4/12/09 Weekend Fox Prospects

From the Wisconsin border to the Illinois River, some of the best and easily accessible fishing in the Chicago area.
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Ken G
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4/12/09 Weekend Fox Prospects

Post by Ken G »

It looks like they've taken the rain out of the forecast for the next day and it also looks like it will stay warmer.

I hope this is true. My wife is working 2nd shift on Sunday, which means I'm going fishing somewhere.

The river is currently flowing at 3100 cfs. It could easily drop another 600 by then. That's still a little high, but not impossible if you don't get careless. But then the creeks are in perfect shape. Where I go far upstream I have a feeling they will still be pretty devoid of fish. A quick scouting of Little Rock a few weeks ago showed that the place I like to explore was pretty blown out. This needs to be checked out in further detail.

But if the river gets down to 2000 cfs, this makes Saw-wee-kee park possible. Again, as long as I don't get stupid about it.

I guess I'll decide about 2:00 P.M. Sunday when I'm sitting at the corner of Van Emmon and Route 47. Go straight or turn left.

I guess which direction will be decided by the river gauge at 1:30 P.M. that day.

I like making long-term plans.
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Re: 4/12/09 Weekend Fox Prospects

Post by Ken G »

Friday at about 2:30 P.M. and it looks like the gauge in Montgomery has stalled at 2930 cfs.

I don't remember it raining up north, but I could be wrong.

Looks more and more like creek exploring. Just don't feel like dealing with the river.
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Re: 4/12/09 Weekend Fox Prospects

Post by MattC »

The DesPlaines is going down very slowly also, i figured it would be wadable by today but still too fast.
You can never fish the same river twice, by the time you get back it's not the same river.
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Re: 4/12/09 Weekend Fox Prospects

Post by Ken G »

It's about 6 hours later on Friday and the gauge has leveled off at 2930 cfs.
Can't imagine it getting below 2500 by end of day Sunday.
That will keep me out of the river.

I think exploring is in order, even if I don't wind up catching anything.
Been checking out maps. Too many choices. Something new or something I know about.

I have a feeling it's going to be the new one. I think trying to do it after everything starts to grow out will make it a real bitch. May as well check it out now. If its no big deal, at least I won't waste time going back later.

I'll take pictures. If I go.

Millbrook North. ;) ;)
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Panfish

Re: 4/12/09 Weekend Fox Prospects

Post by Panfish »

Poplar creek! :)
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Re: 4/12/09 Weekend Fox Prospects

Post by Ken G »

Panfish wrote:Poplar creek! :)
Good choice. There has to be something by that graffiti covered bridge near the mouth.

The river as of 3 on Saturday is 2700 cfs. It's dropping again.
2200 is my high comfort level at saw wee kee. Not sure it will get there by 3 on Sunday.

Still looking like creek exploring for me too.
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Re: 4/12/09 Weekend Fox Prospects

Post by Dan »

Idea:)

I myself use the USGS gages all the time!! One thing is that it is sure hard to keep up on avarage flows of everything I look at!! Take the DPR in Riverside... Thats about 3.5" in height on normal pool give or take a little?! But the flow... I have no freakin idea! Thats just 1 of 10 places that come to mind!

Would it be possiable to make a sticky some where on the board where we can all chip in and post avarage levels and gage heights of spots we know well just to use as a reference when we go out fishin:) I know Ken always says memorize the gage everytime you look at it and I do but... I look at these thing everyday and get lost at times looking for whats almost normal pool vs. HOLY SHIT! I have to be nuts to go out there today!! Let me know what u guys think:)




Dan
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Panfish

Re: 4/12/09 Weekend Fox Prospects

Post by Panfish »

Dan wrote:Idea:)

I myself use the USGS gages all the time!! One thing is that it is sure hard to keep up on avarage flows of everything I look at!! Take the DPR in Riverside... Thats about 3.5" in height on normal pool give or take a little?! But the flow... I have no freakin idea! Thats just 1 of 10 places that come to mind!

Would it be possiable to make a sticky some where on the board where we can all chip in and post avarage levels and gage heights of spots we know well just to use as a reference when we go out fishin:) I know Ken always says memorize the gage everytime you look at it and I do but... I look at these thing everyday and get lost at times looking for whats almost normal pool vs. HOLY SHIT! I have to be nuts to go out there today!! Let me know what u guys think:)




Dan
That's a pretty good idea Dan. I've seen it done on some other sites, and it can be very helpful, especially if people pitch information in on a regular basis. As for the creeks Ken, I wish you luck on your exploring. I'm still car-less, so I'm really starting to get the creek exploring bug, but it looks like it's gonna have to wait till I get my license next year. Once I get it though, I'll try to do some real serious exploring and posting, and even check out places like flint creek.
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Re: 4/12/09 Weekend Fox Prospects

Post by Ken G »

Dan wrote:Idea:) Would it be possiable to make a sticky some where on the board where we can all chip in and post avarage levels and gage heights of spots we know well just to use as a reference when we go out fishin:) I know Ken always says memorize the gage everytime you look at it and I do but... I look at these thing everyday and get lost at times looking for whats almost normal pool vs. HOLY SHIT! I have to be nuts to go out there today!! Let me know what u guys think
I've had the Fox explanation up in the links forum.

viewtopic.php?f=34&t=120

Maybe I can separate out that post into it's own forum. Add a bunch more gauges, but you guys will have to fill in details on normal versus high versus I'm a dead man if I go near the water. I know enough about the Kankakee to make a decent guess, kind of. And I know the Apple.

Let me think about this a bit. Maybe it's own forum in the rivers section.

Dan, you trying to give me a stroke thinking like this?

Panfish. Flint creek sounds familiar. Where is that?
Ken G
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Panfish

Re: 4/12/09 Weekend Fox Prospects

Post by Panfish »

Ken G wrote:
Panfish. Flint creek sounds familiar. Where is that?
Well, Ken, its a pretty small creek. I've heard of people catching lots of smallies in it flyfishing near Kelsey rd. ( a little ways downstream from the creek mouth ).

Here's a google maps link to the creek mouth. You can also scroll down the map and find the Kelsey rd bridge that I mentioned.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source= ... 4&t=h&z=18
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