This week's Archers Alley "Catch of the Week" comes to us from Donnie Henson, of Decatur!

From Donnie:  "I've been having some luck lately chasing flatheads on the Sangamon River below the Lake Decatur Dam!   Got these two big ones in different trips, and several smaller as well.  The big one at night went 31 pounds, and the other was pushing 40!  Cut bait is doing the trick!  It's made for some great content for my YouTube channel "Hunting Hogs Henson!"

Donnie joins us this weekend to share some stories; talk river fishing; and share some of his YouTube experience!

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This week's Archers Alley "Catch of the Week" comes to us from Cole Creason, of Decatur!

Orangethroat Darter

Bluebreast Darter

Rainbow Darter

Brindled Madtom

Greenside Darter

Typically on the COTW we are talking about giant fish, or big bucks, but this week we are headed to the opposite end of the spectrum... 

We are diving into micro-fishing!   

Colton Creason, of Decatur, has caught all of these tiny, coloful specimens on hook and line right here in central Illinois!  He'll share how his desire to expand his lifelist of fish caught led him to explore this sport within the sport.  We'll talk about the special equipment used; where he finds these tiny fish; and much more!

Submit your own pic & story for our Archers Alley "Catch of the Week!"

This week's Archers Alley "Catch of the Week" comes to us from Shaun Long & family, of Lincoln!

From Shaun:  "We had an epic Labor Day weekend chasing Blue cats in central Illinois!  My family, and a couple friends, made several trips to both Powerton & Clinton over the weekend fishing for catfish.  It was a great trip!  My daughter got a new PB, and we probably brought over 200 pounds of fish over the side of boat!  A great weekend of family fun!"

Shaun, who's a past guest in the COTW, joins us this weekend to share some stories of their great family time on the water!

Submit your own pic & story for our Archers Alley "Catch of the Week!"

This week's Archers Alley "Catch of the Week" comes to us from 17-year old Aiden Fosbick, of Waynesville!

Aiden's mom, Nikki, sent in this picture of one of his latest catches out of Kickapoo Creek!   Aiden joins us to tell the story of this nice central Illinois creek smallmouth bass!  We'll talk bout fishing, wading, and hear about some of his favorite creek fishing moments!  

Submit your own pic & story for our Archers Alley "Catch of the Week!"

This week's Archers Alley "Catch of the Week" comes to us from 10-year old Chance Roller, of Springfield!!

A friend of the family nominated Chance for the COTW!

Chance, and his uncle, John Powers III, fished last weekend's Lake Sangchris Catfish Tournament.  It was the first time fishing a tournament for 10-year old Chance, and they brought home second place!   Chance was able to land a new P-B...this 12-pound flathead!  They also brought in a few other smaller fish to land on the podium, and now Chance says he's hooked on chasing big cats!

Chance joins us this weekend to share the story!

Submit your own pic & story for our Archers Alley "Catch of the Week!"

This week's Archers Alley "Catch of the Week" comes to us from Richard Huffman, of Bradley!

From Richard: "I've been fishing for catfish for over 50 years, but I had never caught a Blue cat before.  I reached out to CIO to find a Clinton Lake catfish guide, and he pointed me to Jason Hill at Hill's Guide Service.  It was a great experience with Jason!  Not only did I catch my first blue, but we caught 19 fish that day!  Our biggest went 22 pounds!  We had a 20, a 16, and several smaller ones.  I learned a lot from Jason, including that strawberry flavored chicken really works!"

Richard joins us this weekend to share the story of his first ever Blue Catfish!

Submit your own pic & story for our Archers Alley "Catch of the Week!"

This week's Archers Alley "Catch of the Week" comes to us from Gage Weir, of Pittsfield!  

From Gage:  "We went out on the Big River recently, and I landed my new PB catfish!!  A 36lb BIG Mississippi River Blue Cat! It was quite the fight on 25-pound mono!  Thanks to my buddy, Michael Hobbs, for taking us!  We had a blast!"

