Better Than Coffee

Took the day off work so that I could attend the IDNR stream sampling of Kilbuck Creek. The sampling would not take place until 1pm. so the plan was to fish the morning hours.

Kishwaukee River North Branch in Winnebago County:

I stepped foot in water @ 6:30am and hooked into a topwater smallie right off the bat. These early morning fighters are better than coffee, They can really get your blood flowing.

I worked my way upstream switching from topwater to tubes. By the end of the outing I had tagged just as many smallmouth with the tube as I did with the topwater. I ended the day with 14 smallmouth brought to hand and 1 slimy pike.

The largest smallmouth went 16.5", and the pike was in the 22" range.

The IDNR Steam Sampling at Kilbuck Creek was to begin at 1pm.

I arrived at 12:30pm and they were already finished and pulling out.

The next spot was to be the Kishwaukee River at Kishwaukee River Forest Preserve, so I followed them there and watched that one. Not much to report.