10.21.10 Hit it again....

I can see it's hard being a striper fisherman, especially if you work from home or work locally. If you take a train into the city or commute far all you can do is wonder several times a day, " I wonder if they're in?". For me, I work and on and off again schedule that includes several days a week in my home office in front of the computer. And that just doesn't go well with being a striper fisherman. I am also shooting down to the beach or the jetty to see what's going on. I do it, and other do it more, at least three times a day. This morning I thought I would check Deal and drove to Phillips Ave to see what was up. There was bait in the water, mostly rain fish that were being chased by snappers. There was an occasional mullet, shad or bunker that would flip out of the water but I could never focus in quick enough to accurately name it. There was another guy who came down to check the beach out and he talked me into fishing for about 2 hours. He worked the jetty to the tip, and I concentrated on the cut and wash on the north side. I had a few snappers following my flies in but that was it. The SW wind and the low tide turned the water a sandy brown as I left. I think I will give it a go tomorrow a.m., same place where I heard they had fish this morning.

10.20.10 Fished three times, three towns, zero fish

I hit it three times today, with varying effort, in between work and kids. I started in Asbury Park around noon, doing an 8th Ave drive by. Then I went to Long Branch and hit the beach behind Takanasee, then hit Sea Bright behind the municipal parking lot. I was rushed for time there, and went kind of bare bones, slippery Crocs on the groin, and just a fly rod in hand. While driving there I saw a guy hauling two large blues down the steps off the sea wall at Monmouth Beach. Later in the day I went back down to Asbury to spend some time looking, and then went back at 8 pm and fished the scarp and the wash with nothing. Ugly weather on the way- so maybe it will churn up this flat water we've been having.

10.19.10 You shouldda been here yesterday...great

Today was great...took care of stuff in the morning, figured I'd go for a bit in the early afternoon. As soon as I got there, "We're you here yesterday?" That's never a good sign. Around 9 am they had a blitz of blues, big blues, to 20 pounds, ripping through mullet up on the beach just south of 8th Ave. Today, water flat, incoming tide, boring, boring , boring. Water was crystal clear. I fished for about an hour. I had a blast talking with the guys trying to figure out when it's coming next. It wasn't today, well not yet.

I am going now to work on my "Bug of the Month" for tonights Trout Unlimited meeting, I might do a talk on didymo, or another bug, not sure.

I worked on an article with guide Dan Ansbach for American Angler magazine, it didn't make the print version, but it is on line, check it out HERE

10.17.10 So after real work, I hit the beach

Today I shot the Giants and Lions game at the new ?? Giants/Jets/Meadowlands stadium. On Monday night I shot the Jets versus Vikings game at the new ?? Jets/Giants/Meadowlands stadium. That's really the story- whose stadium is it, what should it be named and what do fans from both sides think about it. That's what I was covering for one of our clients. Of course I made sure we got credentialed for the game and to shoot on the field. It was tough, 1 o'clock start, means high hard sun. Monday during the Jets game, they pulled the fans from the seats because of lightning and torrential rain. I got a few for the tank. After work and after getting settled back in, I took a quick ride to 8th Ave and found a flat, slack tide, partially lit moon beautiful ocean with no sign of life. And then I left.

10.16.10 Another 3 hours on the beach, and my brothers deer

I didn't go last night or this morning. But I did go from about 1130 - 3 pm this afternoon. Birds everywhere. No bunker like yesterday. Wicked NW wind up to 40 mph. Made blind casts off the jetty and into the wash along Loch Arbour. Saw a picture from a guy who got a 42 inch fish that must have weighed 35 pounds Thursday night on 8th Ave around 530 in the afternoon. He got it on a Vision, rubber eel. I stopped by my brothers house and found him go-go over this really cool deer he got this morning across the street from his house. He did it the way it should be done. Hunted for 15 minutes and got one. Anyway it's "special" because the spike bucks tynes are never that long and symmetrical. Cool, I guess. "How do you release it now?"

10.15.10 Long day on the beach- getting closer

Today I spent the better part of my day waiting for fish to come, that never came. It was fun though repeatedly meeting up with the same guys as they made their way from Deal, to Allenhurst, to Long Branch, to Asbury Park- and oh yeah, in between, running home to knock off something the Honey-Do List, getting something to eat, or even working. Do striper fisherman do that. I don't know, really, I have been asked down on the jetty or beach when I work, and I see the same guys everytime I go down. Today I started at the beach club in Allenhurst, through the binoculars I could see tons, I mean tons, of birds on the water, over the water, watching the water. Several times they would set up over the bunker that was crashing through the surface. They would get up, then get down. Go out and then come in, but never close enough. Last night they came in, from the sounds of it they came up on the jetty and opened guys tackle boxes and hooked themselves. It was that good. One guy, several people witnessed, had nine keepers during a that 2am free for all. So the rest of us figured 2 am last night, then they'll come back 2pm this afternoon. Nothing. A pod of bunker around 3 pm got within a 1/4 mile cast of a 1 pound snagging hook that a guy was throwing. So what does that mean, nothing. Just gotta be there, and you just gotta keep coming out.

