McMichaels Creek/ Pequest River Monroe/Warren Counties 2/22-23/12

[fisherboy3]

Fished the Pequest on the 22nd, Started off with eggs and the usual sucker spawn. Had about 12 fish, until I saw what people would consider the "Pequest Zoo". There was at least 12 people fishing from the bridge up to the hatchery. Fishing was good, with water levels low and clear, so it got tough sometimes. Had fish rising occasionally to Early Stones, and midges. Saw a few BWO's but not enough to getem rising. Had fish rising consistently next to a tree, but before i could get my stone on a guy thought it was a good idea to go right next to the tree to see what i was looking at. Oh well. Last fish of the day was one ugly 20 inch hook jaw pequest bruiser. Ate a sucker spawn.

Next day led to a private section up on McMichaels Creek. Its good to have friends in clubs! Had fish up to 20 inches also, lost a few MONSTERS due to snap offs. Fish ate Jelly Johns, Stonefly nymphs, PT's, eggs and sucker spawn. Fish rose sporadically but the wind made casting dries impossible. Had i think about 15 fish, mostly fat piggy bows, one big brookie and a few browns. Overall a good 2 days of fishing.

 

[djs12354]

Looks like some one had a good day! nice fish!

 

[DBNymph]

Pequest 3/29/12

 

[wbranch]

Well that looks like a nice big dead brown trout - I like how it's posed with the gaping mouth and gravel on the belly - good composition!

 

[surveyor06]

Haha. It doesnt look like its having a good day.

 

[wbranch]

Ya think?

 

[Greenweenie1]

Wbranch, understand what your saying but you have to understand the Pequest at this spot. The state has a mega hatchery that discharges to the strem and it constantly dumps lifeless monster trout that are barely alive. If anyone happens to hook one, they die within 10 seconds. You can take all the care you want but they die anyway. seriously, you will see 30 people all standing in a 50 foot radius around the discharge chute. And if the trout wont hit because they are so close to death, simply bend down and pick it up.

 

[wbranch]

So you call that fishing? I hear you but that doesn't sound like a very rewarding experience. I'd rather catch one healthy 11" fish than five goofy looking lifeless fish.

 

[Squaretail]

He lives in Jersey. Not sure what you're expecting.....

 

[SBecker]

^LOL I was thinking the same thing.

 

[DBNymph]

LOL

1. Fish was out of water for 25 seconds.

2. I can't ask the fish to open/close mouth as picture is taken.

3. Caught Thursday, saw fish feeding today.

Those that think their pictures "Squeezing" the life out of a trout is "OK", think again (WBranch).

 

[littlelehigh]

jeez guys be easy we should just be glad he took it off the metal stringer before photographing. Nice dead fish you got there congrats.

 

[DBNymph]

WBranch,

If you grip all the fish you catch like the one in the photo, you have been a fish killer for over 50 years......

 

[tomgamber]

again, its why they put them in there.

 

[GreenWeenie]

The 300 yard section downstream of the hatchery discharge chute is nothing more than an extension of the hatchery loaded with fish. The hatchery dumps trout into the stream every day and this section (plus another 3 or so miles downstream) is managed as trophy trout meaning you can keep I believe 2 trout per day over 14 inches. The monster trout dumped into the stream are 80% dead on arrival so even if they are not caught they are only going to die. This particular 300 yard stretch is meat hunter’s paradise and it is not uncommon to see 50 people in a 50 foot radius fishing the hole around the discharge chute with a chain stringer hanging from their waders and most leaving with 2 trout – fly fishermen included.

Personally I don’t fish the place – not my cup of tea – but I don’t begrudge anyone who does. It is what it is and it’s a very popular spot. The stream also warms well into the 70's during the summer, it is continually stocked year round, so the trout are meant to be taken.

 

[wbranch]

" you're right hand when you were done squeezing everything out of that fish?"

I'm not to sure what picture you are referring to - the avatar rainbow? I can assure you that fish was unharmed and all my fish are revived, to the best of my ability, before letting them swim free.

"You speak like you know something and you know nothing"

Yes, your right, I don't know anything about fishing the Pequest River. But I do know a thing, or two, about catching big wild trout.

 

[JackM]

Posts #s 4 through all subsequent posts do not belong attached to a stream report. Thread has been locked, posts may be deleted.