They Said It Was Cold

[Mikey]

Took my son and brother in law to the river today for some fishing. We got in the water around 10:30. The temp was about 35. Everyone got their waders on and down to the water we went. Since these guys aren't veteran anglers I parked at the power house and we hiked down the rocks to right under the dam. Had a few strikes on night crawlers and I landed one on yellow power eggs. The kids just had some strikes...nothing landed.

We moved down a bit to just above the riffles and saw a lot of trout feeding right at the surface. We tried in vain but none would stay on the line long enough to land. We walked further down past the riffles and fished off the sand bar. That's where we had the best luck. Managed to bring 5 more trout to hand. 2 for me and 3 for my son. My brother in law had a HOSS hooked and got it all the way to the bank but his novice instincts had him try to lift the trout out of the water by the line and it flopped and wiggled, landing at his feet inches before the bank. As it swam off I laughed heartily. He never landed anything but had a good time.

We left when the cold got to the kids. I will say this, I haven't been up there since before the heavy rains last year and my how that riverbed has changed. We would have hooked more fish if I would have had a chance to check it out first. It was rough...but glad to catch something instead of nothing.

Hope to be back up there in the next month or so.

Mikey

[jefly77]

Next time you take the son, try berkley trout worms on a little (#8 or #10) hook. Rig it carolina style on a 2 ft leader with a 1/8 oz or 1/16 oz weight at the top of the leader. Cast it out and slowly reel it back against the current. I have had real good success over the years using this technique at the Lower Illinois. It's more fun than just casting out power bait or egg and waiting for a fish to hit. when you feel the tug, tug, tug, let the fish take the worm for a few seconds and then set the hook. You and your son should ahve good results. Also, sut below the rock vane throw roostertails upstream and work them back to you barely faster than the current. Just my recommendations for spinfishing there. Good luck and tight line guys.

[Mikey]

Actually, we did use my stash of 3" floating trout worms from berk. Caught a few on them. My technique on power eggs is to cast them out, let them sit, then slowly retrieve them...same method I use on nightsnakes and frozen shad. Something fun about the tink tink tink of a trout nibblin on your bait.