06.13.15 Great find at Allaire Flea Market before heading north......

     Gotta love when you find that perfect item for the man-cave.....or some would dumpster. As we went from booth to booth today it was a mix of cool finds and just junk. To my surprise I found this old striped bass skin mount laying on a chair. The price tag said $20 and before I could even pick it up the guy said $10....SOLD!! I'll have to find or make an eye for it to pretty her up a bit but either way, for me, it was the find of the day.
     Some friends and followers of the blog have been wondering if I have just given up on guiding and or just fishing altogether. Well, the answer is no. Yes, I have been swamped with life, and school, and work and I miss being on the water, both fresh and salt, tremendously. It has been a tough year on the Upper Delaware rivers as the rivers have been, for the most part, low and warm, and in the spots where there is water and more importantly cool water, lots of wade and boat traffic. I feel for the anglers and guides, and the fish, that really look forward to and rely on good conditions up there for fun and work. What is sad is that the water is in the reservoirs, they just won't release it.

Marine before

     Back home in the salt things are just as bad. My home turf has been changed, maybe forever. "Jetty Country" from Long Branch down to Asbury Park has seen a constant flow of machinery and boats pumping and spreading sand around the beaches and groins just decimating the ecosystem and prime fishing spots. The above picture is of Marine Place just after the sand was pumped and the work heads for Roseld. I couldn't even recognize the beaches, yet alone all of the good spots that I have fishing almost daily for the last 5 years.
     So today I am leaving for a trip up to Martha's Vineyard where I hope to repeat another great week like last year looking to sight fish to striped bass in the shallows and on the flats. Last year I brought just about everything I own that I fish and tie with. But, this year, with the hectic schedule and new house I am out of sorts and had a hard time putting it all together. This year I'm bringing my Mac and my textbooks so that I can continue my studies and work while on the Vineyard. We're leaving at 430 am, and as I write it's 230 am, and I have yet to finish packing up. I need this week more than ever.

06.01.15 An author's thoughts on "Darlington"......

     I received an email from blogger Joseph Wichnick sharing me a link to his blog post about Roseld, one of the "jetties" in Jetty Country. It is coined Darlington by some because of the street name that anglers park on, but either way, it holds a special place in a lot of people's hearts, including mine. Too bad it will all be changed soon as the northward march of sand approaches Marine Place, another favorite place that used to be.

Check out his thoughts, HERE.

05.15.15 Nice first run after a long winters nap..........

     Hit the river at first light to shake out the boat's cobwebs and see how we did after the long winter. Short trip was mostly about the boat but I did have the beat up bluefish fly with the wire leader ready to throw. Made some stops and tried to tease up one of the bluefish that have invaded the rivers, bays, and oceanfront in New Jersey.
     Looking forward to getting back to fishing with my salt clients and with the freshwater ones ready to give the salt a shot. Next trip will be on the beach and rocks although things are still early out front. It appears the pre-spawn bass bite that occurs in the Raritan has slowed a bit as the fish have moved up the Hudson or to alternate spawning grounds. When they're done doing there mating dance they will be hungry.

To check availability or book a trip call 732 261 7291 or drop me a line at colin@theaverageangler.com

05.12.15 Sad to see conditions on the Upper Delaware......

     I feel part of me is missing, or dead. not being up on the Upper Delaware this spring. Not only does my heart miss it my body does as well. The Delaware is magical.....and it touches all of my senses when I am on or near it. I hope to get up there to fish it for myself some time this spring......although it seems it will have to wait.
     I have been seeing posts mostly on Facebook about how poor conditions are there this spring. Low water and high water temps has anglers, and guides, canceling trips and fishing only the coolest of waters by foot. Sadly, even the lower Main is seeing hight temps which leaves the waters un-fishable. Now, you can fish it, however, most, myself included, would say that is un-ethical to do so. Thermal stress on the fish even with catch and release can cause damage and death to fish even if you take the most care and see them swim away.
     I can remember as an angler and guide alike having faced tough conditions in both high and low water and being disappointed. Unfortunately that's just the way it goes. Responsible angling sometimes means having to cancel, finding the "right" water, or even switching up and targeting another species. Putting the fish first won't put pictures on Facebook or money in your pocket, but it will protect the very fish we love to hunt, catch, and release.
   
