By Chuck Coronato, Assistant Program Lead, Northeast New Jersey
The Northeast New Jersey program of Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing had a very successful outing and memorable day at the Pequest Pond on August 24. The Pequest Trout Hatchery produces close to 700,000 trout annually for stocking in the public waters of New Jersey.
Northeast New Jersey was joined by participants and volunteers from other NJ programs: Raritan Valley, Jersey Shore, and Northwest NJ. The weather was clear, the fish were biting, and everyone in attendance battled at least one trout by the end of the day. In fact, one participant landed more than thirty fish! All of the rainbow trout in the spring-fed pond were healthy and in the 15 to 20-inch plus range. The anglers showed off their skills and hooked those hard-fighting ‘bows using a variety of buggers, nymphs, and dry flies. Without a doubt, all the volunteers and participants from the participating New Jersey Programs are looking forward to the next time that they can get together!
The participants and volunteers of New Jersey offer their thanks to the staff of the Pequest Trout Hatchery for their assistance at the event and for making their educational pond available to Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing. It was a pleasure to work with the other programs and to share comradery with veterans and volunteers from all over the Garden State.