After what has felt like forever, I had the chance to get out on the Muskenetcong River this past weekend.
Armed with my old Winston 4#, a 10' leader, and a box full of caddis dry flies I set out down the old dirt road I have been so many times before.
Over the course of the weekend we ran into every kind of weather imaginable. It started off cold on Saturday morning but by that afternoon it was a perfect with mid to high seventies and no humidity. On Sunday, it was hot and humid and the temperatures kept rising until we were stuck in a downpour. It cleared up and we were able to fish for an hour or so longer until water levels rose and the water clarity was lost. It was fun to constantly change to conditions and try to stay in stride with the fish and what they were keying in on.
Dry flies, nymphs, streamers and emerger patterns all worked at different times. The smaller caddis patterns were best for the dry fly fishing while scuds worked particularly well when nymphing. Even with the high number of fish caught over about 18 hours of fishing this weekend it was not easy fishing, which I particularly enjoy, with spooky fish in low clear water longer and lighter tippets were mandatory.
Once the water had changed to a dirty milky consistency, it was time to call it quits. Even after years of fishing the same river, I am always reminded of how fortunate I am to have these waters so close.
