My friend Bill and I floated 3 days on a river in the Southern Upper Peninsula in my personal pontoons.

Day, 1 we floated a 3 mile section of the river that we'd never been on before. The first mile was beautiful. Lots of current, rocks and fish. The last 2 miles the river went mainly to sand, and grass flats with little action. We might have caught more fish there but a strong wind against us meant if you stopped rowing, you drifted upstream. 

Day 2, was hot and sunny. For me, the pattern was senkos in the shade. A stick worm drifted along the shaded bank, was just what the smallies wanted. Unlike my float trip in the DuPage on Saturday, there were almost no dinks. Most of the bass were 14-15 inches with many 16's, and 17's with a bonus couple of 18's thrown in. There is just no quit in those river fish.

Day 3, not as hot and overcast most of the day. There was no shade line today and my pattern from yesterday wasn't happening. I switched to a #4 Mepps and concentrated on the fish that were off the bank near faster water.  Those fish ran a little smaller overall but I got more of them.

I'm exhausted but extremely happy. Lots of good sized, hard fighting smallies, a beautiful river and beautiful scenery. 4 weeks from now I get to come back and do it again.

 

an 18 incher

 

Bill Chase

 

The River

 

Another 18

 

Sounds like some sweet smallie action.

 

And that's gorgeous country up there.

 

Contras

 

A-Jay

Sounds and looks like you had a great time!

Nice, that looks like a lot fun.