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Illinois Smallies!


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#1 MadocFlyGuy

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Posted 03 June 2014 - 10:48 PM

Mid-week last week, I was requested to travel to the Chicago area for some work, leaving on Sunday. Before I let the commotion of booking last minute travel plans take hold of my mind, I did the natural thing - bought my Illinois State fishing license online. After having my travel plans made, I began to do some research for areas to toss a fly or two while visiting. To my pleasant surprise, I came across information from the DNR stating that sport fishing is open all year, and an excellent small-mouth river was literally right next to the plant I would be working at.

 

I took a quick look at the weather, and things did not look promising for my visit.

 

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So, as I flew into Chicago and picked up my rental car, I crossed my fingers that weather forecasts would be what they usually are - wrong.

 

Thunderstorms hindered my ability to wet a line on Sunday evening, and a very long work day tired me out on Monday. Walking into the plant for the first time on Monday morning, I wasn't so sure that the forecast would be so wrong....

 

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So, today, I finished working at around 5:30pm, cautiously looked outside, and was greeted by a great sunny afternoon. I grabbed some Subway on the way back to the hotel, quickly threw on my fishing gear, and headed to the state park just down the road.

The state park was very easy to access, and hosted some very lovely views.

 

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After only about twenty minutes of being there, I witnessed a very large spinner hatch, which I tried to (and sort of did) capture on my camera.

 

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I saw bass rising everywhere in this large river, and started casting to the fish I could reach. I managed to hook-up with 3 smallmouth while being there, and saw what appeared to be some very nice fish living in this water system. Seeing as bass is currently closed at home, I was thoroughly enjoying my opportunity to catch a few that were in season here in Illinois!

 

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As the sun began to go down, I started my small hike back to my rental jeep, and began driving back to the hotel.

The town I'm staying in seems like the quintessential all-American small-town - I loved driving through it to see a kid's baseball game, packed with fans, and when I was returning from the state park, I drove past the Dairy Queen in town, which looked as if all the fans had migrated over to the parking lot and walk-up window.

 

Although I am very much missing home, and cannot wait to head back, I would be lying if I said I wasn't enjoying my time down here in Illinois!

 

Until next time, Chi-Town!

 

Cody


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#2 hamiltonangler94

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Posted 04 June 2014 - 12:04 AM

Thanks for the report!
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#3 NaturehasIT

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Posted 04 June 2014 - 12:43 AM

Nice report but not alot of fish.


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#4 MadocFlyGuy

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Posted 04 June 2014 - 03:05 AM

Nice report but not alot of fish.

So? The point of this comment is what exactly? No where in my post do I state/imply that I came back to Canada the Illinois state bass master champion.... I literally had 45 minutes to fish, and the last time I checked, I was writing these for my own enjoyment - if other people enjoy them, it's a bonus - I'm sorry if this does not impress you, but trust me, that is the least of my intent, and quite frankly none of my concern.


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#5 MadocFlyGuy

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Posted 04 June 2014 - 03:21 AM

Sorry if that last rant seems a bit harsh, but it is very frustrating when I bust my ass on a business trip and still set aside time to fish, take photos, and write a report, only to receive a comment like that. It just rubbed me the wrong way, and I didn't much appreciate it.

 

Thanks for the report!

Anytime man!


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#6 troutddicted

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Posted 04 June 2014 - 07:07 AM

Where are all the fish? LOL I kid, I kid! Thanks for the play by play - lotta nice, famous rivers around the Windy City
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#7 hamiltonangler94

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Posted 04 June 2014 - 07:23 AM

Nice report but not alot of fish.

Hey man it is not always about the number of fish you catch
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#8 MadocFlyGuy

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Posted 04 June 2014 - 08:29 AM

Where are all the fish? LOL I kid, I kid! Thanks for the play by play - lotta nice, famous rivers around the Windy City

Haha thanks man! I was genuinely surprised at the amount of good-looking, fishable water around the area!

 

Hey man it is not always about the number of fish you catch

Thanks, man!


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#9 Christopher K

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Posted 04 June 2014 - 09:12 AM

Nice report but not alot of fish.

Hmmm, don't recall seeing a lot of reports (or fish) from you....

 

Great looking water there, nice report man!


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#10 MadocFlyGuy

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Posted 04 June 2014 - 09:24 AM

Hmmm, don't recall seeing a lot of reports (or fish) from you....

 

Great looking water there, nice report man!

Thanks, Chris - appreciate it man!


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#11 OCDComputing

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Posted 04 June 2014 - 09:39 AM

Excellent that you could combine fishing and working!!


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#12 MuskieBait

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Posted 04 June 2014 - 09:51 AM

Nice 45min of action.

 

Illinois is a very fun place to fish. Further south, you can find a whole lot of different freshwater fish. Some of the dams on the Mississippi River tributaries are amazing fun...filled with anything and everything you can name in terms of freshwater fishing, from Shovelnose Sturgeon and Spotted Gar to Sauger and Paddlefish to White Crappie and even Silver Carp (yes, you can catch them hook and line legitimately...using twister tail on a jighead...they do bite!).

 

Here's an example:

 

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#13 BnK

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Posted 04 June 2014 - 09:59 AM

Nice gar!! 

 

Looks like a blast!


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#14 MadocFlyGuy

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Posted 04 June 2014 - 10:27 AM

Excellent that you could combine fishing and working!!

Thanks! It was a great stress reliever for the end of the work-day!

 

Nice 45min of action.

 

Illinois is a very fun place to fish. Further south, you can find a whole lot of different freshwater fish. Some of the dams on the Mississippi River tributaries are amazing fun...filled with anything and everything you can name in terms of freshwater fishing, from Shovelnose Sturgeon and Spotted Gar to Sauger and Paddlefish to White Crappie and even Silver Carp (yes, you can catch them hook and line legitimately...using twister tail on a jighead...they do bite!).

Thanks for the info - fishing that darn looks like tonnes of fun, and then you add the gar, and you're in heaven!


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#15 BowSlayer

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Posted 04 June 2014 - 10:33 AM

beautiful smallies, way to go! few more weeks......lol


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#16 MadocFlyGuy

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Posted 04 June 2014 - 10:36 AM

beautiful smallies, way to go! few more weeks......lol

I hear ya man! It was nice being able to fish for them while they're in season in IL!


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#17 flyBones

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Posted 04 June 2014 - 05:29 PM

awesome dude! looked super fun!


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#18 MadocFlyGuy

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Posted 04 June 2014 - 11:46 PM

awesome dude! looked super fun!

Thanks bud! This week we should get out for some browns in the evening!


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#19 GuitarBuildingAngler

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Posted 05 June 2014 - 09:06 AM

Amazing! 


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#20 AKnook

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Posted 05 June 2014 - 04:28 PM

Great share, thanks.  Sometimes I catch only one fish all day and its totally worth it. 


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