I feel sorry for anglers that pursue trout.
I hear nothing but laments about the overcrowding of the rivers and streams they like to fish.
Being an angler of smallmouth bass in rivers and creeks here in Illinois, here being in an area home to 9.2 million residents crammed into one corner of the state, you would think I would have cause for concern.
There are those that complain about their smallie spots being over run by anglers, hence the whole secretive nature of talking about fishing rivers. My usual response is, maybe you should learn more of the river.
Why, no one.
Through the guiding I’ve done, fishing classes, talks before fishing groups and writing, there are hundreds of anglers, if not thousands, that know where I fish. In 2008 and 2009 and numerous trips to the Fox River and it’s creeks, I ran into no one. From March through November and some of the best fishing times possible, not a soul.
Add a couple of more rivers to that mix, a few more creeks, still no one.
Over the past 5 years I’ve noticed the dumbing down of river bass anglers. Lots of questions about putting in bass boats at various launches. I used to respond to let them know that, yes, you can launch your boat there as long as you don’t mind having it sit in a foot of water 10 feet out from shore. Now I don’t bother.
Go look for yourself.
In the last year or so I have seen more anglers.
Six I think.
Maybe 10.
But they move too fast and cast to all the wrong spots so they don’t last very long out in the water. I simply follow behind them, pick apart the spots, cast to where the fish live and have a pleasant day on the water catching smallies. Their disappointment in not catching anything is probably why I never see them again. Nothing like a good skunking to whittle away at your river fishing enthusiasm.
In a way I’m grateful for groups and magazines like the Bass Masturbators and In-Fishermen.
Vertical jig in-water humps that are 5 feet below the surface, let your presentation sweep over the hump at the same speed as the current.
Okay, I’ll do that.
Somewhere in the 40 or so miles of the Fox River and its creeks that I’ve waded, this condition must exist.
One of these days I’ll find it.
Finfollower
13 Mar 2011This is the reason I sit out on Opening Day. Let the cornfishers have their day. I’ll have others . . .
Ken G
13 Mar 2011Considering the population density and the fishing opportunities around here, I’m always surprised at the lack of anglers. Why travel for trout when I have this practically in my back yard.
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Mike
15 Mar 2011You gotta love having your own river. I do. Few think about chasing largemouth in moving water and the waterway won’t take a boat so it’s on no one’s fishing radar. And that’s just fine with me. A couple of times a year I see a kayaker float through, but never with a fishin’ pole.
Keep the good stuff coming, Ken!
Ken G
15 Mar 2011Thanks Mike. Up this way the smallies far outnumber the largemouth in rivers. Funny how that changes the further south you go. Largemouth love that warmer water.