Kev-mo

It was nice to meet you guys in person. Glad I had to be Rockford for the day.

It was a very informative little session. I was reminded (read it somewhere several times) that the native grasses root systems go down 15 feet or so. This keeps the soil a lot more porous allowing water to really seep into the ground instead of flowing across the land into straight into the river lessening those flash rises in the river which helps lessen erosion. Dan also mentioned that a nearby subdivision allowed them to utilize a different method for the storm water run off. I believe the end point for the pipe was a bermed (sp) culdesac which allowed to the water to slowly diffuse instead of dumping right into the river and that it also was also set pretty far back from the river.

It's great to see these small projects getting done and that some people are are open to different ways of doing things. Hopefully it catches on...

I like my older discontinued green Shimano Curados. You could probably find one on ebay etc. I believe the Citica is supposed to have replaced the older Curado after they changed it and have heard good things about it.

Whatever you get consider going with a higher/faster gear ratio. You can always physically reel slower if needed but you can't reel fast enough to keep up with current etc on the slower geared models (jmo).

8:00 am right?

It's on the calendar for 8:00. Where are those holes...

Probably better off eating but it's difficult to be near a river w/out fishing.

I learned...

A bit more about the Dupe, Fox and Kish, that I don't need lots of different plastic or in multiple colors (tackle was starting to look like the wife's closet). Carry enough confidence baits to cover the water column, much more is just dead weight on my shoulders. Have two sets of waders and boots for when one fails. I actually like braid (PP) and might use it again next year. To try to stop buying stuff I don't need or might not use just because it's on sale or somebody else is catching fish on it. Pay attention to the details when comparing/purchasing new equipment. That there are multiple ways to do something and I need to find out what works best for me. That there is still a lot I need to learn.

I need to get in shape if I wade with Don again, that a rest stop can be found just about anywhere on the river

I will be in town and I will come by to check things out at 8:00. I do need to be someplace at 11:00 (main reason for being in town) so I think I'll have to flip the coin... breakfast after or have Terry point me to those deep holes

I might be able to make this. I have to be in Rockford that day anyway but unsure of time. Will know for sure that week.

I'd like to add a skosh more but seem to be having trouble. I'd consider myself somewhat computer literate but something isn't right. I've tried on different systems with different browsers to no avail. Even after following explicit instructions from admin last year I still had to have them add a signature line for me because it wouldn't work for me. I tried to change other things but it wouldn't work so I gave up...

I think this is why I prefer the smaller rivers. I'm forever wondering what's around the next bend or even what kind water is just up ahead or going back to a spot after a few years and not recognizing it because the last few floods completely reshaped the flow. Cool stuff!

I started out using 6-8 pound mono. Got real tired of break offs real quick. A seasoned river rat seemed to have no problem catching fish on 15-17 pound mono. I switched to 12 pound mono. That helped a lot although it would still get nicked when using cranks and bumping bottom. I did need to upsize my reel to handle the larger diameter line though. This year I finally tried braid. PP red 20/6 no leaders. Catches fish just fine and it seems to take a beating. I do take off 6-12 inches if I'm throwing cranks or get really wrapped in a tree but it's pretty strong stuff. In fact the only thing I don't like is if I get snagged and can't get to it I think I'll have to cut the line as it's too strong.

Tried some Seagar fluoro for leader material. It worked pretty good but it needs to be watched as it got brittle (quicker than I expected) and snapped off right at or above the knot on a cast. Thankfully my lure floated back down to me.

Palomar knot is the best for braid and also won knots wars. Best knot overall (IMO).

They store the stuff in ponds that supposedly won't leak to keep it from getting into the groundwater but then it's dumped on fields. Am I misunderstanding something?

I assume the theory is that it will be very widely spread in small amounts and will soak into the ground but not make it down into the water table. Hopefully we don't get dumped on with any big rains any time soon...

The whole thing is just a big fubar. It'd be nice if the EPA and the IEPA would just shut it down and kick them out.

You may want to try teflon tape instead of masking tape. Works wonders here at work with leaks and loose fittings. Can't see any reason why it wouldn't work for you.

Loctite does break free under pressure. Just don't use too much.

I wouldn't get too caught up on trying to catch fish on a tube. I used to feel the same as you and then managed to catch fish on tubes; 2,3,4 and 6 inch models. I'd rather try to catch fish on other plastics but still will carry and throw tubes depending on conditions . Next time you are catching fish on the Fox with plastic change to a tube and see if they'll hit it. Seems like spring was better for smaller tubes and summer for larger but that's just the times I threw them.

