Vermilion River

Fishing definitely slowing down. Worked hard and waded over a mile to get this one (and lose 2 others). Great weather to be out though. Gotta make the most of what's left.

Been fishing here for a few yrs and this is the first season I've caught spots here.

Best of 4 from Tuesday. Put in a lot of wade time. Really had to move around and work for them. Water very low but surprisingly low visibility, mostly due to algae. Hope things pick up soon....or else I find where they all have moved to!

Largest of 4 smallies yesterday.....and a white crappie bonus. Had to work for them. Tossed lots of lures - also caught smaller ones on small crankbaits and tubes. Water surprisingly murky, algae mostly, for this time of year. Fall is clearly on the way.

One fish can make a whole trip! Several dinks yesterday but this one made up for all of them. These inline spinners w/EWG hooks TX-rigged with a grub or paddletail are the berries. Way less snag-ups and act like a swim jig with flash and thump.

Best day in a stream yet this summer. Est 15 SMBs and a couple gorgeous long-eared sunfish (hitting lures half their size). Love catching fish on jigs I build.

Multi-species dink day! But it was a gorgeous day for wading. AND I've never caught spotted bass here before. AND I've never actually landed a gar before (hooked or "almost" hooked lots of them). Spots, smallies and shortnose gar - it like grabbing a spastic wet noodle!

Water levels finally accessible. Hooray!! Always a great day in the water!