Fishing Log

anyone catching shad at map 34 35 Burlington county boat ramps? thx

Smithfield beach is best to launch a boat. Bushkills good. Eshback best for smaller boats. Really depends on what stretch of river you plan to fish.

Anyone know which is a better location to launch for Shad? Bushkill launch, Smithfield Beach, or Eshback

Bushkill. Don’t think they’re here yet. Water is high slightly stained and lots of debris in the water.

Hey Hoofty, can you answer a local info question for me?...What's going on with Route 143? It was closed for a couple months, reopened for a weekend, and now seems to be permanently in detour mode. I'm guessing that a section of it must have slid down to the creek or something.

FYI, you can get temp and flow info for the Schuylkill at PhillyRivercast.org Temp is still 51F, but flow rate is up to 18,100 cfs (Honking!)

Water Temp: 51 oF | 11 oC River Flow: 3860 cfs >>>Schuylkill River...I'm for trying it this PM.

Hi, deeded. I may be interested in the rod and reel. Please give me a call at 484-798-8265 on Wednesday if you get the chance. Thanks, Kelorgo

River staring to drop and clear up. Temp today at Lambertville 46.5. Reports of a few shad landed at Scudders Falls this week. With Warmer day temps coming near weeks end will result in rising water temps this week which will turn on the bite. Plan to get out this week in the lower river. Will post a report with the results. More showers predicted for Wed but mot will be light and South of the main stem of the Delaware River. Significant rains predicted for Sunday which will hamper fishing conditions with higher dirty water. Tight lines and see you on the river. Kevin

I WILL BE AT RIVERSIDE BAR ON THURSDAY MARCH 25TH AT 630 FOR THE BI STATE SHAD MEETING, IF U NEED TACKLE STOP BY...I WILL HAVE SPOONS, DARTS, INLINE WEIGHTS, RIVER ANCHORS, DIVER PLUGS AND MUCH MORE...484-239-4723

If you shad fish from a boat, you need to add the plug rig to your shad fishing arsenal. I use the Storm Arashi 5 diving plugs. This will put your spoon in the strike zone and consistently catches shad as they migrate up river. I am restocked on these baits and have several for sale. These retail on Amazon for $9.95. I have them for sake at $7 each plus shipping. Send me a PM on Facebook and I will respond to your request. I accept Paypal for payment and ship daily to your address. Tight lines and see you on the river. Kevin Ingram, 36 year member and volunteer DRSFA

I have a limited number of tripz divers available cost is 15 dollars each and 5 shipping if needed Call Rusty at Rustyballs tackle 4842394723

Hope we have a nice run this year. Here are a couple of words on releasing shad for those new to the sport. Shad are great fighters but are a delicate fish. If you mishandle them, they die. So, for the sake of the resource, wade guys should not drag them up on the shore where they will flop around, lose scales, and otherwise get beat up. Best way to land them is to hold them against your waders with one hand and twist the dart free with the other. No need to even take them out of the water that way. Tuck the rod under your arm so you have both hands free. Or you can coax them into shallow water until they lay on their side. Remove the dart or spoon, turn the fish around and give it a gentle push until they are upright and can swim away. Don't them lip like a bass, which will damage the gills, and PLEASE don't pinch them around the gill plates. The gill plates are very fragile and will rupture the gills, which kills the shad. Boat guys should use a rubberized landing net. Keep the shad in the net, twist the lure free and flop them back in the river. I de-barb all of my darts and spoons and most times they fall right out as soon as the shad is landed. If you want a pic, use two hands and wet them first before holding the fish. Thanks and see you on the river...

NICE JOB CAPT ALEX...WAY TO GET EM

Well done Capt. Alex! With the return to sunshine and warm temps next week we'll be getting tired and aching arms in no time.

I WILL BE AT THE BI STATE SHAD MEETING TONIGHT AT HUNTINGTON FIRE CO IN ALPHA NJ AT 630 MARCH 18 TH...1 MAPLE AVE PHILLIPSBURG, NJ 08865 FOR ALL YOUR SHAD FISHING NEEDS..INCLUDING RIVER ANCHORS, DARTS ,SPOONS, DIVER PLUGS, IN LINE WEIGHTS..JUST ABOUT ANYTHING U NEED FOR SHAD FISHING FROM THE SHORE OR IN THE BOAT...RUSTY BALLS TACKLE & GUIDE SERVICE..484-239-4723

JACK HARRIS ET.AL. THE DWGNRA SECTION OF OLD MINE HAS CLOSURES. THE WORTHINGTON SECTION IS OPEN. It was traversed yesterday from rt. 80 to the boundary between the two parks.

