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riverine rodent

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The rain over the weekend saw the flow rates on the river increase 10 times in less than 24 hours. Of course it hadn't been so low, so early since the late 80's. Two days later the level has fallen to half of what is was Sunday. It's just a little over normal flow for this time of year. The river is still very murky, no debris really flowing except some weed pieces. I didn't bother with water temps today.

Just as the water is dropping quickly, so the fish are moving off the shoreline slack stuff and back to the usual haunts. Today was crankbaits all day, Bandit 200's and 300's mostly quarter cast up and downstream. I also mixed in some straight upstream retieves. The most sucessful method was stop and go, most hits after starting up again.

The fish were on midstream humps, on channel edges, riffle areas inflows[out toward the end of the confluence] and bridge pilings. It took some careful wading and longer casts than I like to make to reach some of the areas.

I did try a jig/plastic but all that got me was three clams so I quit that.

Not a bad day 19 smallmouth, a few really good ones, mostly medium sized fish.

I had one dude tell me I shouldn't leave fish to find fish. I told him that if I could find these fish, I should be able to find others.You have to belive in your abilities.
 
riverine rodent said:
I had one dude tell me I shouldn't leave fish to find fish. I told him that if I could find these fish, I should be able to find others.You have to belive in your abilities.
I like that

For me it is about expanding my knowledge of the body of water I fish and finding different patterns. If the bite is hot I switch it up to see what else works.

Always enjoy your posts.
 
What river in IL is "private"??

I have been having similar results on local "public" rivers lately. Although I have seen quite a bit more algae and floating debris which makes crankbait fishing nearly impossible on most days. Weedless soft plastics have been working basically because it's the only thing I can throw!
 
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