2-22-10 cabin fever almost over

[Bill C.]

Hi Ken, after talking with you at the Tinley Show I decided to check out your web site-I like it.Browsing through I see there's not much posting on the Kankakee River so I figured (since I fish it so much) this was as good as any place to start.I didn't post much on the other sites last year,just kinda lost interest. For that matter I didn't get many good photos last year due to camera problems and the fact that I got tired of arm length shots.Going to try a lttle harder this year at both,we'll see how it goes.
Last year I split my time between the Kankakee and the Dupage with equal results,all good.This year I will probably hit some small creeks,always depends on water levels.Having caught many many fish on plastics the last few years that last year I started throwing some hard baits and spinners a little more.Also very good results.Most of my big fish last year came off of those baits especially buzzbaits and topwaters.
Just so everyone can put a face with the name I'll throw in a few pictures.
Ken should know this spot,it's the only area you and I have fished together on this river.

Ken,you gotta love the hat.Because of you I'm a member,how ironic.

big fish6in..jpg

Over twenty.JPG

Ken's favorite area.JPG

[Ken G]

Hey Bill. You'll see from the other posts in the Kank section that I made it to that stretch a couple of times in 2009. Managed an 18 inch on a fly rod. I would spend a lot more time there if it wasn't such a hike.

I think I was once responsible for quite a few guys joining the ISA. They'll never admit to that.

They should just let me form a Fox Valley Chapter of the ISA. I could probably sign up about 100 anglers. They probably wouldn't bother joining otherwise.

If your legs are up for it, I'll have to torture you on a creek or two this summer.

The DuPage where I want to fish is half the distance. That might be a little more tolerable.

[Bill C.]

Let me be the first to nominate you,matter of fact I second the motion.
BTW; what's with the fly rod? I don't think I have ever seen you with one in your hand.Speaking of the Dupage,years ago I considered it a small fish factory. Now that I have figured it out I have caught more fish over 16 inches here then anywhere else.That is until last October when all heck broke loose on the Kankakee.When they start gorging on shad and your in the right place it's unbelievable.You wonder where these fish have been all summer.Here's one from the twenty ninth of October at 1:30 in the afternoon.

Looking forward to a phone call this summer,my legs can always use more exercise.

October pig.JPG

[Ken G]

BTW; what's with the fly rod? I don't think I have ever seen you with one in your hand.

Been using them off and on for 20 years, before I ever stepped foot in a river. Last year I had them out on the creeks a few times.

Joseph Mayer, Bob Long and my old friend Tom Chamberlain showed me the ropes, so I've learned from the best here.

When I was in the club out in Virginia, the guy that got me started 20 years ago was good friends with and was trained by Lefty Kreh. He tried to pass that on to me, but I seem to treat everything like spinning gear, so the subtleties of fly fishing were probably wasted on me.

In other words, I don't suck at it. Just don't talk about it much. Leave it to the experts.

[smallmouthfisher]

Ken,
I know that spot