Van Campens Brook wild trout
I have fished for stripers many times in New Jersey, but my first attempt at fly-fishing for trout in the State was on the Flatbrook in February of 2023. An early morning snowfall and frigid temperatures (which the weather forecast failed to mention) were not my friends on that morning.
With a hall pass for the recent Easter holiday weekend, I decided to try my luck again at netting my first trout in New Jersey, so I researched a few options in the northern part of the state. It turns out there are a number of interesting wild trout streams in this part of the state. I was intrigued by some online recommendations in the vicinity of the Delaware Water Gap courtesy of the NJ Division of Fish & Wildlife and worked these into my weekend plans. The destination would be Worthington State Forest with visits to Dunnfield Creek and Van Campens Brook.
As I mentioned, I grew up in Jersey and during recent visits, particularly this one, I was reminded that the state is a bit quirky in a few ways. To start with you are not trusted to pump your own gas (all gas stations have an attendant to pump the gas) and in many cases it costs more per gallon if you pay by credit card over cash. On top of that, on major highways you generally cannot make a left turn at a traffic light, but must take a right using a ‘jug handle’ turn to cross the road.
Although you do not need a fishing license for ‘shore’ fishing, I learned that a permit is required for freshwater trout fishing. So, I purchased a 7-day license online, packed my 7 ½ foot, 4 weight rod for small waters with low clearance and set off to my hotel in the area of the Pocono Mountains on the Pennsylvania side of the Water Gap.
I arrived to fish late afternoon on the Saturday, and my instincts told me that my first stop should be the sleepy Old Millbrook Village, which sits on Van Campens Brook. The village is a vestige of a 19th century farm community that evokes a countryside hamlet that has seen more prosperous times. This old village felt like it was hiding some secrets, not in a clandestine way, but rather that there is a legacy here, which has been put to rest in the absence of story tellers offering any hint of the past.
Upon arrival, the parking area was quiet. I suited up and passed through the historic site to reach Van Campens Brook, which parallels Donkey Hollow’s Trail, and marched upstream. This water can be characterized as having lots of riffles and small plunge pools. There are a ton of prickly bushes along the bank that can grab your waders, which contributes to a rustic, agricultural setting.
This appeared to be intriguing trout water - the NJ Fish & Wildlife accounts had me expecting an opportunity to hook up wild brooks or rainbows. But my afternoon at Van Campens Brook was unproductive. The next day I resolved to try the sections along Old Mill Road encompassing the Upper and Lower Glen – but that was a pipedream because the winter closing of the road over that section was still in effect. As far as I can tell, there is no way to know when the road re-opens following the winter closure.
I have read accounts of good brook trout activity in the area of the Upper and Lower Glen, so hope to revisit those areas when weather and road conditions are more accommodating.
Part II of this wild trout excursion continues in the next post.