Pike River

[pmjasper]

No fish in close this weekend and the mouth was closed on Sat and Sunday. Yesterday's winds started to re-open the mouth, so hopefully we'll see some fish coming in soon. Can't we just all grab a shovel amd start digging???

[pmjasper]

Well the winds are killing me for tomorrow so it looks like I'll run up to the boat, do a little work and then check out the Pike to see if anything is going on.

[pmjasper]

I'll be tying up some wooly buggers soon and getting ready for the run. we'll see how it goes. Thanks again.

[blitzfish]

No problem. I started putting more time and effort into the Milwaukee 2 years ago and have had great success with it. Most of the time I am fishing spots where no one else is around and there is beautiful scenery. Just bring your walking shoes and you can find some gold... or in this case chrome!

[pmjasper]

Thanks Blitzfish.

I hit the Root most of the time but the mob of people there just take some of the enjoyment out of it. I started fishing the Milwaukee last fall with some success but need to put more time in there. The Pike has such good looking water and so quaint but in fishing it in similar fashoin to the other rivers that I've had success in, I just haven't caught anything but a few suckers. I figure this fall might give me an opportunity to break the skunk. I'm hoping.

[blitzfish]

It can be a tricky river, but to tell you the truth I've only fished it a hand full of times. Just because your only seeing a few fish doesn't mean they are there I would say 90% of fish aren't visible to us. I would also say that 90% of the fish I catch I don't see until they are jumping out of the water!!! lol It can take some time to read spots where fish are. They could be in the runs, the could be in the pools, but very rarely are they in the riffles during the daytime. My best spots tend to be runs though. Just keep looking and don't give up!!!

[pmjasper]

Almost that time again when the fish will start running up the rivers. Now for asthetics, I love the Pike River, as it's small, usually quiet and a pretty little stream but for fishing........I can't figure this place out.

No doubt the set-up at the mouth of the river really stops some consistent runs from moving through but with all the fish in Lake Michigan you would think that I could hit a good day or two in the Pike. I fish it with a 6wt, smaller flies and usually fishing the indicator method but still nada, nothing, zilch. In fact, I've only really seen 2 to 4 steelhead during all my trips there.

I'm thinking I'll give it some more shots once the salmon start running and hope for the best but for now it's kicked my butt.

[pmjasper]

Thanks Cat Man.

You talk to different people you get different answers. I like the exploring side of wading a "new" river but with my time being limited to weekends, like most, I want to fish where there are fish. I've gotten mixed answers about the Pike near PETS, some say don't even bother during the fall while others say you can pick a few fish from the right holes. In spring, with higher water, they tell me it offers a bit more opportunity but more anglers as well. We'll see.

Thanks again for the information. I really do appreciate it.

[Cat Man J.J.]

It looks like you're more of a fly fisherman so if you stick to the Petrifying Springs / Parkside University spawning areas and do a little map quest research you don't need my help.
Between Parkside and Carthage College is pretty much all private land except the access where the river crosses Hy E and that spot is popular with the Illinios fisherman and gets hit pretty hard.
The Hy E area by the Kenosha Country Club golf course used to be good when the damn was there and they let you on the course to fish.
But now the damn has been removed and the course is posted.
From Carthage to the mouth at the lake is a little wider and slower water but is an excellent spot for fresh fish from the lake staging before they make the run up to spawn.
Because 90% of the people fish the mouth I love this stretch for floating spawn.
J.J.

[pmjasper]

Thanks for the offer. I'm waiting to see what this rain will do and then will go from there. If the levels look too high I may just tie more tube flies. Believe me though....I'd rather be out fishing. Thanks again and Happy Thanksgiving.