nice day on the river in illinois 12-9

[Norm M]

river is still dropping but still above normal flow rates, just under 4,000 cfs and 2.01 on the height. water temps mid forties, visibility up to 2.5 ft . algae in river in usual places, up in urban area not so much.

first spot I caught fish was a rock islet out in mid stream that has waterwillow growing on it in season. it has a large bar extending upstream and short bars on either side that angle down stream. there is a channel running on either side of it and the slack area behind it is a good place to catch gar . cobblestone covered with algae all around it .

letting a rattlebait drift downstream got fish on the bar to the front and the bar on the side I could reach was the winning pattern . no fish on the sloping flats, the channel edges or in the channel .

next spot I got fish was around bridge abutments surrounded by cobblestone covered in algae. once again the rattlebait caught fish but only if it made contact with the abutment. the seams and downstream slackwater and the flats produced nothing .

next spot I got fish was in an area in the urban part that has cobblestone and boulders , not much algae. a bandit 300 banged against boulders caught fish .

last spot I caught fish was at a creekmouth, switched to a bandit 200 , got some at the seam at the junction of creek/river. cobblestone bottom some chunks of concrete with rebar from bridge renewal project .

17 smallmouth in all , couple nice ones, most in the 14 to 16 inch range . fat well fed fish

[msamatt]

Norm: I always love reading your reports.  Your love for river fishing comes through loud and clear, especially given the time of year and your location!!  I love your ability to challenge received wisdom through experimentation and observation.  Thanks again sir.   

[Mitch f]

Yep, I love Norm's reports too!