July 1, 2, 4, 5

The month of June pretty much sucked in my book, so I couldn't wait for July to begin.

Friday, July 1 -I got out before work on a small stretch of the north branch to see what action I could find.

The bite was a little tough but I did manage a scrappy 14" smallmouth picked up on a tube using the spin gear. I got my one smallie to kick off the month so I called it quits a little early and spent some time cleaning up some trash and then off to work I went.

On Saturday, July 2 - I met up with a couple buddies in DeKalb county and we spent the day fly fishing the Kish south branch.

Again, the bite was tough and we only managed 2 fish (both smallies) between the three of us.

It was a nice day spent on a gorgeous stretch of southern Kishwaukee flow. I popped a 14 1/2" on a popper, my buddy Ted nailed a 16 on some kind of minnow imitation looking thingy.

On Sunday I was tiered and wore out from Saturday so I stayed home.

Monday, July 4 - Did a solo wade on the Kish south branch in Winnebago county. The bite picked up a bit and I managed 6 smallies all on a tube with the spin gear. Largest smallmouth taped at 16 1/2".

Tuesday, July 5, Morning - Grabbed the fly rod, a handful of poppers, and headed for the north branch in search of a good topwater bite. Action wasn't what I had hoped but still managed 5 little smallies and 1 little pike, all taken on top.

Evening - Hit the south branch in Winnebago county with the spin gear. Finally found the action I have been looking for.

Smallmouth seemed to be very active hitting topwaters and tubes thrown tight to the bank, and I mean tight. Actually tossed the tube up on the bank and slowly dragged it into the water to pick up this 18 incher.

Ended up with 14 smallmouth on this outing and probably missed closed to 20. Not sure what happened there.

Wednesday, July 6, 5am. - Sounds like a huge storm outside. That sucks!