NJF Trout opening day Meet and Greet April 6:

[AndyS]

It’s that time again, the rite of passage, why even the Governor used to comes out for a photo op on opening day! For some children it means more than opening gifts on Christmas morning.
I even used to go to Saxton Falls just to WATCH the opening day antics.
To me it means spring has finally arrived!

I’m holding on to tradition this year and I’m throwing the invite out there to fish the big water of the Raritan River in Duke Island Park. Whilst not the best river for Trout fishing in the state, it does offer plenty of parking and river access and is heavily stocked.
This year things may be different in the fact that the Roberts St. dam is gone. Maybe while fishing for trout you may accidentally hook a shad, or a walleye or smallmouth or a striped bass, there aren’t too many trout waters in New Jersey that offer so much.

The last few years have been fun and we got lucky with the water flows and weather.
Should the river get blown out I will not be having the meet and greet nor will I set a rain date.
Water levels of 16,17,18,19 are good, 20 is too high.
http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=phi&gage=bdkn4

This year as usual I will pick up the donuts and kawfee. I also have some NJF bumper stickers to hand out.

Also, if you have any fishing stuff you don’t use anymore bring it with you. Maybe a few fishing magazines or some lures that you might want to give away. Not looking to do a garage sale but if you think you have something someone else can use and it’s collecting dust bring it on down.
Say from 6:30am to 7:30 for trade and swap time.

Since we are so spread throughout the state feel free to use this thread to post where you will be fishing if you want.

Hope to see you there

[GetANet]

Sounds like a good time, I'll mark it on the calendar. M&G's are always something i look forward to! On the Raritan too, even better not too far and good fishing!

[FASTEDDIE29]

Ill be there. Oh yes, ill be there. Always a good time at Dukes!!!

[flatcreek]

Would love to go , but the first day is family day. Brother, son, grandson, nephew and Friends. We will all be in High Bridge on the SB where we grew up.

[Wilson]

I will be away that weekend doing a family thing in Endicott NY, not that i'll be missed anyways.
If you go make sure to have FastEddie cross the river and retrieve your snagged up lures;) :D

[GetANet]

Why do you say that Wilson? I met some of the crew but not you yet my fellow bait fisherman!!!

[FASTEDDIE29]

George, you will be missed! You are a trout catching maniac. Plus, you take the best pix!

[AndyS]

Looks like the Raritan river is a tough sell, but like I said, it's only one day out of the year.
I still think its better than standing over a 5 foot by 5 foot hole with 15 other guys.

[SaltLife1980]

My father and I have always fished opening day at Saxon Falls.. I always get some good laughs and even seen some good fights.. never a dull moment there.. :D

[jimmythegreek]

I'd love to go but Ive pretty much given up fighting guys for a spot on the river. I'll be on the boat with a warm coffee. I hope u guys kill em and somebody nails bubba this year from NJF!

[FASTEDDIE29]

The 2 biggest trout of 2013 have already been caught. Both by NJF members, Outofline and Shucker. Pretty cool! Dukes is a nice stretch of river and you really don't know what you can pull out of the mighty RARITAN.

[Wilson]

Looks like the Raritan river is a tough sell, but like I said, it's only one day out of the year.
I still think its better than standing over a 5 foot by 5 foot hole with 15 other guys.

You mean like this???????????
http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k505/HackerHack/download.jpg

Or like this from lasts year M+G.
http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k505/HackerHack/IMG_3957.jpg

[Jigman13]

Sweet fish. Where was that? I may be down for the M&G. No plans yet for opening day and I'm yet to meet anyone from the site!

[FASTEDDIE29]

Dukke Island Park. Come on down if ya got nothin to do. Its a big stretch of river. Meet a few of the boyz!

[AndyS]

http://www.somersetcountyparks.org/parksfacilities/dukeisland/dukeislandpk.html

[lunkertaker]

You mean like this???????????
http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k505/HackerHack/download.jpg

This is what I expected...may need to attend this years M&G

JONES party of SIX your fishing spot is ready

[lunkertaker]

This year as usual I will pick up the donuts and kawfee. I also have some NJF bumper stickers to hand out.

Will there be past and present ANDY and WILSON Avitar Bumper Stickers? The masses want the real deal!

[kmaty]

I will keep it on the schedule never been to one but have been ruining into more and more member s lately so it would be nice to meet some more

[Moz]

I'll be there! :D

I caught the skunk on Opening Day last year but a few weeks later fishing in the exact same spot I did on the M&G morning I landed a 4 pound smallie. Definitely an interesting stretch of water.

Sorry to hear you won't be there George, someone will have to drown a few worms in your honor. :p

[FASTEDDIE29]

CENSORSHIP SUCKS!!! Charlie Sheen for prez! Howard Stern for vice prez! Lindsay Lohan for D.A. C'mon down and catch some trout. Let's see what happens. TIGHT LINES!!! WHOOOOOOOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

[Wilson]

CENSORSHIP SUCKS!!! Charlie Sheen for prez! Howard Stern for vice prez! Lindsay Lohan for D.A. C'mon down and catch some trout. Let's see what happens. TIGHT LINES!!! WHOOOOOOOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

I thought it was more like taking out the trash;)

[Wilson]

I'll be there! :D

I caught the skunk on Opening Day last year but a few weeks later fishing in the exact same spot I did on the M&G morning I landed a 4 pound smallie. Definitely an interesting stretch of water.

