Not gonna spend a whole lot of time explaining these, went for the smallies and eyes, got two good carpazoids. First one was the cleanest of the year, second was the biggest. Gotta love a 10 minute fight with drag-screaming runs, no matter what the species. First was on a Creme Spoiler Shad (awesome little bait), the big girl with the shoulders came on a 3″ Gulp and white Roadrunner head. Both on 4lb line and light gear.

Been doing quite a bit of fishing lately.

First there’s the creeks in IN that me and Chris hit last Friday. A beautiful resident brown trout made the trip worth it, by dunking my bubble float and 1/16oz. marabou jig tipped with a couple maggots. The fishing was slow as we expected, but the experience was fulfilling nonetheless. I was also able to connect with a 8″ stocker steelie that was hanging out in the same riffle that the brown came from. That was my first of either of those species, and I finally popped my trout cherry, so I was extremely happy. Chris got the skunko. As we approached the lake, we started to notice a lot of drifting snow clumps, and very unique water conditions that were not at all conducive to catching fish. We made our way out of town, checking the status of some well known Lake Michigan shoreline along the way; only to find the same slushy mess out there. If you remember, last Friday we were in the midst of a nice winter blast, and the snow was falling hard. I was ready for a long ride home, but 6 hours from Hammond is a real kick in the nuts. I truly feel sorry for Chris having to deal with me spazzing out all ADD when we got locked up on a single city block in the city for over 40 minutes. We saw about 15-20 trucks stuck on inclines, sliding backwards and whatnot; it was pretty intense. During the ride I decided I was gonna clean up my memory card on my camera, after I had looked at my pictures of my first trout for the 50th time, and accidentally wiped the entire memory card. DOH!

Oh well, there will be plenty more to come, and I have the memory. Which brings us to today. Me and Chris met back up to chase some Esox in the Fox River, as well as to fish a crappy area of the river that we always stop at if in the area. The first spot we went to is one of the highest incidence areas for landed muskie on the whole lower Fox River. Yes we are talking Yorkville. We fished it one way throwing grubs and gulp for walleye, and turned the way back upstream and threw the big baits. This was our first time in the area, but we saw new water, and accomplished our general goal. I like to have an idea in my head of where I can go an not go, where the deep areas are, etc.; before I can really fish an area with confidence. I am starting to feel like we’re getting close.

So we picked up and headed over to a familiar spot, and found the river alive with “rough” fish. That’s okay, 6 hours from Hammond, that’s rough. Fishing in 30 degree weather and fighting ice all day, that’s rough. Forgetting your only lighter is in your pocket that is underwater, that’s rough. Legitimately catching a carp in the middle of winter- now that’s fun. First action we saw was when Chris nailed a huge shad on the back, an endevour that would be repeated 5 times over the rest of the day. Shortly after, I got into a nice quillback that took me on a run and broke me off, however I was not discouraged. We made our way down the flow, and back up, with many foul hookings, but no legitimate takes. About halfway back, Chris’s drag could be heard screaming over my left shoulder as I looked back to see what the deal was. Chris’s med-light was bent in half as the carp was taking him on some screamin’ runs. Chris landed the fish after a short battle, but the fish got him back with a thorough sliming.





The fishing tale would not be complete without a mention of the sighting this afternoon. The first was when Chris notice a small hammer-handle pike chilling in the current. We sat there and messed with it for a while, but it was unamused and swam away. So as we were getting ready to leave, I notice a LONG fish in the hole we are fishing. This thing has spots all overthat I can clearly see, and was well over 30″, I Im yelling “pike, pike… big pike!!!” I get Chris’s attention, but he isn’t seeing it. We are both throwing tiny grubs at this point, so I start swimming mine near the top where this thing is feeding, and BAM!!! it gets nailed! The fish immediately comes up to the surface and I see it swimming by with the grub in it’s long mouth… its a spotted gar! The fish stuck around and took a few more swipes at my offerings, however I was unable to land it. Wish I had the famous Rope-ala! I didn’t even know those fish existed on the river, andit was really cool to see.
Till next time…
Bryan.