Sunday wade fishing report*

I got the chance to do a little fishing this morning. I really didn't feel like dealing with launching a boat or battling the wind so I grabbed the waders, packed a few jigs and small crank baits and headed to the Grand River. The area I like to wade fish is in the Portland State Game Area and I rarely see anyone else on that stretch of river. The first spot I tried is a stretch that has a hole, maybe 5 feet at the deepest and 200-300 yards long. I was surprised to see someone else on the bottom of the run but decided to fish the top. Less than a dozen casts later I got my first strike and brought in a pretty 10 inch smallie. Not big but I love their grit. I managed to catch a few on a 1/8 oz jig with a Charlie brewer slider then a few more on a #4 Rapala in clown. I moved about a mile upstream and fished a nice rock/gravel stretch that gave up more of the same, 8-10 inch fish that fought like crazy. My biggest of the day spit the jig before I could get a thumb in his mouth and was in the 13-14 inch range. While I was fishing I got rained on, did the splits on a rock that didn't look that big under water and skinned my shin on another rock but the 4 hours of peace, quiet, and solitude was worth it. I end the day with 20 plus fish and a much better attitude.Attachment 242982Attachment 242983Attachment 242984

Great report. Sometimes bank/wade fishing is more relaxing than a boat.

Nice pics. Pretty place.

I think I know that area? I was born in Portland but we moved shortly after. Always came back for years as we had friends that lived in the area. If memory serves me, that area was called "Little Egypt" by the locals? Never knew why but I used to rabbit hunt it when we came to visit friends over new years when I was a young lad.

I think that's the area my sons and I duck hunt.....man that old road getting back there about killed me last fall with all the washouts, and holes everywhere. You could lose your suspension!
Glad you got out!

They have the road pretty well fixed now. I have spent a lot of time hunting and fishing that block of state land, mostly fishing but some duck hunting ,too. It's just around the corner from my house so its convenient when I need a bit of solitude.