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.
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.
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.
Sunday 4/24/16:
Didn't have as much time today, so I headed to the river and caught a few more stockie 'bows.
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.
