North Branch float 9/21/13:

[AndyS]

Floated from Pluckemin to the confluence of the South Branch. I put in right by 202/206. Twisty and turns, a lot of fast but very small runs. Came across this dam that has been there forever, nailed a few smallies there and kept going. I wanted to get a good photo of this huge estate on the river but when I got close no less than 3 dogs came down barking their heads off. NEVER panic. Stay in the water. I have a whistle and a small filet knife. Only one time have I had a dog enter the water and come after me, glad I was a short distance from the car that day. The dogs didn’t look like Pitts, Rotts or Germans so I really wasn’t too worried. Kept on moving. Did more walking and pulling the canoe than actually floating, came across a big lethargic snapping turtle, saw Mallards and Drakes the entire float. Water was gin clear, deep holes were few and far between, lots and lots of blow downs. Seems the North Branch runs a lot faster and shallower than the South Branch, I could count all the big deep holes on one hand. I went under Rts. 78, 22 and 202. Went past the 4-H grounds and had a great show of remote controlled airplanes. Lots of shale flats and shallow water, very pretty float. Saw tons of 15lb. carp in the deeper spots and hoards of suckers also. Might be a better float in the spring after the river is stocked and the water is up a bit. Did the entire stretch in just over 4 and a half hours, I was moving ! I also wanted to do a garbage/tire recon, 17 tires I saw the entire float and most of them were below Rt. 202. I could have put in at Rt. 22 and floated down, above that the only really deep spots were under all the blow downs.