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The crappie are still biting on minnows and lures. They should be fun to catch over the next couple weeks before the Walleye get more active. I am going to be going out today to test some new bait. I am pretty certain it will work well. Its a perfect day to spend on the river.

Its a good sign when the crappie start to hit on larger baits. It means they are becoming more active and easier to catch. I was casting with a large 3/4 ounce Cleo towards a small pile of branches expecting to pull out a northern or walleye but I was suprized with a nice sized crappie. I think I am going to pick up a couple dozen 2 inch fathead minnows and hook them in the back and see if I can catch enough crappie to make for dinner.

Moms 2nd day on the river fishing. She caught a nice catfish that gave her a reasonable fight. It was funny trying to show her how to hold it so that its pokers didn’t stab into her. She did best holding its mouth and gripping on the sandpaper teeth and using its weight to force its mouth to stay open. I think she has the fishing bug now. Can’t waite for her to hook into somthing big and mean. But she is happy catching even the little ones.

I have also been catching several good eating sized bluegills. I don’t typically keep any of them but I have been considering keeping a few of the larger ones. I have also been told that the medium and smaller ones work great for catching the monster flat heads. I am considering giving that a try one night when sky is clear and the moon is able to reflect off the river. I have a special spot where I believe the Flathead are bedding down in a hole.

This carp was a fun one to catch. I saw him hovering under a tree in a shady spot. I could only see the tail in the water so I was unsure what type of fish it was until I had it hooked.

My mom decided to get her license so she could go fishing with me during the week. She hasn’t fished in about 15 years so everything about fishing is very new to her. This is a picture of her holding her first fish.

Lots of plains have been flying over head while I was on the river the last couple days. I tried to snap a few pictures but they turned out to be more of pictures of clouds. The noise they made was weird it didnt sound or feel that loud but it left a small ripple on the river.

I am going to blain the Rockford Air Show for why I don’t have any good fish pictures to share from the weekend.

Having some fun catching Northern casting different lures. They seem to like anything with yellow orange and green. So I have been sticking to pearch style lures. The Northern are sticking really close to cover so casting into thick downed trees or rough rocks seams to do the magic. I havent had any luck yet this year landing any of the larger ones but sooner or later It will happen. I am considering going back out today. I want to try flipping some live bait with an agressive hook a couple inches above a stick pile I found at the end of the day yesterday.

Grilled up some burgers brats and dogs tonight. Turned out really good. I am over full.

Had Mel Jason Austin Taylor and Baby Cailey over. We ate good and played hard after. Austin and Taylor wrestled pretty rough until I gave up. I dont have the energy to keep up with both of them anymore.