Even though the Fox River is a very urban river, it’s possible to find locations that offer a little solitude and some outstanding fishing. Some areas will have you amazed at their beauty while others will have rush hour traffic passing by as you release your 20th bass of the day. Whether urban or more secluded, a wading and walking trip on the Fox is well worth your efforts.

Initial areas offered for guided trips are:

• Geneva through Yorkville
• Select areas below Yorkville
• Select tributaries

Each year I learn new stretches of the Fox River and will offer to guide there as I gain confidence in the areas' ability to produce a worthwhile fishing experience.

• Trips are geared towards your wading confidence and skill level.
• Spinning–fly fishing–baitcasting–bring your favorite rod.
• Urban or more secluded–your choice.
• Half day trips–morning or afternoon.

Anglers using spinning and baitcasting gear should bring a medium to medium light rod spooled with 6, 8 or 10 pound test line. Bring your favorite selection of lures and I will be giving you a sampling of my favorite jigs and twisters.

Fly fisherman should bring rods 7 to 9 feet long in 4 to 8 weights. Weight forward/floating line with 9 foot tapered leaders or fast sinking line or sinking tips with 2 to 4 foot leaders will work.

I will be bringing along a selection of flies tied by Bob Long Jr. and Tom Chamberlain, two locally and nationally known fly fishermen. These flies are tied specifically for the pursuit of smallmouth bass in rivers and the selection I have will accomodate floating or sinking line.

No matter what you choose to fish with, you must be willing to experiment with your gear and your techniques. There are no set rules to catching river fish, get the lure to the fish, no matter what it takes.

We will be fishing primarily for smallmouth bass, but will take anything that swims. And, as you can see, we’ll catch the occasional river creature that can’t swim. This one was released.

Keep one eye on the shore and you’re likely to see deer, beaver, muskrat, groundhog, and mink. Keep the other eye on the sky and you might see blue and green herons, red-tail hawks, osprey, kingfishers, all types of ducks and geese and the occasional great horned owl. One fall day I had the privilege of seeing a flock of at least 50 hawks migrating down the river. I have a feeling that was one of those once in a lifetime moments.

There are no guarantees of going out and catching a fish, some days are just like that. But go back to the same spot the next day, or a spot that looks just like it, use the same lures and techniques and you might have the best fishing experience of your life.