North Aurora 11/20

[CBatt2]

Figured I'd give the river a shot before the weather turns, so I headed out for a few hours mid-day, yesterday. Only fished from shore but river is at a very wadeable level right now. Tried both sides of dam,and was rewarded with a chunky smallmouth from each. Not big (13",15") but good fighters! Both fish caught on twister tails. (3" white, 2" orange/chart.) Also caught a fat crappie in millrace on last cast of day.
Was hoping for a walleye or two, but all in all, a fun few hours of fishing!

[ganz1960]

Awesome. I'll take 13- and 15-inch smallmouth any day!

On Oct 15, I left the North Aurora area to head to the southern US for the winter. Your post (and others) has me fairly convinced to try to stay in North Aurora at least into November next year.

The fishing there seems decent still, while I've struggled here in Texas as I wait for the water to cool down more and the fish become more active closer to shore.

[CBatt2]

I don't blame you for heading south. I usually wrap up my fishing in late October or early November, with an occasional trip to the Big Lake for perch, as long as it's not frozen up.
Might venture out this winter and try the rivers a bit more than I have in the past, however. With as messed up as things were this Summer, I'm feeling kind of cheated in the "time on the water" department.
Good luck in Texas! I'm sure things will be picking up for you soon!

[jmdog2003]

Very pretty brown bass!

[Spincast guy]

Nice fish! Never fished north auroa area.

[RonG]

Nice bass. Nice shirt.

I have the same shirt.

[CBatt2]

Spincast: I definitely don't fish there as often as I used to. Once the Powers That Be, made it "safe," for the general public, the quality of fishing really went downhill. Lots of deeper channels and structure were filled in or removed, and the flow was greatly altered. It's a shame, because catching a dozen catfish and/or smallmouth a day was fairly typical.

Ron: Not everyone can pull off the vintage, blue demim button-down. It's good to know there's still a couple of us left!!

[badger75]

Good fish!

…. and shirt.