Tere is something special about going horseback riding on the banks of the Fox River.
Ryan Kerner and Robbie Eddy of Millbrook have been breaking in the trail horses for a new stable, Millbrook Trail Rides, that offers leisurely rides through local forest preserves and along the Fox River. Tey both agree: riding along the river makes everything more enjoyable.
“It’s very pretty scenery out there,” Ryan says. “We found this trail this past spring that crosses Hollenbeck Creek several times. Tere’s a lot of wildlife.”
Robbie says they’ve seen deer, geese, ducks, beavers, and even pelicans, but no otters so far. “It’s relaxing, peaceful,” he says.
Several forest preserves and state parks in Kendall and McHenry counties offer riding trails along the Fox River.
Fishing secrets . . . Horseback riding . . .
“I love wading the Fox River,” said Ken Gortowski. “You’re more in touch with the river because you’re immersed in it—literally. For me it has a calming effect . . . it’s better than valium.”
Gortowski, who publishes a blog and also runs Watercrawler Fox River Guide Service, spends as much time as possible fishing for smallmouth bass. Although he has caught 19 different species of fish in the river, the smallmouth is his prime quarry.
“I’m a ‘finesse fisherman,’ ” he said. “I use light spinning gear to fish for small fish. Te average smallmouth I catch is 12 inches long, although I’ve caught two or three that were over 20 inches long. However, I did land a 36-inch flathead catfish on six-pound line.”
Gortowski considers the Fox River one of the most accessible rivers in Illinois with lots of public land on its
banks, and its wide shallow bottom with scattered deep holes make it ideal for fishing in a pair of waders.
Gortowski likes to wade the river a short stretch at a time, and only occasionally will do a “death march” of a mile or more. He said fishing in waders is not about covering ground; it’s about studying the small details of the river and the fish and other aquatic life within it. It’s kept him entertained for nearly 20 years.
Waterdogjournal.com
Keep up to date on Fox River fishing, outdoor opportunities and related Fox Valley conservation issues through this website and blog by Fox River enthusiast Ken Gortowski.
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Fox River Recreation
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