Hopefully it comes down a bit this week, I had after work plans to get a little more video so I can finish off the project I am doing using my Brother in law's music.


Had fun shooting fish in a barrel yesterday though...

At least I caught something on a fly rod in front of Ed finally. Who cares that he was catching 16" bass and I landed a 7" Bluegill right?

I set you up for success in a couple spots and you failed to convert.

If you can't shoot the 35 yards across the pond to fish the opposite shore, you might as well leave the fly gear at home. That place has always been that way. The opposite shoreline is key.

Don't feel bad, I can barely make those casts using my casting/spinning gear.

I was shooting across the lake just fine when that wind died down. Between the rocks on the shore causing problems with my line laying out and the weed growth behind me I might have to do as you say and start bringing the spinning gear there (if I can find it). Night time top water will be key. I just need to come up with a stripping basket for my line to keep it from tangling up with rocks and twigs below.

With the amount of rain they got in Wisconsin yesterday I think the river will be up for a bit.

16 bass, 17 crappie and 3 gills on my little ponds before the wind and lightning chased me away yesterday.

A 100 foot cast is a challenge for anyone with a fly rod, wind or no wind. Hopefully you were using crayfish and helgie flies......

I think you need a stripping basket and a 2 step stool. Should get you up enough to clear your backcast and the basket will keep the line out of the rocks and twigs.

Any big popper or big surface bug should work great out there soon. Water need to push up over mid sixties and it will turn on real good.

Ken, if it comes down closer to 1400s by midweek I'll probably head back to SWK. Possibly downtown Oswego again... I don't think I will get that chance though.

make sure your flyline is clean and very slick.
Use that cleaner that gives a slippery surface, i cant remember the name of the cleaner i use.
A slick coating helps on pick up off the ground & rocks.

or hold big alternate loops while stripping.
That way when you cast back out its not in a small bunch to get snagged on the ground.

I tried a basket one time and hated it.

Thanks Rob! I have a feeling I'll hate it too. I know the rocks around this barrel of fish are brutal. The line gets caught under more than anything. I'll probably end up making a basket out of crap laying around the house and giving it a try.

I know that cleaner you are talking about. Depending on the type of water I've fished recently depends on how often I clean it.

Now they are calling for 5 days of dry weather.

My Wednesday/Thursday plans are looking up.

Might need to make a morning run or two up to Diversey this week to see if those yellow bandits are in yet...

My freezer has no ice-fishing harvest this year, time to re-stock for the next fish fry!

im off Friday.
Illinois river is about 10 ft above where i like it, by Friday it wont be down yet.
Peak is wednesday/thursday.

want to splash the boat but dont know where yet..