A couple of my kids had this one on their wish list this year and I let them down. Gonna look to correct that in 2018.

Carly and Jayce both stated that they want to catch a catfish to add to their species list which already includes bluegill, crappie, largemouth bass, green sunfish and redear. Our other two kids, Helena and Zac, didn’t necessarily specify such a wish but this thing is going to be a family affair.

7/26/2011 Pat’s Creek Henderson County. IL

7/9/2005 Pat’s Creek Henderson County, IL

Julie and I both have landed our share of catfish over the years but it’s been quite some time. In fact, I believe the last time we combined for some catfish would have been in 1997 on the Mississippi River out of Quincy, Illinois. That trip was hosted by Julie’s dad, Junior Breuer, back when his daughter was just my girlfriend. Sadly, Junior passed away in the summer of 2006, a few years after his girl became my wife and we had a couple girls of our own. I’m sure he’d get a kick out of our fishing brood which has since doubled with the addition of a pair of boys.

My late father-in-law, Junior Breuer, with a mess of Mississippi River catfish

My Dad also knows a thing or two about catching those whiskered fish with one of his favorite pursuits being creek wading and looking for whatever had interest in a dew worm. Float trips were also among his adventures and my brother, Brent, and I have enjoyed both with him over the years.

Dad in his element, what we called Pat’s Creek in Henderson County, IL

And back in the day, before I got all tore up with this bass fishing thing, me, Brent and a handful of buddies used to spend a considerable amount of our fishing time chasing catfish.

4/14/85 accidental catch from Lake Bracken while panfishing with Dad and Brent, fun story for another day

7/2/1985 from Sperry’s Pay Ponds north of Galesburg, just saw that Mr. Sperry passed away, good memories from his fishing holes

So, this one’s on the Wish List for 2018 and the significance of 6 catfish pertains to each member of my family reeling one in. Yep, we already know all about some basic lures and waxworms so now it is high time to explore the exciting world of catfish bait. Oh yeah, a messier, smellier batch of goodies that is sure to entertain. Bring on some chicken liver, dew worms, cut bait and stink bait.

Gotta do what you gotta do to grant those outdoor wishes for your kids. I’m already grinning as I think about some of the memories to be made. I dig that they want to catch something new and I also look forward to a few of those “careful what you wish for” moments as catfishing can be a whole different ballgame. Talk to you later. Troy