Trout Stream Condition Update

[Billfish715]

With lots of fishermen headed out to their traditional opening day fishing spots, I thought it might be a service to everyone by providing some observed stream conditions by our members. With the recent rains, the streams have risen in most of the state. Some streams have been affected differently than others. With all of the anticipation for the opener, it might be worthwhile to know what to expect before arriving at the stream.

If you can report any stream conditions and locations, it might be a real help to our members before they head out especially if the anticipated thunderstorms roll through today or tonight.

I rode past Spruce Run Creek today and you would hardly know that there was much rain. The Creek was in great shape. It was clear and in late spring conditions. The Musky in Hampton was clear and high but not flooded. The same could be said about the So. Branch near Clinton. The Passaic river in Millington was high but very fishable.

For those of you with any up-to-date stream information please post it. I know there are sites with stream-flow rates, but it's not the same as a first-hand report about clarity, relative depth, and recommended wading or fishing tactics.

[Walleyed]

I live a mile off the pequest, the river is high and moving, but as of this morning, still below flood.

[NJSquatch]

Good resources. Some gauges have predicted stages and flows.

http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=phi

https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nj/nwis/current/?type=flow

[Castaway]

The musky in Bloomsbury was very high and looked like chocolate milk at 8am today. I'm shocked it was clear in Hampton. I took a quick video with my phone but I have no idea how to post it.

[Jigman13]

Down by east Brunswick. Just saw animals pairing off and marching towards a huge wooden boat.

[kcritch]

Originally Posted by Jigman13

Down by east Brunswick. Just saw animals pairing off and marching towards a huge wooden boat.

HA...we think alike dude. See my post on Eddies opener thread.

[thmyorke1]

I was out yesterday but before this rainfall we're getting right now (wow lightning )

If this is the last of the rain until next week, opening day should have easy water right?

I was at middle brook west branch, and it looked exactly how it was last summer although a tad bit higher with it's tributaries flowing in. It seems like the sunfish + suckers are still in the reservoir cause I saw 0 fish that day.

Originally Posted by Jigman13

Down by east Brunswick. Just saw animals pairing off and marching towards a huge wooden boat.

+1

[FASTEDDIE29]

Rahway River, Cranford, Kenilworth, Winfield area! A tad high and very chocolatey in my opinion. Might be ok by Saturday though! No worries dudes!!!

[Billfish715]

Originally Posted by Castaway

The musky in Bloomsbury was very high and looked like chocolate milk at 8am today. I'm shocked it was clear in Hampton. I took a quick video with my phone but I have no idea how to post it.

Clear is a debatable word. The Musky was high and will not be getting much lower by 8:00 A.M. on Saturday. (I'd be very careful wading....very careful!) The river near Hampton was not brown by any stretch (this morning) but it was not gin clear either. Given the amount of rain we've had, it certainly was not muddy under the circumstances. The stretch below Hampton picks up lots more silt from the tilled and untilled farmland in that valley so yoohoo colored water is more likely.

My choice for the opener will be the smaller, rocky brooks that will drop and clear much quicker than the bigger rivers. By next week, that all changes.

[hammer4reel]

was past the SB in Flemington this evening.
River was screaming, and looked like yoohoo