Raritan river 5/24/17: Trout and Bass

[AndyS]

Started at the shale flats in DIP and got a few trout. Moved down a bit and got a really nice Smallie. Took a break hit Quick Chek in Raritan Borough for more kawfee then went up by da falls. Fished the big bend below the falls. Again trout and SMB. Guy soaking Power Cheese at the falls had 4 trout in da bucket.
Left there and went to Robert St. Caught trout all through here, even well below where the dam was removed as per advice from Kcritch. The trout were holding in the semi-fast water. Lost count, trout looked pretty good, some deep red color and some had full fins.
Over to Manville McD's for a quick bite then went into the Peters Brook stretch in Somerville. Worked up river a bit and got a nice SMB. Worked my way well down river and got a few really nice SMB, it was quality over quantity in Somerville, no stocked trout there.
Good day, fish all around.

[AndyS]

A few more.

[BT67]

sounds like a good day, been following the site for a while and I know the river conditions have a lot to due with your hard work. Flows look optimal for this time of year.

I lived in Hillsborough from 85-95, never really fished the areas you are, spent more time out in SBR in Hunterdon county and the North Branch.

[kcritch]

Awesome day you had there capt. A lot of ground covered for sure. Love the river pics but more fish pics would be nice too..HAHA! That river is a new beast since those damns (and 400,000 lbs of trash) were removed. Definitely worth giving it a new look BT67. It's a whole new world out there and only going to get better I would think. Great report Andy!

By the way I thought Monday was your day off??? what's with this Wednesday stuff?

[tycomps]

Great report (I took Ken's advice on the black and gold spinners a few weeks ago and the trout devoured them), what were the smallies hitting on?

I know.......JIGS!!!!

[meatwad555]

Cool report. It was definitely a great day to be out, looks like you enjoyed it.

[kcritch]

Originally Posted by tycomps

I know.......JIGS!!!!

Now that's funny right there...HAHA!

[Billfish715]

Please remind the less well-informed lurkers that you practice CPR (Catch Photograph Release) since the bass season is closed until June 15th. All fish caught until then must be released.

[AndyS]

Funny, I don't know size and bag limits because I rarely keep any freshwater fish at all. I may keep a few Rainbow trout from Round Valley but that is it. All fish are C&R for me. Yes bass season is closed.

[Jigman13]

Nice trip Andy!