 Kudos to the responsible anglers and guides, I hope conditions improve and all of the rain dances to the weather Gods get answered.

04.23.15 Back at it.....

     It felt good to get back out there. Even though it's a little early out front I decided to forego the bay and river and hit the rocks. West wind, off color water, no fish. It didn't matter though because it has been a long, long winter and it felt like I haven't fished the salt in a year.
     I keep receiving life-status checks since the blog has been dormant for a while. I have been keeping busy on several fronts. My new job back as an RN coupled with my return to college in pursuit of an advanced degree has been a real whirlwind. This time last year I would be preparing for next weeks One Bug up on the Delaware River and this year I am looking for my scrubs and juggling patient assessments and writing papers, in APA style of course.
     Usually I would be up on the Delaware late April through May and then hitting the salt hard starting in June but this year it will be all salt. My trips down here start up in May with some walk and wade and boat trips for the early bass and blues. I have moved from down near the beach inland and I miss the sounds of the ocean and the gongs of the buoys outside the Shark River Inlet.
     I couldn't help but notice the tug boats just off the beach down near Allenhurst and I resisted driving down but I had to. I knew what I would find when I got there. Loch Arbor is under beach nourishment assault and the work in heading north towards Phillips Ave where Phase 1 will end.

     In the below picture you can see 8th Ave in the background. It will take a long time to get it back to where it was and is supposed to be. It will be an interesting year and now is the time to get out and scout new spots where beach replenishment was done last year. Hopefully there is some structure, and hopefully there will be some good fishing.

03.10.15 Yes I am alive and well........

     I have been getting a lot of "life status" checks lately so I wanted to check in and say hello. It's amazing that even though I stopped posting regularly since the fly fishing show the hits keep coming.

     I am alive and well and have been busy with lots of life changers during the off season. I'm always accused of being too personal....so I'll be just a little personal. I've made some decisions and changes in the last few months so I'll share a few of them with you.

     First, being a full time guide is tough, tougher than most people can imagine. Not that it isn't a great job but it's hard to make it into a full time successful business. Now that's not to say that other have done it, and have done it well, but it's hard.

     After a disappointing fall season in the salt, and looking at the numbers from both Upper Delaware and saltwater trips, I have decided to concentrate on the Jersey salt for 2015. I wasn't an easy decision but a hard one that I had to make. I will miss it. My body and mind is already in the ice out mode of mid April that brings with it the FUDR One Bug, which is usually my Upper Delaware kick-off.

     I will be spending all of my time here in the Jersey salt. since I won't be up in the Catskills I will be spending the early spring in the bays and the rivers looking for those early run fish. I am really looking forward to that. I will still be offering walk and wade and boat trips and plan on fishing hard this year with and without clients. I hope the striped bass come around in good numbers. We are seeing some changes in the regulations and I hope we can rebuild the stock, because the next step is a full out moratorium. 

    In the fall, when fishing was abysmal, I decided that it was time to get back to work outside of fishing. I am an RN in New Jersey and am returning to a passion that I have that brings both satisfaction and a more steady paycheck. I am also currently back in school enrolled in a Fast Track BSN program. I can say that returning to school isn't easy to say the least. The flexibility in nursing will allow me to continue to pursue one of my life's other passions, which is taking people fly fishing in the salt. 

And of course I couldn't leave without talking up my kids a bit.......

     This winter my son went out for and made the varsity hockey team at Middletown South. This was such a huge accomplishment for him because before April of last year he'd never been on skates. He did great in his JV games and stood by through the season as the back up to the starting varsity goalie. He set out to make the team and did it and then...retired. One and done. It was so much fun while it lasted. Funny thing is, hockey families start their kids at 3 years old hoping to make the HS varsity team, Sean did it in 6 months. 

                                   

     My daughter did it!! Next year she will attend the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan. I remember going to the open houses and then watching her work on her application and then waiting, and waiting, and waiting. Yesterday she got the good news. She will thrive and excel and accomplish amazing things there.

