MORE ABOUT FISHING IN NORTHERN NEW JERSEY

We are often asked if we Flyfish. I capitalize the word Flyfish because in so many outdoorsman's and outdoorswomen's eyes the term is similar to some sort of higher diety that when spoken or written down a chorus of angelic voices accompanied by pipe organs is heard amongst billowing superwhite cumulus clouds and a burst of blinding sunlight.

Sorry.. I didn't get it. I tried it and.... I didn't like it! When I was young and impressionable the fellow in the sporting goods store that sold the $2000 rods and reels (And the expensive English whipcord pants and wool shirts made in Oregon) told a story that he and a number of other "famous" fisherman, equally divided into teams between fly rods and spin rods, had an outing at one of the big millpond lakes that are quite numerous on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.(My Home State) According to Chuck Orvis, the owner of the store that sold the magic $2000 rods and reels, the two teams fished a whole day and the flyfisherman outcaught the bait and lure fisherman 2 to 1!

I bought it the salespitch... Hook, Hackle and Peacock Herl! I fished the magic $2000 rods and reels and caught and caught and caught.... I had a magic rod for trout, one for browns, one for brookies, one for bass, one for bluefish, one for stripers....etc.... etc.... etc...

Alas,... many flyrods and reels later I concurred with Chuck of the magic $2000 rod and reel store that we did catch 2 times as many fish. The only problem was they were all small, undersized specimens that were better left unmolested. Sure, we caught some nice ones, a couple were recordbook variety but that was because we fished so much and according to the law of averages we had to catch some larger fish due to the amount of time we spent thrashing the water with the flyline. Put me in a school of breaking Stripers and between myself using lures or whole sandworms and a boatload of flyfisherman... I will catch the bigger fish... no brag, just fact.

About 25 years ago I went back to 2# to 6# test, long rods(Light Steelhead Noodle) and a whole nightcrawler on a long, light wireshanked #1 Aberdeen... no weight for freshwater. I have caught #40 salmon, 20# steelhead in freshwater, 40# albacore, 15# redfish, 30# Rockfish(Stripers) and a host of other kick-ss brutes on the same rod and reel setup in saltwater.(But using Sandworms instead of Nightcrawlers) It is amazing how these lighter rods and lines will beat these larger fish and they are released in much better condition than one played out on a flyrod.

These specimens were caught yesterday evening(Sunday May 11th) on a local lake.... I missed one that was on for about 10 seconds, tearing up the water in the shallows and she got off... I had witnesses... about 8#'s....

Put back the big bass and eat the bluegills!(Unless the bass are stunted, then keep them)

16" Largemouth on 4# test and Whole Nightcrawler

Now, That's What I'm Talkin 'Bout!

10" Bluegill (Called "Jills" Where I Come From)