mannym

Welcome Mike. Hope to hear about your adventures on the fox. I am down near Starved Rock and the Vermillion.

Now you know why I decided to explore the Shawnee during late winter, early spring.

I was looking on google earth and saw that Bay Creeks turns into a small lake. It looks man made. Expect the same there in terms of species? LB, SpotB, crappie? I also saw that many many people swim there in the summer. I assume it has deep holes.

That right there is worth 100x the yearly ISA membership. Thanks for the contributions guys!

That would have been a very interesting read.

How is the fishing? Smallies and largies?

Welcome. I frequent the section from Ottawa up to Dayton dam. This year, I will be testing the waters near Aurora through Yorkville. Hope to run into you sometime.

Thanks Scott. You should see my 2 yr membership payment coming through.

This trip is will be a solo primitive camping excursion. Stream fishing or lake fishing with my Penobscot, photography and just relaxing are the main goals. I normally go north with my canoe to escape the rat race. This year, the desire to hide in the woods came sooner than most years. Finding temps in February over 25 degrees at night ( my limit for hammock camping) had me looking south. Just not so much that I leave the state. I am open to bringing the canoe with me and would actually prefer it. But I also want to get at least 3-4 miles away from roads. It might be tough finding such a place down there with only one vehicle.

I am starting to get stir crazy and need to go on a little trip. Can anyone share any experiences with fly fishing streams in the Shawnee? I started looking around and thought Bell Smith Springs looked good. The springs must keep the water levels consistent enough to support a decent fish population. I am planning on going mid to late Feb or possibly early March. ' Thanks folks

The window may have closed on us. Looks like the rivers will open up and provide some fly fishing opportunities in January.

I have always liked upstream from me for big bronze. The SF area has always been a favorite stretch for me. The area behind Kish cabins comes in at a close second. Crappie candy flies are next.

None taken. I think Ice dub looks like hair from down under. Lol

I probably have and just assumed the gravel pit was making the noise. What i have seen are trees along the shoreline with all of the bark missing. I figured it was the ice Pushing onto shore after a river rise. Hmmm, i may start flying the drone over the river when it starts to thaw.

As I crossed Lowell bridge, I noticed water rolling over the ice this morning. I think heading south might be needed if I want to catch a smallie in January.

Same deal for me. I charged one of my fl8's, said good but wouldn't start. Bought a new battery (9 ah sealed) and bam, off to the races.

Received my cabelas order and hit the bench right after dinner. I haven't dubbed much but happy with how it turned out. I.should ask a smallie for a second opinion. Hook- #6 60degree jig hook Small brass bead 6 wraps of .025 lead wire Rabbit tail Purple flash Black ice dub

Most definitely.I have 6-7 spots near me with deeper slack water. I also want to check that little stream across the big river.

A balanced Meat Whistle.

Now that is funny yet so true. I often ask myself if the art of fly tying is more for the guy at the bench than the fish.

Thanks Tom. Water helped, but not completely. Seems I am still a shade off. (Most people who know me, can confirm this, hehe) I may try a few other patterns mentioned in this thread this evening. Hope everyone is staying warm.

This evening, I gave it another go. So far, none are perfectly horizontal. But I have been trying to avoid adding any more weight. Perhaps replacing the rabbit zonker body with dubbing will work for this size cone head. I may tie a few with Marabou to see how that goes.

While waiting for Cabelas to ship my new materials, I gave it a shot using whatever I had at hand. I used: #8 jig hooks with either rabbit zonker or chenille for a body. Both had zonker tails. I didn't quite get them to land flat. But I see how easy it is to make the adjustment. I am going to try some minnow colors next.

The Balanced Leech is well within my skillset It is on my list. I used my cabela's gift card to order more dubbing. I realized I only have four colors, none of which were black. To my order, I added: Mustad 3407 #4 hooks, Umpqua U555 60 degree #6 jig hooks, more beadheads, dumbell eyes, and a dubbing twister I long desired. And just like that, a $75 gift card was gone.

Although my goal is to catch on the fly, I expect to have a spin cast outfit handy for a float and fly rig. Rich, Yes, Indicator is a great idea. It is a similar presentation as the float and fly. I plan to hit the bench later today. I believe I have all the materials mentioned. Craft fur, jig hooks, pull chain eyes, etc. With any luck, I will have a few fly pictures to post this evening. Thanks Folks.