April showers bring May Flowers, or an annoying Emergency Flood
Notification on your IPhone. Rain, or even possible flooding won't stop us from
fishing. However when fishing during these wet conditions, your choice of
streams to fish narrows. You need to hit the smaller, lower flowing streams, but
this is tricky while most streams are closed for stocking. Bryson and I are
situated in central NJ, while Douglas and Rob are in PA, so our choice of
streams is much different. For Bryson and I, there is only one place that is
worth the drive and our time in these trying times. The Headwaters of the
Passaic in Bernardsville, NJ seems to be the best option when streams are
closed to stocking or heavy rains rise the water levels.
Our favorite point of access to the stream
is through the Audubon Center on Chestnut Ave, Bernardsville, NJ. Park in the visitor’s
parking lot, during operating hours of course, and go in the gift store and let
the people at the front desk know you are fishing. They give you a sheet you
have to fill out before and after you fish. This may seem as an annoying task
to some, but in reality they are just trying to insure safety and collect info
on the stream.
Once you’re ready to go, head to the
stream. There are a variety of trails that lead to the stream, however the
further down the stream you go the bigger the fish are. If you work up from the
lower edge of the property, close to the road, you will find some deeper runs,
compared to the rest of the stream, and some deep pools. As you get further up
the water turns into shallow runs and small plunge pools. If you want to cover
the park from bottom to top, you will need about two to two and a half hours to
fish it well. You will finish at a big, deep pool at the top end of the park.
This pool is known as flat rock, because there is a huge rock in the middle of
it. This spot is a popular swimming hole, but if you hit when the park is free
of visitors, you have the opportunity to catch a large wild brown or rainbow. Considering
the average fish is about 6-7 inches and a big fish is around 12, expect not
much bigger than an 18-inch fish from flat rock. Here is a sampling of some of the stream's fish:
This is on the smaller end of what you will be catching, but as you move up through the park expect more fish like this.
This about the average sized fish in the lower portions of the stream
This is one of the larger wild bows that can be found outside of the Audubon Center.
If you want to fish there after park hours
there are plenty of other places. However some parts are secret, but if you
drive along Chestnut Ave into Harding I am sure you will find some great spots.
All these spots have pull offs, but the stream may be a way off the road.
Flies for this stream are pretty straight forward.
Frenchies, Pheasant Tail's, Quill Nymphs, etc. work well. In terms of dries,
BWOs and Caddis Patterns work well. Both Bryson and I fish the water with 2 and
3 weight rods, all 7 foot or under. Approach the river with caution, careful
not to spook the fish. Just because it is a small stream, doesn't mean you
can't tight-line nymph. Modify your leader to work with a small rod and you
will do just fine. Dry dropper works well too.
If you are in NJ try and keep your sanity
till the streams open again. If you have the time try and make it out to the
Headwaters of the Passaic, you won't regret it.
Tight-lines Everyone - Alex Rundella