Gage joins us this weekend to share the story of his new PB!  We'll also catch up on the latest on his YouTube channel "Jighead Gage" that we've previously featured on CIO!

Submit your own pic & story for our Archers Alley "Catch of the Week!"

This week's Archers Alley "Catch of the Week" comes to us from Ty Sanders, of Taylorville!  

From Ty: "We went out to Sangchris recently one evening hoping to hook into some big fish, and ended up with a new PB!   Sat for a couple hours catching little channels when all of a sudden the rod folded over!  Took me about 10 minutes to fight it, and get it in while my girlfriend filmed.  Able to get it in, and on the scale...it went 47.2 pounds!  Safely released to swim again!"

Ty joins us this weekend to share the story of his new PB flathead!!

Submit your own pic & story for our Archers Alley "Catch of the Week!"

This week's Archers Alley "Catch of the Week" comes to us from Brian Jancaitis, of Mt. Zion!

From Brian:  "Some buddies and I headed out to Clinton Lake to do some night fishing.  We ended up at a pavillion that had pretty good bank access, and decided to toss out some lines.  We had been there awhile, and I was getting a fire going, when a friend said my pole was getting hit.  I started to reel it in, and didn't feel anything at first....then it felt like I hit a snag....then the snag started fighting!!  After a 15 minute or so fight, I hauled in this giant flathead!  It was all we could do to get it up the bank!  It was too big for our scale, but had to go 50+ pounds!  The best part...I caught it on a nightcrawler!"

Brian joins us this weekend to share the story of his new PB catfish!

Submit your own pic & story for our Archers Alley "Catch of the Week!"

This week's Archers Alley "Catch of the Week" comes to us from Chad Anderson, of Hopedale!

From Chad: "My wife, Kristen, a friend, Greg, and I recently fished with Show Me Catfishing Trophy Guide Service on the Mississippi River. We had a blast and caught some nice fish. I caught my personal best blue catfish 58lbs, Kristen caught her PB 36lbs plus another 17lber. Greg caught a 27lber. My first time fishing the big water of Mississippi River, and man it was an experience. I highly recommend giving Captain Tyler a call and catch some giants!"

Chad joins us this weekend to tell the story!  He's also the President of the Heart of Illinois Crappie Club, so we'll get an update on the second half of their season, which starts in late August!

Submit your own pic & story for our Archers Alley "Catch of the Week!"

This week's Archers Alley "Catch of the Week" comes to us from Jeremy Strange, of Decatur!

From Jeremy: "Headed down to the Lake Decatur dam to do some crappie fishing the other day, and got this guy!!  Was quite the fight on 4lb test line!  Took about 30 minutes to get him in.  Second paddlefish I've ever caught, and by far a new PB!  This one went 49-pounds, and he had the jig right in the corner of his mouth!"

Jeremy joins us this weekend to share the story of his awesome Sangamon River catch!  

Submit your own pic & story for our Archers Alley "Catch of the Week!"

This week's Archers Alley "Catch of the Week" comes to us from 9-year old Jaxon Hunter, of Decatur!

From Jaxon's dad, Zac:  "My son has been taking more of an interest in fishing, and wanted to catch his first catfish.  After trying a few different places with no luck, we recently went to Fairview Park in Decatur.  We got a chunk of bluegill, and he ended up hooking this 15-pounder!  The fish nearly pulled him and the rod in, but with an assist from dad we got it in!  Mission Accomplished!! Now he's all about going fishing!"

Jaxon and his dad, Zac Burcham, will both join us this weekend to share the story of Jaxon's first catfish!

Submit your own pic & story for our Archers Alley "Catch of the Week!"

This week's Archers Alley "Catch of the Week" comes to us from Josh Monahan, of Leroy!

From Josh: "It was a great day out on Dawson Lake recently with my son, and one of my best friends.  We were targeting walleye/saugeye, and I hooked into this tank!  It went over 25-inches, and weighed 6.65-pounds!  A great fish that we measured, weighed, and then quickly released.  Crawlers and leeches were the ticket that day!"

