Monday, March 9, 2020

03.09.20 They have arrived at some spots, waiting for them at others....



     So here's what all the excitement has been about. Its that time of year when the herring start to make their own migratory run into the bays and rivers of New Jersey. For the past few weeks folks have been reporting seeing gannets and herring gulls very active over the water out front, in the back, and way up the back in the rivers, like the Delaware near me. 

Below is a drone video taken this past week from the back of the Raritan Bay.....


     For those that know Mike Laptew from Rhode Island, "The Diving Fisherman", you know he photographers and videos all things striped bass and other fish, birds and crustaceans along the Atlantic. He's a herring watcher this time of year and they have invaded the rivers near him. Remember, there is a moratorium on harvesting or using herring for bait. 

     So usually its the smaller alewifes that arrive and then followed by the slighter more streamlined blueback. They are very similar in color. Mikes image is great because if you are tying flies to match the hatch then you can see the colors that pop along the spine.