     My oldest is still plugging away at the numbers at Rowan and my youngest daughter is plugging away at the Common Core in fourth grade. Funny to think that after next year my three will all be "gone" and in college......it'll just be me and my favorite first mate......

     I will post from time to time so check in. I am really looking forward to this year...and can't wait to taste the salt air on my tongue, the waves crashing at my feet on the jetty, and heading out of the marina looking for birds and busting fish. 

02.04.15 Just a peek at what the changes to "jetty Country" may look like....

     I was surfing on Stripers Online and found a post about the recent contract that was awarded for work to be completed from Deal south to Asbury Park. This is the heart, well half of, of Jetty County. A contributer, "Bido", posted these mock up before and after images of what we may expect. Needless to say it is horrible, but is coming this spring.

     Combine these changes with the decline in striped bass that hit the beach outside of blitzes and things may be worse in 2015 than they were in 2014. 2014 was a boat fisherman's dream......mostly big fish on big bunker. Not what a fly rodder looks for.

01.25.15 Back from The Fly Fishing Show......

     Well after nearly twenty years of attending and working The Fly Fishing Show in Somerset I finally had my own booth. It was a big decision getting a booth because the truth is it isn't cheap and it's a lot of work but I think it was a good move.
     I have to thank everyone who stopped by my booth or attended my seminars. I presented "Fly Fishing The Jersey Jetties" and had a great turnout with the best being on Sunday where I had over 40 come out. It was also a pleasure being a part of the Women's Fly Fishing Showcase where I presented 'Kids and Fly Fishing; The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly"
     I was able to walk the floor several times and noticed how many "destination" booths there were. All of the big manufacturers were on hand and it was good to see Orvis back at the show. I looked for something new and innovative that jumped out at me but nothing really grabbed me. I was next to the Kast booth and there's a pretty big hype on the Kast gloves and I was able to try them on for size. I might be including them in my foul weather gear arsenal.
    I was surprised but I didn't make a purchase all weekend, except buying raffles supporting the local fly fishing clubs. My phone hasn't rung yet so I guess I didn't win.
    I look forward to fishing with my old clients this year, and hopefully with all of the "new" people that attended my seminars or stopped by the booth. I think it was a successful show for me and if you had to ask me right now I think I'd sign up for next year.

01.22.15 Getting ready for Somerset......

     It's that time of year again.......and boy do we need it. It's not like we all have cabin fever because winter hasn't really set in yet. But, if you are a saltwater fly fisherman you have most likely been hibernating since October. 

     I have been going to The Fly Fishing show since it's early years. I worked The Fly Hatch booth with my buddy Dave Choinard several years and a few years back hung my hat at the Orvis booth for the weekend. Since Orvis wasn't in attendance last year I figured it was time to man-up. So this year I'll have a booth at C-17. I'm looking to see old friends and clients and meet new ones. In addition to the booth I'll be giving a few talks. "Fly fishing and Kids, the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly" at 5 o'clock on Friday and 230 on Sunday in the Women's Showcase Room. On Friday I will be presenting "Fly Fishing the Jersey Jetties" in the Techniques Room. 

     It looks like a good weekend for the show and hopefully the snow isn't to bad and gets people to come out and stay for a while. 

01.20.15 Contracts awarded for "Jetty Country"

     The $38,282,230 contract was awarded this week to a Seattle based company that will perform beach replenishment and "alterations" to groins from Phillips Ave to Loch Arbor ending at 8th Ave. This is phase one of the Lake Takanasee to Loch Arbor project, with the Phillips Ave north to Lake Takanasee being awarded later this year.

In phase one 1,400,000 cubic yards of sand will be pumped and the lengthening of six storm water outflows will be extended. Two groins, Brighton Ave and Marine Place will be notched. Phillips Ave will be notched in the second phase. The original plan called for six groins to be modified but in the end  only those three will be ruined.

Also, plans will be finalized between the Army Corp and the Deal Lake Commission on an electronic gate in the 8th Ave flume that will be installed to allow the outflow to be cleared of sand.

