Raritan river 3/15-16/20:

[AndyS]

Took the 8 hour drive to New Jawsey and met up with Uncle Ken to do some fishing on the Raritan river. Got on the water bright and early around 8:30am at Duke Island Park in Raritan Borough. We fished up by the falls nothing, then down below the shale flats and started to put a pick of fish together. Amazing as the bug hatch was insane !! Bugs in my eyes, nose and ears, a good sign. We picked away for a while then headed down to Robert St where Ken ripped his already leaking waders on a bolt sticking out of a guardrail. Rolled one at Robert St, we tried Nevius St with no luck. Going on 1pm, time for beers and burgers at the Royal on Rt 22, good call. Ken went on his way and I went on to visit a few more friends while I was in town.
2/16- Hit the river near Bridgewater, Torpey section, fished down to Manville during the 48* chilly morning, nothing. Went back up to the scene of the crime and nailed a few below the falls and a few below the shale flats.
So now with all this being said I thought fishing was pretty good for mid March and the river was running warmer than normal. I thought most of the trout looked a little "not so colorful" for having spent the entire fall and winter in the river, then I find out the State is already stocking trout, now I feel like the punch line of a bad joke. BUT even with all that being said it was still nice to come up and fish the river, the Raritan Watershed that I will always call home.

A few side notes: saw a big bald eagle at Duke Island Park, that was pretty cool, caught a creek chub that looked like it just got away from a big Nothern Pike. Homesickness sucks, like always having a queasy feeling in the gut. Had Taylor ham egg and cheese, burgers and pizza during my stay !!
I think I was one of 5 guests staying at the Marriott in Bridgewater.

All river clean ups have been canceled (will make a separate post on that.)
Not sure what is going on with the Rutgers American Shad study at this moment but hope New Jersey American Water opens the fish ladder in a timely manner.
The 8 hour drive sux, back to biscuits and shopping at Harris Teeter.
Wishing everyone well, look at the photos and tell me if they are freshly stocked trout or not, thanx, AndyS