Opener smallmouth

[thmyorke1]

Nick and I floated 10 miles down the raritan for opening day. Got a mid-day start and ended just before it got dark.

First half-mile into the float, I hook up with a tank smallmouth, taped to 18 inches. Epic fight. Things were looking good! but of course this river is unpredictable this early into the season.

Didn't hook up with a single fish afterwards between the two of us.

Floated by some big carp (few jumping to surface), schools of quilback and suckers, and a very healthy looking esox. Life seemed to be turning on. But smallmouth nor trout cooperated. Floated by some folk that were doing well with trout however. Looking forward to floating it again once things heat up!