THE warm weather is a reminder that the north country of New York will soon be clear of snow and ice, and anglers will once again be on the famed West Branch of the AuSable River.
The AuSable’s West Branch is a renowned trout fishery located within an exceptional setting. The river flows about 33 miles, from its headwaters in the Adirondacks’ High Peaks region to its confluence with the East Branch AuSable in the village of AuSable Forks. The trout fishery is comprised primarily of brown trout, with smaller numbers of rainbow trout and brook trout. Brown trout and rainbow trout are both stocked, but there is also some natural reproduction in the river.
The New York Department of Environmental Conservation is looking for volunteers for a new angler diary program on the West Branch.
Volunteer anglers will maintain a record of their fishing trip and catch info in a diary provided by the DEC. Specifically, the agency is seeking information on brook trout, brown trout and rainbow trout.
The idea for the program was first suggested by the TU Tri-Lakes Chapter as a one-day pre-stocking event to determine the species, number and size of trout that over-wintered in the West Branch, and then to share the information with the DEC. When approached by the TU Tri-Lakes Chapter, DEC fisheries biologists were not only receptive to the project but decided to expand it to a full angler diary program.
The DEC will publish the results and use them to generate information on fish populations in the river. The DEC has angler diary programs on Lake George, Lake Champlain and Great Sacandaga Lake. For more information or to volunteer for any of the angler diary programs, call the DEC Region 5 Fisheries office at (518) 897-1333 or visit http://www.dec.state.ny.us.
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New Jersey’s DEP announced that Bull’s Island Recreation Area, heavily damaged by Delaware River flooding last spring, is reopened and accepting camping reservations.
Located within the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park in Hunterdon County, the 24-acre natural area was closed last April after extensive damage during one of the worst Delaware River floods on record. Following the deluge, the DEP made substantial repairs and renovations at the campgrounds, including an extensive restoration of the landscape and reconstruction of roads and restroom facilities.
Bull’s Island Recreation Area and most DEP camping sites are open from April 1 through Oct. 31, although several are available year-round. Reservations are accepted for stays of 2-14 consecutive days.
Reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance by using a credit card at (609) 397-2949; by mailing requested dates to Bull’s Island Recreation Area, 2185 Daniel Bray Highway, Stockton, N.J., 08859; or in person at the park office.
ken.moran@nypost.com