Paul Trybul

I've know a little about the Baraboo. It's had some dams removed over the past 15 years. I think I read somewhere that it was Wisconsin's longest reclaimed freeflowing river. The lower region has diverse population due to migratory fish coming up from the Wisconsin river. The upper parts and its tribs hold some trout. The mid section is about the size of the kish and does hold smallmouth bass. This river has some potential but like most rivers you probably need to pay your dues and scout out which sections are better than others.

One good thing about the Apple is it does have the ability to drop back to normal levels quicker than most IL rivers. If you do have to reschedule, keep in mind that I have a NW regional wading trip scheduled for July 18th on the Apple. I've only had 2 RSVP's for my trip so far so if you want to have a combined region trip, that could work.

I tried it this spring in my boat. The water was surprisingly stained. We didn't catch anything in the lake. We ended up exploring Waddams creek that flows into the lake and caught a rainbow trout. It was the weekend after the opener of the catchable trout program so there were still a few left. We explored a little ways up stream and there are some really nice looking riffle pool structure with some lunker structure cutbanks. I don't know if there are any smallmouth in there but it was pretty looking small water.

Try this place http://www.vermillionriverrafting.com/ I called them last week and they can rent a canoe or provide a shuttle if you have your own. The area with the whitewater rapids is closed due to some construction work being done. This river can be very popular for inner tubers so a trip during the week could provide better quiet fishing opportunities.

So many tasty walleye and perch in Lake Erie and they have to go slaughter the smallies.

How did you guys do? It must have been pretty cold.

Kevin, The one thing that could be a factor is the Kish fish (April) could be a pre-spawner with eggs. I have caught some fatties on the Kish but again they are few and far between. I wonder if the type of crayfish differ in nutritional value. The Wisconsin & Menominee River fish I've caught/seen pictures of seem to have a better girth on average than fish I've caught in IL rivers. The crayfish they have up there are the rusty exotic crayfish I believe. Maybe those are higher in calories that the natives. Those fish may also have access to trout at the mouth of some of the smaller tributary streams. I also think that genetic strains play a big roll in smallmouth size. Some rivers and lakes have a history of producing larger smallmouth than others. Maybe up north they have to get fat to survive the longer harder winter starvation period. Years and years of genetic selection have only the fatter fish surviving the winters to pass on their genes. In Illinois and Indiana the winter kills probably don't play as big of a roll in survival. It might be an advantage here to be skinner to cut through all that current during our massive floods. It seems like we have had harder winters the past few years compared to the 90's. Maybe winter kill is a factor. All I know is my fishing logs have me cathing less fish/hour trending over the past few seasons here in IL.

Ron I've been fishing the Kish for close to 30 years now. Its an interesting river, but it doesn't give up a lot of big smallmouth. I catch a lot of fish between 8-16" but there is a huge drop-off in numbers of any fish larger. Occaisionaly it does produce some WOW fish between 18-20.5" but they are pretty few and far between. I think it comes down to forage and genetics. The Kish is not fertile like the Dupage river for example. There are very, very few weeds on the Kish. The forage base also seems to be dominated by small minnows and fry. I rarely ever catch a creek chub or see any minnows over 3" in length. The crayfish even seem to be of a smaller variety ranging from 2-3". The crayfish are nothing like the lobsters you see in the Wisconsin river and as a result the smallmouth from the Kish aren't shaped like the smallmouth from the Wisconsin river. Here is a 17" I caught in September when they are supposed to be putting on the feed bag. It is very streamlined compared to Dupage river fish or a lake run fish. Here is a Wisconsin River fish.....forage base...forage base... and some genetics produce big smallmouth

Rockford area had a bass tournament on the Rock river last weekend. They had an exemption too. There is quite a bit of this going on. Why can't there be tournments on lakes in the spring and rivers in the summer and fall?

I saw the million dollar quartet and they were very good. Alot of energy with some very talented musicians. BTW I can't make it due to a sports banquet with my daughter.

I think the populations are on the decline in my area. I can't come close to the catch numbers I had in 2004-2006 which seemed to be a peak in my area. It's pretty much a decline across the board for the Rock River all of its tribs I fish and the Apple river. There are still decent numbers of smallmouth in these places, just not like it was several years ago.

You can't really go wrong with the morel. I do also hunt a few fall mushrooms like shaggy manes, hen of the woods and chicken of the woods. Those 4 are pretty easy to identify and don't have poisonous look a likes. There are plenty of internet and book picture references to help with an ID. If in doubt don't eat is a good rule to live by.

I'm looking at a bag with about 2 dozen in there. They are much smaller than last year since it has been so dry. Most are in the 2-4" range. The middle of dense forested areas have been the only producers for me. The key seem to be green moss on the ground. If there is no green moss then there doesn't seem to be enough mosture to produce. It doesn't hurt if you can find a few dead elms to look around.

Anyone out there scouting for the elusive morel mushrooms? I found some today in Winnebago County. We really need some rain up here bad. They are just starting to pop little 1-2" shrooms. Some were already dried out never to get any bigger than 1". This is the earlist I've ever found them in Northern IL. It must be prime time for you central IL guys.

Kevin you were probably better off fishing where you did. At least you had more trees to block that blustery wind. We had 9 members show up for our Rockton Rock River outing in search of spring bronze. Conditions on this day were high water, 6" water visibility, brisk north winds with high gusts and cool temperatures. I had to leave a little early to make my daughters volleyball game but at the time I left it was a total skunking. I'm not even sure I had a legitimate bite. I know a few fish were on for a little while but the bites were very light and the fish were not hooked well. I haven't got full reports from everyone yet but it was a tough early spring outing. We even has a flyfisherman fighting the stiff winds. There was one guy, not part of our group, that had a stringer with a few legal walleyes on it fishing below the spillway of the dam. That area was too high and dangerous to wade and he was in the only spot that was really fishable. The race area that we fished just wasn't happening on this day. That's why they call it fishing and not catching.

Nicely done Mike. It look like there are a lot of good opportunities to get out there, get involved, and feel good about it too.

Just a friendly reminder that ISA members will be meeting in Rockton, IL at 8AM for shore fishing outing on the Rock River. The water levels are high so this will be shore fishing only, don't bring your waders. The dynamics of this location is high water proof so there is always quality water to fish no mater the level. So far 2 members have shown interest. If you are interested contact Paul T @ 815-703-2651. If we get enough interest we may meet for breakfast before the fishing outing.

Don't feel bad Terry. I've tried YOUR creek twice this year and I don't even have a nibble to show for it. I did try the Kish last night after work with my father and we both caught 1 decent smallmouth. I had nice 16"er t-bone a suspending jerkbait and my dad caught a chuncky 17.5" smallmouth on a jig. Coloring were very different. Mine was a light colored golden bronze and my fathers was dark. Things are starting to happen but fishing was still slow.

It off of Riverside rd just east of tollway 90. Thanks for helping out.

Meeting on March 16th at 7PM at Gander Mountain in Rockford. We are supposed to discuss lure making but we can certainly have a conservation discussion as well.

Saturday is usually the busiest day of the show and Jude & I will be at the Bronzeback Blowout. We could use all the help we can get on Saturday. It's just me on Sunday so another helper would be nice.