West Branch Croton River -- Croton Falls

[Wise-Man]

Since I got my NYC watershed permit last weekend, I took the Trout Fishing in NY State book's (and some of the posters here) advice and took the train up to the croton system to try my hand at some suburban trout fishing.

I got there mid day and didn't know what to expect. I started at the tail waters out of the damn and managed to hook up w/ 2 browns right off the bat. I thought, wow, this place is great. I then slipped into the river and started throwing my line into the trees. Thinking that I'd scared the fish out of that hole, I started to make my way down the river. I spent the rest of the day throwing my line into the trees, as the banks are steep and there is a lot of over hanging vegetation.

Around 4 or 5 pm, and a few hundred yards down stream, and close to the road, there were people. Man, there were a lot of people all fishing right up on top of each other. I didn't have waders (next time I will, as I mentioned the brush on the banks), but those who did were going in and out of the water every few hundred feet. I'd find myself a nice little spot and some guy w/ all his stuff would start sloshing into the river and then ask, "mind if I get in here?"

When I was by myself, I saw a few little browns swimming in the current, and saw quite a few rising trout, some quite large. I can't understand how anyone can catch anything with people fishing so close together!

I think that I need to get up early in the morning to try the stream out, but does anyone know some good spots? Should I go down stream farther?

 

[homeboysteve]

Fishing the Croton

As a NYC flyfisherman w/o a car, I have made it my business to find accessible places to fish within the reach of public transportation. A good resource for this has been a little book called "Fishing the Croton Watershed" put out by Trout Unlimited. It may be an old edition but the basic facts are there. The West Branch of the Croton at Croton Falls is an excellent place to fish. Also travel to the next stop on the train, Brewster, and fish the East Branch which is also regulated waters, open all year and has a longer length of fishable water. Two other places on the same train line are the Cross River at Katonah and the Titicus at Purdy's, though these are both unregulated waters that are best early in the season when the water level is higher. As far as the number of fisherman is concerned, you have to rememeber that it is the closest trout to the biggest city in the world and that, especially in the dogs days of summer when water levels can be low elsewhere, people come from all over to fish these tailwaters. Please be patient and considerate and enjoy yourself.
Homeboy Steve

 

[Wise-Man]

I got an early start Saturday morning and used my waders and you know what? The fishing is surprisingly good, at least productive. I hooked up w/ 4 browns and 1 very small small mouth. And, this is what really surprised me, one of the browns was a nice 19". All of the fish seemed very healthy.

I guess that the management of that water is pretty good. I caught fish, I saw some other guys catch fish, and I even saw a bird catch (and eat) a fish. While I most people seem to follow the rules and release these browns, I wonder how much pressure they can handle. I mean, if on any given weekend 20 or so fish are caught and released, how many live and hold over for the next season?

Anyway, I'm happy to have a local stream that I can explore and become familiar with. Its not the most spectacular place I've ever been, but I think you learn more by learning a body of water.

 

[Hordoftheflies]

Which book?

Wise-Man

Not quite the point of your post, but what book are you referring to? I've seen the Flyfisher's guide to New York, but didn't know if you were talking about a different one.

Just getting started in the sport and would love to know any other books you recommend. Particularly resources that provide access points, parking, hot spots and most effective flies.

Thanks.

 

[Wise-Man]

Oh, you have the book right. I mis-rememberd the title. You might find this helpful, though:

http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/fish/nycfshwestput.pdf

CW