Freestone · Mixed Sedimentary · New Jersey

Big Flat Brook

Eyebrook Reservoir terrain map
Terrain map

The Big Flat Brook is the jewel of New Jersey trout water — a clear freestone running down through the Delaware Water Gap country in Sussex County, with the Blewett Tract set aside as fly-fishing-only and managed for a quality experience.

Species

About as good as it gets

Low and clear — careful approach country. Take your time — read the water before you cast.

90% confidence in this read
Water temperature for brown trout
Ideal
16°C est.ideal 10–16°C
0°14°28°
Why this score · for brown trout
  • Temperature10028% weight
  • Flow8022% weight
  • Clarity9518% weight
  • Feeding Time8013% weight
  • Pressure807% weight
  • Insect activity7212% weight
Conditions
Level
Dry recently
No gauge reading
Water temp
15.6°C
Estimated
Clarity
Clear
Air temp
26°C
Wind
N 12 km/h
Light breeze
Pressure
1022 hPa
Rain · 24h
0.0 mm
No rain
Rain · ahead
0.0 mm
No meaningful rain · next 48h

Live readings — water temperature is an estimate where the gauge does not record it.

How to fish it · for brown trout
When
Nymphing can work through most of the day.
Where
Cover mixed depths.
Method
Start with tight-line nymphs and adjust if fish rise or drift higher.
Kit
9 ft #4 rod, floating line, 12 ft tapered leader to 4–5 lb fluoro tippet.
Why this works
Excellent — conditions well-balanced, with water temperature particularly in your favour.
Through the year
0–3 scale · June highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Trout seasonSeason
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
GrannomHatch
2
2
Evening SedgeHatch
2
3
3
3
2
Western Green DrakeHatch
2
2
Flav (Small Western Green Drake)Hatch
2
3
2

Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.

Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
  • New Jersey licence and trout stamp required; fly-fishing-only on the Blewett Tract with delayed-harvest-style special regulations — verify current NJDEP Fish & Wildlife rules and seasonal windows before you fish.
Directions
Apple MapsGoogle Maps
About this water

The Big Flat Brook is the jewel of New Jersey trout water — a clear freestone running down through the Delaware Water Gap country in Sussex County, with the Blewett Tract set aside as fly-fishing-only and managed for a quality experience. It holds stocked browns and rainbows and a scattering of wild fish, with proper hatches and the kind of pretty pocket-and-pool water that makes you forget you're an hour from the New York line. It's a true freestone, so it runs cold and full in spring and thins and warms by midsummer; fish it in the good water of spring and fall and tread lightly through the catch-and-release stretch.

  • Mixed sedimentary
Seasons & zones
  • Trout1 January → 31 December
Other water nearby · 1