"The Coop"

The Capoolong is a small trib of the South Branch, that is located minutes from my home in Pittstown.  along with numerous in season trout stockings, the creek also holds a small population of wild browns. The creek is one of my favorites for numerous reasons.  Firstly, the location of the creek is extremely convenient.  Being around 5 minutes away, it is always nice to get out on the river if i'm tight on time.  Secondly, my first fish ever taken on a fly was at a deep hole on the coop.  Only being my fourth time fly fishing, I cast out a dry (don't even remember what it was) not knowing what to expect.  To my surprise, a small splash of water engulfed it, and the rising fish was hooked.  My first fish/trout on a fly, and my first wild brown.  I couldn't believe my luck.
Unfortunately, the Capoolong is a typical NJ creek in the sense that it is overfished.  In a matter of days after stocking, mostly all of the fish are taken by anglers who keep their daily limit of 6.  The Capoolong has also taken a beating this year from mother nature.  The severe downpours we have received has risen water levels higher than I have ever seen before.  A recent trip showed me that the water was so strong that it uprooted a large tree, and moved it into the center of the creek.   This tree now takes away what is in my opinion, the best hole that I have fished on the creek.
I arrived home from college in late June this year, missing the stocking season.  I have fished the Coop several times and taken no trout, and only a couple of sunfish.  Even though the fishing hasn't been great, it will remain one of my favorite creeks, and I will continue to visit it in days to come.

first wild brown/first fish on a fly

another coop wild brown

 

ruined hole

from the trail