2015 Silent Auction Winner Guide Trip

Finally got the chance to get out with my 2015 Bronzeback Blowout silent auction guide trip winner, Chris Popp.

Due to a 2015 heavy work schedule Chris had, we were never able to hook-up last year. Of course, I informed Chris that

I would continue to honor the guided wade trip until we get a chance to get together and get out on the river.

That happened Sept. 4, 2016.

We fished the Kishwaukee River north branch. The river was up 2.5 inches from it's normal flow and it had some stain to it, not too heavy, but a bit more than I would have liked to have seen. We both started off fishing tubes.

Chris asked what kind of tube I liked to use, and I told him Gander Mountain (GM) tubes. GM tubes are tough, can take a beating, and you can catch many fish using the same tube. Well, the tubes were not working on this day, so Chris tied on a plastic worm that had a twister tail on the backend of it and hooked into the first smallie of the day.

The bite was tough on this day, real tough. We fished our way up the north, being bombarded by canoeists, kayakers, and tubers along the way.

At one point we had to assist a family that hit a strainer and flipped their canoe. All were alright, but I think they lost a paddle. I yelled at the small children in the canoe not to get wet, as Chris and I shoved them off to finish their day on the water.

Chris's count is up to like 5 at this point using that twisty tail plastic worm thingy he was throwing. I'm still at a big fat 0.

We wrapped things up on the north branch, took to land, and hiked our way back to our cars for a short break and to use the can.

We decided to continue fishing, and waded up the south branch.

The bite was a bit better on the south, heck, I even landed a few smallies.

Chris caught the most, and the biggest. The plastic wormy thing he had worked well. Near the end of the north branch wade, Chis tossed out a zinger at me.......

"I can see why those GM tubes last so long.... You don't catch any fish with them."

Funny guy.

We had a good time and caught a few smallies, even though the bite was tough.

More pics from the day....

Kind words from Chris.....

"Great report, great day. It's like I'm reliving it. In case any of you don't know Terry that well, he is a true smallmouth fishing iron man. We were on the water before 8:30 in the morning and final climbed out of the river at 7:15 that evening. My back hurt, my wrist hurt and my feet hurt, but I loved every minute of it. I didn't even notice we missed both lunch and dinner.

Terry was patient when I lagged behind to make a couple extra casts, always waiting for me to catch up. I'm a little more methodical. He likes to keep moving and set the pace. And that was great as I got to see water I wouldn't have otherwise. Yes, the bite was a bit tough. But it wasn't about the results. It was about getting out to experience some nature, getting to know a good guy a little better, and just enjoy the pursuit of our favorite fish, of which we got enough to keep it interesting.

Terry may have been my "guide" for this trip, but going forward we'll be fishing together as new friends. At least as long as he doesn't try pushing any of those GM tubes on me! Only kidding, Terry. It just wasn't their day."