Joe Kallo

In the trout area, make sure you have plenty of EHC in 12s-14s and hoppers. The dusk caddis hatches there can be incredible, and the fish go nuts. I never fished for smallies on the river but I imagine they key in on them too. If I can help, let me know -- that was my home water for 10 years.

This is something I had never considered, so thank you for pointing it out. I have never considered wet wading to be something I ought to be glad to be able to do. I really do leave the waders behind as soon as the air temp hits the 60s. Its a little bracing first thing in the morning, but it always feels like the season has really begun to me. This conversation has made me conscious that I'm lucky to be able to do it.

That's me too. I wet waded this past weekend and probably will if I head to the k3 tonight. I have never understood the need for breathable waders, but I don't put them on until the air is cold.

Hi all, I am seriously thinking of getting a kayak that I hope to use on the k3 (and other places, of course). Looks like Bird Park in town to the ramp next to the bridge in the park makes a nice day long float. Does anyone here fish that stretch in a kayak? Any advice, stuff I should be aware of etc? Thanks!

Great getting the chance to chat with a few of you and to cast some fine rods!

Good point Mike, and any help is deeply appreciated. I live and work in Hyde Park, so basically anything south of the city is ideal for me. K3 state park is about 50 miles from my door and the route rarely has any traffic. Momence is a few miles closer, and the drive is slower but a little more scenic (a couple of the towns along the way have some interesting looking taverns that might be ideal for post-fish brews).

Hi all, I joined the ISA a few days ago after catching my first smallmouth about three weeks ago on my first trip to the K3. Since then, I think I've been back 6 times. If I could go right this minute instead of sitting here at my desk, I would. I moved to Chicago from southern IL 7 years ago and basically stopped fishing for the first time in my life (I'm 39 and have been fishing since I could walk, ffing since I was 10 or so). A new job, the big city etc all combined to keep me occupied doing other things. A few months back I made a trip out west, caught a bunch of big trout, and remembered that fishing is good. I proceeded to explore fishing options for someone living in the city. I started with trout and made some trips up to WI. The 3 hour drives up and the 4+ hour drives back make those waters the occasional treat, though. Then I remembered reading about the Kankakee years ago. Someone told me then how much fun SMs were, but I never got around to making the 4 hour drive up to fish it. I wish I had, because I probably wouldn't have stopped fishing when I moved up here. Smallmouth bass have to be the most fun fish per inch I've ever caught. And maybe more importantly, from what I've learned they live in waters that are usually in places where I want to spend long periods of time unwinding -- something I've always depended solely on trout to lead me to. Looking forward to chatting and fishing. Thanks for being a source of collective wisdom about these awesome fish. Joe