JWITORT

Gentleman I use hair jigs from Gapen Tackle almost all the time.For me it hasnt mattered what time of year or what the water temp.is.You can tip them with leeches or put some Smelly Jelly on them when they sit still the hair waves around and a leech or a scent draws them in.I catch 80% of my fish on these type of jigs.I use mostly 1/8 ounce and the heads are made to be pretty much snag free in the rocks and gravel.You want to match color to the color of the crayfish where you are fishing.I use mostly orange-brown or a green-yellow when I fish the Fox.I found the trick is to fish it very slowly .Throw it upstream and bring it back towards you when you are wading.I also use Gapens ugly bug jig with the same presentation tipped with a minnow or a leech for scent.The problem I have is finding these types of jigs not many companies make jigs like this anymore.I have tried many kinds and the Gapens seem to work the best because they dont snag in the rocks and gravel. You can find them on the web and they are one of the few companies that still offer a catalog.They are in Minnesota and it only takes a couple of days to get when you order from them.I know I sound like a Gapen rep but my uncles all old smally fisherman told me about these jigs 5 years ago when I was struggling catching fish and it made a huge difference in the amount and size of fish I have caught.My best in the fox last year was 22inch with over 60 fish in the 16-19 inch catagory.Yes I kepp a tally of everything I catch.So I hope that helps someone catch some more fish.GOOD LUCK

Morning everyone Some of you may be familiar with my ticket escapade from last Sunday,Im happy to say after a few conversations with the sergeant at the DNR that the ticket was deleted and tore up.So my weekend can start off on a good note.So hopefully I can hook into a few smallmouths this weekend and not worry about anymore tickets.I ordered some of those DNR permission slips,thanks for the suggestion.If anyone is interested I will be wading on the Fox right below the dam in Algonquin 6am Saturday and probably Sunday too.So once again thanks for all of the suggestions on my dilemma hope to see some of you on the water.Thanks again John

Im new to the ISA this site and smallmouth fishing.Im 44 and caught my 1st smallie last year and now i cant stop.

Morning gentlemen I appreciate all the feedback on my post and all of your suggestions about the DNR issue.I talked to the sergeant at the DNR yesterday and explained my side of the story to him.He was polite and seems to be open to my plea of innocence.He asked several questions and said he would talk to both of the officers that i have had contact with in this situation and get back to me.As of this post i have not heard back from him yet.He also brought up the question about the easement if anyone has any info on this matter i would greatly appreciate it.As i am new to the ISA i have a few questions,first is there a way that some signs can be put up in the algonquin dam area about regulations and size limits on smallies.Also i am always looking for people to fish with in my area.Problem is i only have my computer at work and will not own one at home.So if there is a way to contact people via phone that want to fish i know several good spots and im sure all of you do to.To date i have caught over 60 smallies from the FOX this year,my biggest being 22 inch post spawn female.Imagine how big she was with eggs.Many of my fish have been in the 15-19 inch group.But this is only my second year fishing for smallies so im sure my fish stories are peanuts compared to most.So again thanks for all of your suggestions hope to hear from some of you guys soon. THANKS JOHN !!!!

GENTLEMEN SUNDAY MORNING I RAN INTO A DNR OFFICER AT THE ALGONQUIN DAM ON THE FOX.I WAS WADING AS I HAVE DONE A 1000 TIMES BEFORE.I WALK DOWN THE HILL BY THE TAVERN ON THE BRIDGE AND ENTER THE WATER THERE RIGHT BELOW THE DAM.I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY OTHER DNR OFFICERS THAT I COULD DO THIS EVEN THOUGH ITS POSTED NO TRESPASSING BECAUSE OF THE EASEMENT AS LONG AS I WAS IN THE WATER.I ALSO GOT PERMISSION FROM THE LAND OWNER TO WALK DOWN THAT HILL THROUGH HIS PROPERTY. THE OFFICER ASKED ME FOR MY LICENSE WHICH I PRODUCED THEN TOLD ME I WAS TRESPASSING.I TOLD HIM I HAD PERMISSION TO WALK DOWN TO THE RIVER FROM THE LAND OWNER,AND THAT OTHER DNR OFFICERS HAD TOLD ME I COULD DO THIS.HE THEN TOLD ME HE SAW ME ON THE ROCKS,WHICH I THEN REPLIED THE ROCKS ARE IN THE WATER.FOR ANY OF YOU THAT HAVE FISHED THIS AREA YOU KNOW WHAT IM TALKING ABOUT. HE THEN WENT BACK TO HIS TRUCK AND WROTE ME A $75.00 TICKET FOR FISHING WITHOUT PERMISSION.WHEN I AGAIN EXPLAINED TO HIM THAT I HAD PERMISSION HE ASKED IF IT WAS IN WRITING.I SAID NO AND HE HANDED ME MY TICKET.I THEN ARGUED WITH HIM FOR ANOTHER 10 MINUTES BUT HE WOULD NOT BUDGE ON THE TICKET.HE ALSO TOLD ME TO FIND ANOTHER PLACE TO FISH,I REPLIED IF IM IN THE WATER IM NOT TRESPASSING.MIND YOU I NEVER RAISED MY VOICE OR UTTERED A FOUL WORD.HE REPLIED ITS TIME TO GO.I FIND THIS REDICULOUS AT BEST AND CANT BELIEVE THAT THIS TICKET IS VALID.ANY SUGGESTIONS ON HOW I SHOULD PROCEED,MIND YOU I ONLY SEE THIS LAND OWNER IN PASSING WHEN HES CLEANING UP THIS PROPERTY FROM OTHER TRESPASSERS.I EXCHANGE WORDS ASK HIM HOW HE S DOING AND WE GAB FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THEN I GO BACK TO MY FISHING AND HE GOES BACK TO HIS CLEAN UP.