01.10.15 New Jersey blows it again.......

     Yep, New Jersey disappointed the angling and conservation world once again. On Thursday the New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council stood up and showed how serious we are about the striped bass and the declining numbers of the stock.

Not.

     Just when other states, like Virginia, took a hard line on size and bag limits New Jersey voted like there is nothing wrong. Our council voted to keep a two fish limit for the 2015 season. Instead of dropping it to one fish at 28", or the 1@32", we set the following limits.

One fish 28 to 43 inches and a second fish over 43 inches. That my friends is a travesty. You can do all the math you want and can even try and figure that a second fish over 43 inches isn't an easy fish to catch.......but it really isn't......at least for the boat angler.

     What they have done is now started, or just ended, a war between the boat and beach angler. It used to be that the recreational and commercial fisherman we pointing fingers at each other. That was easy. They would use the argument that recreational anglers took 27 million pounds of striped bass each year to the commercials 9 million. And those numbers aren't factual. I always said that charter boats, from six packs to party, numbers should be put into the commercial category. They are vessels for hire. They are commercial operations. Even though the fares are fishing for and taking "meat" home for their own recreational pleasure. 

                               

     But what this new regulation does is pin surf fishermen against boat fisherman, well there was always a divide, but now it will get ugly. In this age of social media, from blogs to fishing forums to fishing report pages, readers are able to see, almost in real time, who is catching when and where and how. 

     What it came down to was pressure from charter boat captains who feared that reducing a paying customers haul to one fish would hurt an already hurting industry. Duh, yes it will. But that already hurting industry is happening because of the reduced number of fish available to catch and kill. You want to save a fishery......its simple......reduce mortality.

     So the early spring clam and bunker bite massacre that happens in Raritan Bay to pre-spawn Hudson fish will continue. Then the bunker snag and drop massacre will continue into the early summer. Then in the fall it will pick up again. 

     We will continue to see charter boats decks and docks loaded with dead bass. We will now see anglers "catch and releasing" those second fish that don't make the 43 inch mark. So, if your fellow angler next to you doesn't want your second 38 inch fish, and the captain doesn't want it for the boat.....guess what? That means that 10/0 treble snagging hook stuck deep into the striped bass' esophagus will be ripped out and that fish released, if you can call it that, so the angler can catch a "legal" greater than 43" fish. Just look at what happens to those summer flounder shorts. 

     Most surfcasters seemed to be okay with the one fish limit. Some will take one for the table if at all. It was a mentality shift from the weigh-in and kill tournament mentality that has existed for years to a more conservation minded approach. That felt like they were doing their part. 

Enjoying the sport and protecting the fish that they love. 

     New Jersey should be proud of itself. The ASMFC was looking for a 25% reduction......and according to Russ Allen of the NJDEP, we gave them 25.1%, way to go New Jersey. 

01.03.15 Couldn't resist giving it a go.......

     Finally the wind has changed and white water is back. Coming off the two day the flurry last week the ocean went flat and dead. I think if todays conditions continued after the few fishy days there would still be fish around.
     This morning was perfect and the water looked like it should hold fish but working a fly up and down the beach and from the rocks on the ebb tide proved for naught. Looks like the cold and rain and snow is going to start up tonight which may put the nail in the coffin till spring.

So today is quit day number 2.......

01.01.15 HAPPY NEW YEAR !........I'm done till spring......

      Happy New Year to you and yours. It has been an interesting year for me all the way around. From professional to personal it has been a year of ups and downs.......and it just keeps on coming. In the end "It is what it is" but more accurately "It is what I make it". I look forward to a great 2015 and I wish the best for my family, friends and enemies.
     This morning it was 28 degrees out and the water was like a lake. Gave it a go looking for a New Years Day, first fish of 2015, and January striped bass. I could tell as soon as I saw the water that wasn't going to happen. Had to be careful as the ice was just starting to melt off the top of the rocks. That would have sucked falling and getting hurt on my last outing till spring.
     Today I will say I am done and put away my fly rod, waders, stripping basket and StormR jacket. I am now going to shift to other more important things going on in my life and preparing for The Fly Fishing Show in Somerset.
   
