Bernardsville, New Jersey

Finally able to get back out on the river. Had a lot of work and studying to do after Thanksgiving. I also had to take advantage of these beautiful skiing conditions before I headed home. Back on the Passaic, the river that I can always count on to produce, almost let me down today. Thats because 80% of the river was covered ice. Most of the parts that weren't iced over were only a few inches deep. The only truly fishable hole was the very last hole of the day. I had noticed a couple size 18 little black stoneflies earlier crawling on top of the snow. My nymphbox has been picked through this year, but luckily I had a euro stonefly that matched the hatch quite well. After about a dozen casts I finally caught this bow. I made sure to take a quick picture and get it back into the water fast, since I didnt want the fish to freeze in these temps. This pool is the only deep waterfall plungepool in the entire creek. If anyone is planning on trout fishing soon, try to find a creek with gradient that would have lots of these plungepools, since this was the only fishavle part of the river. Was a beautiful day hiking through the snow, and hopefully I can get back out before all of the snow melts by on friday.

Catching some of my first fish but made a goal to catch giant fish in the ocean in 2025 like sharks W don’t forget to follow me

Finally broke my skunk. My favorite river never fails to produce, and I finally caught my first brown and rainbow since this summer😭. Ended up with 1 rainbow, 3 browns, and 2 common shiners. I couldn't net 2 and missed a bunch more. Surprisingly there were a bunch of fish rising, although I was throwing nymphs. There were midges, but also a bunch of little black stoneflies, about size 18 crawling around. I was throwing my smallest stonefly imitation and a red midge emerger behind. Awesome way to end off the year!

Caught 1 wild rainbow and 2 wild browns on the fly rod in the Passaic. This river never fails to produce. Also found this giant craw, as well as 2 Great Blue Herons. I got an hour and a half of fishing in before my leader got knotted, and called it quits because I forgot more leader and tippet at home. I think I'm going to try the passaic again, but lower downstream for pike or bass.

Caught 5 wild browns, 1 wild rainbow, and 1 bass today. I fished down Indian Grove Brook to its confluence with the Passaic River, and then fished up the Passaic. The fishing was excellent. There was a fish in every hole or run that was deeper than a foot. Because I was using barbless hooks, I probably lost about 4 fish for every one I caught. They were all very aggressive, most chasing the spinner right up to my feet, and they ranged from about 2-12 inches. Luckily I was able to hang on to the biggest brown today. Plan on going out this weekend as well to some other wild trout streams.

Had a total of 4 browns and 2 rainbows in an hour of fishing. I was using a Joe's flies, #1 spinner. Had multiple other takes, but these fish are so skiddish. Very successful if you don't coubt the fact me and my dad got stung by bees.(btw, neither of us are allergic) I got stung by a lone bee, twice, about half way through. Then, as we are about to wrap up, my dad gets snagged. He goes to get it but is immediately swarmed by a nest. After that we left, minus 1 rod. Luckily, the rod isn't that good of a rod, but I am still pretty bummed Also saw these tracks at the end, and I am 99% sure that no dog could have gotten where we were. Please let me know what kind of tracks these are. All things considered though, the FISHING part of the trip was successful.

This was from yesterday. The water was high, and I didn't go for long, but I caught this fat creek chub and a redbreasts. Also saw this tree of heaven with a bunch of spotted lantern flies on it. I reported it. Tried to catch trout but I guess the water was to high

Tough fishin a quarry as I really never have before. But I’m starting to find there hideouts ! Not sure how deep it is, but I’ve been told at least 100’ to maybe 200’+ ! It just drops in most spots, crazy !!