Small Stream School

[DTro]

As I slipped on my waders and tucked my bait puck in my pocket, I wondered if the creek clarity had improved since the chocolate milk looking river it was just a few weeks ago and what changes the high water might have brought this spring to my favorite creek chub spots.

I walked down the bank and surveyed how the creek meandered around bends making obvious ambush points for fish to take advantage of. I spied a particular spot that made a wide sweeping bend that created a slack water seam. I threaded a small piece of worm onto my ice jig and tossed it at the downstream side of the fast current, and gave tension until the jig hit the seam and then let it drop. As the jig sank and made its way slowly back upstream, I squinted against the backdrop of the evening sun and carefully watched my monofilament line for any signs of life. After about 5 seconds of exposure in the slackwater eddy, I see the line slightly twitch and I set the hook...BAIT ON! The chub darts back and forth battling my UL rod and 4lb test taking a couple of good runs and even leaping in the air in an effort to toss the hook. This time I win and he slips into my hand and I take a moment to admire the size of the chub and the protruding “horns” on its head in full display for the spawn. I then quietly place him into my bucket to start his journey of bringing a second smile to my face sometime in the near future.

Baitfishing can not only be a lot of fun and save you a few bucks, it can also be a great learning experience. As I’ve waded around in search of chubs and shiners, I’ve learned a lot about how the stream flows and how fish relate to structure, flow, and current seams. I constantly ask myself; why is that chub there, why are the bigger ones segregated in this spot and the smaller ones over there, why did they quit biting, why are they not here at all today?

Then with some of those questions answered, I try and apply the same logic to the bigger river. I take a look at those wide sweeping bends and the seam where the water turns and starts making its way back upstream, or how a slight cut in the bank makes a slackwater pool or where there is a harder gravel riffle area with faster current then quickly slows as the bottom turns to mud or silt. These are the same areas that I typically find the chubs hanging out in the small streams, and the same normally holds true for the bigger river. I think to myself, "that looks like that one spot on the creek, just much bigger". More times than not, you will find that there will be a few Catfish there waiting for an easy meal (just like those chubs).

If you get a chance, take a look at Google satellite maps and find a small stream near you. Then throw on a pair of waders, grab an UL rod and some worms and start walking. It’s some of the best studying you can do to improve your odds out on the big water and save a few bucks and burn some calories at the same time.

Just watch your back though, as these rural creeks are prime Sasquatch locations.

Well, my bait tank is full and I'm off to the river...

[Roman_K]

Great read, and good luck fishing.

[nsnutter]

Great writeup Darren. I too love to catch creek chub, suckers, heck trout as well in fast moving clear streams. As I always say, bait fishing is half the fun! Good luck today Darren, I'm about to embark on some bait fishery, then meander down to the river myself.

[Mr Special]

Darren,

when and where should i meet you today? lol

if you want to hit the river towards the metro more look me up my boat is ready as well.

good luck bro

[Gordie]

Great stuff DTro. I'm really jealous Sturgeon to creek chubs it doesnt get any better than that oh yes it does flattie time

[Shack]

Good read DT

At first I was questioning the legitimacy of this post:

As I slipped on my waders and tucked my bait puck in my pocket

Sounds like something that occurs down on Washington Ave. around 3:30am.

[Roman_K]

HAHA, good one Shack!

[MinnesnowtaWild]

Sounds like a good time on the bait stream.

[dan z]

catching bait is one of the times you can sit back and realize that we (baitcatchers) have pride in what we put on the rod to catch another smile

[Gordie]

yea Dan there are times when fishing for bait is as about as much fun as fishing for what we'll use it for. Have had lots of laughs catching bait.