East Coaster
Steelhead
I always enjoy the posts about the beaches in the PNW and figured I was due to post some shots from my excursions here in NJ. I was tempted to open with a shot of a stripping basket cornucopia of picked-up trash à la @Stonedfish , but didn’t want to feed the stereotype about the state in which I’ve lived for the last 35 years or so.
I’ll start with some flora. In June, the native prickly pear cactus is in bloom:
They yield small fruits (ripening around now):
They have a nice flavor, but are more trouble than they’re worth, although a local brewery actually uses the pads (nopales) in one of their beers: http://cartonbrewing.com/beers/dune-fruit/
Another native wild fruit is the beach plum (Prunus maritima). Last year, I easily collected enough to make a cobbler, but this year we had a prolonged drought and there were hardly any ripe fruits around. Here’s a couple I managed to find:
As far as fish, my main target during summer is fluke, aka summer flounder, because they're more reliably found (whereas striped bass and decent-sized bluefish are more hit-or-miss). Caught a couple of keepers so far this season, and released lots of smaller ones:
BTW, that is my entry in the PNWFF flounder derby . They’re delicious with a light flour/egg/panko coating, oven fried (served with a side of local sweet corn, picked that day):
We also have northern kingfish in the surf, which are a popular target for kids (and adults) fishing worms, clams or small bait strips. I had never caught one, until this one, which took a pink/white half-and-half that was about a third of its size:
Based on what I’ve read on-line, it’s a rare catch on the fly, though I think a small root beer wooly bugger or a San Juan worm might produce well (especially when the surf is pretty flat). Since they’re supposed to be quite tasty, I may have to target them next year when conditions seem favorable.
While most beaches are crowded with swimmers and sunbathers during summer, if you’re willing to walk, you can find fairly empty stretches even on prime beach days (you can see the typical beach brigade at the point in the far background):
After Labor Day, the crowds thin out, so I’m looking forward to much shorter walks to start my fishing for the rest of the year.
I’ll start with some flora. In June, the native prickly pear cactus is in bloom:
They yield small fruits (ripening around now):
They have a nice flavor, but are more trouble than they’re worth, although a local brewery actually uses the pads (nopales) in one of their beers: http://cartonbrewing.com/beers/dune-fruit/
Another native wild fruit is the beach plum (Prunus maritima). Last year, I easily collected enough to make a cobbler, but this year we had a prolonged drought and there were hardly any ripe fruits around. Here’s a couple I managed to find:
As far as fish, my main target during summer is fluke, aka summer flounder, because they're more reliably found (whereas striped bass and decent-sized bluefish are more hit-or-miss). Caught a couple of keepers so far this season, and released lots of smaller ones:
BTW, that is my entry in the PNWFF flounder derby . They’re delicious with a light flour/egg/panko coating, oven fried (served with a side of local sweet corn, picked that day):
We also have northern kingfish in the surf, which are a popular target for kids (and adults) fishing worms, clams or small bait strips. I had never caught one, until this one, which took a pink/white half-and-half that was about a third of its size:
Based on what I’ve read on-line, it’s a rare catch on the fly, though I think a small root beer wooly bugger or a San Juan worm might produce well (especially when the surf is pretty flat). Since they’re supposed to be quite tasty, I may have to target them next year when conditions seem favorable.
While most beaches are crowded with swimmers and sunbathers during summer, if you’re willing to walk, you can find fairly empty stretches even on prime beach days (you can see the typical beach brigade at the point in the far background):
After Labor Day, the crowds thin out, so I’m looking forward to much shorter walks to start my fishing for the rest of the year.