Musconetcong, Holland Twp., 6/1/13

[Doug Vitale]

I paid a visit to the lower Musconetcong yesterday. It was already over 90 degrees when I got there. The first spot I tried was the Willow Lane bridge off of Riegelsville Warren Glen Road.

https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/150x113q90/832/img20130601130656.jpg (http://imageshack.us/a/img716/5153/img20130601130656.jpg)

Despite some very trouty looking waters upstream and downstream from the bridge, I could not get any strikes whether with lure or or with worms. The water was deep, cool, and flowing nicely but if there were any trout in this area, they were absolutely not in the mood to bite.

The next stop was downstream, near a little dirt parking lot on the side of Riegelsville Warren Glen Rd (just upstream from Alba Vineyard). This was the hot spot of the day. I switched my lure to a 1/4 oz. black with orange dots Panther Martin, and it was game on.

https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/150x113q90/854/img20130601155101.jpg (http://imageshack.us/a/img515/9531/img20130601155101.jpg) https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/150x113q90/507/img20130601144207.jpg (http://imageshack.us/a/img708/9430/img20130601144207.jpg) https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/150x113q90/221/img20130601141211.jpg (http://imageshack.us/a/img341/2761/img20130601141211.jpg) https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/150x113q90/812/img20130601142946.jpg (http://imageshack.us/a/img254/739/img20130601142946.jpg) https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/150x113q90/10/img20130601144017.jpg (http://imageshack.us/a/img707/4528/img20130601144017.jpg) https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/150x113q90/843/img20130601150202.jpg (http://imageshack.us/a/img22/64/img20130601150202.jpg) https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/150x113q90/163/img20130601152900.jpg (http://imageshack.us/a/img842/6347/img20130601152900.jpg)

[Doug Vitale]

After I wore out my welcome at that spot, I headed to the last bridge over the Musky before it empties into the Delaware, which is the the Riegelsville Road bridge (right by Old River Road). I fished from the bridge down to the junction with the Delaware, and was only able to manage one small smallmouth despite some very trouty waters. I didn't even bother trying to make casts into the Delaware because of all the obnoxious jet skiers.

https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/150x113q90/29/img20130601162532.jpg (http://imageshack.us/a/img827/8088/img20130601162532.jpg) https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/150x113q90/607/img20130601161928.jpg (http://imageshack.us/a/img153/9921/img20130601161928.jpg) https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/150x113q90/856/img20130601162334.jpg (http://imageshack.us/a/img19/3799/img20130601162334.jpg)

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/150x100q90/515/img20130601164630.jpg (http://imageshack.us/a/img843/6842/img20130601164630.jpg)
The confluence of the Musconetcong and the Delaware rivers.

I headed back to the bridge and fished about 1/4 miles upstream and then back down. Using a spoon I got one decent brown and two baby browns.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/150x100q90/153/img20130601184120.jpg (http://imageshack.us/a/img153/5587/img20130601184120.jpg)

All in all, I got around ten fish. I had about four or five trout that broke off before I could get them in. Although I have been catching a lot of trout this year, I have only gotten one bragging-sized fish (out of the Musky in Bloomsbury; picture here (http://imageshack.us/a/img6/8301/img2167x.jpg)). I would definitely take this over few or no fish, but I have to wonder why I have not hooked into more breeders. Oh well, just bad luck I guess.

[njfisherman1975]

Awesome pictures of the fish and the areas u fished in.

[AndyS]

I fished that stretch a few times with Shucker in the spring and fall. One spring we worked our way down to the Big D and there were baby shad EVERYWHERE ! Pretty amazing stuff. Some nice deep holes along that stretch, nice water. Great report.

[Capt. Lou]

Doug, glad you had a decent day! Catching in those conditions is truly dedication!
I'll join you next time when better conditions prevail !Ninety degrees in waders UUGH !!

[Cuz]

That's my boy! Will join you soon. Love, Dad