NJ Trout 12/30

[Hookmanski]

Today was a banner day for me. I got up early and drove deep into the NJ woods in search of some wild trout. I got a new pair of waders for Christmas so I was eager to try them out. No leaks!! I fished hard for 3 hours and hiked nearly 4 miles away from my car with nothing to show for it. I casted my plug into a really shallow hole that I thought wouldn’t produce anything. Right as I was about to lift it out of the water, I got swiped on by something!! Thinking it was a Brown I acted fast and wet my hand and scooped it up, but to my surprise I hooked into a gorgeous NJ Brook trout. I got a picture, but my hands were shaking from the adrenaline and I wanted to realease him asap! I put him down and he swam off strong. My first ever Brook trout in New Jersey, definitely a moment I won’t forget.

After fishing and hiking for 4 hours, I got in the car but I couldn’t go home with only one trout caught! I drove to the KLG on the SBRR. I grew up fishing here so I was right at home. Tons of other people there today, all with fly rods, and everyone I asked was saying they caught nothing except for one guy who caught 4 rainbows. I was able to stick 2 nice rainbows to 18” but I made a rookie mistake and left the phone in the car, so no pics of those. Went back to the car to get the phone and stuck one more decent one. On my way out, I hooked into a brown and lost him feet from shore. So close to the NJ troutfecta!!!!!

Great day on the water and a hell of of way to end the year. Happy new year all, tight lines!

[thmyorke1]

Oh damn that brookie is a chunk niiiice fish

Congrats on the awesome day of trout fishing

[ALS Mako]

Congrats on the brooke. Truely a rare fish in nj these days

[AndyS]

Nice !!! Next time side step the KLG completely and find some other waters where you don't have to press the barbs down on all your lures.

[akoop]

Great job, the colors on that brookie are amazing.

[Mikey topaz]

Those are hard to come by these days, Good job

[The Hunter]

Very nice. Almost the trifecta. Happy New Year

[Hookmanski]

Originally Posted by AndyS

Nice !!! Next time side step the KLG completely and find some other waters where you don't have to press the barbs down on all your lures.

Now that i think about it, I actually stopped upstream of KLG to catch the first rainbow and then moved down there. that means i actually left the phone in the car twice

Thanks everyone! The brookie is tied with my first striper for my catch of the year. Happy new year all!

[DiPaoro]

Wow...very nice and Happy New Year!

I am considering going out tomorrow to start 2019 in a nice way. Anything special to wear under the waders to stay somewhat warm?

[Hookmanski]

Originally Posted by DiPaoro

Wow...very nice and Happy New Year!

I am considering going out tomorrow to start 2019 in a nice way. Anything special to wear under the waders to stay somewhat warm?

To be honest, this was my first time fishing in waders. The ones i got for Xmas are neoprene with thinsulate, so all i wore under them was long pants, a long sleeve t shirt and a sweatshirt and it was TOO MUCH! I haven't sweat that much in a long time. Idk what kind of waders you have, but wear some layers under so if you're too hot you can take one off!