First river trout trip - North Branch Raritan

[RyanMac14]

So I threw out a line here yesterday and Bill was the only one who bit. He threw out a simple recommendation of the NB and I took that as the sign from the universe of where to go so I headed out this morning. Got there and the place was packed. Every decent spot had atleast a couple guys in it. So I hiked and hiked until I found a decent spot and settled. Place was beautiful, but after a couple hours of casting up and down that short stretch I had no luck with a silver, gold or chartreuse spinner, feathered and not feathered. Then it finally happened. He was onnnnn.... and then he was off... Pretty deflating to cast around for a few hours in a new place to have 1 come unbuttoned after a 4 second hookup. But that shall be fishin. Spent the next hour or so tried some more but ended up only catchin some photos of a family of wood peckers and of a swim by from a friendly slithery friend. But then about 1 the water started to boil. Every couple seconds there was an explosion. But still nothin on the spinner. At one point I just stood and started spotting bugs and watch them float to their demise. Was pretty entertaining. But then it happened she was on and i managed to walk her safely in. A lot of my day was spent makin sure I didnt take a swim so walking her in slowly was a bit nerve wracking. She was small but pretty. I caught 2 more of her friends in the next hour and called it a day. All were CPR'd and I handed the spot off to a nice guy with the fish still boiling. Place was beautiful and thanks again to Bill for being my decider. Heres to the first of many beautiful trips as I begin to explore the rivers of jersey and get away from the bass grind and duck pond troutin. Sorry for the novel. Tight lines men