Kev-mo

It's also been my experience that the weeds raise the water level. I've fished a certain stretch at many different times during the year. In the winter and early spring parts of this are about calf deep. Now they are about thigh deep. There are also a few riffles and current breaks that semi disappear for the summer.

Thought I would share a simple couple things that work for me. One, if while out fishing you find a lure and it is in good shape use it that day if not immediately. This has happened several times and I've always caught fish on them if not on that day then at another time. Two, I'm sure this has been discussed before but it's been a fish saver for me (as opposed to life saver) If you google In-Fisherman there is a deep hook removal technique listed under the six or so options. If someone wants to post the actual link feel free to hijack. Anyway when a fish is hooked in the gullet (swallows the hook) you basically go through the gills to twist and invert the hook. Once this is done it will come out very easily (sometimes it just pops out on the inversion). It's best to actually read and look at the pictures as this is a very abreviated version of what needs to happen. This can sometimes take a few tries so be sure to dunk the fish to breathe between tries. Also I use my forceps not my fingers. Good luck, hope this helps someone have a better day on the water. Kevin

Thanks all! Maybe we'll give it a little whirl from shore while camping. Probably try to hit something closer to Rockford on Fathers Day if we can get a break on the rain and some low water.

The river N.W. of Rockford.

Does anyone have any general info about the Sugar? I'm going camping with my kids for Scouts next weekend the 13,14,15. I'm not looking for anyones spots or anything. Just wondering about flow and depth as I've never been there before. Would my kids be able to wet wade (they are 9 and 11)? Any special lure I should not leave home without? Any info at all would be appreciated. I will of course be looking online etc but first/second hand info is always better. Thanks, Kevin

I just haven't made it down there yet but that should change in June Thanks for the tips, makes me think more when I'm out there. Kevin (kev-mo)

I too am a fan caster although depending on what bait I'm using it is a bit more challenging on a stream/river. Norm taught me a good rule last year when stream fishing from shore. Start that fan right at the base of the blade in case there are any fishing hanging out around the hub. I'll sometimes make a couple/few casts to the same spot especially if I have caught fish there before or depending on water conditions. I know on that second or third cast I'll be off 6 inches to a foot or start reeling sooner or later and those subtle differences could mean a fish. I was out the other night and spent a bit more time at one spot than I should have but I caught one fish and missed a few so I gave it some extra time. I finally moved on to another spot that in my opinion is pretty unique. I ended up staying there for the next hour for two reasons. One I kept getting hits every 5th -7th cast (fan casting over the same area) and two, I only had an hour of daylight left and not enough time to really get anywhere else w/out working harder than I wanted. I guess it all depends on the situation at hand. Hopefully you make the right decision that gets you some fish or teaches you a lesson.

Thanks guys! I'll have to give that a try next time out. Kevin

Phil, Do you use a snap on a tube jig head or am I reading your sentence wrong? I've thought about that before but didn't know what that would do to the action of the jig... I've used snaps for as long as I can remember with crankbaits. Even when a crankbait has a spilt ring I still use a snap. Am I losing some action by using both a snap and the split ring that was on there when I bought the bait? I never tie to a split ring as I've found too many lures on the shore w/the line broken right at the split ring. I've rarely if ever had line problems that close to the terminal connection whe using a snap.

Jim, What kind of screws are being used to put up the signs? Just so I know what to bring tool wise. At this point I can be there. I can probably give you a couple hours as this is my one free Saturday until the end of June and planned on hitting the K3 this day. I'd prefer to be a South going Zax as I still want to fish the Kank. Kevin

I just wanted to say hello. A few of you know me as Kev-mo on another site. I can't say that I'll be able to make a lot of outings (and that delayed my joining) as a lot of them happen when I am otherwise involved with my boys but hopefully I can get to a couple. I've picked up some good info here and hope I can return something. I've enjoyed the last two Blowouts. Thanks to the Indiana guys for providing an interesting evening at this past one! I now aspire to have my car smell like creek a$$.