River fishing has both risk and reward
It takes a person with guts and determination to fish current-driven waters. In plain language I'm referring to rivers and streams that have deep holes.
Around here that means the DuPage and Fox Rivers, resplendent with many different species of fish - as well as many deep traps that could swallow an unsuspecting, wading angler.
Excuse me if this column resembles a bit of déjà vu . I know I've written about my adventures on these rivers a couple of times, but believe me when I tell you these semi-urban watery treasures are well worth your time and exploration.
I implore you not to listen to your pals who preach how safe it is to wade the Fox without wearing chest waders. Even though this great stream has been cleaned up to the point where gamefish can survive and flourish, there are always potential dangers that could negatively impact your health. And with the lower cost of waders these days, it would be a great investment to lay down a few bucks for this kind of insurance policy.
Carry and use a wading staff. I have two of these accessories, with one being an old ski pole, and other, a more sophisticated, collapsible device that can be housed in a holster which is then strapped to your waste. The staff is used to probe the water in front of you so that you don't step in to a deep hole or dropoff.
Many anglers make the mistake of trying to bring a huge selection of lures with them when wading a stream. Unless you are bringing a floating tackle box with you, leave 98 percent of the hardware back in the trunk. My selection had been pared down to three or four small, in-line spinners, like Panther Martin, Mepps, and Blue Fox. Weights range from 1/16th to 1/4 ounce. I'll always have some split-shot too, as well as some No. 8 and 6 hooks if I'm using live bait. I'll also carry at least two small floats and slip-knot rigs. The terminal tackle goes into a small Plano box, which in turn rides in a fanny-type tackle bag secured around my waste. I also include some Little Action Mac plastic worms in dark colors.
If I'm using minnows or leeches as bait, they'll be swimming in a floating minnow bucket attached to me with a nylon cord. The same is true for the wading staff: a 3-foot line is secured to the handle and then to my vest.
Longnose pliers are essential too, and again, I tie a small piece of cord to the tool in case it slips out of my hand.
When my gear is a fly rod, I'll carry one small fly box and keep it in a front pocket of my vest. Most of the flies I use on both streams are No. 8 streamers and No. 8 black and brown wooly buggers.
I've encountered some anglers who like to wear a lightweight personal floatation device. Good idea. I will never forget the time when winter steelhead fishing that I almost lost my life when I stepped into a very deep hole and went under. If I had used my head, I would have listened to a friend who urged me to wear a PFD.
Quite a few fishermen don't like current areas because they haven't learned how to fish them. In many cases, an angler will find fish in slackwater stretches and whirlpools. Experience has taught me these are ambush points for game fish, whereby they sit there, suspended just of the bottom, waiting for a meal to come their way.
Drop a leech or minnow into the slack water and work it so it bounces off the bottom. The same holds true for a fly offering. Work the deadfall trees, mouths of side channels, drainage pipes, and patches of weeds and lily pads.
But most of all, travel light - and tread lightly so as not to spook fish.
Outdoor notesThere's never a dull moment with the Lake Michigan perch story.One morning the action is hot and heavy at Waukegan but slow to the far south end of the lake, and then the next day the situation appears to reverse itself. But the common thread between the two geographic locations is many of the fish caught are jumbos.Terry Knowlen reported he was able to boat a half-dozen perch ranging from 14-16 inches just outside Waukegan harbor. Fox Chain: You may find better walleye action on the Chain's southern-most lakes, such as Pistakee. A few fishermen have been able to locate schools of "eyes" in current areas, in 8 feet of water. Crappie activity is very good on Channel Lake, while some muskies have shown up on Lake Catherine.Fox River: Crappie, bluegill and some pike are being taken in the side channels of the river north of the Route 176 bridge.Forest Preserves: In Cook County, Skokie Lagoon has decent bluegill fishing while the largemouth bass appear to be cruising right off the shorelines. Busse Lake has improved for bluegills and small bass.You can contact Mike Jackson via e-mail at angler88@att.net, and catch his weekly radio show 6-7 a.m. Sundays on WSBC-1240 AM.