The morning sun was lighting the morning sky as we stepped into the river. I pointed out the need to shuffle-walk to Dave. There are big rocks, bricks, cinder-blocks, and boulders of all sizes in the Fox river and shuffling is the best way to not trip right over something and fall in.
Dave also took to the river drift fishing rig setup well. It always takes a few moments to mentally change gears and realize the best way to catch fish isn't always the frantic-lure-chucking method. The drift method allows one to slow down and enjoy the surroundings as well as use real food to help attract and catch fish of all species. If it swims and holds to bottom cover as expected it can be caught using this method.
After explaining how to read current and where are the better places to drift we both began working current seams and bridge pilings.
As luck and good fishing karma would have it Dave scores first with the first fish; a cute juvenile channel catfish.
The Fox has been "ON" for catfish based on my wading Sunday and again this Wednesday July 4, 2012. The In-Fisherman has an article in a recent magazine where the writer states by observation he's found the best time for catching channel catfish is in whenever the Junebugs are active in your region. That makes sense to me as I saw my first Junebug of the year this past Sunday.
My Junebug theory held true when I hooked into a good sized channel cat while drifting a worm.
Dave appeared to be off and fishing the wrong cover. I figured I'd let him do that for a few minutes then point out where he'd have a better chance of catching fish. I said I figured I would do it and not that I did because this happened:
I really wanted Dave to hook into a smallie as they are my favorite river pursuit however one can't argue with what turned out to be another 20 fish day.
I did catch a dink smallie but Dave was the Cat-Master of the day. He also must be reading my blog or listening to my stories because before he removed the hook from the fish he'd be sure to give it a touch with his index finger; You touch it, you caught it.
I hooked another big cat, let it pull drag and tire out then brought it to me in the water, lifted the cat's head out by the Trilene XT 6# Mono and slid my hand under the fish's belly to be able to lift it up when...Snap....bloop....no more fish. At least I touched it! ;-)
The above video shows Dave hooked into the final big cat for the day. He handled it well and brought it in for the photo.
We worked some more river but only got bit by the cute little juvenile cats. Catching is catching though so beating the skunk accomplished we waded to shore and left the river.
We were sweaty, warm, a bit tired, and thoroughly exhilarated from Dave's first wade.
Later, after a nap I headed back to Dave's neighborhood for their annual Fourth of July festivities.
Dave's wife pulled me aside and let me know how much Dave had enjoyed being out, wading, and catching in the river. Dave pulled me aside and said the same thing.
I'm glad he enjoyed himself. I'm happy that I was able to get a friend involved in a way to fish that I enjoy. This was Dave's first wade but it won't be his last!
After explaining how to read current and where are the better places to drift we both began working current seams and bridge pilings.
As luck and good fishing karma would have it Dave scores first with the first fish; a cute juvenile channel catfish.
The Fox has been "ON" for catfish based on my wading Sunday and again this Wednesday July 4, 2012. The In-Fisherman has an article in a recent magazine where the writer states by observation he's found the best time for catching channel catfish is in whenever the Junebugs are active in your region. That makes sense to me as I saw my first Junebug of the year this past Sunday.
My Junebug theory held true when I hooked into a good sized channel cat while drifting a worm.
Dave appeared to be off and fishing the wrong cover. I figured I'd let him do that for a few minutes then point out where he'd have a better chance of catching fish. I said I figured I would do it and not that I did because this happened:
I really wanted Dave to hook into a smallie as they are my favorite river pursuit however one can't argue with what turned out to be another 20 fish day.
I did catch a dink smallie but Dave was the Cat-Master of the day. He also must be reading my blog or listening to my stories because before he removed the hook from the fish he'd be sure to give it a touch with his index finger; You touch it, you caught it.
I hooked another big cat, let it pull drag and tire out then brought it to me in the water, lifted the cat's head out by the Trilene XT 6# Mono and slid my hand under the fish's belly to be able to lift it up when...Snap....bloop....no more fish. At least I touched it! ;-)
We worked some more river but only got bit by the cute little juvenile cats. Catching is catching though so beating the skunk accomplished we waded to shore and left the river.
We were sweaty, warm, a bit tired, and thoroughly exhilarated from Dave's first wade.
Later, after a nap I headed back to Dave's neighborhood for their annual Fourth of July festivities.
Dave's wife pulled me aside and let me know how much Dave had enjoyed being out, wading, and catching in the river. Dave pulled me aside and said the same thing.
I'm glad he enjoyed himself. I'm happy that I was able to get a friend involved in a way to fish that I enjoy. This was Dave's first wade but it won't be his last!
