Memorial Day Weekend

[Frank Macikas]

I'm planning on being out all weekend if anyone is planning on getting out and looking for someone fish with let me know. I'm thinking of hitting most of the rivers in the area and have a few creeks in mind further south but open to fishing anywhere. Everyone here seems like a great bunch of people and am always looking to learn some new tricks.

[Ken G]

Got my daughter for the weekend, birthday girl.
Not sure what I'm going to do on Monday.
The wife will be working, no point job hunting that day.
No point sitting around with my thumb up my butt.

I would like to find that rock I put back on the Mazon.

[Frank Macikas]

Mazon is on my list so if you are going to make it out and looking for company give me a shout.

[Ken G]

Was eye balling the Apple. That's an expenditure in time and cash I'm not sure I want to make to catch fish right now. But if you want to go, I got spots I can tell you about.

Other than that, I don't know. Hard to justify traveling far when I can walk to the Fox River in 2 minutes.

[Frank Macikas]

Was eye balling the Apple. That's an expenditure in time and cash I'm not sure I want to make to catch fish right now. But if you want to go, I got spots I can tell you about.

It's funny you mention the Apple; I was just talking about thinking of heading up there a couple hours ago when I was on lunch. The conversation was pretty much the same as what you said I'm not sure if I can spend the money to go up there. Plus I'm guessing the campgrounds will be crazy this weekend. This is another one on my list this year.

[Ken G]

I always did day trips, so it's just gas money. And lots of coffee for the ride home. But gas is going for about twice as much since the last time I was there. More I think. And the car I have now gets shittier mileage.

I wouldn't worry about crowds on the river. Unless things have changed dramatically, no one really fishes too far up or down stream. And as you know, most don't know how to fish rivers so they don't catch anything anyway.

The gauge shows that it shot up yesterday after the storm that blew through, but it's dropping just as fast. Could be pretty good for Monday if you go. Should drop to around the 300 cfs range by then. Might be down that much on Sunday. I'll give you some tips. Let me know.

This spot is down stream from the main park. First spot I ever fished on the Apple around 12 years ago. One of the last times I went to this stretch I brought my fly rod and caught 35 smallies.

http://www.dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmg ... ompson.htm

Click on the map link at the top of the page.

[MattC]

Ohhh the apple, wish i could get back there this year. Hopefully that Megadairy wont mess up the river.

[Frank Macikas]

If its coming down as fast as you say Ken this may end up happening. I stopped to check out what the rains did to the duper and I am not very happy. It is way up again and looking like chocolate milk. I stopped at 111th and just took a gander then decided to head just a little further south. I headed to the pump house on 59 at naper plainfield and the water is up at least a foot and seemed alot higher than that with clarity around 6". I wasnt going to fish with it being that high but as i stood there I figured hey I drove all the way over here so why not give it a try just stay out of the really fast water. Only made it upriver about 75yds fishing the shoreline and current seam with nothing. I hate to admit it but I really suck at fishing high water. Probably because I have always avoided it and just waited for it to come down. I really know nothing about how to even go about it. My thoughts are fishing the shore line anywhere there is cover but what about baits? And colors? So far the couple times I have fished high water I have been trying my usual plastics with no avail. Guess its about time I do some research if Im ever going to learn . This year I have been setting alot of goals in my head as far as fishing goes; new spots (more time on other rivers and trying some creeks, new tactics (instead of the same 3 baits and rigs I almost ALWAYS use) and now add learning to fish high water. I'll be watching the USGS but looks like I will have to consider a new game plan for this weekend; the Apple is sounding better and better.