Josh joins us to share the story, and also share some summertime walleye tips!

Submit your own pic & story for our Archers Alley "Catch of the Week!"

This week's Archers Alley "Catch of the Week" comes to us from Chase Davis & Lane Copeland, of Warrensburg!

From Chase: "My brother, Lane Copeland, & I recently fished our first ever tournament...and won!  It was the recent Tackle 22 Tournament on Clinton Lake.  We thought it would be great to try our hand at a tournament, while also supporting a great veterans group.  It was a slow start, but then Lane got big fish with this 50.4-pound blue catfish!  We also caught a 20-pounder at the exact same time we got the big one!  All in all, a great day!"

Congrats to Chase & Lane on their first tournament win!  The fifty pounder is also reported by tournament organizers as the largest Blue catfish officially weighed in at a tournament on Clinton Lake to date!  Chase joins us this weekend to share the story of a great day on the water!

Submit your own pic & story for our Archers Alley "Catch of the Week!"

This week's Archers Alley "Catch of the Week" comes to us from Ryleigh Mizeur-Crist, of Taylorville!

From Ryleigh's mom, Loni: "My daughter, Ryleigh, caught this 15-pound catfish from Bertinetti Lake in Taylorville recently!  It was quite the fight!  She said her arm was getting tired from reeling it in!"

Ryleigh joins us this weekend to share the story of her new PB catfish!

Submit your own pic & story for our Archers Alley "Catch of the Week!"

This week's Archers Alley "Catch of the Week" comes to us from Kamdyn Dyer, of Sullivan!

From Kamdyn's dad, Courtney: "Went out to Lake Shelbyville.  Kam's biggest Rod -N-Reel catfish caught on 05/28/23!  27 pounds!  He was beyond excited!"

10-year old Kamdyn joins us this weekend to share the story of his new P-B!!  

Submit your own pic & story for our Archers Alley "Catch of the Week!"

This week's Archers Alley "Catch of the Week" comes to us from Madison Thomas, of Taylorville!

From Madison: "My boyfriend took me out bass fishing last weekend, and I had such a good time that I decided to try it out by myself.  I went out to Sangchris, and caught a few small bass, and then caught this one!   My biggest so far!  I think I've found a new summer hobby!"

Madison joins us to share her new found love of bass fishing!  She's also been a guest in the past talking about her nature photography, so we'll catch up on that as well!

Submit your own pic & story for our Archers Alley "Catch of the Week!"

This week's Archers Alley "Catch of the Week" comes to us from Holly Wysong, of Frankfort!

From Holly: "We've been coming to Lake Shelbyville a couple times a year for 12 years, and I've never caught a Muskie....this trip I caught my first!!  And then 4 more on top of that!!  Plus we both have a story for the biggest one...Jonas went up to the bathroom toward the end of one day, and I decided on one more cast...and caught the biggest fish of the trip! I went to grab the net,  and slipped and fell but still was able to net it. To top it off, the next day he said he was gonna go to the bathroom and I caught another one as he said it!  So I guess the secret to catching fish is having to go to the bathroom lol."

Holly joins us this weekend to tell the story of an epic few days of Lake Shelbyville fishing, and getting her first Muskie!

Submit your own pic & story for our Archers Alley "Catch of the Week!"

This week's Archers Alley "Catch of the Week" comes to us from Mike Mitchell, of Mt. Zion!

From Mike: "Was Finally able to get back out on Clinton Lake last night!! After missing a few heavy hits and losing a couple nice fish I was blessed with My new PB blue cat. Coming in at 61.7lbs!! Shout out to my netman Matt Hower for helping land this monster."

Congrats to Mike on the new PB, which is one of the biggest Blues to come out of Clinton Lake yet!   Mike joins us this weekend to share the story!

Submit your own pic & story for our Archers Alley "Catch of the Week!"

