I've heard that the section that runs along Rt. 53 is a trough of very silty-bottom. I know a few who have kayaked that stretch and have repoorted success in a few key spots between Royce and Hobson. Gotta be a tough wade though...
I've heard that the section that runs along Rt. 53 is a trough of very silty-bottom. I know a few who have kayaked that stretch and have repoorted success in a few key spots between Royce and Hobson. Gotta be a tough wade though...Has anyone in the past made a decent run up the East Branch (wading)?
Last weekend I dropped in at the East Branch (Royce Rd /RT 53) and proceeded to head up stream. I quickly learned that this part of the river is consistency 48"-60" deep (not including deep holes). I did check the water data which recorded the river gage height about 6"-8" higher than lowest height. I typically fish quite a bit down stream from there but honestly, I was looking for a place that had the least amount of kayak and weekend float traffic.
SpecialEd, everything that you are saying is spot on, plus the shore edges are very steep (again not ideal for wading). So like most fisherman I do not give away any spots... any good spots that is. However I feel like i need to share this area with the kayakers out there (I do not own one). My son and I dropped in at this spot and traveled only about 100 yards before the water level began to come up to our necks. In that short 100 yards, probably 8-10 casts each produced 4 smallies (average size for DuPage) , one large mouth pushing 2 pounds and hooked at least a 3 pound smallie (twice) and lost him twice. All in a matter of maybe 20 minutes? If you have a kayak... this is your place. I'm heading back down river to some more reasonable levels.I've heard that the section that runs along Rt. 53 is a trough of very silty-bottom. I know a few who have kayaked that stretch and have repoorted success in a few key spots between Royce and Hobson. Gotta be a tough wade though...