river in illinois two trips

[Norm M]

I managed to slide in two trips to the river , one while it was dropping , the other while it was rising . Actually, that's pretty much been the story for this year , up-down-up-down with more of the up . 

While it was dropping , I started with a rattlebait over cobblestone flats . I got enough smallmouth that I never saw fit to change as the action was kinda steady . Nothing big size wise, mostly 12 to 16 inchers . 

While it was rising , I started with a square bill crank on the current seam , only got three there but all between 17 and 19 inches . I moved in by the outside edge of the waterwillow beds with a singlespin . It seemed like every time it came by a point or cut in the weeds it got blasted. Mostly 14 to 16 inch smallmouth . 

I tried with the spinnerbait and a chatterbait in the water willow beds themself but never got bit . 

Throughly enjoyed both trips , just what I needed .

Peace 

Norm

[Johnsfolly]

Norm Glad to see you get out on the river. Sounds like a great trip! Would love a day catching 12 to 19 inch smallies! Also very informative. Your reports always give us some idea what you were thinking on the baits that you were using and how you were fishing them.

[Norm M]

  For the most part what I start with is based on gut instinct based on 5 decades of experience on this river . Generally it pans out as I have learned over the years by looking at the USGS flow charts before every trip what to kinda of expect .

 

 Almost halfway thru radiation , just did session 6 of 7 for chemo today . The first time combining the two was rough . The doc and I went back to the anti nausea patch I wear for a week hoping it helps . So far it has been more of being too tired and sleeping than even thinking about fishing . However, I have still been getting days where my body says , try it . On the not so good days I have enough stamina for an hour or so . The good days, I have enough stamina for about three hours or so .

 Even an hour on the river though is enough to lift my spirits . I know it's going to get worse before it gets better , so I go when my body allows regardless of conditions . Well, except t storms and possible tornadoes , I have gotten a little smarter since my days of being young and invincible .