P 8/16

[Suntzu]

Hit a stretch in home waters that I had not fished before, about 1/2 mile only available at summer lows. Caught a coupe of perch and LM, nothing large, 3 pike 2 low 20's, one at 33". All were thick and healthy. Had a few swipes as well. Had to be precise, fish would not move more than a few feet to chase. Water was low and clear at this stop.
Headed downstream to try another new stretch for me which I consider to be well outside my home waters.Upstream from two bridges about 1/2 mile and further. Being specific only because there was nothing. Fished it for a couple of hours water was murkey (not muddy) weedy with lots of weed beds and structure everywhere. Requires a lot of bush beating. Very different than what I am used to. Did not see a fish the whole time. Was not comfortable fishing this stretch and really didn't have a feel for how to approach. Would be happy to share what I know of elsewhere if someone willing to share know how on this part, via PM
Hiked out and headed back to another stretch of home waters. Muddy and low. One pike in low 20's, two misses. Very brief rain came through and mosquitoes became an issue so called it a wrap
Will fish one last 1 mile stretch via bank beating next weekend. I will then have walked the whole stretch from Chatham to half way through great piece. All kayak after that

[CabesaRoja]

Sounds like a nice day! I've been to that section in question a number of times all with little luck. I'm willing to tell you what I know albeit its not much.

[MikeNJ]

I have hit that same stretch with not much to show for it. It looks so promising yet hasn't produced, at least not for me. River is really low in the sections I have been hitting and have been giving me the same results. We need some rain.

[buzzbaiter]

I will then have walked the whole stretch from Chatham to half way through great piece.

Yeah I've pretty much covered it all(by foot) from Lord Sterling Park thru most Great Piece(about 30 miles) save a short private land section(near Canoe Brook Reservoirs where they actually patrol the property) and a few short posted land spots in Basking Ridge. I have caught 95% of my pike in maybe 5 miles of that and about half in one 1/2 mile stretch. Most of it has great cover with plenty of snags, weedbeds and even lilypads(near Rt 10) but a dearth of pike. Some sections have never been close to being clear - not even now - while others run clear off & on most of the summer. Truth be told sections with the clearer water - despite having much less cover than muddier sections do - produce far more pike at least for me. I fish primarily topwater which is often not a good producer in cloudy water so take that for whats its worth.