Lamington River, 5/14/13

[Doug Vitale]

I decided to explore the length of the Lamington River. The results were mixed. It started out slow, but the fishing went out with a bang.

The Black River becomes the Lamington River downstream from Pottersville (use Google Maps). Although the water is clean, clear, and has a good current, it is very shallow for several miles south of Pottersville. Also, there are "no fishing" signs along the stretch of the river as you drive down Black River Rd. I finally found one pull-off spot that didn't have any private property signs, so I started making casts. The water was very low. To fish in this section of the river, you need to trudge up and down looking for pools (note that a "pool" in this area is all of two feet deep). This is definitely small water fishing.


The Lamington just south of Pottersville, 6-12 inches deep with the occasional pool

I finally found a pool containing some wild browns. This little guy was only six inches long. Got him and the others with a Mepps Black Fury.



I started catching more and had a few missed strikes. When it became obvious that the only trout I was going to catch in this stretch were small natives, I got back in my car and headed further downstream.

I made my way to Burnt Mills Rd. in Bedminster. I parked by the Cowperthwaite Bridge (just upstream from the confluence with the North Branch) and the trouting conditions here were much better. The water was 3-4 feet deep with pools and current. I started casting with a Panther Martin, and it was game on. In about two hours I caught nine and had a bunch of missed strikes.


Cowperthwaite Bridge

They were all brookies and one rainbow. I found the best trout action of the season so far in this spot. Notice how one of the trout has a strange bulge in its stomach.