Ideally I would have liked to go to North Aurora. It's the only dam I'll fish near and I'll only do it in the fall. When the conditions are good, the fishing is good.
But things were hardly ideal. The river was up, muddy a flowing a little fast. I opted for the crap plant where I would at least be able to fish some clearer water.
I got in the river a couple hundred feet down from the start of the outflow. I decided to fish downstream first, giving the sun a chance to get lower in the sky before hitting the start of the outflow.
I quickly got a couple of hits and missed a couple of fish. Another 100 feet down stream I got a hard hit, a tug hard enough to feel the weight of a nice fish and to make my drag hum and then nothing. It was going to be another one of those days like I've been having all year. Lots of missed fish, especially the big ones. This day was disheartening because I may not get out much more. I headed for the source of the flow.
At the source I quickly picked up 3 fish and then the bite died.
This happens here when the skies are so clear. The fish seem to like the overcast days better, or when the light is not so bright in general. With some daylight left I headed back down stream.
Missed another small fish back where I had started. When I got about 50 feet past where I lost the heavy fish I got a hard hit and set the hook good. All hell broke loose. I knew I hooked it good and was not going to lose it. Even thought the current wasn't that strong, the fish made hard downstream runs that got my drag humming. I knew it was just a matter of playing it out.
I brought to hand what turned out to be a 16 inch smallie.
If the good weather and my time don't coincide, this could be my last fish of the year. Not only a nice way to end the day, but also the year.
I made a few more casts, but it was now just dark enough that I couldn't see where my lure was landing. A slight haze was coming off the field to the west. Someone downstream was burning leaves and a trail of smoke was lazily making it's way upstream. Perfect time to call it quits.
I hopped up on shore and started hiking through the tall grass. While in the water my legs felt pretty good. But now on shore with the heavy water soaked boots my legs were starting to feel the burn. The last stretch is up a hill, usually no big deal. But my legs were on fire at this point and every step hurt.
By the time I got to the top of the hill I was panting a couldn't catch my breath. I could barely feel my legs except for what felt like needles poking through them. Not being able to catch my breath is extremely unusual for me. Pretty much never happens. Back at the car I quickly sucked down a half quart of water and sat still for a couple of minutes. I quickly went back to normal. I guess I was more tired than I thought and had pushed myself just a little to hard all day.
Felt kind of good.
I'm sitting here now typing up these stories as a way to keep myself awake. If I relaxed in a chair or propped myself up in bed I would pass out immediately. It was too early for that. No matter how tired I get it's rare that I sleep more than 6 hours. Been that way my whole life. I guess there's just too much on any given day to see and do. Why waste away the day sleeping.
If I had the time, I'd do it all over again tomorrow.
