John Gillio

Nicely done!

From what I’ve read and found to be the case, a slower action rod like a medium action compared to a fast or medium fast would make it easier to feel the rod load. Feeling the rod load is essential in making a good cast. I have not used any of the rods on the list but Rob and Timothy know their stuff so the TFO would probably be the way to go. I would also add that If the 5 wt RLS or Cascade are mediums also, you may want to see how they feel in your hand and see if there is a difference in how well you can feel the line load the rod. Not all medium action rods feel the same.

That’s such a pretty river wherever you fish it. I’ve fished the lower stretches of the Vermilion, LaSalle county, for most my 67 yrs on this planet . It sounds like your stretch of river is fishing like the lower stretch fished before it was infested with all of the invasive carp species. Numbers downstream are much lower than they once were. I’ve talked with others who agree that there are areas with some big fish up by you, if you can find them. It sounds like you found them. I agree with all the above comments. I would go with Paul’s plan. The lower stretch fishes better with top waters when the water is on the low side. It looks like you may be able to find a good topwater bite. If not other larger baits should cut down on the number of smaller fish. I would stick with single hook soft plastics, like larger twisters and paddle tails. It’s amazing how many small fish will try to eat a large crankbait and manage to get stuck. Be sure to carry a bunch of softbaits with you, as the smaller fish are notorious for taking the tails off of them. I agree with the early and late in the day thing for the big boys too, that has produced my biggest fish from most bodies of water, unless I’m after carp. Those are some nice photos and fish. Enjoy the action and the scenery. The bigger ones will come. They are bigger because they have learned to be more elusive, but they have to eat too. 🙂

Thanks for sharing.

ladybug larvae

I agree, a nice looking craw for sure.

Looks good Rob!

Very strange.

Great idea! Pretty slick Tom.

Nicely done Terry.

Sounds good. Best of luck.

Steelhead and browns are a blast. Do you fish them with fly or spin gear?

That is a very pretty build Rob. A friend of mine has a Moonlit s-glass rod and he loves it. I picked up an inexpensive glass 6’6” Eagle Claw 3wt that I have been using for panfish, stocked trout and white bass. What a blast, I love it. It doesn’t have the good looks of your beauty though.

I think you are right on target with the panicking minnow thing. I had a large fish tank at work for many years. There could be a handful of minnows in the tank with a game fish or two just swimming around when the bass were not hungry. If I added new Minnows to the tank and they initially darted around in a state of panic the bass would go into a feeding frenzy. Any injured or dazed minnows would eventually become a meal for s bass or crayfish, but those actively trying to get away seemed to be the targeted ones in the moment.

Rob my friend, a fly is like a person . The longer we are around the more beaten up we get. Old flies my friend, old flies. I sure hope I can get away to fish with you this year. It’s been too long.

I’ve had success mostly with spin gear and hair jigs, but I’ve had some with the fly rod also. I’ve found it is important that the fly is hanging horizontally in the water. Bending the fly eye back toward the hook some makes this possible, as shown in the photo. Sorry about the flies being so beat up.

Very fascinating. It reminds me of a time I was fishing a clear deep pool in a creek I occasionally fish. I dropped a fly along a tangle of branches and a big largemouth popped out of the tangle to grab the fly, but before he could suck it in a slightly smaller small mouth bass darted up from below and struck the largemouth. After a short battle the largemouth backed off to its laire and then the smallie retreated, leaving my fly alone. This played out a number of times until the largemouth finally was able to grab the fly. I returned the bass to the creek and it swam to its home. I tossed the same fly and a couple others in hoping to attract the smallie, but it didn’t show itself. I tried again about 30 minutes later with no luck. It was almost as if the smallmouth didn’t want the fly , but it didn’t want the largemouth to have it either.

I echo Paul’s comments. I have seen a handful of fishermen destroy fish populations in more than one small body of water that produced well for years before being discovered by the abusers. I’ve also lost spots because of others disrespecting the property. I don’t mind sharing spots on occasion when I know they are catch and release guys for the most part because I like company these days while on the water. There was a time when I enjoyed fishing alone much more than I do now. I held spots much closer then than I do now because the quiet of fishing alone was therapy after a frenzied day. Over all I’m still pretty picky about sharing spots. I can say with confidence that non of my spots are secret, though not everyone who fishes them knows how productive they can be. I like to see people enjoying a good body of water , but sadly I’m too selfish to want them doing it when I want to be in the spot.

So sorry to hear this. My condolences, Ed.

I found the Murdich Minnow to be very effective on still water crappie also.

You’re welcome. When in an area of heavier current I prefer a Clouser Minnow or a Half & Half. I like a Murdoch Minnow in quieter water or a small crayfish pattern. I do like throwing poppers when a good top water bite is on.

Looks good.

Looks like a fish catcher to me.

Nice fishing Ken! Wish I could make some of these trips. Just never works out.

It does. There were two True Temper rods(Super Deluxe Custom Built and High Flyer) along with an unmarked rod and another Wonder Rod with a solid cream color to it. The unmarked rod and 2nd Wonder Rod were given to a friend. I may give these fiberglass rods some time on the water. Thank you both for the help.