3/30/15

Outing #6
PRY12 - 6.43
Clarity - Clear 3 1/2ft.
Catches - 0

Stopped down at the creek before work and was quite surprised at the clarity.

I must say that I am very pleased with the Kilbucks' water.

I believe it's time to construct a nice visual report on how she has bounced back

from this event.......

Click here > Kilbuck, August 13. 2011

Kilbuck 3/30/15

3/21/15

Outings - #3, #4, #5
PRY12 - 6.90 - 6.45
Clarity - Clear, 3ft +
Catches - 0, 0, and 0

        Looking for that 1st smallmouth of the year. No luck as of yet.

Air temps have been running near 50 to mid 50's, with overnight temps

dipping back into the low 30's or even lower. The overnight temps seem to be keeping the water temp in the low 40's. Once the water temps can reach near 50, the smallmouth bite will turn on.

I got out before work, fishing from shore, on 3/18 and 3/20. On Saturday I met up with Jim 

for a lower Kilbuck wade. It was nice to step foot in water once again. The creek looks nice and we found what seems like should be damn good areas once the water temp warms up.

"The Spot"
Photo by Jim S.

3/16/15

Outing #2
PRY12 - 7.43
Clarity - stained
Catches - 0

Stopped down at the creek for a couple hours before work. Worked a tube close to bridge pylons and also brush/strainers/log jams/downed trees, get the idea? No hits/taps/bumps/tugs, no catches.
Water looked good. It was stained, but not a heavy stain. Levels were a tad high but dropping.
Bugs buzzed around my head.

3/14/15

Outing #1
PRY12 - 8.33
Clarity - stained
Catches - 0

Let it be known that on this date (3/14/15) the 2015 search for Brutus did begin.
Hit the Kilbuck and Kish, fishing from shore, with no luck.
Water levels are running a tad high. Tossed a float and fly rig and then switched to a tube.

1/3 of 12 = HELL

It has now been pretty much 4 months since my last smallie catch.
Most of the winter I had high hopes of an early spring. Hell, we barely had any snow
on the ground on January 31st. Then February happened. From day one this February month has
been a bitch. The area received  12" of snow on Feb. 1st., followed by sub-zero temps which
ran the entire month all the way to today. I'm about sick of February.
On a good note, I met up with fishin' pal, Jim, for some breakfast and a run out to
Gander Mountain. Jim gave me a fly box he picked up that had an image burned onto it that
Jim thought looked like me with my Rushmore hat on. Thanks, Jim!

I was able to get away to Apalatchicola Florida for a few days of warmth. I didn't do any fishing
while down in the little oyster town, just had a few drinks and as much fresh shrimp as I could 
stick in my mouth. While visiting some of the shops, my wife picked me up a nice fishing journal.
I plan to use this journal as a written log on my search for Brutus.

I'll be glad to see this month of February in the past. Needless to say my
"high hopes" for an early spring have just about diminished, along with my hopes of topping my 1st. smallie catch of 2014 on April 19th. You can bet your ass I'll be trying, but I gots me a feelin' we are heading for high waters for most of the 
spring.

Jan. 17, 2015
PRY12 Gage - 6.27

2015

Here we go with a new year and another season of chasing down Brutus, the 20 inch Kishwaukee River smallmouth. The air temp on this day (1/17/15) were near

40 degrees, so I decided to make my way down to the Kish to enjoy the warm weather, stretch my legs a bit, and to just spend some time with my old friend, the Kish.

The river is about 90% froze over with a few spots that are opened. 

I walked the trails of Blackhawk Springs Forest Preserve and made my

way across the springs and snapped a couple of pics. The natural spring water temps keep

at a constant level which is somewhat above the freezing point so these springs never freeze,

and are warm enough to support algae growth.

I did scout out a couple locations on the Kish for early Spring smallmouth. :)

12/15/14 - TOE - 52Y,2.75hr.23sec.

12/15/14 (My Birthday)
Time On Earth: 52 years, 2 hours, 45 minutes, and 23 seconds.

Stopped down at the Kish for about an hour before work.
Didn't catch crap, but it's not too often I get to get out on my birthday.
Of course it had to rain on me.
Air temp 47 degrees.