Steve S.

If my memory serves me, I recall some beautiful shots from Eric while kayaking the DuPage. Also, I work in Wheeling, and the trees along the northern section of the Des Plaines really comes to life in the Fall. It is truly breathtaking if you time it right. Lots of mature trees in many vibrant colors.

What's the present consensus on the zebra mussel, in particular their effect on the Great Lakes?

Did she have big lips???? LOL Earlier this season, I watched smallies cycle through a pool I fished. They would almost always end up just downstream of the carp that were present. I love to just observe sometimes.

The Dupe is definitely not a river I would want to jump into when it is high and raging. However, a day or two after the rain sometimes makes a big difference in the level and clarity. Great time for a spinnerbait!

Scott Those are all excellent points. Have you fished the Dupe much when it is turbid? If so, did you vary your techniques? At times, I did rather well when the water was up, roiled and moving. Likewise on the K3. There are also times when I didn't do as well. I think it is just a timing thing. These are two rivers that are touted as "better fished" when clear. However, I have caught some of my larger bass out of them in just the opposite conditions. Just want to restate I agree with your earlier points.

Could be. That happens from time to time. It's all part of the excitement of topwater; watching the water explode! I'm going to fish my topwater all the way to the end this year (season), just to see what it will do. I don't think colder water will matter that much if the fish are active.

I usually catch them on topwaters all day long. As for what they represent, probably baitfish, maybe a frog or a RAT! I think sometimes they will hit it because they are active and feeding and it looks like food. Other times, it may be out of reaction. Its funny how I can work an area, get my fish or strikes, then it slows or stops. If the pool looks like it could hold more or a better fish, I'll switch to a YUM crawbug and often get a few more. It really is a confidence thing with me. It's also a lot of fun, takes little effort (other than pinpoint casting at times) and mostly snag free (still trying to reclaim one just out of reach of my 7 footer). I have gotten lazy these days, but I also average larger bass then on plastics. I would rather catch 1 decent bass than 10 smaller ones. When a smaller one whacks the topwater, I admire him for his spunk.

A lot of times, those smallies are moving up into those shallows to nail those crayfish heading home that were out feeding all night (maybe they were there at night too?). I don't think the crayfish are floating home.............. Still, I like my topwater as a search lure and will start most summer days off with it. This summer, I started every day with it.

Last time Don R. and I was out, we caught a tape measure and a slingshot.

First cast last night, 12" on my Skitter Prop. Within 5 casts, I caught 2, lost 2, and had one "blow" at it. If I could walk up to the spot I want to fish, and under the right conditions, I can't think of a better way to find the active fish than with a topwater. I'll take that bet any time........ As long as its not against any of you!

Scott I bought the "Walk" last season and did well with it. At first it seemed kind of big compared to the Skitter-Pop I had been throwing. It can cast a mile and it makes quite a splash. Definitely a big bass bait. The Prop is about the same size but doesn't seem as heavy. It's probably the rattle. I still like to make noise though.

Bingo Scott! Early summer morning...... My favorite river...... Not only will I get that first fish the majority of the time, it will probably be the biggest of the day. Only one simple adjustment; have a Skitter-Prop rigged up. I can cast it further, cover more water, and make more noise. Personally, I have found that I'll have more success with a topwater in current if it is always moving and always making noise. There aren't too many pregnant pauses in my technique. I still use the popper, but I always start and most times finish with the propbait.

Tim Impressive details and a quick response. Is Prairie Creek the one that flows through Midewin? If so, I waded there with my daughter, mostly exploring and photographing. Found a beautiful Map Turtle. Also saw hordes of crayfish and some respectable bass (I believe it is a no fishing zone). Netted an interesting darter, but did not photo or get an ID. Have the rusties spread by other means? If they are native to IN, then wouldn't they naturally be in the Kankankee and connecting tribs?

Mike Maybe this thread can be moved to the conservation topic. Some will say what they will about his wacky exploits, but Steve's passion for wildlife conservation is his legacy. I thought he made things so interesting and had so much charisma and magnetism. While still a novice, I have been studying herps all my life. I was always told I would grow out of it, but its hard for me to walk by a log or rock without flipping it to see what is underneath. Steve brought guys like me "out of the woodwork". I can't imagine the hole that is left in his family's lives. He led a dangerous life in pursuit of his causes. Still, it was a shock to hear the news, a real tragedy. We lost one of the "good guys" IMHO.

I would imagine they eat them. Do they grow larger or are they more aggressive than native craws? Larger claws? Maybe they reach an undesirable size for all but the orniest bass (is that a word?). Another Tim subject?

Don I was hoping for a picture of a "yellow bass". Do you have any for Tim Smith to view and comment on?

Now those are some SMALLIES! I hope to post something here before '06 is over.........

All I can say is that's scary and we're lucky.

I'm not a "fly" guy (or girl for that matter). Most of the concepts you detail can be applied by us barbarians as well. Its been a great read thus far.

Duff the ball. Do over. Duff another hole. Do over. Slam your club, or better yet throw it. Then claim at the end of the round how they won by so many strokes. "Can we play through?" Or are they saying, get out of my way because you suck? "What kind of clubs are those?", followed up with a wrinkled puss. I remember playing a 9 hole course in Downers back in the high school days. Barefoot playing water balls in the low areas after a summer rain. Laughing at the duffs. Playing with golf balls that already had smiles in them. Nobody pushing from behind. That used to be fun. I guess I ran into too many uptight golfers in my earlier days that ruined it for me. Have no interest whatsoever in the game these days. It is a simple game that is complicated by men. Its too bad, because its an acceptable way to get out of work!

Fly fishing sounds a lot like golf to me!

Bob Good to see you on the board again. I will read through this response much more thoroughly when I get home. I have been fishing downstream by choice 99% of the time ever since your ISA presentation. It also makes for an easier wade, though going back upstream at the end of the day is really tough! As for the results, they are consistently better. Thanks for helping direct my focus.

LOL! It sounds like we have a good man onboard with Rich.

got it but haven't read it entirely nice editorial page by Scott also enjoyed the Lift article. fits me perfectly.

WOW! Its bad enough to be sucked up into the undertow, let alone not being able to move your arms. Maybe that helped him? I thought I saw an article once about how to survive a fall over a dam. If I remembered correctly (which is getting harder these days) it said that attempting to swim out of the undertow, while instinctive, saps your strength and leads to drowning. I don't recall what the recommendation was for getting out of that situation (other than don't get into it in the first place).