December 18, 2009
DuPage River Fishing Report: Wade fished solo at the DuPage River for about an hour and a half before sundown. Was a nice change of pace from the Fox River. The Dupe was in great shape, with the water low, slow, and relatively clear. It was nice wading on shells and sand versus the slippery chunk rock of the Fox River. I started out tossing a 5" double-tail Yamamoto Hula Grub on a 1/8-ounce Slider Head. Worked along bottom through a slow, deep eddy. Got two solid bites. Missed 'em both! Went quiet for a while so switched to a float-n-fly. Used a green, white, and silver fly (hair jig by Jonn Graham of Warrior Jigs) suspended about 16" beneath a small float. Got three bites on the float-n-fly. The first appeared to be a smallmouth bass but I lost it during the fight. Landed the second, went around 13". The third bit around 4:10 PM as the sun was very low. Great fight and measured 17.25". Was a very chunky fish with a stunning orange hue to it. Great to feel some tugs on the line and enjoy the mild weather. The air temp was 39° when I returned to my car after wading. The air temp fell quickly after sundown and light to medium drizzle turned to wet snow as I drove west to get home. Nothing like some cold water bronzeback action to end a busy week in December. USGS 5.22' / 109 CFS
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December 12, 2009
After a cold and snowy week, I visited the Fox River in Geneva and took a few photos from the area above the dam on the west side of the river. The weather was mild, with temps in the mid-30s, but there was plenty of ice formed in the slack water north of the dam from the arctic air that blasted the area several days prior. USGS 11.67' / 1,450 CFS
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December 7, 2009
First snowfall of the season. Went for an early morning hike near Blackberry Creek. The creek meanders through Kane County before emptying into the Fox River at Yorkville.
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December 6, 2009
Went for an afternoon hike through a preserve just east of the Fox River in Dundee, Illinois. Most of lakes are covered with skim ice. The air was still and despite the 35° temperature, it was pleasant to be outside and soak in the solitude of the woods. I crossed paths with a beautiful buck whitetail deer that wasn't shy for a photograph.
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December 1, 2009
Fox River Fishing Report: Wade fished solo at the Fox River about an hour and a half before sundown. The water is up and fast, but extremely clear. The sun was just right and as I waded up the east side, I could see every detail on the river bottom in waist-deep water. I got to behind a big log jam and it was absolutely loaded with suckers and quillback. I fished a long, slow eddy and only managed one largemouth bass about 13" on the hula grub slow along the bottom. Tried the float-n-fly for about an hour but nothing. Waded back after sunset and it sure was easy coming down river My legs were pretty cold, even with the neoprene waders. USGS read 11.97' / 2,170 CFS. By comparison, when I fished there with Jonn Graham nine days earlier and it was 11.65' / 1,410 CFS. The speed of the river was way too fast to cross today. Felt lucky to squeak out one bass, and was glad to get and enjoy the 54° air temp!
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