5/2-3/09 Weekend Prospects

[Ken G]

Well, I hope everyone likes fishing high, fast and muddy. I've done it too many times in the past to have any real interest in doing it anymore.

The Fox just topped out at 5280 cfs. At that flow even I won't go in the water. There is more rain in the forecast through Friday, but it's that spotty crap. That happened over the past weekend. We didn't get a whole hell of a lot in Yorkville, but the creek watersheds I wanted to fish got 3 to 4 inches.

I don't mind if the creeks stay up a bit as long as they clear up. 3 inch clarity like what I saw on Sunday is unacceptable.

Guess we'll just have to wait and watch. I'll be going somewhere some time on Sunday. I hope I'm not forced onto a pond.

Maybe fishing high, fast and muddy wouldn't be so bad afterall.

[Ken G]

As of 8:22 PM Wednesday the Fox is at 5240 cfs.
Mill and Blackberry creeks are high. I'm assuming the same for Big and Little Rock Creeks. There are no gauges on those creeks.

We have two days of rain ahead of us. That will make things better.

I know these ponds all over the west end of DuPage. You'll see hints of them on the blog at customfish.com, but he won't say where. BIG secret you know. For some. Hmmmm.

Then there's these ponds all along the East Branch. I know where they are, but never fished them.

I hate ponds.

This is going to be a tough decision this weekend.

[Con-Solo]

My weekend is shot but i'll be taking a stab somewhere on Monday the 4th. Was leaning towards taking out my kayak but thats just not going to happen on the river. These days i'm much like you Ken, I'm not nearly as motivated to fish ponds.

I happen to know the east branch and a handful of ponds along the way very well, I live in Glendale Heights . East Branch Forest preserve is loaded with largemouth.

I'll probably end up wandering the shoreline on the fox somewhere. These are some of the best conditions for a big spinnerbait or crankbaits tight to shore. S Elgin, StCharles and Geneva have some nice stretches for this. Maybe that Darth Wader character will join me.....

Good Luck where ever you decide to go and please, make sure you edit out the background in your pictures for heavens sake.. LoL!!

[Ken G]

I'll probably end up wandering the shoreline on the fox somewhere. These are some of the best conditions for a big spinnerbait or crankbaits tight to shore. S Elgin, StCharles and Geneva have some nice stretches for this. Maybe that Darth Wader character will join me.....

Good Luck where ever you decide to go and please, make sure you edit out the background in your pictures for heavens sake.. LoL!!

It's funny you mention the pictures. I logged in to put up new picture posting guidelines with samples of how it should be done from now on. Trying to decide where to put them.

I was thinking of Geneva. But then, it's been awhile since I did Indian Trail Road. I drive through Greene Valley twice a day and there are those ponds off 53 I've been meaning to get to for 10 years. This really is going to be a tough call. I'll probably decide as I'm pulling out of my driveway.

[Ken G]

At 6490 cfs, the river will hardly be worth bothering with.

The creeks all came up too, but they are dropping just as fast. Maybe by Sunday afternoon they will clear up a little, but they will still be high. I'll have to check them out on my way out. If crap, I'll probably hit Big Rock Quarry.

I know a trick or two for that lake.

[Con-Solo]

Hmmm... I may have to explore Big Rock Quarry sometime. Can you put a kayak in there?

[Ken G]

Yes you can. It's a hike in from the parking lot, but no big deal. After you cross the bridge on the path in, get near the lake and look to your right. Old quarry road that makes a perfect launch spot.

Two things I liked to do. Look for bait fish busting the surface. Means there's stuff chasing them underneath. Get close and cast into the bait fish, let your lure sink 5 to 10 feet.

Next, get up next to the walls and cast parallel to them as close as you can get and let your lure sink along the quarry wall.

All the way around the lake, 25 feet down, is a ledge that sticks out about 5 feet. The majority of the fish in the lake relate to this ledge.

I just got back from checking out Big and Little Rock creek. Color is good, but man are they high. Will probably check out another creek for Sunday fishing. The gauge says its coming down and I know this creek like the back of my hand, but if it's flowing mud I'm heading to Big Rock Quarry to walk around the lake and fish that ledge.

Or I just may skip the creek. Won't know till I'm on the road tomorrow.