Fly Fish The South Branch with Shannon's Fly & Tackle

Califon, New Jersey

Description

Beautiful LocationFun Outdoor ExperienceChance to see some amazing troutGet OUTSIDE!

A clear, crisp, warm October day is the perfect day to spend on the water. This particular stretch of the South Branch River has some amazing foliage to view while you fish.

If you have never had the opportunity to fly fish, this is a perfect place to start. I highly recommend the use of a guide through Shannon’s Fly & Tackle www.shannonsflytackle.com, which is located right in Califon, NJ. They have private water on the South Branch and will outfit you with waders, boots, rods, reels, line and flies. You can find them online, on Facebook or call the shop at: (908) 832-5736.

We spent the middle of the day fishing for 3 different kind of trout: brook, brown and rainbow. We were a party of 2 with a guide and both of us were able to reel in beautiful trout. The water levels have been down in New Jersey, but the fish are there. With some patience and finesse we were both able to hook a few. This is a catch and release section, so you cannot keep the trout you catch. Be sure to keep your camera handy for some great pictures. Our guide had us try several different locations along the one stretch of the water and tried numerous different flies depending on the bite.

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Features

Fishing

Easy Parking

Groups

River

Scenic

Wildlife

ADA Accessible

Fly Fish The South Branch with Shannon's Fly & Tackle Reviews

Have you done this adventure? Be the first to leave a review!

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Bike the Columbia Trail: Califon to High Bridge

There are multiple places to pick up the Columbia Trail (High Bridge, Califon, Long Valley, Flanders) but this post is for biking or running from Califon to High Bridge and back. The best place to park is at the old town railroad station on, of course, Railroad Ave. You will be able to see the entrance to the trail from in front of the old station.The trail is very easy to follow and you will d...

Explore the Ken Lockwood Gorge

One of New Jerseys best kept secrets has to be the Ken Lockwood Gorge. If you are looking for a relaxing, beautiful, and nature packs place then this area is perfect for you. You can access the gorge from two different points, either by driving down Raritan River Rd. and parking right before you enter (you can also driving part of the way through to the larger parking areas but the road is extr...

Hike Hacklebarney State Park's Trout Brook Riverbanks

This is a relatively easy hike through Hacklebarney State Park that is great for families with younger children, rock scrambling, photography, and just hanging out in nature. There are two different ways to explore Hacklebarney, either by staying on the packed gravel path or by following the banks of Trout Brook and scrambling down the sides of some waterfalls. My suggested route is to follow t...

Merrill Creek Reservoir Perimeter Trail

Hiking in Musconetcong Gorge Preserve

Start out on Ridge Trail (yellow blazes), found at the rear of the parking lot. Shortly, you will come to a stream crossing, followed by a set of wooden steps. Just before the next stream, turn left following the white blazes. This section of the trail makes a moderately rocky descent, as it follows the stream downhill.Around 2 miles in, you will reach a gravel path, where you will turn right a...

Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge Loop

Nestled within the more urban and suburban communities in Northern New Jersey, you can escape back to nature at Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. The name says it all - this place is the perfect opportunity to get up close to a variety of different wildlife that call this protected land home. Commonly seen animals include fox, deer, muskrat, turtles, fish, and frogs. There are also more tha...