2011, freshwater year in review:

[AndyS]

WOW, looking back, what a year !! I went over the 38 pages of reports and info posted on NJF, I tried to pick out all the highlights, there were so many I don’t know where to begin. Salmon, trout, bass, carp, you name it. Let me just say I was glad to be able to get out as much as I did and fish with all the great NJF people, I met more great people this year and added more phone numbers to my NJF phone book. My shoulder surgery didn’t take it’s toll as bad as I thought it would in late April, I was pleased.
A few quick highlights:
There were 2 new state record fish this year, grass carp and bowfin.
Catfishonthelake continues to this day at his attempt to fish 365 days !
I got to go inside the fish ladder on the Raritan river and see the viewing room.
My personal bests : largest freshwater fish, 20lb. striped bass out of the Raritan river.
My largest catfish, maybe a tie for my largest freshwater fish, and my biggest smallmouth, Merrill Creek Res. Also, I think I caught a Landlocked salmon in the West Branch of the Delaware river.
We got to endure 109* heat in the summer and a hurricane in the fall !

January the ice fishing reports were coming in hot and heavy (no pun intended) Catfishonthelake scores his first musky!
February rolls in and the ice fishing reports continue, AJFish loaded us up with his “shore reports”
March started seeing some bass and pickerel moving about.
April rolls in and it’s the 1st annual NJF meet and greet opening day trout season at Duke Island Park, we showed up, but the trout didn’t. As a matter of fact, the buzz was the State didn’t even stock, they did, the water was cold and fish were slow to respond. Shad show up in the Raritan and Delaware river.
Late April through early May it seemed like Lake Hopatcong was on fire !
Mid May, we start to connect with big stripers on the Raritan, it had many of us running up and down the banks, Maddhatterr scores with an inland striper on May 16 ! Others were caught, others hooked, and some never seen !
May was all over the place, bass, trout, you name it !!
June I was able to float the Raritan and hit the “Club” with Wilson. Also in June Lake Hoptacong was again on fire with hybrids, I started night rainbows at Round Valley and did very well.
July 12, the Annual NJF catfish night out, hot weather, great fun and laughs, and catfizz !
August 8 ESOX Hat trick, can it be done in New Jersey, you betcha ! Duffman gets the salmon good on the Great Lakes.
August moved along with great smallmouth, carp and catfish reports. The 26th, Round Valley and Spruce Run close before hurricane Irene hits, 365 days of fishing continue, despite a hurricane.
Flooding comes, houses are ruined, major damage to all our freshwater rivers and streams, it’s happened in the past, it’s natures way and nothing we can do about it, we press on.
September I was lucky to be on vacation for a week so I took off for the Beaverkill and West Branch, hit Merrill Creek a lot during that week also and did really well. Lard goes trout fishing on the West Branch of the Delaware in New York and sets a new record with my guide for the most trout on an 8 hr. float trip !
October, suicide run for salmon by FASTEDDIE !! Fall stocking and cooler temps, (and a bit of snow! )
October 8, 9. I did a West Branch float trip with Wilson and Lard, BIG brown trout were caught !
November, I got to fish Penns Creek in Pa, walked a lot ! Rented a beautiful 4 bedroom house, caught lots of crazy brown trout on a very scenic river. November keeps me thinking of walleye, I’m gonna keep trying to catch those sly fish !

I know most of this is about my fishing this year, like I said, there was so much great info and reports I couldn’t quite break down everyone’s personal fishing experiences this year so I want you to post up, your highs and your lows. Didn’t get out as much as you wanted to, the big one that got away, now is the time to reflect, and god willing tell us about next year, what you want and what you don’t want, we all learn form our mistakes. Looks like cool air is right around the corner, Christmas lights are going up all around, a new rod and reel under the tree this year ?

On a sad and final note, 2011 saw the passing of Jigman90’s son, a police officer killed in the line of duty. Lest we forget those who serve and protect so we can be safe.