The Illinois Wisconsin Fishing Blog just started a new forum page for anglers to share stories and ideas to learn more about the waters we fish and the fish that inhabit them. The forum’s topics should accommodate both fly and gear anglers alike. They cover most species and techniques used around the Great Lakes, and there’s also a “For Sale” category for people to buy/sell fishing gear. Check it out here http://www.illinoiswisconsinfishing.com/forum/
Autumn Colors
The rain has fallen!! This increase in water flow in southern Wisconsin’s tributaries should insure a quality run of fish for this fall. If you don’t recall last year the unfavorably dry weather persisted right into the deep freeze of the midwestern winter. Therefore, last years “run” of fish was sub-par to say the least. With November usually being the best month to chase steelhead in southern Wisconsin last years frozen November proved to be difficult for anglers on the tribs. These next few weeks will be the BEST TIME OF THE YEAR to put your flies in front of some of the biggest brown trout in the world! The brown trout that migrate form Lake Michigan into many of its tributaries rival those of the Rio Grande in Chile, and traveling/lodging is a fraction of the cost. Along with your chances at world record sized brown trout most tributaries get excellent returns of steelhead, which to me are the best fighting game fish in fresh water. The reel-screaming runs and tarpon like acrobatics are tough to beat in fresh water. Just to give you an idea of what is migrating into the Lake Michigan tribs right now I’ve included some pics of the giant browns we came across in the fall of 2009. Enjoy!
When all else fails swing an egg sucking leech!
Milwaukee River Gives Up A Steelhead!
Today I ignored the less than ideal water levels on the milwaukee river and brought out the two handed rods to start getting in the swing of my fall fishing routine. I fished all morning with only one smallmouth to show. I continued to work on my casting and took some time to study the river for further outings, and just before I headed to the truck while counting down my lasts casts this scrappy steelhead clamped on to my egg-sucking leech as it swung behind a big boulder. The flow charts may look grim, but there are some fish to be had.
Indiana Summer Steelhead – 8/24/2011
I couldn’t help but to go back to Indiana for round two of the chaotic small stream summer steelhead fishing. If you go fish the small creeks in Indiana be prepared to loose some fish, but also be prepared for some exciting leaps and extremely fast runs. Leaping fish will often bounce off the banks or whizz right past your head! Fish will run in and out of log jams which sometimes if you really want to land them you can feed your rod through the fallen trees and actually recover the fish, like I did with this 15 lb buck! He ran about 60 feet downstream under two fallen trees and I followed with my rod and eventually got the fish on the beach.
A big slab of summer steelhead
Fishing should remain good in Indiana from now through winter with the best action following any rain. Once the water starts to drop after a storm you will have fresh fish in the rivers that quite possibly have seen little to no fisherman there entire life. Up in Wisconsin I’ve heard reports of some fish showing up in the harbors in good numbers. Only a short time before they start swimming upstream. With the cooler nights we’ve been having the water temps are looking good and I wouldn’t be surprised to find some fish in the rivers any day now. So I’ll be giving Indiana a rest for now and focusing on Wisconsin’s tributaries for my migratory trout fix.
Pella Lakes
In the town of Hygiene, there are a few ponds worth checking out. I was out there fishing recently and was exciting to find a lot of action. I walked up to the spot I always fish and was surprised to see Catfish and Smallmouth milling around all over. I experimented with a few flies and finally decided to try something they hadn’t seen before; saltwater shrimp patterns. Sure enough, it only took a few casts, and a girthy Smallmouth came out from the weeds and it’s mouth met my fly. The Bass put up a phenomenal fight, including a couple leaps and the usual Smallmouth “bulldog” moves. I caught a few more while casting into the weeds and had a blast reeling them in on the five weight.
Later in the day, I noticed a decent Catfish frequenting one particular spot and chasing any minnow that came nearby. It finally came to me….this was it’s home! Based on my knowledge and consistent viewing of noodling videos, I knew what I had to do. It only took three casts to hook into the Cat, and within five seconds I was into my backing. The Catfish put up a fantastic fight, and it was a new species I finally got to add to my list. All and all, it was a good day.
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