Guys, Went and scouted out the Pike River yesterday. Just scouted without fishing. Saw a couple of huge browns. I'd guess they were at least ten pounds. Also talked to a couple of fishermen to get their tips. Anyway, the run up the river hasn't started yet because the summer has remained warm. Fish are moving close to the mouth of the river, though. In fact, charter boats are cruising 200 to 500 yards off the mouth and are taking big ones. One of the locals thinks the major run may start in another two weeks. That would be absolutely perfect! With this new information (and my personal scouting), I've somewhat revised my plan. Two or three of us should fish the mouth of the river. One guy told me they enter by the thousands when the run starts. You can almost pull them out with your hands. No need for waders at the mouth. For starters, the river is a little deep at this point. Secondly, waders are illegal at the mouth. The current into Lake Michigan can be quite strong. Two boys drowned there a couple of years ago as well as a fisherman who tried to save them. The shore line at the mouth is perfect for fishing, and at day break we should get whatever spot we want. I'm proposing that myself and at least one other guy fish the mouth. I've got good spots picked for three or four guys up the river. One of the locals told me he pulled a 40 inch salmon from one of the spots last September. Said you can actually see and feel the big ones brush by you when you're in the river. We should be set with waders. I have two pair. Dave is bringing two. John, bring yours. Curly, bring yours if you think you'd be more comfortable in something you know. Make sure all waders are chest high, not knee high. We should use 12 pound line with a steel leader. Treble hooks are preferred. I'll have them when you get here and we'll use Wednesday night to get everything set. Dave is bringing two rods and reels. I'll have three or four. John/Curly, feel free to bring your own if you would feel more comfortable. If not, let me know and Dave and I will have everything here. Current plan will be to head up to my house as soon as we've collected Andy, Curly, John and Fox from O'Hare on Wednesday afternoon. I think Fox and John get in around the same time. Curly and Andy arrive a little sooner. Dave is driving in so he'll go straight to my house. Hans may join us for a BBcue because the golfers don't start arriving until Thursday morning. Everyone will need a fishing license. The locals told me yesterday that things are strictly enforced during the run. The bait store we'll hit on Thursday morning will have licenses and trout/salmon stamps so don't worry about that detail until that time. Keep your fingers crossed and hope for a slight cold snap here on Monday or Tuesday, 9/11 or 9/12. That will send the fish into a frenzy. Gabes ------------------------------------------------------- Gabes, This fishing effort is starting to sound too complicated. Can't I just show up and drink beer? Andy ------------------------------------------------------- Andy, From the sounds of it if all you do is show up to drink beer, you may well be swept out into the mouth of the Pike River never to be seen again. Listen sport, we ain't looking to hook some three inch pan fish with your toy rod & reel. Worms all around, beers and bullshit flowin. This is about salmon that will eat you alive if you're not watchin. And 10 lb Browns lookin to fatten up for the winter. These Browns may not eat all of you in one bite, but you better wear that protective cup under your waders. J ************************************************************* Guys, I'm really getting excited. Was down at the bait store getting some tips yesterday and this kid brought by a King salmon he had just caught in the Kenosha harbor off the pier. The bleeper was 23 pounds. BLEEPING HUGE, and you should see the bleeping teeth. Went to the mouth of the river this morning. For starters, the weather has turned cooler (bring some sweat shirts or a jacket because it's always cooler at the lake front). It was in the 50s this morning. Should be on the cool side all week. Secondly, a Kenosha streets crew was dredging the mouth this morning making it easier for the fish to get in the river. Wet weather this spring had washed a lot of mud near the mouth making it more difficult for the fish to get in. An old timer was watching the dredging with me and he predicted that next week will start the frenzied run. After several conversations, I think it might be best if we all fished the mouth and the harbor, except for Fox. Casting spoons into the lake from the mouth, as well as fishing spawn packs (or worms) inside the mouth seem to be what everyone was recommending. A couple of guys should also fish the harbor from the dock. I've got three rods set with 12 pound test. Dave, you're bringing two rods, right? Just have the line on them, no leader. The guy at the bait store said that leaders detract from the spoon action. Also, those using spawn packs will have a different rig. I'll show you when you get here. The guy also recommended some jigs for the harbor. I bought 8 of them yesterday. The guy gave me the kind that have been getting the most action. We'll get one more net at the bait store on Thursday morning. I've got one already. Dave, bring a net if you have one. Nets are a must when you get these monsters by shore. Fox, we'll put you in waders and put you in the stream with the 20 pounders. You should see the bleeping teeth on these things. Wow! Gabes ******************************************************************** Boys, Just returned from the river and the mouth. Took my boys. They loved it. Saw at least two 25 pounders in the river near the Kenosha Country Club (where we looked, Dave). The fish are definitely in the upper part of the river. Went to the mouth. It was loaded with people. Saw one guy land a 30 pounder. Bleeping enormous. Saw another guy land a 12 pounder. Great fun just to watch. Saw one of Johnny's soccer coaches at the mouth and he told me he caught a 32 pounder there one year ago right now. They are in there, fellas. This guy said he was at the mouth early this morning and he saw hundreds swimming in. You can actually see them when they pour in in big numbers. I've changed my thinking a little bit. Two guys may want to put on waders and fish the upper part of the river (Dave and John, bring your waders). This 25 pounder we saw actually made waves as he was swimming upstream. The rest of us will fish by the mouth. We can start by throwing spoons into the lake right off the mouth. If we have no luck there, we'll re-rig for just inside the mouth. Believe it or not, they were hitting on Play Dough today. Red, yellow and white were most effective. We'll also be prepared with spawn packs. Consensus from all I talked to today said use a steel leader. We'll do so. Get ready boys, the general feeling at the mouth was this should be a very good week. Early forecast for Thursday is partly cloudy with a high of 80. It'll be cooler by the lake so bring some sweats for the early morning. Should be a gas. Gabes