FULL STREAM AHEAD
Don’t overlook smaller waterways when you want to go fishing
Two owls hooted as I climbed from the car, right where I wanted to be. On my last drive with Norm Minas last fall, he showed me some Will County streams, my favorite fishing. Monday morning I gave them a try.
At the first, I bushwhacked to the water’s edge. It looked like nobody else had walked there. Nothing like stinging nettles on bare legs as a wake-up. Smart fishermen, like Minas was, wear waders as much for vegetation protection as for the water.
I prefer wet-wading in old sneakers, swim trunks, a drab olive shirt and a camo baseball cap. Earth tones and camo fit my fashion sense and are practical in the clear, low water of summer (earth tones/camo don’t spook fish).
After wading through nettles, I was not happy to reach the bottom and not see water, only water willow, other plants and dry rocks. Then I found the pools, crouched and made a few casts with a popper. Nothing. When the far end exploded as fish corralled minnows, I stood and made a long cast. It just hit the water when I hooked the first smallmouth bass.
It was barely 11 inches, but my morning was made.
I was grateful to Minas, who died in December.
With one decent fish caught and released, I relaxed and soaked up the deer snorting from the bank (never did see it), crows cawing and Canada geese honking.
My camo wet bag has basic tackle, hemostat, needle-nose pliers, measuring tape and notebook. I had three light spinning rods: one with the smallest Skitter Pop, one with a Mepps spinner and one with a tungsten micro-jig with a trimmed tail.
The tributary spots I fished were small, so I gave each 30 minutes, then moved on. I went 3-for-11, all on the topwater, at the first.
It took me a bit to find the second spot. At first, I missed the unmarked road, which turns into gravel. No nettles but lots of large dried thistles for my bare legs. But I was rewarded with deer hooves and raccoon paws imprinted in sandy mud. A great blue heron flapped off. A wild turkey clucked near shore. This had flatter water and less water willow. I went 2-for-8.
Figured I owed Minas one more nod, so I drove to the Kankakee River State Park to low-water spots around Langham Island. A year ago, it was the last place I waded with him. Couldn’t raise anything on the topwater, but went 1-for-5 with the spinner.
It was time.
I found my favorite picnic table by the river, spread out hard-boiled eggs and fresh cantaloupe, then tugged on memories.
All spots were on public land. And I found another one, which requires a good hike, to try another day.
At the fair
Conservation World is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday through Aug. 19 at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield. You should do it at least once.
Stray cast
The NFL helmet rule is too much like the cut-perch regs.