I don't think fishing anywhere on that river is a waste of time. There are some good fish in there. I know there are, I have seen them, and there is plenty other evidence to back it up.

I live 5 minutes from the Fox. I know I can catch SOMETHING nearly every time I go there. Thus, I fish where I know my limited time will yield success.

Plus, there is a good chance you will see any of the following while wading the Fox: Bald Eagle, toilet seat, owls, used sanitary devices, sasquatch, a pair of Sasoon jeans, a McDonalds McDLT styrofoam container, etc.....

btw: This is a McDLT for all you youngins'

Here's another: George Costanza

John if you a take fly rod post a report of what you threw and what you got.

I say drift a small fly, I did not do that, a carp might slurp it up. Then it's on.

I would love to swing a fly on the Fox this weekend for some carp. Where would be the best place for it? Only spot on the Fox I'm somewhat familiar with is the South Elgin Dam. It would be great to throw some dry flies and catch a few carp. I haven't felt any good weight on the other end of my fly rod in a while. Maybe I'll do that this weekend intead of perch fishing off Navy Pier.
Ed, I wasn't talking about the lack of fish in the Fox, I was talking about the Des Plaines. Not sure if you thought that. I know the Des Plaines has the ability to hold big fish, but the amount of fish in the Des Plaines doesn't seem worth the trouble to me, at least in the Riverside area. I know down in Lemont, it is real nice, and seems like great pike water. I actually just picked up some clouser minnows today for the spring time. I look forward to exploring more on the Fox and really keeping track of what I'm doing it and where it is going on at.

John, bring the flyrod if you come with Monday. It may be getting a bit dark by the time you get down there, but it's worth a shot.

Otherwise I would say the poop chute would be perfect for a first light carp sucking mission this weekend.

Here is what I would do if I were you-

Park here: Right next to Fox Metro







Walk through the trees down the hill to the dirt road. Follow the road to your left, till you get to the fenceline on your right. Step into the grass there and walk down to the river. Get in the water and walk upstream along the shoreline. You will notice the water there is quite clear and is teeming with carp. Get to the outflow and cast up past it into Caterpillar creek. Small flies will get you carp, suckers, gills, crappie, bass, etc. all over this area. Be careful of the hole the outflow has made in the creekbed.

You're not going to see info like that on too many other sites, eh.

The plan many years ago was to do detailed maps in a book/magazine format. I have practically all of the Fox in aerial format from Geneva down past Yorkville. Only problem is, you can't reuse them like that and resell them. Unless you pay a chunk of money out for the rights. Was going to do that this year, but the extra finances went south.

John, did you come across this yet?

Fox River Map

It's something I started a long time ago. The other reason I stopped was to let the technology catch up to what I wanted to do. It's pretty much there now. I think I'll have to spend the $500 bucks or so for the rights to use the aerials.

You guys go check out the shirts and other stuff I have up on zazzle, buy a few dozen or so, then I'll have the extra cash to get this done.

www.zazzle.com/wadauwant*

Ken, I like Neighbor Rule #1 . One of these days i will get around to ordering something. Where are the thongs?

Note: Per Ed I edited my "type and run out the door".

John, if you and Ed take a walk down the shore hug the inside and drift the fly. If you just fish the outflow, which in this weather you might want to, keep in mind the current is fast like a flushed toilet. Clousers in the tornado and small flies (I mean small) in the foam - wait for something to suck it in. Expect ice on the rod eyes. This might cause abrasions on your main fly line.

I saw small fungas gnat type bugs on the surface, I wasn't expecting to see them. But this might be what the carp are sucking in from the foam.

Keep in mind that a worker told me he didn't think I could fish there on Tuesday. I didn't move. He said he didn't care but "prewarned" any ways. I didn't move. Granted he might of been talking about the bridge area. He thought I was nuts for being there ...

Special Ed wrote:I would say the poop chute would be perfect for a first light carp sucking mission

I think this is the most immaturely funny thing I have ever written...... since mad-libs at least.

TravisWade wrote:Keep in mind that a worker told me he didn't think I could fish there on Tuesday. I didn't move. He said he didn't care but "prewarned" any ways. I didn't move. Granted he might of been talking about the bridge area. He thought I was nuts for being there ...

Only on Tuesdays?

Just where were you standing when he said that? If you're on the outside of the fence, not much they can do about it.

Ken you are right, no other site will give the information that you guys all give. I am grateful for that. As I've told Ed, I'm more of a sponge and unfortunately wish I could be more like a wise owl sharing information. If only I had spots that would seem worth a trip to.
Ed, thank you so much for that very detailed map. Not only did I come close to peeing my pants, but I look forward to using the information. I'll probably get out there this weekend sometime in the morning. I will meet up with you on Monday for sure. Could use a night after a work day to relax with a line wet.
Ken, thanks for running a great site. I hope I'll be able to contribute to it.