10.13.10 Searched the beaches, zilch

This morning I didn't get up early, and I am glad I didn't. Met up with Al in Deal who searched the same beat I did with nothing going on. Temps are getting a little more fall like- so that should help.

10.12.10 Quick trip to the barren water

Had a break editing pictures from last nights Jets-Viking game so I figured I would come down and catch a big striper. Or even a small striper. It was another nice day. But not for striper fishing. Water was flat. Temps at Sandy Hook today, 65.7. And no bait, birds or fish in sight. So I tied on a Clouser minnow and worked the beach and jetty for about an hour. Nothing.

10.11.10 Another beautiful morning...no fish

Headed out this morning for what I hoped was going to be a good one. I have fished night sthe last few times out, and lost one in the wash Saturday night. This morning was a stellar day for being out, there just wasn't anything going on. I started at Phillips Ave and met up with the usual cast of characters that fish there. If they're not catching anything there, you might as well move on. And that's what I did. I was watching a flock of birds feeding off Allenhurst so I stopped there. They moved along the jetty and out into Loch Arbor, but never came in close enough, and there was no signs that fish were working below them.

Dumbass move of the day. Since it was so nice out I decided to bring my tripod and remotes to get some pictures of fly fishing the beach. I set everything up and turned the camera on...dead battery. Oh well.

As far as freshwater, the Delaware Rivers are settled into somewhat normal flows, the West Branch is at 450 around 50, I wish I could get up there sometime this week, the river closes down the 15th except for the Gamelands stretches. I can't believe it, another year gone. All those grownups, and old folks that tell you life goes fast and is here and gone in a blink of an eye were dead on!

10.09.10 Switching over to night fishing

Busy early morning weekend stuff with the kids, plus high tide has been running around 6-9 pm, so I'm going to try the nights for a few days. Fished last night, nothing. Fished tonight, Saturday night, and one short in the wash that released itself just as I got a hand on him. I did go down earlier in the day at dead low tide and found guys trying to snag pods of mullet that were running around the 8th Ave jetty. I might hit Deal in the morning.

10.08.10 Project Healing Waters Pequest outing

Headed up to the Pequest Hatchery in Hackettstown today for the Project Healing Waters outing. Project Healing Waters is s national, might be international, organization that introduces disabled veterans to fly tying and fly fishing. We meet and tie flies at the VA in Lyons, and host trips to the Pequest Hatchery, Molders Preserve, and Osterman Nursery. It was a beautiful day and the dozen vets we had a great time. I was teamed with a nice guy who caught about 5 fish, and lost a few bigger ones. The last trip I was going on was to Molders Preserve in Old Bridge, but it started pouring as soon as we got there, and the VA cancelled the trip. So it was good to get this one in, Sunday is another outing but I won't make that one. I may head out to the beach to see what's been going on. I feel if I take a day off from there I will miss everything. Below is a pic from my guys fish.

10.07.10 The morning after, no sign of the fish

Well after catching a blitz at 8th Ave last night I was eager to show my story with my buddy Al, who got out early this am and gave it a shot. Nothing. No sign of the fish. I went to Deal midday to take a look and it was tide, and the water dirty out past the jetty. The waves were full of sand. I also stopped by Asbury later in the day, more of the same as Deal, just a little more water at that tim. Taking Friday off from the saltwater, heading up to the Pequest Hatchery with Project Healing Waters.

10.06.10 Finally caught the blitz, well saw one

Don't get excited, I didn't catch it. I started around 645 am in Deal. Nice calm day, no wind, a few big waves. I worked my way out onto the Phillips Ave jetty and started to fish. I was making good casts, having fun, all alone. I was only about a third of the way out when I turned and saw a wave like on Hawii Five-O coming at me. I dropped on foot back and took the entire wave from head to toe. I though for sure I would be knocked over, knocked unconscious, and my new fishing friend Al would find my body tomorrow in the wash. Luckily I stood my ground but was more careful from then on out. I headed up to Allenhurst and as soon as I got there I met up with a guy I see at 8th Ave. We killed them last night and early this morning. Just what I wanted to hear. So I fished till about 9, then it was off to work.

