Small river canoe run

Following a tradition going on 30 years a group of friends and family met with canoes and gear at our usual spot on a small,south west Wisconsin stream.
This has been the latest start we have ever had,our Wisc.opener was pushed back (by our choice) due to the high and very dirty water on the first Sat.of May.
Targeting smallies with the plastics and crankbaits has produced some exciting times on these smaller streams through the years with this week-end being no exception.
Greeted with a cloudless,warm morning the crew started to pick up fish right away.

The river is running very high at this time but the water clarity is exceptional.
Keys for picking up fish on these trips is making sure you have an adequate anchor that can stop you quickly.Reading the waters ahead and picking out the small seams and slower spawning areas then fishing them thoroughly led to alot of fiesty males.
As many of you know,smallies are a scrappy lot but added to that,fighting them while anchored along with the rapid current made for some great battles.
The females were another story.These girls are a little late showing this year,I believe out of 6 groups only two fat females were caught and released.As the water continues to drop and warm at the same time the small stream fishing should start heating up.

A few bonus fish made their way into the canoe this year along with the smallies.
With the high flow, walleyes can migrate up this river chasing minnows along the way.Plenty of deep water along with unlimited bait supplies the eyes will set up camp and hopefully stay around for the season.
Usually,when the water cools in the fall the walleyes will head back to the big river but in the mean time make for pleasant surprises when smacking your crank bait.Catching a small river eye will usually have you stretching your tape in the 12″-16″ range but yesterday I did connect with a 19 “er.This walleye smacked a jointed shad rap in Blue-silver 3 times before getting hooked up directly underneath the anchored canoe.A great fight with the “white tip” pounding the deep gravel in traditional walleye fashion.

Stopping off in a large, hard pan flat,my partner Tom and I heaved weight and set up to play with the many carp and white suckers that swim these waters.
Not really having any heavier gear I decided to take my chances with my 5 1\2 ft.light action spooled with 4 lb.power pro.After a short wait with a lively crawler I set the hook on a heavy fish that instantly made a huge bull run.I knew it was a carp but for 15 minutes I really had no way to tell of it’s size. After finally getting the beast to lay on it’s side next to the canoe, then getting both hands on her only then did I see the mass of this underfished and ill treated specimen.A fight to remember for sure!
Making a guess this fish came in around the twelve pound mark.Sorry guys,didn’t give this one a farewell kiss but was proud to slide her back into the cold, clear water to do her thing.

Meeting up with the crew for our standard afternoon shore feast is when the stories started rolling about the great day everyone was having.
Sizzling steaks along with plenty of ice cold refreshments made for another perfect run for our crew.

Amazing how quickly the day can fly by,you never want it to end,but laying awake at the end of the day and thinking back is when you realize how special traditions can be and how fortunate you are to be able to go along for the ride!

The baits that produced the most action today were 4’ring worms and other plastics.Black and purple producing well.Crank baits,especially the jointed shad raps did well also with a few of the guys doing their best on no.2 and 4 mepps in the brown bucktail.Get it close,slow it down and bang…..you’ve got action!
Remember fellas,catch, photo and release.These small streams are great but treat them right,your kids will thank you.