Upper Illinois Smallie Trip - 9/18

[OKFlyFisher44]

Took a day trip float up on the Upper Illinois to chase some smallies since the river had came up a little bit. Dragged the drift boat and my buddies kayak over for a 4 mile float from Round Hollow to Peavine. We put in at 8:30 with cloudy skies but the sun was trying to poke through. We pushed down river and had decent action on streamers, nothing big though. Most fish were in the 10-12" range. Then a thunderstorm rolled through and poured on us for over an hour, it was quite comical really, didnt phase us too much. We actually caught some smallies during the rain and a pretty decent largemouth too. After the storm moved through, the bite pretty much shut off. Caught a few more dinks as we floated downstream to Peavine.

Overall, the fishing was subpar. I hadnt floated this river in almost 10 years and hadnt fished it since I was probably 6 or 7 years old so I was a little let down. On the other hand, it was a great float. Great scenery and the flow was good, had a little bit of technical water to row the drift boat through. Also let my buddies Cole and Derek get behind the sticks and row a bit. The time spent with friends was worth the trip.

Here are a few pics from the float. No fish porn for ya guys...sorry.

[JCWolfe]

Too bad the Lower didn't look that good.

[DaddyO]

I was gonna say the same thing JC.

Chance, the water between the Chewey Bridge and Round Hollow is pretty good water, although, it's not as good as it was a couple of years ago.

[OKFlyFisher44]

That section we floated had a ton of water that would be awesome holding water for trout. Lots of sweet riffles and runs. Obviously most years during the summer it gets too low and warm probably to sustain trout. Although the lower illinois gets pretty warm in the summer too. You also couldnt fish it much during the summer cuz of the floaters.

[OKFlyFisher44]

I was told that Chewey Bridge is a private access by a couple of the canoe outfitters. I would love to float that section though...

[DaddyO]

I've never seen any gates on the entrance into the area. We always use Riverside Resort and rent canoes from them and that is where we put in for the 6 mile float. My guess is that they would workout a shuttle arrangement with you if you asked. They are pretty nice people.