Reason for change . . . my wife works for a memory care and assisted living facility. Mainly for people with early signs of alzheimers and dementia. Some of them have shown an interest in getting out fishing, so my wife is planning to get them out to Silver Springs on the 19th. I am the official fishing instructor for the event. I don't know about them, but I'm going to enjoy it.

Otherwise, same info, different date. Sorry if that screws anything up for all of you. I will no longer be posting on WCF, so if they don't visit here, oh well.
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Initially it was said as a joke and it was something I was going to put up here for a reason for all of us to get together.

It seems to be taking on a life of it's own. Now I think Andrews site should get involved. This area can handle it.

The plan is September 20th, a Sunday. Gates open by 8 AM. I don't know about others but I'm not going to waste too much time explaining things, I want to get in the water and do this. I'm assuming everyone knows how to fish. I'll give details of where and how to go and you go. Then we get back together at some point and compare notes, or go save the ones that didn't listen and are now stuck out in the river some where.

Regardless of discussions, September is the time to go.

I thinks I know of which I speak.

Rain delay date may be one week later.

What inspired this was a fishing circle jerk done with a few guys years ago where we cleaned up catching smallies and losing lures. That was while standing in one area.

We shall see how this goes.

I dont know If I did catch it in the post. But where are we meeting at?

smallmouthfisher wrote:I dont know If I did catch it in the post. But where are we meeting at?

Sam also aked or mentioned:

Should I use either my Fly Rod or my Spinning??? I am heading in the direction of my spinning because I know I can get down into the holes.
If I use my Spinning
I am armed with
-Some top-water Torpedoes
-I have my 1/4 jig in twister in all colors, pink, black, white and orange. I have a smaller jig also either 1/16 i think
- Buzz Baits
- Spinnner baits
-I got my craws that I can Texas rig
-Some Mepps Spinners
-Lipless cranks
I want to know if you can suggest anything else?
Do I need to bring my Wading Staff?

I will be at Les Arends Forest Preserve before 7 AM. If the gate is open, I'll be in the middle parking lot. If the gates aren't open, I'll be directly across the street from the entrance in the Moose Lodge parking lot. By the time we get going the gates will be open and we'll move the cars.

What SMF said he's bringing is pretty much what I'll be bringing. I'll be using my usual medium/light rod because I can throw everything with it and I've landed up to 3 foot muskie and flatheads with it. If anyone wants to bring a bucket of minnows, leeches, craws, you name it, feel free. The point of this is to catch something any way you have to.

Don't bother with a wading staff.

So you know, I've seen, caught and lost some of the biggest fish of the biggest variety in this stretch. One of my over 20 inch smallies came from here. A friend had a caught and measured 22 inch smallie in hand, lost before we could take the picture. Muskie, pike, walleye to 10 pounds. I've had what I believe were flat heads on that I could not lift off the bottom.

I have lost over $60 dollars worth of Rapalas and blade baits to clean bite offs. The type of bite off where you never feel the hit. You're line just starts flapping in the wind and you're lure is gone.

But then, I've also been skunked in this area, so you just never know.

I'll have maps. We'll go over them, so get there by 7 so we can get that out of the way. I want to be in the water, not the parking lot. Now they are calling for a 30% chance of rain, the first in weeks. Bring rain gear.

That should pretty much do it. If you've been paying attention to how Darth fishes, do that. This area is perfect for him. Not quite sure why he's stuck on South Elgin when this is right down the road.

Last thing, go extremely slow. This isn't a race. The biggest fish in this area have all come while standing still or casting to the same spot numerous times.

Also, other than fishingheadquarters, don't mention this on the other sites. I initially put it up there, but now I don't care. I don't post there anymore. If they visit here and show up, great. But I don't care to share the link.

Besides, they have the wrong date.

Sounds good Ken. I'll be there, more than likely with a couple people with me. Should be a blast. I'm really looking forward to it.

I have a feeling that area is going to get fished quite a bit this week and especially Saturday.
Reports are already showing that.

Some people are just that way.

We'll still do well.

Ken way to put me out like that... lol I will see you there.. Last question Braided line??? and or Steel leaders

I always use braid on my spinning gear in the rivers, so it's what I would recommend. There's so many rocks, tires, hunks of metal, trees, etc. that I prefer the abrasion resistance of the braid. It can mean the difference in landing a nice fish and not landing it. Typically in summer it's 10-15lb braid and fall into winter I'm using 20lb because I'm goin after some bigger toothy critters as well as the smallmouth. I also like the non-stretch when fighting big fish in current. No steel leaders necessary.

pezdek1 wrote:I always use braid on my spinning gear in the rivers, so it's what I would recommend. There's so many rocks, tires, hunks of metal, trees, etc. that I prefer the abrasion resistance of the braid. It can mean the difference in landing a nice fish and not landing it. Typically in summer it's 10-15lb braid and fall into winter I'm using 20lb because I'm goin after some bigger toothy critters as well as the smallmouth. I also like the non-stretch when fighting big fish in current. No steel leaders necessary.

What he said.

I'm sticking with my medium light rod and 8 pound power pro.
I can go from dink smallies to just about anything big with that.

I want to keep my options open depending on what starts hitting.

Only once did I tie into a nice school of white bass. I'll switch lures to target those if the opportunity comes up. Can't do that if I'm fishing too heavy.

Figures I can't make it. Let me know how you guys do.

Funny, the river went from 560 to 590 yesterday. If you were out yesterday on the Fox and noticed a better day or night of fishing, that would be why. That little influx turns them on.

Since it hasn't rained around here in 2 weeks, they must be playing with the dam on the chain. Saturday around noon would be a good time for them to do that again. Should be at Les Arends just in time for us on Sunday.

I'm looking forward to this. Let's keep hoping the fish cooperate.