Weekend Mixed Bag (4/23-24): Pike, bows, browns, panfish, bass)
 

Sat 4/23/16:

Decided to have a multi species, road trip day, starting out with some wild browns and finishing up with pike. On my to the wild brown trout spot, I passed by a stream that had been recently stocked with rainbows. Since I wasn't in any rush, I figured I'd stop and check it out.

The pool I wanted to fish was only about 100 feet from the parking lot. As I walked up, I could see a ton of life in the clear water, including a bunch of rainbows. I started throwing spinning and plugs but no interest. I decided to try a nymph. Since there wasn't enough current to get an effective drift, I casted and jagged it. The rainbows were all over the fly, and I caught a bunch and pulled the hook on a few others. With the first mission accomplished, I headed to the wild trout stream.
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k3...psl7qadvpu.jpg

The wild browns were eager and aggressive, and I ended up catching a bunch of small fish. As luck would have it, I pulled the hook on the only decent one I hooked. Goal 2 achieved, I moved on to catch some bait for the pike.
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k3...psr9vskabv.jpg

Stopped at the bait spot, and ended up catching some sunnies, creek chub and a small largemouth bass relatively quickly. With a couple of baits (NOT the largemouth), it was time to try for the last species of the day.

I only use bait for pike at this particular spot because it holds some big fish that are very lure shy. I had figured it was about the right time for the spot to turn on.* Got to the spot and tossed out the live bait and in less than a minute was tight.* The fish screamed drag and jumped all over the river. After a short, spectacular fight I landed this big fat pike, which was promptly released. With goal 3 complete,* I called it a day.
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k3...psxngyepc1.jpg

Sunday 4/24/16:

Didn't have as much time today, so I headed to the river and caught a few more stockie 'bows.
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k3...psyfp6tsdt.jpg

On my way home, I stopped at another spot on the Passaic and threw lures. Caught 5 pike to about 24 inches in 30min and called it a day. Good to meet you Nick! See you on the river.
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k3...psfeyeahch.jpg
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k3...pstbzmsfl6.jpg

Re: Weekend Mixed Bag (4/23-24): Pike, bows, browns, panfish, bass)
 

It was good to meet you too! It looks like you had an awesome weekend. Hopefully we see each other on the river again soon!

Re: Weekend Mixed Bag (4/23-24): Pike, bows, browns, panfish, bass)
 

awesome, hard to beat that weekend!

Re: Weekend Mixed Bag (4/23-24): Pike, bows, browns, panfish, bass)
 

nice fat pike!

Re: Weekend Mixed Bag (4/23-24): Pike, bows, browns, panfish, bass)
 

Mixed bag fishing is the best kind ever!

Re: Weekend Mixed Bag (4/23-24): Pike, bows, browns, panfish, bass)
 

Way to get it done. Congrats

Re: Weekend Mixed Bag (4/23-24): Pike, bows, browns, panfish, bass)
 

great job on the pike and trout.those creek chubs are great bait for pike.interesting method with the nymph :)

Re: Weekend Mixed Bag (4/23-24): Pike, bows, browns, panfish, bass)
 

nice mixed bag!

i too always carry some flies when i'm trouting with my UL spin outfit. they don't take up hardly any space and you never know when they will be the only thing that'll work. you used a float to give it enough heft to cast? i do that sometimes but usually just try to let the current take it like you tried first

Re: Weekend Mixed Bag (4/23-24): Pike, bows, browns, panfish, bass)
 

Nice fish man! That's a hefty pike, sweet!!

Re: Weekend Mixed Bag (4/23-24): Pike, bows, browns, panfish, bass)
 

Awesome looking mixed bag Mr Tuna!!! Those Pike will be coming off the spawn and feeding HEAVY very, very soon! Great weekend to be out and about! Well done!!!:D

Re: Weekend Mixed Bag (4/23-24): Pike, bows, browns, panfish, bass)
 

Good pike Justin. Looking healthy...

Re: Weekend Mixed Bag (4/23-24): Pike, bows, browns, panfish, bass)
 

I like the photo of the big pike, mud monster from the modernized muck. That river is like no other, wouldn't mind living on it with a little dock, make it worth getting the house flooded into the second floor once and awhile. Think it's cool you scored a wild brown same day as a Passaic pike.