Ramapo Report 4/21

[Drossi]

No complaints on this end regarding stocking. I've found fish each time I've gone out, save for one excursion to an obvious stocking point. I've also found fish places I know they weren't stocked in given the COVID protocols on stocking help so they have spread in the higher water.

Get out, walk, enjoy....it's not always about non-stop catching.

[Hookmanski]

Originally Posted by Drossi

No complaints on this end regarding stocking. I've found fish each time I've gone out, save for one excursion to an obvious stocking point. I've also found fish places I know they weren't stocked in given the COVID protocols on stocking help so they have spread in the higher water.

Get out, walk, enjoy....it's not always about non-stop catching.

I agree with you man. Several times this year so far, I stopped off at random stocking points while running errands and was able to hook up with a stockie or two. They’re doing their best, and the fish are pretty, but you can’t expect it to be phenomenal given the circumstances. I love the hunt too which helps with that.

[BT67]

been fishing for trout since I was a young teenager, I'm in my 50's now. I know how to fish and have no problem walking and moving around. I never fish where there are crowds. Bottom line is these last 2 years COVID restrictions stocking situations sucks in my opinion. There is no way they have stocked a full pre season and spring allotment already, no way. I have other trout fishing friends that agree wholeheartedly. We are just 3 weeks into the season and the Ramapo supposedly got stocked with 13K trout! even if areas were absolutely pounded for 3 weeks there still should be literally thousands left.

Gonna hit up another river tomorrow with a buddy and see if anywhere else is different.

[Billfish715]

Despite a disappointing preseason (April 2nd) trip to one of my go-to spots in Warren County, I returned on Saturday to the same stretch and was pleasantly surprised. Dozens of trout were rising everywhere in a spot that had no action when I was there last. I know that trout were stocked after April 1st and I have to assume these fish were a result of one of those stockings. Perhaps they swam downstream from a stocking point farther upstream but the best case scenario is that they were stocked closer to where I was.

While the trout were very selectively feeding on emergers, it was tough matching the hatch. I switched flies several times with only a fish here and there on each change. I finally dug out a small emerger and tied it on. That was the ticket as I picked 7 or 8 fish and turned many others until it was time to leave. Even better, I was the only fisherman there, albeit I was back off the beaten track. All fish were released to be caught again and spread out more.

[Drossi]

Originally Posted by BT67

been fishing for trout since I was a young teenager, I'm in my 50's now. I know how to fish and have no problem walking and moving around. I never fish where there are crowds. Bottom line is these last 2 years COVID restrictions stocking situations sucks in my opinion. There is no way they have stocked a full pre season and spring allotment already, no way. I have other trout fishing friends that agree wholeheartedly. We are just 3 weeks into the season and the Ramapo supposedly got stocked with 13K trout! even if areas were absolutely pounded for 3 weeks there still should be literally thousands left.

Gonna hit up another river tomorrow with a buddy and see if anywhere else is different.

I'm 50+ as well and have been trout fishing since I was old enough to manage wading a river on my own (7). Can't comment on the Ramapo as I've never set foot in it. I do stand by my sentiments otherwise. Found fish again on Saturday away from the stocking points. That they outsmarted me is another question, fish rising all around, me cycling through a bunch of dry flies, I finally did get one on a partridge and orange soft hackle.

It's bug season.

[BT67]

Originally Posted by Drossi

I'm 50+ as well and have been trout fishing since I was old enough to manage wading a river on my own (7). Can't comment on the Ramapo as I've never set foot in it. I do stand by my sentiments otherwise. Found fish again on Saturday away from the stocking points. That they outsmarted me is another question, fish rising all around, me cycling through a bunch of dry flies, I finally did get one on a partridge and orange soft hackle.

It's bug season.

yeah the post was about the Ramapo specifically. Went out west with a friend on Saturday and had a totally different experience. Lots of fish and bites on one of the nicest stretches of water I've fished in a long time.

[baetis]

It is amazing how quickly spots get fished out. I've stuck with fly fishing this year and the C&R period was lights out. A fish every drift. You go one week after catch and keep opens and it is 2-3 fish per trip instead of 20-30.

I did fish one small brook where they apparently dumped 90% of the fish in two spots instead of spreading them out which was disappointing.