Apple River Outing Saturday July 13th

[Paul Trybul]

I wanted to post a reminder that we will be having a Northwest Region wade fishing outing this Saturday. Water conditions are good from a recent report. Unfortunately the USGS gage has not been working. So far I have had 8 people RSVP. I think we could do 3 groups of 4 anglers so there are still some spots available. There could be better places in Illinois to catch smallmouth but not many more scenic than the Apple. Call Paul Trybul at 815-703-2651 if you plan to attend.

[tgoodmanii]

Unfortunately I can't go on this one. But I did go to the Apple on Friday and landed over 50 smallmouth. Water level was good and very clear. Most fish were in the 10-14 inch range and I landed one that was 16. If you haven't been out there this year this would be the outing to attend. Should be good weather and water conditions and excellent scenery.

[Terry Dodge]

Well the rain held off so the Apple should be in prime conditions come Saturday.

Make sure your wading boots are in good shape.

See ya Saturday.

[Jim Wright]

Apple river journal.

 

I arrived at the state park at 830 pm. Was not planning to camp solo, but my buddy Mike had to cancel last minute due to his wife taking ill. After a trip to the ER and a round of medicine. She is doing much better. Although , Mike needed to stay behind and tend to her. So, here I am.

The tent is cozy. But my cot barely fits in there. We would have had to sleep on the ground to allow the two of us shelter.

The weather couldn't be nicer it's now 1030 pm and is a mild 65deg.

I had two visitors this evening. My neighbors, who came by to shed light on my tent set up. And a giant raccoon that tried to steal food from the cooler! He actually opened the lid! Then looked at me like, "what!?" After enjoying a campfire, I retired to the tent. Tomorrow I meet my ISA brethren to share time and waters. The Apple river awaits.

 

Saturday, it's almost 5am. Birds are singing. The twilight is peeking thru. A restful night. Yet I didn't sleep thru. The anticipation of the day and the sounds of wildlife kept waking me. Although I would fall back into sleep. The park is small but alive with woodland creatures. Along with the aforementioned raccoon, I heard a lot of coyote. They were calling to each other from what seemed like miles away.

It's a bit chilly this morning, low 60's. I didn't bring a sweater but the sleeping bag is very comfy. Soon I will be making breakfast, eggs and bacon, coffee and juice. I need to carb up for my day of adventure.

 

Met up with the club guys. Paul T. ,Paul T. Sr. , Terry D. and Dan G. I fished with Dan. He brought us to a great spot. A convergence of a creek into the Apple. The two water ways joined into a large pool, creating abundant eddies and seams. It was a great mix of water. We had great success there. I hooked into a large sucker or chub and lost it. Dan had a nice bass chase his lure, then turned away. Great to see as the waters are gin clear.

I reached for my iPhone to take a photo, then realized that it had fallen out of my chest pack. So Dan and I spent a good two hours trying to find it. I recovered it in the grass back at the State Park! Because of shoddy cell phone coverage we could not re-establish contact with the other guys. Dan headed back home so, I went at it alone. Waded about a 3/4 mile stretch downstream from the state park. It was breathtaking, classic riffle-pool patterns along a sheer limestone wall carved out over ions. All in all caught over 30 fish. A green and white fox fur Clouser took all the fish. I look forward to returning to a return trip.

Back at camp I fixed shish-kabobs,bread, suprasada, pickled veggies. Then had an apple and a payday bar for dessert. Sat in front of the campfire as if it were a television set.

 

The day is done. The Adventure over. The apple is very pleasent. Beautiful limestone bluffs as old as time carved out by the river over the centuries. The clear water and swift currents bring you to another place and time.

 

Sunday morning I made bacon, eggs, raisin bagels, coffee and oj. Broke camp. Headed out for one last fishing hole. Tied on an emerger pattern, a small offering, (#10 or 12 hook). I am not used to fishing such a small fly. I had a strike missed it and made 5 more casts with no bug tied on! I didn't realize the fish had bit it off. Caught three. And a creek chub! Met a nice fella, Cliff and his dog Missy. He is a fly fisher too. Gave me some nice advice; Use "Bang" crawdad smell on your flies. And use "Buggins" insect repellent. He was a pleasent man. Became a good friend for the moment.

All in all it was a nice trip. I look forward to another visit here. I missed not having company at camp and I wished I could have reconnected with the club guys. I am grateful to Paul T. for organizing the outing. I wouldn't have gone otherwise. It was a great adventure.