For anyone interested

[Special Ed]

I look forward to it.

Another thing that was brought to my attention (which I should have noticed, but it took the wisdom of years to flip my own switch) was water clarity. Last year we had some great clarity on the river, we both agreed that we distinctly remember being able to see the multitude of colors from leaves fallen beneath our feet as we walked the shallows. Even enough so as to watch the quillbacks and carp muddle around between our boots and around our disturbances.

We don't have that this year.....


Just another variable in this equation. The weather gurus are all over the place about the next few days. I would like to try and get out after my labwork Wednesday.... Montgomery or S. Aurora most likely as it is near my evening appointment. I'll take note of conditions and post on my blog.

[Ken G]

Since we hijacked this thread, keep posting the observations here if you don't mind. I'm in the middle of trying to get some boring thing put together for Dale while I think about what everyone has said here.

Of course I have my own thoughts on this, but they're long. So far everyone has hit on parts of the equation. I think the big part was September 2008 when the river was flowing at 19,000 cfs. In my notes, that's the turning point, but things started happening with the driest year in history, 2005. The two tie together in my head somehow, but I'll get to that.

Last year in Mill Creek in September I had a 100 fish day. I have a feeling no one went this year, but I'll bet the fish were there. They are there every year, have been for over 10 years.

Why? And once they are out in the river why can't they be caught, at least the last couple of years.

Grown men sitting around trying to think like fish. We need to find better things to do.

[Special Ed]

We need to find better things to do.

That is why God gave us beer.

[Erik]

Interesting conversation. I'm fishing a little North of you guys typically (dundee - st.charles) and I've been seeing the same thing. For me, numbers and size of smallies are down quite a bit the last two years. The lack of white bass is also interesting. I remember fishing for them as a kid and catching so many my arms would be tired...now I can count on one hand how many i've caught all year. Other anglers I run into on the water (who don't post on these sites) have been saying the same thing. I believe the next comprehensive electrofishing survey won't be done until 2012. It'll be interesting what they find.

[Cory]

It certainly has been an unusual fall. I fish all up and down, but hit the algonquin and dundee areas and have really put the hurt on the smallies in the early fall, but since the 4th of October, I can't seem to find any fish.
It's weird and I hope to change that. I think I am going to hit South Elgin on Monday and see if I can't find a fish or two.

[Fishin Musician]

Hey all, I fish in the middle of everyone for the most part Batavia to Aurora and I am seeing the same thing everyone else. It is hard to believe that 5 years ago I was catching 76 fish in a 4 hour period from 10:00 to 2:00 in the fall and that lasted thru till ice out. Even in November two years ago, 30 fish out of a deeper bit of water was not too hard too accomplish. I wish I had a better feel for what is contributing to the apparent decline of fish but I don't. Good topic to kick around, I have heard both points of view on the flooding issues, as long as the water doesn't drop extremely fast I would think it would be beneficial for the fry to be in skinny water with plenty of cover and nutrients. Good Luck out there, Kevin