Monmouth Co. tour...Hockhockson, Yellow, Manasquan

[Doug Vitale]

Today I took my fishing apprentice (who just happens to be a four year old little lady) to what are pretty much the only trout streams in Monmouth County - Hockhockson Brook, Yellow Brook, and the Manasquan River.

We started out at the falls at Hockhockson (near the intersection of Tinton Ave. and Sycamore Ave). Using an orange and black Rooster Tail I landed three and lost one. Well, I should clarify that my fishing partner insisted that she reel the trout in after I had hooked them, and she did a great job. At this spot they weren't bothering with the worms I had her fishing with; they only seemed to want to chase lures. We walked a few minutes upstream to the smaller waterfall and she landed a trout on her Barbie rod, using a worm.

After we left Tinton Falls we drove down Rt. 537 into Colts Neck to fish the Yellow Brook, near the intersection of routes 537 and 34. I fished there one time a few years ago and managed three trout on a Mepps spinner. Anyway, I got to the stocking location and was surprised to see not a single 'trout stocked waters' sign; however, there were plenty of 'Private Property' signs all over. This is on Creamery Road which is listed on the Division of F&W's website as a stocked, accessible trout stream. It doesn't seem like it's either anymore, even though the Division of F&W supposedly put 360 trout in the Yellow Brook according to its own stocking schedule.

So we weren't able to fish the Yellow Brook. We headed to the Manasquan River in Howell and made our way to one of my spots (Lard, it was the Mother Goose Honey Hole). When we got there, it was fish on! I made no more than 15 casts and landed 5 brookies, lost two, and landed a decent size blue gill. Actually my little partner landed most of them. The fish were all going after garden worms and butter worms.

All fish were released.

[Cuz]

Happy to see my son and grandaughter got the fishing gene from me. You both did real well in some not very good waters. Dad/Grandpa is very proud of you two hardcores!
Next we'll be saltwater fishing. Stripers are in! Little kids like boats.

[surfrod]

you can check with Mark Boriek at mark.boriek@earthlink.net, he's one of the state biologists and he can give you the status on the Yellow.

As of 2 years ago ( I didn't fish it in 2010 ) those "private property" signs that were specifically on the "fire road"/access rd to the downstream side of creamery rd bridge were specifically for trespassers/hunters etc. The property owner did explicity allow fisherman because I got confirmation after expressing such concerns about the loss of access. On the upstream side there is a public park on the east side of the yellow and a private residence on the west side that truly is private property.

However, if there are no stocking signs there, it is possible they stopped stocking that spot altogether and are only stocking Frier park which is upstream of there (the stocking pt is at Rt 34)... that 1 mile plus stretch of stream is public once you pass the individual properties near the Creamery rd bridge.

Just look for the "nature trail" pull off a hundred yards or so to the east.

[Doug Vitale]

I just found out that there are two Yellow Brooks in Monmouth County.

The one that I fished flows east from Colts Neck, under Rt. 34, all the way to the Swimming River Reservoir. The other Yellow Brook flows south from Earle Naval Station, under Rt. 524 in Adelphia (Howell), and empties into the Manasquan River between Ketcham and Squankum-Yellowbrook Roads.

Rob, I assume you are the same guy who made this enlightening post:

http://www.njflyfishing.com/vBulleti...html#post21209

Very important info for anyone who wants to fish the Colts Neck Yellow Brook.

[surfrod]

Doug,

That would be me

over 2 years ago, the state confirmed with the nursery that anglers were allowed to fish their part of the stream during trout season.

again, I don't know if the state actually stocked that part of the stream this year and if there are no stocking signs anywhere it's possible they dropped that partcular spot. Although I thought if they stocked a stream the signs would go up regardless.

edit: an update on the Hock. As anyone who might fish there knows, they do now stock at the falls, and the overall allotment was increased
a bit from 5 years ago.

[Lard Almighty]

Glad to see your daughter is so enthusiastic about fishing, Doug. I hope to see you two on the streams for many years.