Absolutely abhor muck/mud. Was in the East Branch a couple years ago and sunk up to my knees plus and was now chest deep in the water. Every time I tried to lift one foot the other sank down. Little scary. Wasn't alone but managed to work my way out w/out help while staying dry. Had to force myself to calm down and move slowly and deliberately. Not something I ever want to repeat.

Glad you made it out okay.

Sorry for your loss. It's a blessing that your grandchildren knew their great grandma if only for a short time.

I hold the fish in my teeth while getting the camera ready with both hands. Is that wrong?

I thought the pole was supposed to be held in the teeth

Duolock snaps. Just the snap not snap swivel. Occasionally I'll have one open when fishing with plastic but other than that I like them. You still need to retie now and again depending how your fishing (bumping the bottom with cranks).

A. Bring along non fisherperson to document your catches

B. Remembering some of Eric's posts; he would set up his camera ahead of time so all he had to do was hit the timer and pose.

C. Do a one handed in the water the shot.

D. What I do is try to land the fish as quickly as possibly while moving towards shore or whatever place I plan to place camera. Unhook fish, get a good lip lock and leave fish in water facing current upstream of the mud you are raising with your feet. Get camera out and set up timer, tripod etc with one hand and teeth if necessary. Hit timer, get into pose. Fish goes back in the water, check shot. Maybe re-shoot if short fight etc otherwise I'm stuck with crappy shot. Quick measure and fish is back in the water facing the current with relaxed lip lock to swim away when it's ready. Sounds like a lot when I write it out but it's actually a pretty quick process and except for the shot and measure the fish is in the water resting.

Probably a couple times to avoid pictures altogether are exteme heat and below freezing temps. Heard/read that gills can get tissue damage pretty quick in below freezing temps. Not sure how true it is but it makes sense...

Norm, you almost have me convinced color doesn't matter too much. I'll still probably pick colors I have more confidence in though

Rich, I love the chubby/wide bodied cranks in the rivers. Part of that is they seem to go through the weeds in the Dupe better than the minnow type.

Jude, your the second person to mention no topwater in the Apple. I only fished it once this past summer. Hopefully I can get out there a second time and try some topwater.

I would echo both Scott and Mark. I can't say I'm getting too much arthur yet but the cold water does feel pretty darn good on my joints and muscles, it's like a giant ice pack until I'm standing still too long and realize I better move before my muscles start to not want to work.

Love my UA! Fleece and wool also rock. Another option besides the hot hands is all the different size warming pads for different parts of the body which can be found in any drug store. They might even make one specifically for knees.

I've been wondering about this for awhile and finally decided to get the thought off the merry go round in my head. Does anybody have or does anyone think there are river specific baits? I personally would not throw a PM or Mepps in the Dupe but I've read people do well on them in the Fox and the Kank. The reasoning there is due to the weeds in the Dupe. Somebody probably throws both in the Dupe and does well though.

I guess I'm asking more about specific baits not situations as we all know those can dictate what we throw and when. Do you slay the fish with a sammy on one river and have thrown it 500 times on another river under the same water/weather/time of year conditions and couldn't get bit to save your life? Just curious...

Signs of fall are here. What do you think the sudden drop in temperature is going to do to the fishin this weekend? When I get up Saturday AM it will be in the 40's.

Good question. I was wondering that myself. Typically from what I've read, experienced and read of others experience's a sudden temp drop combined with the high pressure type of front should slow or shut things down even though rivers aren't supposed to experience the same effects as a lake. Then again I've also read the fish get more active when the temp is going up or down. Possibly a slower presentation for tomorrow or Sunday. By Monday I would assume that things might be somewhat stabilized. Let us know

I got my postcard in the mail last week from last years clean up. Mother in-laws 80th b-day party is that day also. We'll see if I can do both...

Thanks. I was about to ask myself after I looked up the definition and still wasn't entirely sure.

I've found that the pole in the water pulling at a downward angle or at least the pole sideways pointing towards the water works. That has seemed to keep jumps to a big swirl/half a leap. Unfortunatley I haven't had that problem this year I have however had couple mid size fish (14/16) jump a nano second after they hit a crankbait. Nothing I could do but hang on and hope they stayed on.

Higher speed reel would help with fish racing toward you and of course adjusting drag mid fight can help. I don't like horsing those big fish too much.

Is there a band called Bobby Bittman?

I think he was referring to a band called Rifleman but I can see how a person of your advanced years might get confused. HA...