Went out on Saturday for a little field hunting. I thought it might be good with it being a little colder and the wind. Not much moving though. We had two small groups of geese come by and take a look, but they weren't interested. I think I am going to get a layout blind this year and try to be a little more mobile. Some guys I know have been hunting up by Batchtown and report that they are getting into some pretty good action on some mixed bags of ducks. I might take a day or two off this week. With the weather warming up into the 70s by Wednesday I think I will make one more trout fishing trip and then try ducks or pheasant on Friday.

I heard shooting from down on the river while I was in my stand above Alton. The farm I hunt is right on Piasa Creek. Sounded like they were doing ok down there.

Where you go for trout? Only trout I know about down here are one lake at Peabody for about 2 weeks until they're all caught, and Devil's Kitchen. Also phesant? I did the Carlyle hunt once. Good for dog training, but the birds aren't that bright. Matter of fact guys without a dog weren't getting much shooting. We followed a group of 4 guys with no dog after they finished a field, a buddy and I and our 2 dogs, and got 3 outta there they just walked right by.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y2/bob--o/phesants.jpg

We fly fish over in MO. We are just going to do a day trip so we go to a little private stream by Meremac springs called Windrush Farms. The trout parks are closed for a couple of weeks and we don't want to drive all the way down to the Current River. This place has about two miles of steam with some nice rainbows in it. We just fish catch and release there. You can also pay by the pound if you want to keep fish. Supposed to be really warm so we aren't going hunting.

I've heard about Windrush, said it's pretty nice. Do they charge a daily fee? My bro and I are die hard flyfishers. Know what oyu mean about the Current. Good fishing but quite a drive for just a day trip.

They charge a $35 daily fee for catch and release. It is a small steam that is set up like a steam in the Smokies with small waterfalls emptying into pools. I hate to pay to fish but when the alternative is the trout parks and the crowds it is definetly worth it. Go during the week and you will probably be the only person there. Nice sized fish too.

If you want to try catching some trout you can go to Randoulpgh county lake its near chester illinois. they usually have have some pretty decent sized trout. If you do go dont go to the main boat ramp they a second smaller one thats were i usually go. Limit there is 5 i believe.