Not seeing where Worthington North to Van Campens brook is closed? NEWS RELEASE Construction Underway for Watergate Wetlands Restoration Project NPS Announces Temporary Closure of Old Mine Road, Watergate Recreation Site, and a Portion of Van Campens Brook March 11, 2021 Contact: Kristy Boscheinen, Project Manager, 570-223-4335 BUSHKILL, PA- Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area has begun construction work for the Watergate Wetlands Restoration Project. The project will restore wetlands, floodplains, and a stream at the Watergate Recreation Site in Hardwick Township, Warren County, New Jersey by removing man-made dams and ponds, creating a wetland meadow complex in their place, and reestablishing the connection between Van Campens Brook and its floodplain. The project will restore the natural function of surface water and groundwater, improve stream quality, create high-functioning wetlands, and restore native vegetation. After the project is complete, the quality of cold-water angling and birdwatching are expected to greatly improve. Effective immediately, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area has closed the active construction zone to all visitors, including the following areas: Watergate Recreation Site and the surrounding area (shown on map, attached) 200’ on either side of Van Campens Brook, and Van Campens Brook itself, from the south end of Millbrook Village (Garis House) to the Upper Glen trailhead. Old Mine Road from Millbrook Village to Lower Van Campens Glen Trailhead That section Old Mine Road is likely to be reopened to visitors by July 2021. The other closures will remain in effect for the duration of the project, which is expected to be completed in January 2022. Construction of the wetland restoration project began in late January with clearing of trees and brush that are in the areas where wetlands, stream, and floodplain restoration will take place. Erosion and sedimentation controls are also being installed to prevent silt from excavation work from getting into Van Campens Brook. Removal of the low, earthen dams and ponds will begin in May, followed by removal of the mowed lawn at Watergate, to create the wetlands. Work will also occur in Van Campens Brook to stabilize the streambanks and reconnect the stream to its floodplain. Invasive plants will be removed throughout the project area, and replanted with native trees, shrubs, grasses, and forbs. “After years of planning, studies, and design, we are thrilled that construction is underway,” said Kristy Boscheinen, project manager at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. “Restoration of natural conditions at this site will have long-term benefits to native plants and animals, including improving the wild trout fishery in Van Campens Brook.” The Watergate Wetlands Restoration Project is a required compensation for the adverse environmental effects due to construction of the nearby Susquehanna-Roseland Transmission Line in 2013 and 2014. Public Service Electric & Gas (PSE&G) and PPL Electric Utilities (PPL) have fully funded this restoration project. For more information on the project, please visit:https://parkplanning.nps.gov/WatergateWetlandsRestoration For more information on Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, call (570) 426-2452; visit our website at www.nps.gov/dewa; or follow us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/DelWaterGapNPS.

If anyone in New Jersey area near Mayberry sales and service in port Murray , bob now sells Shad spoons and darts for Rustyballs tackle and guide service Stop in and see him for yours today Might save you a trip If not I’ll be at Huntington fire do this Thursday March 18 at 630 for all your Shad fishing needs

I'll try that again, without the unintentional typo: JosephMTree@yahoo...

Kevin - thank you for the information! I'll definitely use some of those tactics. Most of the shad darts I tied up are very bright and size 4-8, which should work fine. Do you have to cast very far out for the shad? And Joseph - I will definitely beware. I've fished tidal areas back in CA before and I know how dangerous it could be, so thanks for the heads up. Already scouted the area out and there are a few areas that look relatively safe. Where can I find your email?

Ken, while I appreciate the implied compliment, you'd lose money on that bet. I've done 4 wading trips starting 2/27/21 & my best catch is in the attached pic! There are a few other guys who have been wading who are as good as I am, as well. Thus far, no hits, bumps & not even a scale! I've heard by word of mouth that two boats have caught 3 each on different days in the lower river. If true, 3 fish, fishing from a boat with a half a dozen rods with baits in the water is not exactly dinging! They simply are not here in numbers & they certainly should be by now. Last year it would have had to come up 2 or 3 notches to be a stinko year. I fear this year will be even worse. That said, while I generally do not like being wrong, I SINCERELY hope I am wrong on this!

David, In response to your question on fly fishing the Schuykill for shad, best location is Fairmount Dam area. This section is tidal so incoming tide would be your best option. Use flies with lots of flash in bright colors that mimic what shad feed on in the ocean. Also small spoons in size 1 will also work. Here's a pic of some spoons that I use on spin tackle. Good luck and tight lines! Kevin Ingram

Thinking about giving fly fishing for shad in the Schuylkill a shot near the dam when the water warms up (next 2-3 weeks). Any advice for timing, technique, etc.? Came to college here from the west coast, where I used to fish shad in the Sacramento River system