Fishing Lake of Egypt in Southern Illinois July 2022

It was a "scortcher" over the weekend at Lake of Egypt in Southern Illinois.  We traveled down there with some family and friends to hang out at the lake the entire weekend.  It was tough to get comfortable because it was so hot.  But we of course made the best of the situation and still had a great time.

When I think about fishing in the last couple of years, there is a specific time that I have a marker built to reflect and look back.  It was September 2019 and the family and I spent the weekend at Lake of Egypt.  Below is a picture of that time.  I am fishing off a dock with my daughter.

I remember having a fairly good time on that trip.  I remember buying a bunch of tackle, and not really knowing what I was doing. ☺  I don't remember catching any fish during that trip.  I definitely didn't know what I know now about fishing.  That picture reminds me of a time that was innocent compared to the world now after Covid-19.  So much has happened since this picture!  I talked to people all the time who have blocked Covid-19 from their brains.  I think it is a mechanism for humans to actually cope with something as catastrophic as a global pandemic.  So, I use this as a marker because Covid is what brought me back to fishing and showed me that passion could be re-ignited from my young man days.  AND, of course I have given this passion down into my son who likes to chase these little green fish around like I do.

Catching Bass at Lake of Egypt July 2022

Lot's of things have changed since September 2019.  There have been many fishing trips taken during the Covid Pandemic.  It was the only thing at one point you could do!  I remember thinking during the Pandemic that there were only so many garage projects I was willing to do until I need to find something else to do.  And then it happened, I took my son on a bike ride and we brought some fishing poles with us to go fishing.  That is when it all came back to me!

Over the weekend the temperature touched 100 degrees farenheit.  The humidity made the heat index somewhere around 110 degrees.  When we went swimming in some of the coves we also noticed that the water was really warm.  Also, we noticed you would get some water that was colder in the lake, but then warm water would hit you.  So if you think about it, the thermocline that is formed in the summer months was really ALL OVER THE PLACE.  So I think the bass were all over the place.  They were probably located in brush piles or under structure.  

Good news is that my buddy and I took the Pelican Bass Raider out every morning at 5:30am and we were able to catch fish every time.  All of my fish were caught on a Shakey Head Zoom worm with a chartreuse tail or a black and blue Speed Craw.

So as I reflect back about September 2019, and I think about where the world is in 2022...I am appreciative that my family is okay.  I am appreciative that I have a hobby that my son, myself, and my friends enjoy.  With all the negativity, and problems the world is dealing with at this time, my reflection reminds me that I am fortunate.  Stay committed, and stay driven my friends.