After work I headed back down, first to Asbury, where the guys on the jetty were trying to avoid the 200 surfers surfing right on the jetty. As I was getting ready two guys hooked up close to the beach so I grabbed my rod and headed down. I worked the wash and rip, nothing. Headed to Alenhurst, nothing. Came back to Asbury, small blitz- few keepers, like the one above. Then I headed down to Avon around 7pm. Nothing. Then back to Asbury and 8th Ave. I pull in the lot, there is about 150 cars there, but only three guys on the jetty and maybe a half a dozen surfing. So I take my time and get my stuff and as I head to the jetty I look over and those 100 guys, well maybe 15, are landing striper after striper in front of the Loch Arbor Beach Club. I run over and start casting the fly rod, nothing, go out too far, and get almost swamped by a wave. Then I realize after 20 mins, I have no fly on my rod. Then the group moves to the jetty and they start hooking up there. Keeper and keeper, and a few shorts. I casted my friggin' arm off. Nothing. I think I just suck. I won't be going in the morning, that'll show them!

10.05.10 Alright I'm sick of this, where's the fish

Another great morning along the beaches in New Jersey. High NE winds and rough surf made it a no go for me this morning. There were a few brave souls throwing clams and metal. I went back tonight and things were just a tad better. The water was dirty for about a half mile out. I'll be at it again tomorrow- hopefully it's a little better.

10.04.10 Gonna be a tough week

When my alarm went off at 520 am this morning I looked outside and saw the large tree in my backyard swaying back and forth. I reached over and hit the off button and went back to bed. I did head down to Allenhurst around 845 and looked out s big waves crashed on the jetty and rain pelted the area. Not a fisherman or surfer in sight. So I put my waders on and grabbed my rod and headed down to fish the relatively calm area behind the jetty. I though for sure there were fish there since a small flock of birds was picking stuff out of the wash there. With a strong N-NE wind casting wasn't too bad. A few "rouge" waves came over and snuck up on me from behind when I went out too far. I fished for about an hour. It's going to be a tough week, and season, if this kind of weather continues.

10.03.10 Rough early morning in Deal

It was a nice crisp fall morning in Deal around sunrise, the only problem the northeast wind was blowing around 40 mph. Not easy with the fly rod. Actually, it wasn't bad. I fished the south side of the groin above and with the wind from the NE, it made for easy casting. The image above was taken about 745, and the waves were much bigger at the 545 am start. I read and article recently that the biggest problem fly guys have is not getting the fly down to where the fish are, especially if they're not looking up yet. So I added a fast sink tip to my floating line and put on a new leader and picked a larger heavier fly. I was casting for about an hour and a half and decided that was about it. I made a cast off the groin into the wash and reeled the line in. As I got to to where the black sink tip was on my rod and my fly right where the jetty meets the beach, my line started to move along the jetty. I was puzzled at first and watched it travel a short bit, and before I realized I had a fish on, it was gone. So that kept me there another 45 mins for nothing. Even with the wind and big waves the water was clear. If things calm down just a bit it should be good tomorrow. I'll be back at Deal in the am and then off to the Hook to hunt for albies.

10.02.10 Fall is here this morning, fish weren't

Got out for first light, well before it and headed to the Avon side of the Shark River Inlet. Nice morning, a chill in the air, water getting cooler. Not a fish, or a bump to be had. I was there about 3 hours after high tide. Guys fishing on the jetties on both sides of the inlet with nothing on. Heading out tomorrow to Deal, we'll see what's up there.

09.30.10 Hit it early with no results

Got out around 530 and headed over to Phillips Ave to see if the surf and wind had calmed down any. Alan was out throwing metal in the suds and I worked the south side of the jetty for a bit. If you wanted to catch a surfer the north side was the place to fish. I couldn't get into it today. Last night I watched some Popovic videos on the Atlantic Flyrodders website...that was enough to ruin me for a few days. All kinds of fish, all kinds of blitzes... I only stayed a short while before heading down to Avon to fish around the jetty for Shark River Inlet. Unlike last week, I saw no bait, nor fish. I like fishing that jetty pictured above. As I go out each time I take a while to study the water, and see where and how the bait might travel and where the fish might lay in wait. The weather is going to be nasty for the next few days, which works out since I'll be busy at work and with the kids.

