09/09/09 Saw Wee Kee

[MattC]

Fished the Fox river this morning for a good 3 ½ hours. This is a new area to me so with a little guidance from Ken G I was feeling confident that I would catch something (unlike the past month). Got to the river at sunrise threw on my waders and make the ¾ mile walk down to orchard road. Hopped in the river and began working my way down river.

The River was low and fairly clear, a little more than a foot visibility which I havent seen at all this year. Fish were scattered throughout the river and all were caught in current.

I began casting toward shore using a 1/16th ounce jig with a white twister. I would basically let the current move the lure downstream and slowly reel it back in. All the hits came it would seem out of now where, no visible current break. But after catching a few dinks and walking through the area that I caught them from they were sitting tight to bottom hiding behind any little dip or rock on the bottom. So this is how the rest of the day went casting aimlessly at nothing and letting the current do the work for me.

Had a good outing with 9 fish landed with a couple missed and a couple spit the hook.






Hard to see but this guy had just eaten a crayfish before attaching my jig


And this big girl of the day


Same fish

[Ken G]

I began casting toward shore using a 1/16th ounce jig with a white twister. I would basically let the current move the lure downstream and slowly reel it back in. All the hits came it would seem out of now where, no visible current break. But after catching a few dinks and walking through the area that I caught them from they were sitting tight to bottom hiding behind any little dip or rock on the bottom. So this is how the rest of the day went casting aimlessly at nothing and letting the current do the work for me.

And now you know what I've taught myself over the last 12 or 13 years. And how.

Bob Long used to make fun of me when I would go to the spot where I hooked the fish and start shuffling my feet around, some times reaching down in the water to feel around. I had to know why the fish was sitting there. Now he does it all the time. I've been telling people to fish like that for years. I tend to get arguments in return.

That must be one of the big ones I keep missing.

Now you know what to do at Les Arends. The bottom structure and shore cover are virtually identical.

The cray fish proves another point I've tried to make over the years. Yes, you can catch smallies on top waters from the Fox. But the majority of the fish are rummaging around the bottom or combing the vertical column of water for other things. Put your lure there. Few are looking up.

Glad you had a decent time. Was driving past there at 7:30 AM and almost blew off work to join you.

Nice stretch behind the islands, isn't it? Further down stream is even better.

It's funny. I recognize the background in every shot but the blurry one. Especially the boulder in the background of the last shot.

[MattC]

Yeah it was nice, i didnt catch anything behind the first two islands. The water was barely moving but it was deep but the third island i had good success on. I wish i had more time, i had to hurry through the water at the last island and im sure i would have caught a bunch more.

You wernt kidding when you said the water was shallow on the south side of the islands. Walking back to the canoe lauch it was ankle deep the whole way across. Cant wait to go back, maybe this weekend.

[smallmouthfisher]

Nice fish Matt... what are you doing Sunday?

[MattC]

Im not sure yet, my wife is throwing some party where they sell candles and crap like that so im not sure yet if i have to watch my daughter, hopefully i wont have to be there with about 20 women . If not im free in the morning. Was that you that sent me a text this morning. I got a new phone and lost a bunch of numbers.

[Ken G]

Im not sure yet, my wife is throwing some party where they sell candles and crap like that so im not sure yet if i have to watch my daughter, hopefully i wont have to be there with about 20 women

Unless they're young and cute. Women love men that are hanging out with their kids.

You're married, not blind. A good flirt never hurt anything. Keeps you young. Learn how to now.