                            

     On another note it was nice to see The Average Angler blog top 300,000 views. On February 26 2014 we hit 200,000 views. Some quick math says that the blog is averaging 325 views per day since then. I will continue to post even though the fishing for me is done until we start back up on the Upper Delaware in April.

12.28.14 Wow! A belated Christmas present.........

     So I grew tired of posting pics of the rocks and the surf. Over the last few weeks I have continued to make my way down and fished without posting.

                                                                It just got depressing.

    Today I got a text from a friend stating that he got a few which was surprising but gave me some hope for a December bass. I fished the morning without a tap and made my way this afternoon into the evening on the ebb tide.

     I ran into a few friends that had each caught fish and made my way along he beach without a tap. I had come to figure that these fish we just spin fish, either taking small Bombers or rubber. I made my way onto the rocks as the light left and was happy to catch all I needed....just one healthy. and fiesty, December striped bass.

12.25.14 MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!.....

     Thought I'd give it a go this Christmas morning. Looks like a December bass will have to wait till next year. Water was off color and there were only surfers out this morning but it was still nice to get out. Between my casts I kind of got in a melancholy mood thinking back to Christmas' past. 

     I thought of times when I was a child and through my adulthood and to this current year, my how time flies. As my kids get bigger and my family situation changes year to year I can't help but think of all the good, and the not so good, decisions and things I have done over the years. 

     I remember when I was young and when my kids were young how special and fun waking up on Christmas morning was. It seems things were different, presents were different, I was different. I don't know why but its always easier to look back and think that things were better....but really they are just as good now. My family, well families, are alive and healthy. My kids are growing up faster then I can keep track and are carving their own paths in life. My older kids are well, getting older, and becoming young adults. Luckily I still have my 9 year old to see and experience life through a younger set of eyes. 

     For some reason as I walked the beach this morning and thought about this day on years past one day stuck out. It was a Friday morning 22 years ago. I was on duty with the Newark Fire Department assigned to Rescue Co. 1. An alarm of fire was dispatched at 840 a.m. as we sat at the kitchen table in the firehouse having coffee. A fire was reported at the O'Brien Co-Generating Plant in the cities Ironbound section. 

35 Blanchard Street Newark, former O'brien Co-Generating plant

     Soon after the alarm was transmitted the first due engine company reported smoke in the area and a working fire. It was a nasty fire fueled by petroleum products inside the steel clad building. As the fire was being extinguished it was noted that cars belonging to the employees that were working were parked outside but no one from the company was located. 

     During the search the bodies of three men were found in a second floor control room. My company had the task of packaging the victims and lowering them through a wire enforced window that we removed for access. The same window the victims tried unsuccessfully tried to break with chairs from the office. The men were identified as Joseph Eley 41, Hillside, Michael McLoughlin 23, Ridegfield, and Andy Motichhka 25, from Wallington.  

     As anyone who is in the business we all have stories of those tragic days that occur around the holidays. For some reason memories of that day came into my mind today. I am glad I never forgot, as I am sure the victims families still grieve to this day. 

     I am grateful and thankful for all that my family and I have. I am beyond lucky and should always remember how blessed I am.  It shouldn't take remembering tragedy to remind me how good I have it, as other people in the world have endured and are enduring worse then I ever have. 

    

12.14.14 Not a touch......

     Nice morning out there. Temps in the 40's and clean water following the blow of last week. Found loons out and about fishing in the wash but I never saw them coming up with anything. The water was like glass but there was some movement in the new post-blow structure.
     Like I said a month ago what would happen if the sand eels never showed. Well, find the bait and you'll usually find the bass. Basically this fall into winter we had good big bunker movement which was more like spring fishing than fall. An okay mullet run that was shut down during the third week of September blow. Peanuts were here and there and the only thing that was really good was that Halloween-ish butterfish, squid, and spike weakfish blitzes on the beach. It has, or was, a real disappointing fall.
     It's time to get ready for the holidays and the show and talk season. I'll keep a rod ready just in case we have a crab hatch or the late herring show up. But I think, the fat lady has sung.
   

12.09.14 "Where's the beach ?"

