Guide Trip Report 3/1/09 "The Calm Between The Storms"

Jamie and Jay came back out to learn more about nymphing, winter trout and the KLG on Sunday.

Luckily, the daytime hours on Sunday were a true "calm before the storm". We had a small weather system move through the night before that brought a little rain and snow along with colder air temps. This first system set the scene for a major winter storm that began by the time we all had gotten off the water Sunday night.

This weather situation set up an interesting question. Would the fish be reacting to the barometric implications of an exiting system or the approaching one? I do believe pressure changes have SOME effect on fish behavior, but I think to what extent is quite debatable. The sun never broke through the cloud cover all day and we did have a little snow in the morning, but water temps actually got slightly (as in .5 to 1 degree) above 40 degrees by days end.

All in all, fish were pretty tight lipped. Having water that warm, (for March 1st).)and still limited fish activity is a good argument for the barometric pressure effect.

Jamie managed two very pretty wild browns, both about 10 inches. Jamie also got to experience catching his first fish on a fly of his own tying, which is a milestone for all fly fisherman. Nice job Jamie!



At the end of the day Jamie hooked into a large fish and lost it after about a 30 second fight. That would have really topped the day off nicely......but......she's still out there, and we know where she lives!

Guide Trip Report 2/26/09

Joe from Sicklerville joined me on last Thursday for a full day guide on the South Branch. An experienced salt water angler, Joe was looking to learn the fresh water side of NJ fly fishing.

Water levels were around 75cfs, and had (and continue to as of this posting) drop from the relatively high water we had towards the beginning of February. Air temps were comfortable and water temps were around 37-38 to begin the day.

Morning fishing was slow but things heated up in the afternoon, concluding with Joe doing an awesome job landing "the fish of the year". Meaning, as of Feb 26th, it was the biggest and nicest fish landed by one of my clients in '09.

Thus beautiful fish came on a Double Trigger EBS. That fly is HOT right now.

Joe managed a few others as well as losing one right at our feet.

Here is a beautiful wild fish Joe landed in a classic stretch of "winter water".

Guide Trip Report 2/15/09

Andy and Jamie from Brooklyn fished with me on the 15th in the KLG. Goals for the day included included learning to short line nymph without an indicator, as well as learn to read winter lies and see as much of the KLG as possible.

Morning water temps were around 35 degrees, and the fish were sluggish. If I remember correctly, we were two days into a cold snap.(temps had been steadily declining after a warm period)


Both Andrew and Jamie both hooked a fish or two before lunch, but only Andy brought a fish to hand.

Notice I didn't say trout!

After lunch, Jamie continued on with me to finish out a full day guide.
Just like they are supposed to do in the winter, the fish really started getting active as water temps began creeping up throughout the afternoon hours.

Jamie landed several decent fish, including a nice wild fish with a nice bird wound on it's cheek.

Fish came on different combinations of attractor patterns and small naturals, such as PT's, E.B.S, midge and caddis larva and my double trigger EBS.