This week's Archers Alley "Catch of the Week" comes to us from Carter Price, of Sullivan!

From Carter: "Thought I'd share for all the crappie fisherman here. Had the fishery biologist from my county come and get a weight, he said it was the biggest one he had seen in person. 4.4lbs only needed .1 of a pound to tie the state record. 19in long 16in in girth. Caught in a small farm pond in Cumberland County."

There's much more to this story!  A pond that Carter had never fished; one last cast; and much more!!  Carter joins us this weekend to share the story of a slab of a lifetime!

Submit your own pic & story for our Archers Alley "Catch of the Week!"

This week's Archers Alley "Catch of the Week" comes to us from Dalton Johnson, of Taylorville!

From Dalton:  "I headed out to the Shelbyville spillway recently in search of my first Muskie....success!   Got this 30" bad boy, and had a great day of fishing!"

Dalton joins us this weekend to share the story!

Submit your own pic & story for our Archers Alley "Catch of the Week!"

This week's Archers Alley "Catch of the Week" comes to us from Miah Bolyard, of Elkhart!

From Miah: "We were fishing the HOI Crappie Club tournament at Banner Marsh last weekend, and caught a dandy!   I've had a goal to catch a 3-pound crappie, little did I know it would happen in central Illinois!  This 3.66-pounder smashed the Dark Side Crappie Company hair jig!   Pretty awesome to catch a giant on a jig I tied myself!"

Congrats to Miah on the giant central Illinois slab!  It set a new HOI Crappie Club record for Big Fish!  He'll join us this weekend to tell the story!

Submit your own pic & story for our Archers Alley "Catch of the Week!"

This week's Archers Alley "Catch of the Week" comes to us from Kent Calvetti, of East Peoria!

From Kent: "Had some fun catching trout on Opening Day at Miller Park in Bloomington in the cold super windy weather. I did not limit out, however I did catch my PB at 3.28lbs!"

Congrats to Kent on the new PB!  He'll join us this weekend to share the story, and talk trout fishing!

Submit your own pic & story for our Archers Alley "Catch of the Week!"

This week's Archers Alley "Catch of the Week" comes to us from Rob Gist, of Mt. Auburn!

From Rob: "I headed out to Sangchris to chase some flatheads recently, but I didn't expect to hook into this!  And they say there isn't any blues in Lake Sangchris! Well I caught my new pb Blue on a Madkatz Smash rod with angrycat hooks."

Congrats to Rob on the new PB!  He'll share the story on this weekend's episode!

Submit your own pic & story for our Archers Alley "Catch of the Week!"

This week's Archers Alley "Catch of the Week" comes to us from Derek Hunn, of Peoria Heights!

From Derek: "Well, today (3/15) I got off third shift, laid on the couch, and the sun started beating through the curtains, letting me know that today Was not a couch day! My buddy Gabe Lance Told me that the plant at Powerton was cycling warm water and they were catching stripers the day before so I decided to go back out and try again after three tries earlier this spring...Producing only one fish! I will say today was a different day!! The hybrids bit repeatedly and I watched these guys across the way catch catfish, so I decided to switch gears since I’ve never tried to catch a blue cat at powerton. Immediately I caught a five pounder, then another in between 15 and 20 and right before I was ready to go. This guy jogged up to me Just as my rod started a puke For a final time and Watch me land this fish with no net ,helper Or fish grabbers. So I asked him if he would take my picture with my phone and right as he did it died before the picture was taken, and by the grace of God a man I only know as Ted had his phone on him and took my picture so that this day was not imaginary for everybody with me. Thank you, God for blessing me with this beautiful day in your creation and for sending Ted my way!! Ted told me that he had never been to Poweton before And that he was just going for a jog somewhere new ,boy was I lucky!!! PB 40lb blue!!!

Derek joins us this weekend to tell a heckuva story about his new PB Blue cat!!

Submit your own pic & story for our Archers Alley "Catch of the Week!"