John Gillio

What are some favorite smallie lures being used on our rivers and streams(I"m partial to moving water )? Over the years,mine would be the twister baits. White,yellow/orange,and plain yellow are colors I have confidence in. The 2 in. size works best for numbers or if you are fishing a small stream that is also blessed with rock bass,panfish,and chubs,and you like catching a variety of fish. The 3 in. cuts out the chubs and panfish for the most part. The 4 in. is great in the fall or if you are more focused on the big boys. Attaching A silver safety pin spinner can enhance the presentation,especially in dingy water. Twisters don't hang up as easily as some lures do and they are inexpensive, which makes for a happy wallet. I'm sure the Sammy is a favorite, and I had never heard of it before I saw it mentioned in a forum. Jonn Graham surely puts some great lures together too. What other favorites are out there?

Thank you to all the Administrators,Officers,and Coordinators for all of their hard work. Merry Christmas and a happy New Year to all.

Totally understood.

Sorry Scott.

Already the cold weather has me in planning mode for next years wade fishing trips.The Mackinaw R. is about a 45 min. drive south of me. If anyone could give me access info about the area just east or west of Rt.39 it would be greatly appreciated. I was at the bridge just north of Lake Bloomington and was wondering if the river was wadeable west to the mouth of the creek and if it is worth checking out for more than just the exercise. Please PM me.

I agree. Landowners have legitimate and numerous concerns. There are people who have little respect for land they are allowed to use. They just use. Access rights should be put into place, but landowners concerns must also be taken care of. On a selfish note, it would be nice to see these things ironed out in my lifetime.

I don't want to get cold, so no questions here. Cute Eric!

http://www.catchmagazine.net If you are into flyfishing, or you just like photography, check out www.catchmagazine.net. You can view the December issue and its videos,view back issues,or sign up for a free subscription. Cool stuff !

Nice Jonn.

Jonn,I agree that using the fnf, as discribed here, works best when jiggled with a long spinning rod. I've always called it a bob-n-jig. I guess that dates me. I started using it years ago for reaching crappie along pilings and snags that were otherwise out of reach of a shore fisherman. I found that it also caught a number of other species. Just wondering if you or anyone else is familiar with the fnf kits that came out years ago (1980 or so). They came with a clear bobber and dry flies and were for spin fishermen, allowing them to throw a dry fly quite a distance. I think K-MART may still carry a version of it. I'm sure they were meant for trout.

I forgot I had thingamabobbers. I bought them early in the year thinking they would be just the ticket for nymphing with a float. I believe they come in 3 sizes.

The Illinois too. Just need to substitute carp for most of the bass.

Terry,I usually use the fnf with a spinning outfit and a small jig but it also allows the spin fisherman the ability to throw a nymph or a dry fly too. As for nymphing with a flyrod,when using a float,I've found that the small foam ice fishing floats with the peg work well. It is easy to adjust their depth and they are inexpensive. A friend nymphs a local stream regularly for smallies and has luck with a wide variety of nymphs in sizes2-8.He suggests hare's ears,prince nymphs,hellgrammites,and other mayfly and caddisfly nymphs in black,brown,or tan. I've nymphed for smallies occasionally and had luck with my version of the attached hellgrammite pattern tied on a size 4 hook. Channel cats seem to like it also.

I see it that way too. The Vermilion is my stomping ground. The mill is doing a good job of stalling any resolution to problems on the river. It being closed is affecting peoples livelyhoods, tourism in the area, and recreation. The state is doing a poor job of holding it's streams in public trust.

One thing I learned, a few years back when I spent more time chasing flatheads,changed my approach for smallies. I found that the large artificials I was using for cats were catching very large smallies at a rate I wasn't used to. Throwing small lures catches more fish, and some can be fairly nice sized. Throwing larger lures will cut the total catch down but I can expect a few 20 inchers a year throwing them.

Terry,also be sure the fly or jig is hanging horizontally from the line. It makes a world of difference.

Thanks guys. The smallie was just under 20 in. the striper was 26 1/2 in.

First photos I attached to a post. This is new to me. (Thank goodness my lovely wife is helping ~ guess I'll have to take her to dinner tomorrow) These are the two biggest of 7 good ones caught tonight in my favorite north-central Illinois stream on a yellow and white Clouser.

NO doubt,a clouser minnow.

Regular carp will take a small surface fly when they are glubbing scum on the surface. I've seen some big ones taken this way.

Seanf,I had a 22 pound grasscarp a few years back, on a small black popper,in the Vermilion River. I've also had quite a few in the 5 to ten pound range using a #2 or#3 silver mepps aglia spinner. They also seem to like tinsel flies tied like a clouser. They hit hard and fight like a pike. Lots of fun on spinning or fly equipment.I've been looking for small pods of them and sight fishing them on hot afternoons. John G.

Thanks John.

John, this is a pattern that really looks like a fish couldn't pass up. I'll have to give it a try. Does this fuzzy foam give it a slow sink, or does it drop pretty fast through the water column?

What if the cement mill is sold again? Will we need a new deal? Maybe some further letters to Rep. Mautino are in order. It seems like the bill would be a better solution, though it may bring some concerns of landowners forward.Concerns such as visible high water mark and what is considered trespass will surely need to be dealt with.

The Starved Rock area has them visit each year at this time. John