Mark P

With the river high,murky and ripping decided the best chance to catch any smallmouth was to head to an area I dicovered last year that holds a lot of little ones especially with many of the bigger ones spawning.It took about 30 minutes to get to the area some of it wading in the river against the current and only about 45 minutes to fish it since the strong current severely limited the fishable spots within the area.Caught 7 smallmouth on bassbugs and as expected all were little guys.Was glad the wade back was with the current.The wading staff was indispensable both in getting to and from the area and also while fishing in the current that's particularly strong in this area.

Wading upstream against a heavy current is brutal, I agree.

Good to hear you used a staff. I have a collapsable one that has helped me more than once and has already paid for itself.

At least you got into some, given all of your effort to get there.

I've been an ISA member for several year now but I have never fished the DuPage River but really want to try it out this season as I have heard it fishes well and is quite scenic.

I have two questions for my fellow Bass Buggers:

1. I am not sure where access is allowed and essentially where to go/start. Its a "long" river and runs through the burbs' and the country around Joliet. Where do I find some productive water with reasonably easy access. I'm not looking for "secret" spots, just something like "go here and park on this bridge and wade downstream", etc... I'd also be willing to get out with one of you to show me around. I live in Cary but don't mind driving to some productive water. I'll trade some of my Smallie ( or trout if you prefer) flies for a "show around".

2. I'm confused about the wading rules. I've heard that there are certain areas where you are not allowed to wade and bank fish only (which I hate to do). Could someone give me a brief explanation of the rules. I don't want to get tagged.

I have also never fished the K3 but I think Mark K. is going to take care of me on this one.

If you don't want to post here, you can email me at fishes-with-fly@comcast.net

Thanks in advance to all who respond.

I may also try to get to AIR to see the Murdich tied and meet some of my fellow tiers. I probably won't have my stuff to tie, but I'll try to be there anyway. Busy Busy these days.

Mark

Hey M. Damian, I don't know who you are but my Mother always said that if you can't say something nice and positive then sit on your hands and wait until you can think of something constructive to type.

I agree. The beauty of the art is that the "sky's the limit" with regard to creativity. Everybody has their opinion I guess and we ought to at least respect that; right or wrong.