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The Paulinskill River is a wonderful New Jersey trout
stream. Beginning just north of Newton, it tumbles and
wanders for nearly 30 miles before flowing into the Delaware
River. It is fairly large, reaching 60-plus-feet across
in some spots, with big, slow pools and crashing pockets.
An abundant supply of rainbows and browns keep anglers
coming back to the Paulinskill year after year.
Much of the water above the town of Marksboro is
posted, and inaccessible for fishing. If you choose
to explore the upper end of the river, you will find
a few spots to fish--just be on the lookout for posted
signs. Up here, the river has some good water, but
the majority of productive water lies south of Marksboro.
Below Marksboro, more of the river is open to the public
(although there's still posted land here), and you'll
find some outstanding water. |
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This stretch is made up of large, flat dry-fly pools,
nymph-calling pockets, and runs. Early season, usually
around the end of April, is a good time to hit the stream
for the year's first hatches. Near the town of Paulina,
about two miles south of Marksboro, there's a dam and
some nice dry-fly water. Some of the water is posted,
but along the way there are spots you can park and fish.
The State marks the areas where they stock fish, so keep
your eyes open for these signs when you're driving along
the river. |
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Blairstown probably is the most popular stretch of the
Paulinskill. At times, this section can be crowded, especially
early in the season. There are, however, many fine pools
and runs that should not be overlooked. Throughout the
town of Blairstown and near the airport, you'll find
plenty of places to park and fish. Angling is good all
the way downriver to where the Paulinskill enters the
Delaware River, near Columbia.
The Paulinskill offers very good hatches as well as
great dry-fly fishing throughout much of the season.
Hatches such as Hendricksons, Isonycias, Sulphurs,
and Blue-Winged Olives are all productive and fairly
dependable. Terrestrials work well during the summer
months. And you'll find nymph fishing some of the faster,
pocketed stretches to be very productive too. Fishing
in early-season, high-water conditions usually works
best with large nymphs or a sink-tip line with Woolly
Buggers and streamers. You can gain access to the Paulinskill
via Route 94, which follows most of this river's productive
length, from Marksboro south to Columbia. And if you
travel on the side roads along the way, you'll be able
to access the river. The next time you're in Northwestern
New Jersey, stop to fish the Paulinskill-this trout
stream won't disappoint you. |
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