up in illinois multiple trips

[Norm M]

I am a real lucky guy, here it is my 31st wedding anniversary and I not only went fishing but am writing a report. I am married to a very understanding , loving and wonderful woman .

The river has been dropping for the most part, it's still not exactly safe for any but limited wading due to the force of the flow . Water is clearing , over a foot of visibility . Water temps fluctuating depending on over night temps and the amount of cloud cover during the day . With some of the natural signs I look for to indicate prespawn are present . I'm using techniques and avoiding known spawning areas as much as possible to try to avoid the early spawners . That plan went into effect when the natural signs started and I started catching smallmouth with worn tails fishing low and slow .

I have been using aggressive techniques, rattlebaits, swimbaits, swimjigs, chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits and crankbaits . Crankbaits and buzzbaits at the heads and tails of riffle areas have been a winning ticket . Rattlebaits on seams, at creekmouths and over waterwillow stubble have been the best producer over all. Chatterbaits and spinnerbaits over waterwillow stubble have had their moments . Swimbaits and swim jigs on seams have brought fewer but higher quality fish .

Mostly smallmouth feeding heavily, walleyes picking up their feeding and the number of channel cats taking lures is rising