog as you suggested, other more knowledgeable people on the site might have a better perspective. Just a thought.

https://www.google.com/search?q=imag...5NoPg7X1mA4_54

https://vet.tufts.edu/tufts-wildlife...0rehabilitator.

[AndyS]

Probably a fox. Like I said I just veered away to avoid any confrontation.
BTW the shallows were packed with baitfish and lots of bugs coming off the water, the same bugs I saw coming off the West branch up in NY, just not as many.

[Broad Bill]

I was fishing an area earlier this week and there were a lot of mayflies around.