Mike C and I have been watching the river from the office since Monday and liking the way things were shaping up. We were anticipating a good wing dam bite, and we were not disappointed. Bass, Gills, Mooneyes and Walleye made for some great action while pitching live bait to the face of the wing dams. We launched at 6am in somewhat fogy conditions so we took our time as we meandered down the Black River heading for the main channel making it to the first wing dam around 6:30.
We started pitching 1/8oz jigs with a piece of crawler on the tip of the wing dam. When this did not produce we moved the boat towards the middle and then again to the inside were we found fish. This particular wing dam also has wood piled next to shore making it even better for holding fish. With some short strikes taking place, we down sized to a 1/32oz jig and crawler and placed a bobber 2-4 feet above, just keeping the jig out of the rocks. It was the ticket for catching some nice bull gills. A few 8inch and some a little over were just the ticket for Mike’s fish fry. This 16 inch walleye Mike caught as his bobber drifted over the wing dam was a great bonus to that fish fry 
After things slowed down we picked up and moved to another wing dam. It took three different times to set up and this time we found some nice gills at the tip of the wing dam. Do not waist more than 10 minutes without a bite before moving, they may be only yards away. Casting out to the sides and letting the bobber slip across the face of the rock was irresistible to these fish. Orange seemed to be the best producer as fare as color. A 1/8oz jig pitched to the face and a slow retrieve (hoping for an eye) was slammed by the biggest gill of the day, otherwise for the most part the jig would just be raped of the crawler.
The last set up was on a closing dam which put a few more gills in the basket for Mike’s fish fry. This closing dam was teaming with biting fish and Mike and I left a lot of sore mouths there also 
Not getting greedy, Mike had himself a dozen nice gills with a bonus walleye. Not bad for a mornings work. As a note, there were nice crappies being caught in a side channel out of wood piles in deep water on minnows. It looked like Father, Son and Grandpa, they looked like they were having a hoot 
Pool 8 has shaped back up nicely. There is still some grass to contend with but nothing like last week. The bite is good, get out there people and enjoy!
Bret
Mike with a pair of average sized gills being caught.
Mike with a dandy Light action rod bending gill
Oh yea, what would a day on the river be without drifting for a few cats before heading home
And a pretty fish to boot!
There is still a good bite going on at high noon making for some rod bending, drag screaming action
With a gusty South wind on Pool 8 a trolling motor is needed to go with the flow.
This Flathead was a pleasant surprise
Mike’s Channel cat.
One more.
That there is an awesome report. Lots of nice looking fish. Looks like you guys had a great time.
Gotta love them gills!
I was out on upper 8 today with a friend and his kids and we had a great time. We caught a nice cat, a perch, couple LM, a few wipers, a few crappies, and a mess of blue gills. Bait fish were absolutely stacked at the upper end of East Channel. I’ve never seen them so thick. We found our blue gills in the Black River and caught them from the train bridge all the way up river to Copeland Park. It was one of those days when it was hard to not catch fish.
CR
Great report Bret. I would have thought the river would still be up a lot higher than that. Thanks for the report.
Nice job Bret and Mike
They were there and we caught a few decent smallies 
We hit the place you mentioned when we talked to you on the river for the bass
Cool Beans Wats
It was cool seeing you guys on the water
Great mixed bag report Bret. Love those wing dams with wood attatched! Looks like you guys had a great day!
Another great multi species day on the river with Buddy Bret.
When he gets that “fish sniffer” going look out. I finally broke the “Bret Clark catfish curse” and a few of you know what I’m talking about. 
He’s cheating somehow. 
I use the same rod/reel combination, line, swivel and hook setup and cutbait off the same fish – I even tried a little beer on the bait 
, he’s got them dialed in somehow. 
Mudshark said I just need to spend more time with him in the boat to figure it out. 
The river was busy with big boats, nice boats, floating hotels out there this weekend and that roar from a big V-8 – awesome, but the wakes I was still feeling in my recliner Saturday night.
Hope everyone had a great Labor Day Weekend and safe boating and travels. The best time of the year is right around the corner – FALL
Great report Bret. Very nice cats.
Thanks, Bill
Nice fish Bret. I was on pool 9 over the weekend and saw a lot of the same. Bluegills were numerous on the wingdams along with a few walleyes, bass, sheepies, and catfish. Some of the baitshops were even running out of nightcrawlers.
Wow! That was a great multi species report Brett!
Awesome fishery you guys got down there. Very impressive!
Boog
Great report Brett. Think i will try and take the little guy out this weekend. Nice to see bobbers are working.