Need advice on Middle Fork

[Dan Burke]

I have never fished the Middle Fork or the Salt Fork of the Vermillion by Danville. Looking to try it on Labor Day. Was hoping to canoe but hear middle fork is low. Is the Salt fork a productive smallmouth river?

 

Thanks for the help!

[Rob G]

Dan,

unless things change dramatically, you won't be able to canoe the Middlefork without a lot of dragging but that is normal by Labor Day. The Salt generally runs higher over all but you'll still drag in areas. All three branches of the Lower Vermilion River, the Salt Fork, the Middlefork and the North Fork contain smallmouth. Last night I was on the Salt, and a few days before I was on the Middlefork and both are producing similar quantities and quality of fish at the moment (at least for me). Years ago some used to state that the Salt held larger fish but the Middlefork held greater numbers, I don't think this necessarily holds true any more.

[Dan Burke]

Thank you Rob. If canoeing the middle fork is not an option is there a reasonable wadding stretch that might produce?

Dan