Kankakee River Smallmouth and Northern Pike

Fishing has still been consistently good day in and day out. Still getting good numbers of smallmouth on topwater bugs early morning and throughout the day. Hard to go wrong with a chartreuse sneaky pete or double barrel popper. Subsurface flies are still getting it done as well when the fish aren’t taking on top. Leeches, various bat fish patterns (weighted and unweighted), and crayfish. Fishing should remain good through the month and into mid to late October. As far as the pike fishing goes, hard work has been paying off. Now that we’ve had a bit of rain the last couple weeks the bayous have filled up enough to fish. Floating the river we’ve been using sinking and intermediate lines with big unweighted flies. Big deer hair frogs and divers are also producing. I expect the pike fishing to really heat up here as the fall weather kicks in. There is only a month or so left in the season for me down there so make sure you send me a date so i can get you on the water.

Trail Creek / Salt Creek / Little cal

With most of my time being on the Kankakee this summer, I have been neglecting the local steelhead tribs. However, I still keep in touch with guys that are out stomping the creeks everyday. This colder weather is definitely going to push more fish upstream. Kings are coming, Steelhead are coming, and so are the crowds. Make sure to fish with respect for your fellow angler and for the fish. Pick up your trash and be a good steward for the watershed.