ISA Lucky Fishing Hat

Terry Smallmouth Hunter
Aug 20, 2017
3 min read

August 19, Saturday - “Lucky Fishing Hat” Wade & Float Outing (Kish)

Show us your lucky Fishing Hat. We’ll meet in Cherry Valley at the cafe at 7:00 AM for some B&G, a quick “Lucky Fishing Hat” group photo, and then some good Kishwaukee River smallmouth fishing.

We had to split into groups. Paul, ben, Eric and his brother, all headed south to drop their kayaks in at some point way upstream on the south branch of the Kish.

Jude took Bill and Brian down south also but not quite as for as the yak-heads went.

Jay, Tom and I also fished the south branch but stayed in Winnebago County.

Terry, Jay, Tom

When we first stepped foot in water and waded to the opposite bank we came across this bird all tangled up in knots with some mono. The line was wrapped around a toe and the a few times around the neck. I took hold of the varmint while Jay cut the line away with his snippers. Bird bounced into the weeds to rest. looked a little stressed.

Jay was casting a crank bait most of the day, Tom had his fly rod and I tossed him a Jude-Bug to tie on, I had the spin rod in hand with a tube tied on.

Tom popped the first smallmouth of the day casting the Jude-Bug up against some rip-rap.

Jay thought catching a smallie on a fly rod looked pretty fun and Tom talk him in to making a few cast. It didn't take long and it was FISH ON!!

Jay's first smallmouth with a fly rod.

Seemed like it was going to be a great day. WRONG!

It was pretty slow after that. Jay did pick up one more with a crank bait.

I got the skunk.

Hope the other guys did good.

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Eric & Tim

Eric and brother Tim had a nice float, They each had a smallie caught at the put-in before even getting the boats in the water. double digits for each as well. Nothing bigger than 14". Tim also got two Northerns and Eric got a couple rock bass. Tim got most of his fish on a twister, Eric used Hula, senko, crank. Tried topwater a bit at first but no topwater action.

(sorry no pics)

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Jude, Bill, Brian

"Well...luckily breakfast was good, cause the fishing wasn't. Bill and Brian and I hit the S. Branch near Kirkland. I took off early after catching one. At that point Brian had caught a few but Bill still smelled skunky.

I hope things improved after my departure. (Don't say it, Terry.)" ~ Jude

And it did get better. Brian and Bill moved to another spot upstream. Brian picked up 4 of 5 more in the 7 to 13 inch range, while Bill got the brute of the day at 18 inches.

(sorry no pics)

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Paul & Ben

Ben & Paul hit a nice section of the South Branch. Condition were perfect for floating as it was up a few inches and there was good water visibility. They had a quality outdoor experience. Considering the remoteness of the river, wildlife sightings, weather, river conditions, and the smallmouth's willingness to hit topwaters with bad intent. Although they go about it with totaly different tools (fly vs spinning), Ben & Paul share a common passion for catching smallmouth on topwater on remote rivers. Numbers were pretty even until Paul got on hot streak at the end. They caught 25-30 fish total, most were smallmouths, then 2 pike and 2 rock bass. A few smallmouth were in the 16-16.5" range. Walking the dog was drawing some savage strikes but many misses. Ben's topwater fly drew less strikes but his hookup percentage was better. Paul also caught a few dragging bottom with a hulagrub but topwater was the best thing going and they stayed committed to it.