PS- West Branch at Hale Eddy- It's UP to 207 cfs @ 62 degrees. The rains should be heavy and will probably blow out the river, by Sunday it will be down to 9/28's 185 cfs

09.29.10 Back from the wedding, let's go fishin'

So now I am married man, again. My wife, Cindy, and I, had a great wedding weekend in Lambertville with family and friends. Then we went to Atlantic City for two days. Of course I brought my fly rod, just in case I could get out while in AC. The weather was nasty and winds strong and just not what I wanted to fish in. On the way home we went to LBI and drove down to Old Barney and there I made a few casts. Blues were blitzing in the channel of the inlet, ripping through spearing that was just all over. A guy there stuck the water and it was 73 degrees. Those temps got a little help from a strong hard SE wind blowing the last few days. When I got home I unpacked and headed down to Allenhurst and then down to Deal. I caught myself a few times with the fly, trying to cast in what seemed like 50 mph winds. Tonight things seemed to slow down a bit and I going to head out for a first light bight in the morning.

09.23.10 Flat ocean, high moon, no fish

went out around 8pm for an hour at Allenhurst. Beautiful night, flat ocean, warm temps, high moon= no fish. Looks like it will be this way for a few days, good thing, since I won't be around, getting married on Saturday. Sunday I'm heading to Atlantic City for a few days and will bring the fly rod just to give the south jersey beaches a try. Be back next week.

09.22.10 Great fishing, not catching

Got a hot tip from my new salt water fishing mentor Al who said he was heading to Deal for hopeful first light bite. I met him at Phillips Ave around 6 am and we fishing along the jetty and from the beach. He hooked two on a popper but lost them in the surf. I saw some bait jumping here and there but no takes on the fly rod. As with anything else, you don't know how much you

don't know, until someone tells you how much they know. Basically, there's fish all around the beach, in the wash, behind the rip, along the jetties- just because you don't see a blitz doesn't mean they aren't set up and waiting. I moved on to Allenhurst and spent the next 2 hours fishing both sides of the jetty. I had one hit, and that was it. I fished the swirl behind the jetty on the southside and got swamped by a wave, and I learned some thing else.

I need to drill holes in the bottom of my stripping basket to let the water drain out. I also almost busted my ass on the wet jetty, with my spikes sitting in the bed of my pickup. I stopped by the 8th Ave jetty is Asbury before going home, they had bass there at first light, with a few keepers to 37 inches. Looks like I'll be missing from the fishing scene till next week. Getting married on Saturday in Lambertville, I wonder if the stripers have made their way up the Delaware?

09.21.10 Two stripers in rough surf in Avon

Went back at it this morning in Avon near the inlet. Hit the backside of the jetty and picked up two stripers, one around 16 and the other over 20 inches. I started again at 520 am in Monmouth Beach where it was jut too rough, stopped by Allenhurst and Asbury Park before heading south. When I pulled up I said to myself, "What I am doing out here?". Just then I scanned the beach and saw a guy with a bass on, on a fly rod. For the next 1-1/2 hours I made casts into the rip and wash and landed the two I hooked. There is tons of bait in the wash. Spearing, mullet, who knows what else. Should make for a great few weeks if it stays around.

09.20.10 Beautiful day, roaring surf

It was a really nice morning, up out the door at 520 am, and headed back to Monmouth Beach. As I walked across Ocean Ave I could hear the thunderous roar of the waves crashing at the foot of the sea wall. I could also tell that the waves sets were close to each other. On top of the wall I could see that I wouldn't even be casting here, so I headed south. I decided to go to the Shark River Inlet right at the bridge. The waves were crashing the jetty but the inlet was pretty calm. I didn't see anything on top, and stayed there for almost 2 hours. One guy caught a big fluke and another a sea bass. Back at it tomorrow when hopefully the waves will have settled down a bit as Igor moves away.

09.19.10 Here we go again, first fall trip out

Yep, did it today. Got my stuff all ready last night and headed out at 520am this morning in the hunt for the albies that have been spotted from Sandy Hook down to Island Beach State Park. I started at Sea Bright and blind casted for about an hour before heading south to Monmouth Beach and fishing the rocks near the tennis club. There is a ton of bait in the water, but I only saw a few cocktail blues bust the surface. Fished till about 830 and then had to go do CCD drop off duty. The ocean was flat but the 3-4 foot waves on the beach didn't help. I'll be back at it tomorrow, but I think the fizzled out hurricane Igor will still be around.

09.12.10 Up to the Delaware and gettin' ready for albies

Ran up to the West Branch after getting a request froma magazine for Delaware river system didymo type images. I reached out to Joe D. and he suggested some locations. The only problem is the upper West Branch was moving around 1,000 cfs and was stained from Deposit to Shehawken. I tried the East Branch and then the main in Callicoon but came up dry. These are images I should have had in a hard drive somewhere. Anyway, spent most of last week

shooting Fashion Week in New York City, which I'm sure isn't interesting to most of you. Fishing wise, it was nice to look at the West Branch again, but I'll be gearing up for the insanity of "catching" the albies the times when they are close to the beaches down the Jersey shore.