Couple Dinks, Couple Lunkers 10/12

[NorthJerzyG]

Put in a few hours today. Cool and windy conditions made it a challenge but I managed to battle a few. Got the first pike unexpectedly in my "usually" only smallies spot, along with a couple dink smallies.

Moved on to the next stop and, while bringin in a crankbait, I saw a nice shadow following it in. After a quick swipe right at shore, he stopped dead and didn't move. Flipped another cast a few feet behind him and after 2 more swipes i finally hooked up and off he went.

After that, I arrived at the next spot just in time to watch the DPW cut a large tree down directly into the river!! I asked if they were purposely trying to keep fisherman out the guy told me, no, were improving the view?? Ugghhh........

http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i419/NorthjerzyG/IMAG0115.jpg

http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i419/NorthjerzyG/IMAG0111.jpg

http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i419/NorthjerzyG/IMAG0119.jpg

[FASTEDDIE29]

Looks nice up that way, no wind and you caught some fish. Good catch G!!!

[tycomps]

Put in a few hours today. Cool and windy conditions made it a challenge but I managed to battle a few. Got the first pike unexpectedly in my "usually" only smallies spot, along with a couple dink smallies.

Moved on to the next stop and, while bringin in a crankbait, I saw a nice shadow following it in. After a quick swipe right at shore, he stopped dead and didn't move. Flipped another cast a few feet behind him and after 2 more swipes i finally hooked up and off he went.

After that, I arrived at the next spot just in time to watch the DPW cut a large tree down directly into the river!! I asked if they were purposely trying to keep fisherman out the guy told me, no, were improving the view?? Ugghhh........

http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i419/NorthjerzyG/IMAG0115.jpg

http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i419/NorthjerzyG/IMAG0111.jpg

http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i419/NorthjerzyG/IMAG0119.jpg

they probably consider it "structure" :D

[NorthJerzyG]

EXACTLY what he said. He said he fishes there all the time and it will make good structure. That may be true, but it also tends to be a "problem" if you hook up with a beast.......... Also, it was just 2 guys with chainsaws so it didn't seem like they were going to be removing it anytime soon.

[Skunk City]

Solid Pike.

[NorthJerzyG]

Thanx! Here's the first, "smaller" one. Notice the lighter colored fins, and the small wound behind them........

http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i419/NorthjerzyG/IMAG0109.jpg

[Eskimo]

Great fish.

I'm not sure what was accomplished by the DPW cutting down a live Sycamore tree and leaving it on the banks like that. :confused:

[NorthJerzyG]

I'm hoping the next big storm washes it at least onto the bank, maybe. Otherwise it's just gonna collect more and more debris until it completely chokes off the spot altogether.

[Skunk City]

Not sure that spot necessarily needs more structure. Without blowing it up, the natural current/slack current pools there are enough for them to do well there. I don't think adding one fallen tree will make it any better lol.

[buzzbaiter]

Various agencies(PVSC, Morris Cty Mosquito Comm. et al) spent most of this summer removing structure from the river - i.e. trees. I've seen the DPW excavators at several locations from Two Bridges all the way up to Long Hill Twp. Any tree leaning over or fallen into the river was cut up & dragged out. Those mid river 'islands' of debris that pike(and bass) love were taken out. Its a damn shame how they're trying to ruin the fishery. The river is going to flood no matter what(it flows thru a natural flood plain - DUH!!!) so their misguided intentions are a waste of taxpayer money. The less cover the fish have, the less they'll eat and less protection from their enemies or weather(ice/flooding). IOW, the fishing will suffer. Time will tell but I'm not optimistic about the future of the fishery. I hear they'll start dredging the river next as the silt has gotten too deep. Can't wait for that...

[baetis]

Chopping down trees that provide soil stability in a flood area?

[buzzbaiter]

Some do. Even a dead tree root system can hold a bank in place for years. Funny thing is they pull the stuff out and lay it down back in the woods where it will just get washed back in anyways if the river has major flooding again. Think they would know that wood floats...