45 Lb Striper

[FlyfishinOK]

http://blog.newsok.com/outdoors/2010/07/30/big-striper-from-lower-illinois/

Anyone else still going after the Striper on the LIR this weekend? I'm going to put in Sat morning at Marval's. I'll be in the Camo Gheenoe.

[GoodFisher]

I wish I was going this weekend. We have went several times this year already and the Striper fishing is so slow this year. It is very refreshing to see such a beautiful fish caught this year. Good Luck this weekend!

[OKFlyFisher44]

Holy Crap...I've seen some big fish in there but that one definitely takes the cake! That is massive...I can't even imagine hooking that thing on a 8 weight. Talk about smoking your drag!

Bet that fish was caught way below Marvals where the river is pretty big. As much as I love to catch them...doesn't give me enough desire to go back out and chase them. I can't believe they're still in the river. Hopefully next year will be better...

That is an AWESOME fish.

[GoodFisher]

That big boy was caught just past Gore Landing, way before the 64 bridge. I'm not surprised about this beauty still being in the river! Its just about prime time for the big ones to come out and play. Mid-August through late September is your best chance at a trophy in these waters. Just a few more weeks to go and we will be on the river, for our week long vacation. This is when we've caught our largest Stripers.

By the way, this giant was returned to the river...

[FlyfishinOK]

We went down Sat. Put in at Marvals at around 8:30 am. Went upstream to first hole. Caught six 18" & 19" bows on big red fins & cordel 6" pencil poppers while striper fishing. I've never had that happen before! I would've been proud of those fish on a fly rod. Broke out a 3 wt fly rod to catch some bait. caught some 10" trout and a few sun fish for bait. Also caught some nice spots & kentucky in the process. The water started coming up later in the day so we went up river a few holes then floated/fished our way back down. Didn't catch a striper one! Talked to two guys who said they had caught a couple of small ones. Standing in the cold water was a good way to spend a hot day.

[RatherBHuntinFishin]

DuskyStipe You say that now through Sept is a good time to catch them. I have been there several times this year but I am very new to the Lower Ill. I just want to make sure I understand this correctly. The Stripers come up into the river in the Spring as the AR begins to warm. They stay until the weather and the AR starts to cool back off. Is this correct? I want to catch a decent one so bad but we have had pretty poor luck. Only some small 5 - 10 pounders. Thanks