Monday Dec. 14th - After 6pm!

[twade]

On Tuesday meaning when I was there on Tuesday. Smart asses I swear.

I was in the water. Hence I did not move. He hoped I got a fish, so I think he didn't know of any rules and assumed and
we all know what that means.

Just watched the news while flooding fishing sites and forums. Should hit EXACTLY 32 degree on Sunday. So Ken that means you'll be on the water, right?

[Special Ed]

No Travis, only OVER 32...... duh.... sheesh. Besides, Ken said he is done for the year. We all know he really meant it this time.

John, Even if I plastered that map all over the net, the fish will continue to return to that spot year after year. A few good maps won't fish out the river. That spot gets hit pretty hard by a lot of people, yet it continues to produce fish. Go there, explore, observe, fish, take mental notes, and return again the next time ready to apply what you have learned.

Ken, I told John how much I like sponges. I never met a sponge I didn't like. He'll be just fine........ as long as he doesn't soak up any of that essence de' ordure while down at the plant!

[Johndyers34]

Haha, I hope I'm able to shut off the sponge like abilities once I hit that stretch of the river. I'll make sure I keep my riverside notebook on me so I can write down my notes from the outing that day.
It's hard to trust what people say about where they are fishing, or what they are catching on certain bodies of water, because everyone is so worried to lose their "honey-holes." Ken I read your post about the internet and how you can post something about a body of water giving pretty close to exact coordinates, and still not see a single person in that stretch of the river. I'm a firm believer in this. I'm glad I found a place that not only is it welcomed, its encouraged.

[twade]

Ed is a great person to talk fish with. In our many fishing outings I can say we have become good friends. He is "normal" and honestly wants to see you catch fish. Ponds are a hard to post on-line about and steer away the crowds but rivers are a different story.

[Erik]

Some great information in this thread! Thanks for posting those maps, Ed.

One of these days this winter I want to get down there and fish the area. Kinda a haul for me after work, though. Kayaked and fished that stretch in July and it is some great looking water. Hooked into a Really big smallie downstream of the "flats" area you guys talk about in some deeper, fast water. Never did get it to hand.

Just an FYI..there was some discussion on the river flow..Stratton lock and dam made a pretty significant change in gate height yesterday so the river should continue dropping unless we get some snow melt.

[sparks63]

Ed,

I have been wondering how you guys are accessing from the west side. Thanks for the great post! I will reserve a spot in the boat for you when we all do the Monsterquest on the Illinois, where it meets the Fox. Thanks again.

Scott

[Special Ed]

No problem! There is another way that takes maybe 10 more minutes, but once you walk it in waders you will prefer the closer access.

Park near the Eastern-most set of railroad tracks almost under Route 30 on the North side of the overpass.


Get on your gear, walk under the overpass to the tracks, and take them south. Make sure you take note of your surroundings here.


When you get to the bridge that crosses the river veer right and head down the the water. There is a culvert there, and the concrete for the wall starts here.


You will then walk carefully along the fenceline (blue line) which is a narrow (15 to 20 inch) concrete wall that is bordered by fence on one side and the river on the other. When you get to the end (btw, you can be fishing this whole time, no one said there are no fish here either. ), continue in the grass (red line) untill you get to the culvert. This is where I start fishing (green line), the culvert has a washout area, and the shoreline has some rough rock and boulders/limbs in the water. Continue on till you decide to walk back.......

This was how I first started fishing this spot, and it is because of Ken's posts. He laid it out for me clear as day, and for the life of me I can't find the post he described this for me.

Anyway, I have had some other thoughts about this area, mostly stealthy hunting missions, but I'm sure the PO-leece would have something to say about me hunting on RR property. Lots of tracks though.........

[Ken G]

Anyway, I have had some other thoughts about this area, mostly stealthy hunting missions, but I'm sure the PO-leece would have something to say about me hunting on RR property. Lots of tracks though.........

I have actually found shotgun shells along that stretch of the tracks. I've thought about it.

Make sure as you go down stream you're drifting things very tight to shore. That 16 inch I got the other day came out from the under cut bank on my 3rd try through the area. Very slow retrieve, a bit of a pause and a wiggle about a foot from shore.

You may have to go walk around along that shore to get a real feel for what it's doing. When the water is up, they can tuck in there pretty tight.

I'm hanging out with my daughter all weekend, so no fishing for me. Besides, I'm done for the year I told ya.

Okay back to work.

[AndrewR]

No more Des Plaines. Seems like a waste of time to me.

Like we sometimes tell Dan who got lucky and caught an 8-pounder. . . . . . Maybe you don't know how to catch fish?

YA SPONGE!

Ed, let me know if an outsider like me is welcomed to join. I got a gear bag to give to Johnny and I would like to catch a Walleye and rub it into John's face for good measure.

It's not a for sure yet but since the ice isn't fully here (my preferred thing), I'd like to do something adventurous.

I got meetings to be at during the morning/early afternoon, and then in Lemont possibly with Hyla for his website, and I figure I can haul my ass over afterwards. Oh yeah, and if I'm in Lemont I will net some bait for ya's at the discharge. DPR strain shiners and mini chubs.

Oh yeah, that Apple trip we all made in September 08 was awesome. Big Mike puked all over the woods and we all had fun. I'm hoping we can do a spring trip.

[Special Ed]

LOL outsider my ass!

Andrew, you are more than welcome to join. Minners or not, I don't think it will be a real late night there anyway. I've really never explored enough of the night bite in that area to have ANY idea what to expect.

I am fishing that morning looking for perch, and this evening deal will be a good chance for me to get my last 2009 Smallie. After that, I just want to find the water I am looking for walleyes in. Hooking up would be a bonus, but not expected.

Hate to break it to you, but the ice is here. There will be gobs of people swiss-cheesing Neilson's & T Channel this weekend. There are many bays on the chain that are 3 to 4 inches and growing as I type. I also have it on good authority that Lake Holiday is ice-fishable on 50% of the holding areas as of tonight as well.

I have more info about the 18th for you and the FHQ guys, as well as some more stuff, but I will throw it up there instead.