Sorry to hear you won't be there George, someone will have to drown a few worms in your honor. :p
Don't worry about the worms....just keep your reel out of the sand:p :p

[FASTEDDIE29]

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Everyone will be better off using worms or power bait this year. Its been cold so make sure you have one or the other or even both. Temps pretty damn cold at night.

[Moz]

Don't worry about the worms....just keep your reel out of the sand:p :p

It was water that messed up my reel last year. LOL. I can't believe you remembered that.

I invested in a real reel for trout now. I think for it not to work this year I'll have to get one of the jelly doughnuts Andy brings crammed into it.

[FASTEDDIE29]

Who's coming to the show? C'mon fellas, lets get together and have some fun and maybe even catch a fish or 2. They stock some nice size trout in this stretch. Last year the trout averaged 14 inches or better on opening day. That was a treat.

[Jigman13]

I'll likely be there with a friend or two... Looking forward to it. Who soaks bait and who throws artificials?

[AndyS]

For the most part we all use artificials. Wilson soaks worms.

[GetANet]

I'm a 80 bait/20 artificial kinda guy myself for trout. Been trying out some diff stuff so maybe the ratio may change a bit this year!

[FASTEDDIE29]

GetaNet, fish the way you are most comfortable with. Temps are warming rapidly, could be a lure day, could be a bait day. Last year Wilson and I crushed em in the Passaic on spinners. That was mid afternoon trouting at its finest on not so prestine waters. Ill have my worms, orange power cheese and a plethora of spinners and other treats in my vest. YEA BUDDY! SPRING HAS SPRUNG!!! :D

[GetANet]

What kinda treats?????? SNAUSAGES?????HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Wilson]

For the most part we all use artificials. Wilson soaks worms.
And catches his fair share as well:p

Getanet will have to fill in for me this year as the worm soaker.

[Outofline]

I'll be there! Just look for myself and FE sippin' on the Jack! OOOHH YEEAAHH!!! :eek:

[FASTEDDIE29]

OH WOW!!! Now its a party. Bob may be riding with me. He was with me 2 seasons ago when he was a sickly 150 lbs. Right now Bobs a whopping 250. The kids a tank. He doesn't fish much but he sure can drink. Im fishing, need some TROUT for the SMOKER!!! LOL!!!:rolleyes:

[GetANet]

ONE WEEK TO GO!!!! Don't usually get too amped up for opening day cause I'm usually fishing in the boat for something else but looking forward to this saturday for a change! Got a new 6ft ultralight rod looking to break in, hopefully on a couple Trout!!!!!

[Jigman13]

Being as I'm unfamiliar with Duke's Island, where exactly do you guys normally meet up? I'm looking forward to swinging thru!

[Wilson]

Being as I'm unfamiliar with Duke's Island, where exactly do you guys normally meet up? I'm looking forward to swinging thru!
Lot "D"

http://www.somersetcountyparks.org/maps/DukeIslandParkMap.pdf

[Jigman13]

Like your avatar! Lol... Thanks for the heads-up, too!

[AndyS]

Yes Lot D, thanx Wilson.

[FASTEDDIE29]

I wonder if they stocked any trout at DUKES yet??? HAHAHAHA!!!:rolleyes:

[shucker]

I'll be with my son and bringing some tackle to sell or trade:D

[AndyS]

Can some one pick up a stack of the 2013 NJ Fishing Digest. I went to a store in Bound Brook and they guy handed me 2 :confused: So thats one for my desk and one next to my throne. ;)

(I'm working doubles from now till Saturday)

[FASTEDDIE29]

The Trout Are Coming, The Trout Are Coming!!! Holy Sh#t, The Trout Are Coming!!!:d

[GetANet]

see what i can do about the 2013 digests, does anyone need anything in paticular for the swap/trade? Might have something somebody would like or
can use. Not sure what to bring? any suggestions or requests?

[AndyS]

Water WILL be VERY low and cyrstal clear, a great day for the big water. Smaller streams will get POUNDED at every hole. I may wade all the way to Nevius and back.

Bring WHATEVER you want to give away or trade.

Weather looks great, see you in the morning.

[Moz]

The Trout Are Coming, The Trout Are Coming!!! Holy Sh#t, The Trout Are Coming!!!:d

Wait 'til they get a load of us!

[kmaty]

Good luck tomorrow guys im heading over to pa in the morning to fish a tournament but next meet and greet im in got to get some new familiar face on the water

[shrimpman steve]

I will be in the 'Po. I know a nice little spot may catch a trout or two:D

[flatcreek]

Good luck to all tomorrow, wish I could make the meet and greet, but it is family fishing day for me. Grandson, son, brother and nephews.

Good time to all:)
Phil

[GetANet]

got two more compendiums for you nobody seems to have them anymore and if they do they will only give one or two so did my best. see ya in the a.m. not sure where i'm going so probably call when i'm close.

[Wilson]

Good luck to all of you.
Getting ready to hit the road to Endicott:(

[AndyS]

It was good drinking kawfee and eating donuts even if the stockies did not cooperate on the big river. Put some faces with the names and the trade and swap table was good as I was able to get rid of a few things and I picked up a few things also. Thanx for coming out.

[Jigman13]

Glad I got the chance to finally meet some of you guys Sat morning at Dukes... Good stuff. Unfortunately, the fish weren't cooperating!