Outdoor Adventure Journal: ILLINOIS RIVER ADVENTURE

Monty Lacomb, Michael Drevenstedt, Ed Cuningham and Daniel Franks

The Illinois river has been calling our names for awhile so we decided to do an overnight camping, hunting and fishing adventure on the river. Rumor has it that Steelhead salmon are running this time of year and it would be great to catch a fish or two for the freezer. We brought the big guns, hopeful that we would see a bear or cougar plus I brought my 20 gauge shot gun for bird hunting. After some preparations we were ready to brave the cold weather for some winter camping fun. Monty Lacomb, Daniel Franks, Ed Cunningham, Michael Drevenstedt as well as myself, Corley Watling would be camping for this adventure. The weather was rumored to be clear but the temp was going to get down to 24 degrees tonight. With the cold in mind we packed lots of firewood and sleeping bags. Our gear also included three tents, numerous fishing poles and a
few firearms. We brought; chili and polish style Hotdogs for dinner and potatoes with bacon for breakfast. With a lot of liquids and snack foods on board, three trucks headed for the river.

The road to the camping and fishing site we selected was deeply rutted and full of water. Along the way big rocks were sticking up out of the muddy pools and I had to steer my truck all over to avoid them. One wrong turn and any of us could lose an oil pan, or worse, and end up stranded in the mud. Michel and I were in my truck and we agreed that slow and steady would be the best. The other boys had gone ahead while we looked into another location. Our truck groaned its way around the last turn and through a mud hole with the tires spinning. Then we pulled into a nice clearing where Ed, Daniel and Monty were waiting. A smooth grassy plain above the high water mark with the Illinois river rushing in the background. Yes we were here....this place would be our home for the night.
Grabbing a fishing pole Daniel and Michael couldn't help throwing a few casts as soon as we got there. They didn't catch any fish and after a bit we got the crew together to make camp. Like one machine the five of us went to work with the tasks of setting up for the cold winter night. Well.......before we knew it the fire was a going, the kitchen was made and the tents were set up. Feeling good about ourselves it was time for some fishing and exploring down by the river. In the last month large amounts of rainfall as well as snow melt has the river running high up on it's banks. I felt better after seeing the river was still several feet lower than

Michael Drevenstedt

the high water mark. The cold water was starting to clear after a dry day yesterday. It has a green tinge to it and was running rough and fast. In the breeze I could smell the wood smoke from the fire at camp. The fishing got the better of me and I didn't catch anything except the bottom. After about an hour I was out of tackle so I met up with Ed and we headed for camp. When we got back to camp Michael was there. He had about the same luck fishing and didn't get even a bite. While we talked, Daniel and Monty got back from fishing in another area further down the river. It looked like we weren't going to catch any fish tonight because they were empty handed too. Darn.
Time for dinner.

Stalking some mountain Quail

When the boys and I had our fill of the chili and hotdogs we sat around the fire talking over a cold beer. All having an idea of the best way to catch a fish for the morning bite. What lure combination would get the most attention by the fish. Brotherly weather analysis about which color works best under what conditions or water clearness and so on and so forth. Mostly I was thinking of the coffee and bacon in the morning. It wasn't long before we hit the sack and let me tell ya I was tired. A bit later I woke up cold and could hear a symphony of snoring from the other tents. Even with two sleeping bags and all my clothes on it was still cold. Rearranging the sleeping bags and pulling them up over my head helped and soon I was fast asleep and dreaming of catching big fish in the morning.

Ed Cunningham chilling

In the early light we drank strong coffee while I cooked the bacon and potatoes that Daniel and Michael cut up. Ed split wood and was stoking the fire. Monty organized some fishing gear for fishing after breakfast. Soon it was time to eat. When the feast was finished......two pounds of bacon, about three pounds of fried potatoes and a half pound of coffee was gone. Numerous other food items joined in the food vanishing at breakfast as well. Now it's fishing time for us. Michael was going to head up river and fish his way back to camp. Monty and Daniel were going to go down stream to fish a deeper

Michael and Corley llinois river

part of the river. Ed and I would fish our way out along the river just below the camp. When an hour or two had passed Ed and I met up with Monty along the river. So far he didn't have any luck catching a fish and was heading over the hill to another spot he knew of. All of a sudden my phone rang. Daniel was on the line and he said "I just ran into a covey of Quail! grab the shotgun and head this way." He gave me a brief description of the area where he had seen the Quail.

Michael Drevenstedt with his 223

Then Ed, Monty and I headed back to camp to get the shot gun and

Daniel Franks after fishing on the Illinois river.

the camera. Michael was back at camp and he joined us on the bird hunt except bringing his 223 for bear or cougar instead. The trail was steep and brush filled on the way down river to the spot Daniel saw the Quail. The uphill climb made it hard to be sneaky but we did our best to walk quietly. Hiking another mile put us into the spot where the quail were seen and we slowed down to cover the area better. Stalking around for an hour and seeing nothing, we had to give up. The Quail evidently moved out of that location and on to another because they were no where to be seen. Feeling a bit let down the crew headed back to camp chatting about this and that as we walked.

Monty relaxing after a cold night

When we got back to camp our

Making up a hotdog over the fire

stomachs were calling for food so we ate up the last of the grub. Soon it was time to start packing up and getting ready to go home. For some reason I always feel sad when it's time to go home after an adventure. It would be nice to get warm and take a shower that's for sure. The tents got folded up and the kitchen was packed away, in no time the camp looked like we were never there. In fact I think it looked even better then when we got there.With camp fully packed up we took the time to relax for awhile and enjoy the spot. The sound of the Illinois river teasing us in the background with the sun reflecting on the rough water through the clouds. This was a beautiful location and the camping was great too.

Huge Quartz vein running along the shore.

My truck roared to life and after some slipping and sliding through the mud we made it to the main road. I stopped to secure some gear that shook loose on the way out then turned the truck toward home. It would have been nice to catch some fish and get some birds for the freezer on this trip but sometimes that's the way it goes. I've gone home with nothing more often than not but it's the time in the woods with my friends that I have learned to cherish the most. These memories will last a lifetime and the stories will be told over and over again.. Until next time the adventure is yours.