South Branch Raritan

[Codguy]

Fished the SB this morning late, saw tons of fish, many many follows only a few bumps. Tried worms no good, panter martin in silver got a bump, small swimming plug same results. At times would have 4 or 5 trout follow on a single cast but nobody wanted to slam it. Weird day as the trout would take half ass swats, would follow in mass and even in the competition for food no one trout would step up. Trying same spot in the AM , hopefully switch set to on. If not will head to Lambertville. Total feast or famine this year. Of note seems the browns dropped in this year are of much smaller average than in years past, bad year at the hatchery?

[cantcatchme]

I was thinking the same thing with the brookies this year. I had some fish that barely made the 7" mark. They sure as hell weren't native in the river I was fishing. They must have had a slow grow rate on a decent amount of fish for this year. They did end up getting bigger by the 3rd stocking.

[Wilson]

I was out in the Califon area today. LOW water. Caught 3 -12'' skinny Rainbows fishing worms and spinners. Tried a CD-3 for a while with no takers. Saw quite a few risers, but even the cement shoe'd flyguy in the middle of the hole did not catch anything that I saw.

I got a late start today and hit the water 7:30.
When the water is this low, I really like to be on the water just at false light and be as stealthy as I can.
I think that's why you get lots of follows and no takers in bright light and low water

We need 1''or 2'' of rain to perk things up.

[hookset]

Was on the south branch today Sunday 5/5 got there at 9am and had my 6 by 9:45am was crazy how frenzied they were today! Lost two because they broke water twice and spit the hook! Had several fish follow spinners cast after cast 2 takers on spinners and 4 on bait missed another 4 or 5 on bait as some of the hits where pretty soft and others just nailed it! Great mornin on the water Nd since it was fast the wife wasn't very mad that I got out of bed to go!