After nearly 2 long months of recovery, I finally got out for a few hours of fishing on the Illinois River yesterday. Fished late morning to early afternoon from shore, so definitely not optimal conditions, but managed a decent whitebass (15") a few smallish smallmouth (12") and one hybrid...

Late start due to my neighbor Stanley,my spots were taken,had to walk further, landed 6 ,lost a lot,blue cats are not like channels, when they hit it is massive,rod bent, drag is going,then you reach for the rod,the fish is gone,their is no tap-tap,with a slow movement of the line,you sit there...

It slipped your mind, didn't it? Maybe the stalwarts that insist on going to physical vendor every year, could try buying online this year considering the circumstances. :idea: Remember, the life you save might be my own.

Spent Thursday wading in the state park. Started early downstream of the Wagner bridge. Waded upstream and fished around the old bridge abutments. Caught 3 dink smallies on a white double-tailed jig. Biggest one wasn't more than 8" but was a really pretty, dark-colored river fish. After a few...

Yesterday seemed like a nice day for a leisurely paddle with some fishing. Launched at my recently favorite spot and headed up. A bit chilly in the morning, but it warmed up quickly. Despite the recent rain water level is low, perhaps the lowest I've seen this year. I knew that I will have...