East Branch Jan 19 2010

[mikec17]

Tried the East Branch river today hoping for a winter trout with my spinning gear. Fished about 2 hours or so at a few different riffles/pools.
Tried small spinners, a small spoon, a crawfish lure, a nymph with split-shot under a bobber and a small jig hopped along the bottom....all to no avail.
Think that I might have got two "hits" (one on the spinner and the other on the crawfish lure) but not 100% sure.
Met another fisherman whom also had no luck.
Was nice to be out though.
Anyone with experience on this stream have any general ideas of what works best this time of year?

Thanks,

Mike

[phriday613]

Might want to check your NYS fishing regulations.. My understanding is that the East Branch is closed after Sept 30th.

[mikec17]

Nope, its open year round.   

[KenH]

I thought so too at first. Then I found this:

http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/fish_marine_pdf/nycfshwestput.pdf

[phriday613]

Yep, looks like depending where you go, its either C&R, or seasonal

East Branch Croton River from Diverting
Reservoir to East Branch Reservoir Trout All year 14" 1 Artificial lures only

West Branch Croton River from Croton Falls
Reservoir to East Branch Croton River Trout April 1 – Sept 30 Catch and release only Artificial lures only

My understanding is that trout are harder to catch in colder streams because of their energy conservation. Hell, I was out on Kensico Sunday afternoon, and caught nothing too. Maybe try a worm and a split shot, if they're bunching up on the bottom to keep warm?

[mikec17]

Yea, Phriday....you are correct - I forgot to mention I was in the Putnam County section of East Branch near Brewster and so the regs. are different.
Thanks for the tip on the worm though, I'll give that a shot the next time I go out.
Mike

[ShorePatrol]

here goes my two cents
first keep an eye on the flow and go when the water is or seems to be  "up"
and start at the Bathtub / phoebes hole  area and work downstream
hit all the water that looks deep enough to spin fish
as for lures
a black and gold  countdown rapala  size cd5  & cd7
also any  panther martin style bladed spinner any size from 0-3
colors it can vary; but gold colors seems to work best
i have a full case of lures  but those two for some reason are the only two i have ever needed
on the east branch croton from east branch res  to diverting res
and the only other key has been just keeping the lure deep

good luck

[mikec17]

Thanks for the info guys, much appreciated.