Took a walk out to Round Valley to check on the ice situation. Two weeks ago, the main lake was open but today it is almost completely locked in ice.
Here is the view from the top of the concrete boat launch. They plowed the snow into a nice pile at the bottom so even if the ice starts to melt you are going to have a heck of a time launching a boat till the snow mound melts.
Walking across the dike separating the main lake and swimming area. The view is to the NorthEast. Continue reading
We received CatchemCaro Bait Company’s Lure of the Month lures today. I nearly fell out of my seat when I opened the box. The Quality and Craftsmanship of these lures is impressive as is the paperwork that comes with each lure. Both have a little history on the lure and instructions on how to fish them as well as a limited lifetime warranty to repaint or replace any lure that is worn out! Rich even fishes every lure before it is boxed to make sure it runs true.
Look at the size of the crankbait! It’s bigger than my cellphone! Rich Caro caught a 7.2lb largemouth in October on this bait and he’s certain a fish that size lurks in Round Valley, indeed prior NJDEP gill net and electroshock studies have caught bass in this range. The crankbait will be given away in October.
Above is the Uncle Manny Minnow wake bait that CatchemCaro will be giving away in May. Its a topwater lure that pushes a huge volume of water when fished very slowly on the surface.
You want to catch a big bass? These are the Lures for you. Stay tuned for Rich’s article later in the year or head over to his website now and buy yourself a custom hand made, hand tested lure.
John Korn has written several Round Valley fishing technique articles here on RoundValleyFishing.com and we even broke the story of his 25 pound Lake Trout caught this December. Be sure to pick up February’s New York / New Jersey issue of On The Water magazine as John has an excellent in-depth article on Jigging lake trout at Round Valley – the technique he used to catch that 25 pounder. Great article John!
Students in grades 4 through 7 are invited to learn about New Jersey’s native fish by participating in the NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife’s 2011 Native Fish Art and Writing Contest.
The purpose of this annual contest is to encourage children to learn about New Jersey’s native fish species and their biological requirements, including the habitats they need to survive. Participation in this contest can meet NJ Core Content Curriculum Standards Science 5.5: Grade 4 – A.1, C.1; Grade 6 – C.1; Science 5.10: Grade 6 – A.1 (as based on Trout Life Cycle from Trout in the Classroom Activity Guide).
Participants must write an original short story about a year in the life of a native New Jersey fish of their choice and draw a scene from their story. The story must include accurate biological and ecological information about the fish, such as its habitat needs, food preferences, and behavioral characteristics. Stories must be typed and be at least 500 words long.
The drawing must have a finished size of 8.5 x 11 inches and can be done in acrylics, pencils, watercolors, oil, oil pastels, crayons or ink. Creativity and originality in both the story and artwork will weigh heavily with judges, as will the use of proper grammar, sentence structure and spelling.
First and second place winners from each grade level will receive a fishing rod and reel and a certificate. First place winners will also receive a youth membership in Trout Unlimited.
All winners will be invited to the Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center on the Opening Day of Trout Season, April 9, 2011 for a special luncheon, awards ceremony and the opportunity to fish for trout in the Pequest Fishing Education Pond.
Entries for the contest must be received no later than Friday, March 4, 2011 at the following address:
Native Fish Art and Writing Contest
Pequest Trout Hatchery and NREC
605 Pequest Rd.
Oxford, NJ 07863
Entries become the property of the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife and will not be returned.
Sponsorship for the Native Fish Art and Writing Contest is provided by NJ Chapters of Trout Unlimited. For more information, see http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/fishart.htm.
The NJ School of Conservation in Sussex County will again be the host site for an exciting Coldwater Conservation School being offered by the NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife and the NJ State Council of Trout Unlimited and its supporting chapters. The School will be held June 23 – 26 and is open to youths who will be between the ages of 11 and 14 at the time of the program.
The goal of the School is to foster knowledge and appreciation of trout and the coldwater habitats on which they depend. Understanding all of the elements necessary for healthy streams and good trout habitat helps students realize the importance of stream and water quality protection, and roles they can play in stream conservation.
Division of Fish and Wildlife biologists and instructors from Trout Unlimited will teach sessions about stream ecology, fish habitat, fish biology and identification, aquatic insect identification, fly tying, fly-casting, and stream restoration. There will also be evening programs where students will learn about reptiles and New Jersey’s black bears.
The cost of the Coldwater Conservation School is only $200.00, which includes food, lodging and equipment for the entire 4 days and 3 nights.
Applications are due no later than April 1, 2011. Students accepted into the School will be notified by the end of April. Last year’s School was very successful with more than 50 participants, so be sure to get your applications in on time!
Information about the Coldwater Conservation School, including the official application, can be found at: http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/conservation_school.htm .
Information about Trout Unlimited can be found at: http://www.njtu.org/ and the NJ School of Conservation at http://csam.montclair.edu/njsoc/ .
Questions about the School should be directed to Jessica Griglak at (908) 637-4125 or jessica.griglak@dep.state.nj.us .
