1500 hrs to 1700 hrs. Overcast skies, light winds, rain off and on past 24 hours. Air temps a balmy 48 degrees.

Last weekends jaunt with my oldest had me with 14 lively not-so golden roaches. I decided to soak them pinned to a 1/16th oz. black "Big Bite" jighead in some of the smelliest water this side of the DPR. At the outflow, two fish were hooked. One was average size (10"), and he was sitting right on the cloudy line separating clear/stained water. The other fish threw the hook during the first jump. This one was a much bigger fish, It was tough moving her out and away from the edge of the concrete to swing her my way. When I pressured her to keep her out of the heavy current, she jumped and spit the jig. Would have been my biggest river smallie ever.

Both of these fish were right on that line, looking down river over my left shoulder, I then decided, to walk the line.

I kept a close watch on that line of mine
I kept my eyes wide open all the time
I checked the end out for the tie that binds
Because you're mine, I walk the line

I find it very, very easy to be true
I find myself alone when each day is through
Yes, I'll admit that I'm a fool for you
Because you're mine, I walk the line

As sure as night is dark and day is light
I keep you on my mind both day and night
And happiness I've known proves that it's right
Because you're mine, I walk the line

You've got a way to keep me on your side
You give me cause for love that I can't hide
For you I know I'd even try to turn the tide
Because you're mine, I walk the line

I'll keep a close watch on that line of mine
I'll keep my eyes wide open all the time
I'll check the ends out for the tie that binds
Because you're mine, I'll walk the line

-Mr. Johnny Cash


7 more red-eyed, bronze-backed, vicious monsters were excavated from the snarled roots of some flooded river sculpted topiary further downstream. None as big as I had hoped for, but all fought well, and were released to fight another day.

Ran out of minnows and the light was severely faded around 5. So I stood waist deep just off the main current for awhile. I watched the water move over the river bed as it rolled around rocks and gravel up and down depressions and lifts that I only knew were there because I had just walked through them. It took my eyes a bit to catch on, and my brain even a bit longer, but I figured it out. Now THAT was a real treat.

Special Ed wrote:Ran out of minnows and the light was severely faded around 5. So I stood waist deep just off the main current for awhile. I watched the water move over the river bed as it rolled around rocks and gravel up and down depressions and lifts that I only knew were there because I had just walked through them. It took my eyes a bit to catch on, and my brain even a bit longer, but I figured it out. Now THAT was a real treat.

Careful, you'll start sounding like me.

On the way to the flats, off to your left as you get near the end of the island, is a boulder. Quite a bit of time has been spent sitting there watching and figuring out the river. This boulder and one at Indian Trail Road is how I figured out in-water obstructions. You sit and watch how things relate to it, then you repeat that all up and down the river.

After you catch a fish, always walk through the spot where you think you hooked them. How you going to know why they were sitting there if you don't go look?

I have seen some of the most beautiful sunsets ever on that river. You just have to stop to look.

The majority of my fish yesterday came from the tree directly across from that rock Ken. They wouldn't eat the jig swimming in the current, I had to bounce it to them along the bottom as it drifted downstream.

- As a note -

Of all the reports I have ever read on local fishing, your discharge reports have always been my favorites. I remember reading them on clf, and cta, back in the day. I'm not sure what it was about them that I liked so much, but I know I eagerly awaited them while surfing for reports back then.

A lot of it may be that I was probably in Okinawa and/or California at the time and was missing the river I grew up fishing. I actually fished the DuPage much more, but nobody reported on the Duper with any consistency. Those two systems were so similar 15 to 20 years ago, well at least to me as a kid they seemed to be similar.

I have many saltwater reports posted on a forum I frequented while I lived in California, many pictures also. However, I don't think they would be of much use to anyone around here, at least not like your reports. I look forward to adding your book to my library. Keep us "posted".

I think when you spend 12 months out of the year fishing an area, it grows on you. Where else can you go on a 35 degree day in the middle of January and catch smallies? And, it really is a nice looking stretch soon as you go 100 feet downstream.

With all the work they're doing on the edge of that flood plain, I'm a little bummed. I used to get some nice pictures along there. Now it's all dirt piles off in the distance.

You were reading my stuff from Okinawa and California? I wonder how often stuff like that used to happen.

It's going to take me awhile to pull things into print. Thinking of releasing some of it as I go in pdf form here on the site. Maybe a chapter at a time, or a seciton.

I got lots of thinking to do on this. Bob Long keeps bitchin' at me to quit stalling and making excuses and get it done already.

This site is becoming a repository for well thought out compostions...aside from Ken's of course!=)

Out friggin standing!

Darth wrote:This site is becoming a repository for well thought out compostions...aside from Ken's of course!=)

Out friggin standing!

Believe it or not, I never thought of myself as all that good at it. Bob Long is excellent and he thinks I sell myself short.
SpecialEd is pretty darn good and some of his wording makes me jealous. If Rob would quit clowning around, he's no hack either. As for you sir Darth, when you're on a role, it's a pretty damn good role.

And now you know the true point of my site.

Ken, you and Darth are my heros.


I feel as though I pale in comparison to either of you, even on my best days.


I don't think there is another outdoor writer that writes a better description of time well spent on the Fox River system in Illinois. Ken you have definitely found your calling here (I think you know that), and Darth is your padawon.


I only call them as I see and feel them. I have to admit though, Johnny Cash was BLASTING from my mental ear-buds Wednesday evening.

You used the word FECULENCE.

How many do you think had to go look that up.

That took balls.

I rest my case.

I thought his use of the word Feculence was outstanding LOL. I didn't have to look it up, but I did a double-take when I read it. Great word usage there Ed