     It's been a while since I have ranted about beach "nourishment" along the Jersey Shore. Here is Little Monmouth. It has been replenished three times in the last four years. It is almost all gone. These images were taken at almost low tide, at high tide the water was over the wall. I can't imagine that anyone "pro" beach replenishment can look at these images and say the program works...it continues to be a waste of taxpayer money. Next year there will be hardly any beach for beachgoers to sit on, but the pocket at the groin should be prime for fishing.

Here's some pics before the beach replenishment and then after. What a joke.

     On my way through Sea Bright on the outgoing tide there was a familiar sight....flooding. This morning they had to rescue people on the high water moon tide. I believe post-Sandy was the time for this town to get some things right. I hate to tell people how and where they can live....but this same story repeats itself over and over again for decades.

12.08.14 Not today out front....or any time soon it seems.....

     Really nasty out there today. ENE cranking wind with muddy water and lots of foam and debris in close. Going to take a few days and tides to clear things up....and then....who knows.
     Last year on this date it was 28 degrees but the difference was there was bait and fish around. Have to admit the end of this year has stunk, not a nice way going into the Christmas season.

12.05.14 Funny post one year ago today......

     Maybe over the next few days I'll break the recent skunk, kind of like I did on this day last year. You can read about it HERE. Seems like each year and or season there's a period of "skunk" that can last for days....but weeks and even a month?
     Last night I fished as the full moon rose and found what I thought were small hickory shad tossing around off the beach. Since they were on the smaller side I wondered if they might not have been herring. Nothing would surprise me anymore, especially this fall into winter.

12.04.14 Found where that Spring Lake sand went...

      Out for a scout on low water in Deal and I think I found all that sand that has washed away in Spring Lake. South side pocket above is loaded with sand to the point I wouldn't even call it a pocket anymore. Amazing that you can almost walk out to the end of the groin while in the water. Just for a comparison the picture below is from 2012 during a time when there was more water and fish!

     Hoping the next few days after the moon the fishing might turn on a bit......we need some bait.....we need sand eels
   

12.03.14 Noticed the changes to Spring Lake......

     Traveled south down to Spring Lake today. Not hearing much anywhere above the Manasquan Inlet but I wanted to scout south. Went I got to the beach I was pleasantly surprised in a selfish fisherman kind of way. It seems most of the post-Sandy beach replenishment that was done along the Spring Lake stretch is now gone. That's a good thing. What's bad is that most of the sand seems to have been deposited in sand bars between the groins. I could tell it wasn't good because the surfers weren't around these beaches, but were out in plenty in other not-yet-replenished towns. If you look up and down the beach the groins are all exposed and the notched groins now have water passing between the beach and the start of the rocks. At least there is structure...not like in Long Branch where the sand hasn't yet traveled. Either way its just horrible for the ecosystem.

     As I walked the boards before heading into town to pick up a special gift I noticed someone fishing at the waters edge. I started to think that this guy might just have it right. Dress warm, grab a chair, and soak clams in the off color and rough water. It sure beats throwing flies....well maybe not.
     The next few days into the weekend look promising and I look forward to getting out and catching a December bass. I better do it quick because if it's not over yet......it will be soon. But really did it ever start this fall?

12.02.14 The blow is here...

     E wind 25-30 on the incoming tide.

12.01.14 This photo made me do a little cyber surfing......

Facebook post photo by Rex Manning

     This weekend I saw a flotilla of boats up around "rocky" areas off the beach and wondered how the tog, aka blackfish, bite was going. Yesterday I saw the above photo posted on Facebook by Rex Manning on the Surfcasters page. That's a 10+ pound tog. I went and searched around on the internet on pages like SOL and BassBarn and even on the local party boats fishing reports page........bass fishing is over and tog are on. 

     That's not to say theres not some bass around and guys are finding a pick here and there on the beach, rocks and boat.....but it does show the trend that anglers have abandoned striper fishing for a more abundant and tasty species. 

     As far as today.....I counted 13 groins and it was just me and my friend Rich out fishing the skinny outgoing tide. No birds, no bait, no fish.....at least for me. But I'm getting used to it.