Big PB NJ Wild Brown Trout

[JDTuna]

With the miserable forecast for Sunday, I decided my best bet to get out and fish was going to be targeting wild browns. When I woke up on Sunday morning and looked out the window, I was sure I'd made the right decision.

I got bundled up and headed down to my new favorite trout stream. With the significant drop in temperature that occurred overnight, I wasn't sure exactly how it was going to go but figured I might as well give it a shot. I'm glad I did.

By the time I got to the spot, the snow flurries had resumed and the wind continued to howl. I began wading the stream and fishing my way along the stream. No love in the first couple of holes. I got to a spot that always seems to hold some willing fish.

First cast at the edge, nothing. Second cast a little further in, nothing. Third cast directly into the center of the hole...BAM! My little ultralight bent in half and the fish began to peel drag and run all over the hole. I was thankful I finally bought a rubber webbing net last weekend! I got my first glimpse of the fish, and could see it was much bigger than the last big one I caught out of this stretch. After a short, spirited fight, I slid the net under the beautiful fish. After a quick measurement along the rod and a quick picture, I released the big male brown. He swam away strongly.

I fished for a little while longer and hooked a small fish around 10 inches that threw the hook. Probably one of the only days where I landed the large fish and pulled the hook on the smaller one. I measured the reference points and the fish was between 20 and 21". My new pb wild NJ brown trout.