Jonn Graham

I will second the power of the Honeybuzz buzzbait........truly unique and a fish-catcher for sure.

Here is the problem when it comes to trailer hooks. When smallie are really eating buzzbaits (like they often do), you are going to gut hook some fish with the trailer hook. Or you may start hooking fish in the eyes with the trailer hook. Trailer hooks not for me.

When smallies slash at buzzbait, but miss, I don't consider that a negative. I know the fish is there and I will normally throw the buzzer back one more time and if that does not elicit a response, I will simply switch to another bait. Usually if you throw something else at him, he will strike almost immediately.

In addition, if you get smallies swirling on the buzzbait, but missing it, try slowing it down or speeding it up. Often, with a different retrieve speed, the bass will cooperate.

Mike:

My term as regional coordinator has expired. I tried to get one of my central Illinois comrades to "step up", but no one would. Because of this, I will not be scheduling meetings and/or fishing trips for 2011. So whatever is scheduled for the rest of this summer/fall is it for me.

Mike:

I am 99 percent sure I won't be able to make it. If the other guys (Jim, Dave, Harold) are still going to attend, they will have to reply here and give you the meeting info.

Actually, I do not think it is that rare. While I have never caught a regular carp on a topwater, I have caught numerous grass carp on top with poppers. Something about grass carp.............suppose they are smallmouth wanna bees?

The Mackinaw is fishing so badly right now, I was thinking of just attending the cookout around noon time. The Mack has kicked my butt too many times the past three years. After reading the article about the DNR shocking of the river and finding what I have been telling everyone for three years................the smallie population is not what it used to be, I may just pass on the fishing, but attend the cookout at Harold's.

Sean:

More than likely what you are catching are grass carp. They are kinda ugly just like an Asian Carp. For some reason grass carp seem to take larger topwater offerings. I and my clients have caught some huge ones on Pop - Rs. The take is so explosive that I usually almost wet myself when they strike.

Headin up to fishthe Menominnee and Brule rivers

Terry:

Unfortunately I am in your same "boat". No fishable flows for me. I absolutely HATE lake fishing, but that is what I am going to have to do. With all the crappy conditions around, I cannot wait for my departure to Wisconsin next Saturday.

I don't think you can fish the spillway at Evergreen anymore.

The outing on the Kank is officially cancelled. I would love to meet you at the spillway at Lake Bloomington, but the boy has a baseball tourney in Bradford.

Which way did you find worked best when working the wiggle minnow?

I plan to help with the Mackinaw shocking. Better hope it quits raining or all you will shock up is mud.

I went over the river on Sunday and it was running very dirty. And too high for me.

The furry foam does not seem to "hold up" the fly like regular foam would.

Fun time. Next time we have to get away from the crowds and have a cast and compare at the Mack.

Brian:

I will have a few dragons with me. Just remind me.

Of late I have been tying some bluegill flies. From what I have been told, the Rubber Legged Dragon is a real killer. I have a few already made up.

It is set for this Saturday at 9:00 AM. Main boat ramp, Evergreen Lake. With all this rain, I don't think smallie chasing will be a top priority.

Just sent you a PM..................thanks

How about next Saturday, May 15th?

In my opinion, we should once again reschedule the cast and compare outing scheduled for Evergreen Lake today at 4:00. If many of you are not in favor of rescheduling, let me know here and we can go as scheduled today.

If most are in favor of a reschedule, let me know and we can discuss a date.

Gander also carries Eastern Fly fishing

We need to find out who is in charge of giving the exemptions at the state level and have a talk with them.

Mike:

Have you called Marc on this yet? If not, I will do it today!

I agree. The legislation probably would have led to other river beeing deemed navigatable.

Are you looking for the heads or the slider worms? Your post was a little ambiguous.