February 20, 2012 / Fox River

**EAS** · 02-20-2012, 06:58 PM

Got out for a solo wade mid-afternoon and had some luck fishing a Yamamoto double-tail hula grub on a 1/8-ounce pro Slider Head and hopping it along the bottom near some boulders / rubble in waist-deep water. First bite was solid and felt like a big one. Came unhooked about 20 feet from me. Never saw it but guessing it was a smallmouth based on the fight. Had a sinking feeling after losing it because bites can be few and far between in winter. Kept the faith and ended up going 4 for 8, landing smallies at 15.75", 15.5", 17" and 13". Largest of the outing pictured.

Saw a merganser, great blue heron, belted kingfisher and bald eagle. Despite the gusty winds (which were quite chilly at times), the sun and some action helped to keep my spirits up. USGS 11.45' / 1,020 CFS. Glad to have gotten the skunk off. River fished more like late March today. Air temp made it up to 42 degrees.

**Pirate wader** · 02-20-2012, 10:48 PM

Good to see you posting again. I was hoping you would thaw out enough to get some fishing in soon. Great picture as always!

**Jump n Fish** · 02-21-2012, 11:44 AM

Beautiful pics as always. You've gotta float that thing sometime. Looks like it holds a lot of really nice fish. Probably some hogs in there when you get to more of the untouched areas.