Raritan river 6/28/20:

[AndyS]

Of course all the news feeds come my way. Looks like the North branch and the Raritan river had a big weekend !

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ocs-_zGUhbk

[Jigman13]

That's insane. Gonna start using empanadas and flautas with trebles as top water to catch smallies in the raritan.

So, where are they going to the bathroom? I bet half those people wind up with poison ivy all over their nasty bits come monday morning lol. And the other half test positive for the 'Rona.

That shit gotta get stopped before we end up back where we started in March/April.

Jigman that's exactly where we're headed. With the summer months upon us, 4th of July around the corner, NYC reopening, I'd give it 4 weeks until we're in lockdown mode again. Unless the virus in every other part of the country is different than the one in Texas, California and Arizona which it's not, every state is going to experience the same. With the contagion rate of this virus and a significantly increased base of infected people precisely because of gatherings and stupidity like the pic Andy posted, the growth rate of cases will be staggering. If 10,000 can grow to 50,000 in 30 days, what will 50,000 grow to by the end of July.

[DanH]

WTF !!!!!!!!! I guess law and order only only applies to us! WTF!!!!!

[Mark B.]

A spot that I wade fish on the Delaware River, has been for years, popular for camping / fishing / swimming. But no where near the that number of people!! The other day, there was a huge steel pot and lid with a cable running through the handle secured with a big combination lock to a tree branch.

My catch of an 18" striper, 4 smaller ones, a 15" smallie, and a fallfish would have made the beginning stock for a tasty fish stew.

[thmyorke1]

Originally Posted by Mark B.

A spot that I wade fish on the Delaware River, has been for years, popular for camping / fishing / swimming. But no where near the that number of people!! The other day, there was a huge steel pot and lid with a cable running through the handle secured with a big combination lock to a tree branch.

My catch of an 18" striper, 4 smaller ones, a 15" smallie, and a fallfish would have made the beginning stock for a tasty fish stew.

that Delaware river always producing

[DanH]

Originally Posted by Mark B.

A spot that I wade fish on the Delaware River, has been for years, popular for camping / fishing / swimming. But no where near the that number of people!! The other day, there was a huge steel pot and lid with a cable running through the handle secured with a big combination lock to a tree branch.

My catch of an 18" striper, 4 smaller ones, a 15" smallie, and a fallfish would have made the beginning stock for a tasty fish stew.

They believe the rules just don't apply to them .

[Christofish1989]

Very concerned regarding the amount of garbage they must be leaving behind

[bigfishy]

Honestly the only problem I have with it is the garbage that's left behind.....other than that , it's a whole bunch of ppl beating the heat and having fun....That access and parking area has been closed with those concrete barriers the last few summers, do to the crowds and garbage....I can understand the town being pissed about the parking in private lots also....that access has a small lot that can fit maybe ten cars.....as the filmmaker mentioned, the garbage is the main problem....my guess is that they'll close that access as they've done in previous summers..

[logs22]

I encountered a similar situation at Buttermilk falls by Washington valley reservoir. I was hiking with my daughter (I was doing the hiking she was strapped in the baby bjorn). Came across a ton of people swimming at the falls. The police made an appearance and cleared everyone out. I give kudos to the Bridgewater police, it was hot day and a long hike for them to kick everyone out but they were the model of civility and diplomacy while at the same time being assertive enough to clear the crowd out. With regard to the North Branch crowds I agree with an earlier post that if people could just be responsible for cleaning up their mess (and adhering to covid social gathering rules) then by all means they have the same right to enjoy the river as anglers, hikers and everyone else.