Mississippi River - Alton Pool (Pool 26)

Matt and I headed out on the Mississippi River again this evening. Overcast skies with a slight mist. The river was on the rise (it rained all day yesterday) and the barometer was also on the rise. We decided to check out the lower part of the river near Portage. We put in at Hideaway Harbor and ran south to the power plant. They weren't pushing water, so we didn't stay long. Next was a back slough I had marked. Turned out to be all dried up so we continued south to Harbor Point Marina. The bait fish were going crazy in there. We threw everything at them. Working the docks and the rocks. The depth throughout the harbor was about 5 feet. Water temperature was 62. We caught nothing. I really don't believe there are bass in the river, but people keep telling me there are. Matt did get hit with a Japanese Carp. Damn thing got us as we were leaving and slimed the bottom of my boat. I think the whole south end of the river is crap unless the water is high. Water levels at Grafton were at 17.42 and Winfield was at 23.56 at 8:00 when we pulled out. Hopefully this weekend goes better than our river trips have gone. We'll probably miss next Tuesday and pick it up again on May 12th. - cld

Mark Twain Lake - Little Indian, Lick & Dry Fork

Les and I had the opportunity to take the day off today and get up to Mark Twain Lake for a little crappie fishing. The weater forecast was right on target. High of 84 (it reached 87) with winds out of the SSW at 20-30 with partial overcast. Minus the wind, a beautiful spring day. Well, we weren't the only ones with this idea. The lake was packed. We left St. Charles at 6:45 and pulled off the trailer just after 9:00. We decided to start on the north side of the lake and made a quick run up to Little Indian Creek. We went about half way back and worked the edge of the tree line off the edge of the bank. As we worked our way back out I caught our first fish of the day. A 12" crappie. OK, we figured this was not going to be a bad day. The water temp up there was 52°, so it was a bit on the cooler side. No spawning yet. That was the last bite we had up there so after about 2 hours we decided to run back down south and check out Lick Creek. I guess I'm use to the lake being high because it seemed really low, but it was right at normal pool (609.6). We hit a couple coves back in Lick Creek, and found nothing except shelter from the wind. The water temp was much warmer. 57° in the main creek. Next we ran up into Dry Fork, with the rest of the people on the lake. One thing that everyone had in common, no one was catching fish. Most people had one or two, but that was it. After working back up into Dry Fork, I caught one small male and on the way out Les landed a good sized crappie, we were done for the day. 3 fish in the livewell is not a spectacular day. However, the water temp in Dry Fork was 61°, so with a little luck, we will be on target next weekend. Otherwise it will be a VERY long weekend. I have to make mention that we talked to some really nice folks on the water today. There are always those that would rather spit on you than say hello, but for the most part everyone was talkative and sharing information. A lot of people from Illinois and a few fellow Skeeter Owner's from Hannibal, Mo. Here is the Google Earth file from the trip. Hopefully we will get back on the river Tuesday evening before making the run back up to Mark Twain Friday night (Sat., Sun. & Mon.). - cld

A Better Day for Morels

Although we didn't find many, at least we got a start. A few yellows were east/northeast facing slope. They were new. Probably laszt night or this morning. I really want to try one of the islands on the river, but if I'm on the river, I might as well be fishing.

Mississippi River - Alton Pool (Pool 26)

Adam and I made a quick run on the river tonight. We got on the river around 6:00 or so and ran south to Aiport Lake. We rolled in there and it looked promising. Water temp was between 57° and 58° and really shallow. Majority of the time we were in 2 foot of water. The river is falling with Grafton at 18.36 and Windfield TW at 23.64. Basically, at Riverside it was just inside the bank across from the ramps. So if the water is down, you can't really get in there. But man it looked promising. We threw white and red spinners and then a black with a big carolina blade. Adam threw a black and blue jig and then a small Zera Spook. Nothing. I cannot wait until the first bass I (or anyone with me) catches on the river. Right now I don't think they are in there. At the same time, if we can learn to fish the river, we can fish anywhere. The boat ran great. We found out that when you slow down from 60 to go over a boat wave, you should probably slow way down, not just down to 50. Let me just say that both Adam and I were shaking a bit after we got the boat running flat again. But all-in-all everything keeps right on clicking with the boat. We've got a lot more places to fish. I haven't ruled out Airport Lake. We only fished the upper portion. We did not fish down around the docks where its about 3 to 4 foot of water. Bitch is, how in the hell do those boats get in there when the water is at normal level. We're fishing again Saturday morning, but we're taking Savannah so I doubt we run that far. Keep fishin' keep learnin' that's all we can do.

Morels... Finally

My buddy Jeff finally found our first morels of the season yesterday. Hopefully by Friday we'll have a couple pounds.

Pre Spawn Bass Fishing - Route J Lake

Henry and I got out EARLY on Friday morning, the water was very stained from the rain and snow but we finally figured out what they were hitting on. We threw everything from crankbaits to worms, the only bites we got were on black and blue jigs. When I was pulling in my first fish Henry was already tying on a black and blue jig before I got the fish to the boat. All together we landed 4 fish all day weighing in at a 14lb bag, not bad for two guys. As we were moving through the grass that was about to start growing big, we moved a ton of fish... each of these fish were 5lb+, no lie. Can't wait to get back there in a few weeks when the water is clear and pitch pig and jigs at these monsters.

 
 
 
 

Mississippi River - Alton Pool (Pool 26)

First time out by myself. Got on the water around 9:00. Air temp was 60F with overcast skies. Sun poked threw every now and then. Electronics showed a rising barometer most of the morning and then switched to steady. Ran up to Cuivere Slough and headed up in a creek. It was 8' deep at the mouth but got deeper as I went back. 11' was about as deep as it got. Started throwing a blue jig w/a blue craw trailer at flooded timber, then switched to a shad rap along the edges of the creek channel. Water was out of the banks so I tried to keep it along the edge of the flooded timber. Had something bump it, but nothing other than that. Then I switched to a white spinner w/a bleeding hook, but nothing on that either. Then I made a run to Woodland Marina. On my way there I hit 67 @ 5300 going down river in a little chop. I was pretty stoked about it. I think I can get more out of her, but so far so good. Threw a shad rap and a jerk bait up in Woodland. Nothing. Water temp in the creek was 54F at Woodland it was a bit off of that at 52F. Water is still up, but falling.

Mississippi River - Alton Pool (Pool 26)

Matthew, Savannah and I went out on the Mississippi around 4:00 Saturday afternoon. We fished St. Louis Yacht Club Marina. Water temp was right around 50F but fluctuated up to 53F and down to 48F by the end of the day. We fished for about an hour. Both of us started with Jerk Baits and then Matt switched to a jig and craw and I switched to a Shad Rap (7'-11' suspending). We got 2 hits in the hour we fished. Both were out in the middle between the docks. They just tapped the bait. I'm thinking they weren't bass. It was a good trip & Savannah loved it. Air temp was about 65-68 with blue skies and a bit of wind. Water was up and over the bank at Riverside.