DCA 5/10/07

[fishpoint]

Took the day off and shot at the Des Plaines Conservation Area. It was awesome! The largemouth buffaloes were up close to the shore along with some carp (and a bunch of watersnakes). Final tally: 15 buffalo and 15 commons. Largest fish was a 30.5" common; I left my scale at home so I don't know how much it weighed but it looked like a female with eggs.

It's finally getting goodup north!

[CHZHead]

Fantastic! Looks like I need to schedule another Sat. or Sun. and drive down again!

[Bulzeye]

Good to hear.
It's not always easy from shore.

[fishpoint]

I've observedthat the best time to walk the shore at the DCA is the1st week of May through the2nd week of June (right now!). Fishing is bestafter a heavy rain, temps in 70 or 80s, and sunny.If the water level is low it is tough to find the fish near shore. The fish always seem to disappeararound 10:30- 11:00 AM.

When conditions are right, Judd takes a day off work and puts on the waders!

I did catch one more thing: my annual case of poison ivy.

[bowman15]

ORIGINAL: fishpoint
I did catch one more thing: my annual case of poison ivy.

That sucks. I'm so glad I'm immune!

[Bulzeye]

Thanks for the tips Judd.
I have to get out there. I haven't had much luck in the exact spot you PM'd me with. Maybe it's been my timing.

BTW, I was out wading for an hour at Buffalo City the other day on the DesPlaines.
The water was murky as heck, but the gar were rolling by the pool where all the buffs hang, just on the edge of the main current.

Got 3 fish total (already in the fish count Bill) 1 carp, 1 buff, and a skinny little longnose. They all fought like heck, except for the 2 I hit in the head, and the one I spined. [8D]It was like silient sniping. WHACK...and then an erie silence. Almost took the fun out of it. Almost.

[KBI-PREZ]

That's the reason im not a wader Snakes there an unnatural occurance they dont even have feet im tellin ya if i had to wade id stay home.......im not kiddin...

[Bulzeye]

if i had to wade id stay home.......im not kiddin...

You big 'ole Wuss.
They are so quite that you won't even see them coming until they are right on you.

[deer_predator]

I did catchone more thing: my annual case of poison ivy.
[/quote]

I found the best thing for the ivy is a cream called "Zanfel". It is quite expensive, but it normally clears it up within 24 hrs. The itching pretty much stops instantly.

Hope it helps!

[fishpoint]

Thanks for the tip; I've had so many cases of poison ivy that I can stand downwind and develop a rash so I have to be really careful. I also had the pleasure of removing a tick from scalp - I am clearly embracing nature.

I do like walking the bank - it feels more like hunting.