First time fishing an Illinois river in six weeks,been spending to much time in Wisconsin.I know I haven't
missed much with all the rain here.I leave the high water fishing to the other guys that seem to enjoy it.
The Dupage is in great shape,clarity is excellent and no algae or weeds to contend.You can pretty much throw
what ever baits you like.
Monday I got an early start and found fish in or next to fast water,slack water didn't produce for me-wasted a
lot of time in those spots. Buzzbait accounted for the two biggest fish,18 inch largemouth and 17 inch smallie.
The rest all came on an assortment of plastics. twenty five in all.
Tuesday was totally different.Started off with a big largemouth on my fifth cast using a chugbug but that was to be
it for topwaters.Moving upstream and working plastics did nothing for my morale.In an area where I would always catch smallies proved futile till I switched to a crankbait.The Bandit 200 worked on the seams accounted for five more smallies
in a short period of time.Further upstream I went to a Bitsy Tube to work some small pockets picking up a few short fish
then back and forth with the crankbait.Ending the morning with a nice seventeen inch smallie.All in all a good two days.
Sure feels good to be back in the river again
Early morning largemouth,right off the bridge pillon.

Great report Bill! I have run into a few nice largemouths the last few days as well. It's not unusual for me to get a few smaller ones but not like the ones Ive seen this past weekend.

You and Frank are killing me. I almost stopped on the DuPage today, but paperwork hell was waiting for me at home and I was a good boy and got it out of the way.

That leaves Wednesday if this rain doesn't screw things up. I pass the West Branch every day for the next week or so. Doubt if there's fish where I want to go, but it's someplace to go.

My pal Doc and I tried the DuPage earlier in the year when the weeds were terrible in most sections...this report has me thinking it is time to try it again. He's 79 and not a great wader these days ...even with a staff. We tried some water at a park in Shorewood that wasn't too bad. Any other suggestions Ken? I'd sure appreciate any guidance here...he's only a fly angler and I do what is necessary to catch my smallies.

spent the weekend with my wife's family in Boyne City, Michigan and caught a 3 lb smallie this am at 6:30 on a pumpkin twister and a number of other smaller fish...made the 7 hour ride home a lot easier.

By the way...had the single best 2 days of fresh water fishing in my life last month on the Menominee River with some friends on a float trip. big poppers, Murdich Minnows(big streamer) and HUGE smallies with the guides from Tight Lines Fly Shop of De Pere(near Green Bay).
Average fish was around 18" and deep bronze in color, not green like our locals. Now realize why they call em' bronzebacks!!
If you have the money, it was the best smallie fishing of my life!

Two weeks ago had another visit to Hayward, Wis for smallies and muskies with the two great people at Hayward Fly Fishing. Larry and Wendy are two of the nicest people you can ever fish with. Great drift boats and great fishing in vodka clear water with flies and poppers again. Weather was tough but still had good luck and great friendship. The best part of my wife Colleen being the new Midwestern Simms rep is finding some great people and places to fish with her fly shop clients...all I have to do is carry her stuff around and be friendly...sweet!

I think Frank, Bill and Sam are our DuPage experts, maybe they'll chime in to let you know where you can take your friend. There are some areas of the DuPage that even test my legs with all the rock, but I've been to areas around Plainfield where it's not so bad at all.

You're lucky to be able to follow your wife around. I'm sure there's some kind of payback for the privilege, but as long as you get to go fishing, I think "Yes dear, whatever you want dear" is the appropriate answer to any of her requests.

Theres a few spots off the top of my head; over by the canoe launch off of caton farm in plainfield its a long deeper (probably waist deep) flat and we have had some good look there the last few years mid summer. Another one would be across from where naper plainfield rd meets Rt 59 in Plainfield. If you want to wade down stream I would park behind the office building on naperplainfield just before you get to 59. Here if you stay on the north side under the bridge its very easy wading down to the RR bridge and if you stay on the north side of the river until you get to the bridge but the south side is easier to under the bridge. The section from about 50yds down from the RR bridge down to the wing dam I havent ever caught anything but past the wing dam its a great stretch; just a little harder to get past the dam. If you want to wade upstream you can park right below the RR bridge. There is a small driveway next to a pump house just south of the viaduct on 59 that you can drive down straight to the river. There is a small hill down to the river but after that your set. This section was pretty good last weekend. I picked up 13 in a relatively short time.

Franks suggestion is a very good one.Another would be the Hammel woods area.
Easy wade.Above Black Road is an easy wade also,smooth bottom,but the good spots
are along distance apart.Just look for any change in depth.Usually first timers walk through
the good spots before they realize they're there.Take advantage now while the river is in almost
the best overall condition I have seen in a long time.

thanks all for your kind sharing of spots...it's so unusual to find folks always so helpful.

Ken my wife laughed her ass off at your comment...which was appropriate as we left St Charles this morning at 4:30 am to fish with a guide friend of hers on Lake Michigan near Portage. We each caught nice smallies and she also caught a large drum that fought like crazy. Austin Aducci was the guide and a great fella to fish with. I am headed back again tomorrow at 3am...may have to give up sleeping for a while.

I got antsy early yesterday and drove to a spot where 59 meets 52 in Shorewood, had fished there before...the river was high and dirty...virtually unfishable. stopped to look at Big Creek on the way home and visibility was maybe a foot...maybe. Gave it a pass a went home grumpy.

Thanks again...and "Whatever you say dear" is clearly the way to be with the sweet ball and chain...especially if she is the Simms Rep! I'm proud to be part of Team Colleen...and reap a few fishing perks along the way.

GreatfulDad wrote:thanks all for your kind sharing of spots...it's so unusual to find folks always so helpful.

Since so few sign up on this site it's just easier to give things away. Like minds I guess.

I hope you didn't mean Big Rock Creek. That was Sunday morning's plan. That and Little Rock again. You probably should have stopped anyway. The fish in the creeks are sometimes more active when it's not too clear. You just have to fish a little slower.

I've looked into being a rep for various fishing related equipment. Tough one to break into. I'll figure it out one of these days. But then, I'm a little picky. Can't rep what you don't firmly believe in I would think.

That brief rain that came through here on Thursday made a temporary mess of things. I'm hoping by Sunday morning things will settle down a bit more.

Colleen needs to sign on here and give her versions of your adventures now and then. Would be an interesting comparison.

Tell Colleen to feel free to promote whatever and whoever she wants here. I purposely don't take advertising from anyone, but promoting yourself and testimonials about great people and great times are more than welcome. I've guided in the past and I know how tough it is to get your name out there. Someone here may hire them some day just based on what you or Colleen say. That's a good thing.

Fished Mazon and Dupage today. Dupage River is in great shape right now and super clear. Fished for 12 hours today and did ok. Gettting out early tomorrow as well. I will have posts up tomorrow probably; too tired tonight.