Over the past few years the amount of anglers seen wading the Fox River has whittled down to almost nothing. For a two year stretch where I thought I was getting out quite a bit, I ran into no one.
Things have improved a little. Last year I ran into a half dozen anglers. So far this year, two.
I guess that’s an improvement.
Sunday mornings, especially beautiful Sunday mornings like we’re experiencing today, brings people out. To do something, anything. It used to mean anglers all over the river getting an early start. Something to do for a few hours before heading home for a mid day cook out, or perhaps taking a nap in a hammock or a comfortable outdoor recliner.
I had to do some running around this morning. Took me past a local golf course where the parking lot was full. Had to be at least a couple of hundred cars. The average greens fees for a Sunday morning at this course is $40. Sounds like a good and profitable day to me.
Near home in Yorkville I stopped at the Marge Cline Whitewater Course. The parking lot along the river, next to Freeman Sports where you can rent canoes and kayaks, was full of cars. At the head of the whitewater course is the new Geneva Kayak Center, I think they’re calling it the Yorkville Outdoor Center. Whatever the name, their parking lot was full.
As far as you can see up and down the river there were canoes and kayaks. More were on the shore waiting to go out. A handful of kayakers were playing in the whitewater of the course.
Between the golf course and Yorkville, I drove along and stopped at a couple of places along the river.
Parking lots were empty. In three miles of river, not a single person was seen. This is a stretch I’ve written about endlessly since I first fished it 11 years ago. With the guiding and fishing classes I’ve done in the past, I’ve shown this stretch to a couple of hundred anglers. There was no sign of anyone.
Back in Yorkville, beyond all those enjoying their canoes and kayaks, not a single angler was seen anywhere. In this little stretch I once counted 27 anglers out walking around in the river.
They’re all gone.
Further down near my home, no one was to be seen. I wanted to blame a lack of time for the lack of interest in being out fishing the river, but there were all these other people out enjoying outdoor activities, from golf to biking to canoeing and kayaking.
Where did all the anglers go?
Wading a river is the easiest, cheapest way to enjoy fishing. Once a minimal amount is invested in waders and gear, they can last for years. All you need to do is get to the river, throw on the waders and head out into the water with rod and lures in hand. On average I spend less than $100 a year on gear and I think I’m averaging 50 fishing trips a year, maybe more.
I’m not sure there’s any way to fix this, to get anglers interested in wading and fishing the rivers around here, I’ve tried. I like to think I’ve written enough about the Fox River over the years to garner some kind of interest. I’ve put up hundreds of photos not only of some of the fish caught, but of the beautiful surroundings that can only be seen and experienced while standing out in the middle of the river.
I’m also not sure what else can be done to get anglers out wading the rivers, the interest seems to have just disappeared.
RK Henderson
25 Mar 2012Amen. You know what else nobody ever does anymore? Row. When my nephew and I get out on the lake, we never see anybody else rowing. Admittedly it’s a little annoying when you’re trolling, because one of you can’t net the other without reeling in. But it’s a small price to pay for not having to drag a battery around. (Plus nobody ever steals oars.)
And then there’s, like, actually using your body, which they say is good for you.
Robin
Rusty Ring: Reflections of an Old-Timey Hermit
Ken G
25 Mar 2012Thank for delving into the archives Robin.
When I suggest to people that the best fishing can be had while out wading, I’m looked at like I just told them to go run a marathon.
It’s not that difficult.
On smaller lakes, I love cruising the shores paddling a canoe. No better way to sneak up on fish I think.
I think people are allergic to exercise.
bob
18 Jul 2013this is amazing. over the years I saw waders grow and grow in numbers on the K3 and the Fox. to a point where I cursed the numbers a bit. I finally realized I cursed the numbers because they were fishing the easy spots I fished…the ones a short wade from the car where I’d caught a fish. That is what got me to realize there are fish, and good fishing structure all over the damn place… go find them, lazy boy.
and then, over the years, all the waders simply disappeared. I can attribute some of that to the drop off of age and poor physical condition, or poor attitude. But, I’d expected a younger group to take their place. Nope. hasn’t happened. Now I see more Mexicans swimming the river, than fishermen wading it (that is not a complaint about Mexicans. Different cultures use resources in different ways).
Miles and miles of fish and water, and no fishermen, no company, no companionship. I’ve also seen the same thing with my steelheading clubs and rivers. A few old guys still sticking it out, who started in their 30’s – I was one – and not so many young guys now in their 30s wo should be taking it up. (sigh).
Ken G
18 Jul 2013Digging into the old ones eh Bob.
I have to go over to a different post and respond to a guy that claims I’m killing the river. I may just cut and paste what you just put up. It will be perfect for him.
bob
3 Aug 2013you ain’t killing the rivers. if anything is, it is the lack of a concerned constituency (shore, wading and boating fishermen) willing and able to stand up for their beloved resource in the face of creeping pollution and encroaching development and the lack of government taking the clean water act of 1972 seriously. dammit. dammit all to hell.
boy, I remember how activist and active we were back in the 1980’s to mid 90’s. age is a bitch, but the lack of a continuation of our adventurous spirit to this generation is one of life’s mysteries. Oh well, each generation finds its own way.