Buffalo City! (new pics)
 

Happy Father's Day to me !!! :D:D

I found a place today right near one of my reliable carp haunts where you can wade in about a footof clear rushing water and nail buff after buff as they come up stream towards a spillway. There was also a quiet clear pool up closer to the dam where I could see 6 or 7 at a time. I'd shoot one, and the rest would scatter for a minute while I got him on my stringer, and then they'd be back when I got nocked-up again.

I didn't stay in any one place very long since I was exploring new territory and was hoping to find some gar out near the gravel mounds, but didn't see a single one. If I had gotten out earlier and stayed in the 2 magic spots I found, I could have gotten plenty more.

I got 5buffs (pics to come), which I gave away to some guys going after catfish, and a small carp that I couldn't pay anybody to take (go figure). I ran into a nice big snapper the size of a hubcap who will probably dine on it later if he gets there before the racoons do.

The bank fishermen were cheering so loud whenever I nailed one that I could hear them from a good 70 yards away, even over the white noise of the churningwater. They thought it was quite cool. I think I could have sold about half of them bowfishing setups right then and there.

When I got up this morning, my wife asked me what I wanted to do for Father's Day, and I answered in one word:
"Iwanttogobowfishingbyenowgottagoloadupthecarhoney Iwillseeyouatnoonforlunch." [8D]

The Good Lord saw fit to bless me today with a good peaceful morning of fishing, and a brand new spot to go. Can't ask for much more.

RE: Buffalo City!
 

Yep, know the feeling. This last saturday down at the carlyle bust, we were able to give our carp and buffalo to some asian people. They were trilled, wish i would have had a few big heads to give to them. I just love to shoot them but throwing them away always seems like a waste. Was great to see some one thrilled to get them. They did not speak much english, so with a lot of hand signals we got the job done, They sure did no 'Thank you' tho..

RE: Buffalo City!
 

No it's not. Fisheries biologists and your IL native fish thank you.

RE: Buffalo City!
 

Glad to hear you've found a good spot!

RE: Buffalo City!
 

Mark, it's only about 20 mins from DPCA.
I'll show you where.
There is a silt filled backwater on one side fo the river that's good for a few carp, and the buffs run on the other side in the gravel along the weeds. There are always guys there looking for cats.
They're starting to look forward to seeing mecoming, since I usually double or tripple the amount of fish they take home. :)

RE: Buffalo City!
 

Great outing! I'd like to know what body of water you were bowfishing; I'm always interested in new places close to home!

RE: Buffalo City!
 

It's on the Des Plaines, just outside Joliet.
I went back Wedneday morning, but carp were the only ones running.
The light was real bad with the rain moving in.
Only got 3 shots in an hour, but got 2 decent fish.
One carp had been shot before right through both gill plates, and healed!
Maybe catch and release does work for bowfishing. [8D]

I'mheading back out there Sunday morning with a new guy.
Weather looks good, so if anybody wantsto meet then, post here or PM me. There is a spot we can meet by the highway, and I'll lead you in from there.

Fishpoint? Mark S? Bowman? JRW?

We could always use a photographer/videographer, Steve. :)

RE: Buffalo City!
 

I'll give a call if I can make it. Give me a call and let me know whattime you're planning on meeting?

RE: Buffalo City!
 

The best action so far has been early, like before 9am, so I'm going to get there around 6am.

RE: Buffalo City!
 

Normally I'd try to meet you, but things aren't too good with work and I'm heading out of town for a week. Trying to play catch-up!