Copyright 2009 James Marsh
Fly Fishing Musconetcong River New
Jersey
The Musconetcong River, called the "Musky" by local
anglers, is a tributary of the Delaware River. Although
it's a heavily stocked trout stream, there's a good
number of holdover trout consisting mostly of brook and
some brown trout. The Musky also supports modest
populations of wild brook and brown trout in some
stretches of water. Fly fishing the Musconetcong River is
very popular for many New Jersey anglers.
The upper part of the stream below Saxton Falls,
consists mostly of pocket water with some fairly deep
pools, long runs and plenty of riffles. This section of the
river enters the Stephens State Park not far above
Hackettstown, where there's a continuation of prime
pocket water. The stream is surrounded by trees that
help keep the water cool during the summer months.
When the stream enters Hackettstown, the water slows
down and changes into long pools connected by short
sections of riffles. There's less pocket water here than
exists in the uppermost section. The bottom becomes
soft in some areas and there's lots of aquatic vegetation
on its bottom. The river continues to flow through the
Beattystown and Penwell areas.
From the Penwell Bridge on Route #57, downstream to
the Point Mountain Bridge, a distance of about a mile,
the river is designated a Seasonal Trout Conservation
Area. From there the stream flows through the towns of
Hampton and Ashbury where there's are some private
clubs, but plenty of public access despite those closed
sections. The river here has a typical large trout stream
feel with long, smooth pools separated by comparatively
shallow riffles and short sections of pocket water.
If you are fly fishing Musconetcong River on its lower
section you will find far less pressure from anglers. This
section is just before it reaches the Delaware. It
continues to have ample access and the fishing remains
quite good most of the time.
Seasons:
The season runs almost year-round. It is closed for 3
weeks.
Spring:
Springtime provides some good hatches and good
fishing if the water levels are good.
Summer:
The fishing is good during most of the summer provided
there's enough rain and cool temperatures to keep the
water cool.
Fall:
Fall can be an excellent time to for fly fishing the
Musconetcong River, again depending on the amount of
rain the area gets.
Winter:
It's possible to catch trout on warm, winter days and the
fishing is sometimes surprisingly good.
Fly Fishing Guide to the Musconetcong River:
Fly fishing Musconetcong River can require matching
the hatch. The Musky has a tremendous variety of
aquatic insects. When there's a hatch underway, the
trout usually key in on it. (Click Here To Continue)
Jersey
The Musconetcong River, called the "Musky" by local
anglers, is a tributary of the Delaware River. Although
it's a heavily stocked trout stream, there's a good
number of holdover trout consisting mostly of brook and
some brown trout. The Musky also supports modest
populations of wild brook and brown trout in some
stretches of water. Fly fishing the Musconetcong River is
very popular for many New Jersey anglers.
The upper part of the stream below Saxton Falls,
consists mostly of pocket water with some fairly deep
pools, long runs and plenty of riffles. This section of the
river enters the Stephens State Park not far above
Hackettstown, where there's a continuation of prime
pocket water. The stream is surrounded by trees that
help keep the water cool during the summer months.
When the stream enters Hackettstown, the water slows
down and changes into long pools connected by short
sections of riffles. There's less pocket water here than
exists in the uppermost section. The bottom becomes
soft in some areas and there's lots of aquatic vegetation
on its bottom. The river continues to flow through the
Beattystown and Penwell areas.
From the Penwell Bridge on Route #57, downstream to
the Point Mountain Bridge, a distance of about a mile,
the river is designated a Seasonal Trout Conservation
Area. From there the stream flows through the towns of
Hampton and Ashbury where there's are some private
clubs, but plenty of public access despite those closed
sections. The river here has a typical large trout stream
feel with long, smooth pools separated by comparatively
shallow riffles and short sections of pocket water.
If you are fly fishing Musconetcong River on its lower
section you will find far less pressure from anglers. This
section is just before it reaches the Delaware. It
continues to have ample access and the fishing remains
quite good most of the time.
Seasons:
The season runs almost year-round. It is closed for 3
weeks.
Spring:
Springtime provides some good hatches and good
fishing if the water levels are good.
Summer:
The fishing is good during most of the summer provided
there's enough rain and cool temperatures to keep the
water cool.
Fall:
Fall can be an excellent time to for fly fishing the
Musconetcong River, again depending on the amount of
rain the area gets.
Winter:
It's possible to catch trout on warm, winter days and the
fishing is sometimes surprisingly good.
Fly Fishing Guide to the Musconetcong River:
Fly fishing Musconetcong River can require matching
the hatch. The Musky has a tremendous variety of
aquatic insects. When there's a hatch underway, the
trout usually key in on it. (Click Here To Continue)
| Type of Stream Freestone Species Brown Trout Rainbow Trout Brook Trout (Stocked with Holdovers - Some wild brook and brown, ) Size Medium Location Northwestern New Jersey Nearest Towns Hackettstown Hampton Asbury Season Almost year-round. Closed for three weeks prior to the opening day which is usually the second Saturday in April. Special Regulation Areas: Yes, Seasonal Trout Conservation Area (See N. J. Regulations) Access: Good Non-Resident License State of New Jersey Weather National Weather Service Link Hatch Chart Perfect Fly Hatch Chart Fly Fishing Guide Hatches and Flies Fly Fishing Gear Stream Flow Data: Real Time USGS Data (Bloomsburg) |
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Musconetcong
River New Jersey
River New Jersey
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Photo Courtesy of
Dennis McCarthy
Dennis McCarthy
Photo Courtesy of
Dennis McCarthy
Dennis McCarthy
Note:
This information was provided by
Matthew Grobert, author of "Fly
Fishing New Jersey Trout Streams",
available from:
Frank Amato Publications, Inc.
P. O. Box 82112,
Portland, Oregon 97282
We highly recommend this book.
www.amatobooks.com
This information was provided by
Matthew Grobert, author of "Fly
Fishing New Jersey Trout Streams",
available from:
Frank Amato Publications, Inc.
P. O. Box 82112,
Portland, Oregon 97282
We highly recommend this book.
www.amatobooks.com