Sometimes You Just Gotta Swallow Your Pride

Just when the Big 5 started to show signs of life again… the rain came back. Water levels jumped, clarity went to hell, and just like that—things shut right back down.

I’ll be honest, I didn’t want to admit it. I’ve been chasing crappie on these bigger Southern Illinois lakes for a long time. I know their moods, their habits, and their potential. But sometimes, knowing all that just makes it harder to walk away when they’re being stubborn. Pride can be a hell of a drug.

So today, I humbled up and made a move I haven’t made in years—I went back to Lake Lou Yaeger in Litchfield. Back to the same waters I used to fish in high school. Back to the lake where I learned how to chase brushpiles and where catching fish was always more important than measuring them.

Miley and I had a blast. We zipped from pile to pile like we owned the lake. She got her kicks every time a random catfish exploded out of nowhere and started rolling and splashing water. Lucky for her, I brought in four or five eater-sized channel cats, all while chasing crappie with a tiny jig. That’s a win in her book—and honestly, it’s a win in mine too.

Now let me be clear—you’re not going to fill a freezer with crappie at Lou Yaeger. You’ll catch a pile of fish, sure. But keepers? Not many. Still, every one of those little dinks shows up on LiveScope like a slab, and when the rod bends and the water boils, you remember why you came.

Today reminded me that these small lakes still have a place. So much so, I’ve decided to start offering guided trips on them moving forward.

Here's a quick rundown of what I'm adding:

🔹 Lake Lou Yaeger (Litchfield)
Action-packed. Tons of fish, calm water, and right now the catfish are flat-out biting. You won’t take home a wall hanger, but you’ll stay busy and go home smiling.

🔹 Gillespie Lake
A hidden summer gem. Practically no wind, which makes it perfect for new anglers, LiveScope training, or just relaxing and catching a bunch. It's quantity over quality—and that’s not a bad thing when the rods are jumping.

🔹 Glenn Shoals (Hillsboro)
This one’s a sleeper. One of the only small lakes around with true 2-pound fish potential. But I’ll warn you—she’s feast or famine. When they’re on, it’s magic. When they’re off, you’ll think the lake is empty. But I love that challenge.

If you’ve fished with me before, you know I call it like I see it. These lakes aren’t trophy factories—but they’re fun, they’re consistent, and they fish really well when the big lakes go sour or the wind won’t give you a break.

So yeah, today humbled me a little. And I’m grateful for it. Sometimes the best trips don’t come with limits of slabs—they come with a wet dog, a bent rod, and a reminder that fishing is supposed to be fun.

See y’all out there.
—Jason
Sharpshooter Fishing Guides 🎯