Quick note to say it was good to meet you guys.

Pezdek1, smallmouthfisher and me met up at Hammel Woods. We all caught something so it wasn't that bad, though those two got the bigger of the little fish of the day.



I was testing out the digital zoom on the new camera from across the river. My old Canon didn't do so well, but this one doesn't do a bad job. I think Sam got hooked. He looks like he's in pain.



Nick FINALLY gave up on crankbaits and I think he caught one within a couple of casts on a twister.



I know that weed growth is good and a good thing for the river and I'm sure that's why there's such a healthy population of smallies, but I hate weeds.

I was in pain... lol joking nice to met you guys I had fun... Nick you got that pic you took? I want to see it...lol Well I went out later that day and this is what turned out south of Hammel Woods... That fly is killer I gave you.. I love it all were taking on it fishing down stream....









So Far... I would say today was a good day..
Score was ME-23 fish and fish- lost 4

Nice report, sounds like good times.

Are there fewer weeds down from Shorewood and Chanahon or more of the same?

I might give it one more try this month if fewer weeds. Other wise, forget about it. Damn things were driving me nuts.

I don't care what the ISA man laws say, I like pictures of little fish. Seems like yours were all different colors. Cool.

You got a name for that fly so I can do a search. I know you mentioned Orvis, but then found them cheaper somewhere else. I like it. I'd like to see if I could get one up a size or two. Then it would be worth throwing on the murky Fox.

Matt, told you you were fishing in the wrong place.

way less weeds where i was...... it was perfect

It was great meeting both of you. I had a great time. Walking through those forests of weeds was ridiculous at times, though. Definitely would like some water with a little less vegetation lol. Cranks are a confidence bait of mine Lots of guys can't use em properly, or have trouble with em, so I always made it a point to learn them really well, especially for fishing the rivers. I tend to pull almost all my fish in rivers on cranks or minnow-type floaters, jerkbaits, and suspending baits. Today was different Ya, I tied on a 1/16 oz. jig and a low and behold a pearl gulp 2" twisty, because you ALWAYS have to have some pearl twisties handy like Ken said in another thread Don't get me wrong, I always use jig and twisties. It's my go-to anti-skunk bait on the rivers, creeks, and streams, but I tend to stick with cranks much of the time. I managed one smallie on my first cast with it today, heh. From that point on I pulled in around a half a dozen fish in the last 30-45 minutes we were there. I'm a big fan of a jig and twisty, but I've caught quite a few decent 14 and 15 inch smallies out of the Dupage utilizing the same cranks I threw today. They just didn't want the cranks and I couldn't keep them from fouling within a couple cranks on the reel, so a jig and twisty day is what it became. Again, it was great meeting both of you. We'll have to get out some more before the season is over. You guys also got me itchin to grab a fly-rod. My first investment when I start workin again, which hopefully is soon. What weight you guys throwin for the smallies out there? Three or four? It definitely looks fun!!! Here's your pic man:



I even managed to get a pic of the very elusive Ken LOL. Hope you don't mind I posted it Ken!!!

Much less weeds in that stretch in April/early May. But it's a hit or a miss. Not overly impressed with that area anyways. This river's been a disappointment to me ever since I found that fish kill in Naperville in May '07.

Glad you guys had a good time and still a little sad I missed out thanks to my lack of an alarm clock.

Ken, What's all that grey stuff under ur hat?? Also on ur face? hehe!!

Dan wrote:Ken, What's all that grey stuff under ur hat?? Also on ur face? hehe!!

You wait, it will happen to you.

No Nick, don't mind them being posted. Just doesn't happen much anymore. I'm going to start holding the fish in front of my face like Darth does.

Every couple of years I get a new fishing hat. The brims keep getting wider. I think next year I'm going to get a sombrero. Or some kind of cowboy hat. I used to have this really cool gray Fedora, but my daughter claimed it and won't give it back.

AndrewR wrote:Much less weeds in that stretch in April/early May. But it's a hit or a miss. Not overly impressed with that area anyways. This river's been a disappointment to me ever since I found that fish kill in Naperville in May '07.

Glad you guys had a good time and still a little sad I missed out thanks to my lack of an alarm clock.

The Dupage has SO many little smallmouth. I went out a few times last year throwing a tiny rebel crawdad, and had 30-40 fish days in a couple hours time. Mostly fish between 4-9 inches. I wager in 4-5 years it will be an excellent smallmouth fishery. It's pretty damn good right now, just a lot of smaller fish. The weeds keep the water nice and clear, even if they're terrible to fish through, and it makes it easier for the smallies to find the billions of crawdads that reside in there. I've seen 4-5 lb. fish come out of the Dupage, so the potential is definitely there.