Brandon

You've got yourself quite a woman there! Let us know how the rod works out.

Great news! I would probably get the land owner a nice little thank you gift as well.

Nice pics! I like to fish for anything... as long as it swims... doesn't have to be trout, smallies, etc.

I'm in town this weekend... count me in!

Nice. I still need to get out on the river/pond one of these days. I just got my pontoon dug out of storage last weekend.

I will be attending my regional meeting in Sheboygan, WI next week. I'll be staying at the Blue Harbor Resort on the lake. I am looking to get out on the river at least once. Does anyone have any information on access points that I can use for wading? Also, does anyone if there are any canoe/boat rentals available on the river. I did a search for a canoe rental place that did shuttles (Thill Marine), but the website isn't active anymore. Thanks, Brandon

Here's my short bio: I moved to Atlanta when I was in middle school. I used to occasionally fish on the Gulf when I lived in Houston growing up. With the Chattahoochee tailwater running through Atlanta, I picked up trout fishing when I was about 14. Since my parents weren't going to buy me a boat, I started float tubing on the river. I would actually have my father drop me off upstream, and pick me up 6 hours later downstream. I was not old enough to drive at the time. I saw someone flyfishing on the river one day and was intrigued. I started participating in Trout Unlimited activities when I was 15. I started tying flies at the age of 16. I was wading in the river one day; and I left my vest unzipped. My fly box full of 200 dollars worth of flies floated away when I wasn't looking. Needless to say, I was devastated. I picked up tying, thinking that I could save money and build my collection back up... boy was I wrong (about the money saving part). At the age of 18, I started building rods. I built several fly rods for myself, and a couple for friends. Fast forward 20 years... and here I am in Chicago. In the 2 years that I've been here, my 2 days of fishing per week has turned in to 2 weeks of fishing per year (and having to take vacation to fish). I travel about 95% for work, which makes things hard. I'm trying to get back into the swing of things this year. I've started traveling with spinning rods in the car... and fly rods if I know that I might have some good access to wade and fish. Living downtown kind of puts a cramp on my fishing "career." I usually end up fishing off of a sidewalk on like Michigan with a spinning rod (for a quick fix). I don't have enough storage space to store a canoe, kayak, and all my fishing stuff. Most of my gear is still down in Atlanta. I'm thinking a move to the 'burbs might be coming up in the "near" future.

Nice work Norm! It sounds like you were meant to be there.

Do you think this guy would have pulled this move if the people fishing were Caucasians? If you see someone clearing breaking the law... that is one thing; but none of use have the authority to go around asking for licenses. If you saw a non-Caucasian person pulling into a parking space that you want, would you walk up them and demand to see a driver's license and proof of insurance? When I lived in Atlanta, I posted on a fishing board comprised of mostly trout fishermen. Somewhat regularly, posts would be put up about poachers on the water. Most folks always seemed to mention the ethnicity of the non-Caucasians... but I never saw anyone post about poachers that were Caucasian. It makes me made to see anyone not abiding by fishing regulations, but I wouldn't even think about doing what this guy did. There's no way a normal person could honestly tell me that such actions are 100% ethical.

Don't worry... that's why the smilie was there. I'm kind of excited. I haven't caught any 'gills on the long rod since I left Atlanta. Just to wet everyones appetite, here's a pic of what I consider "decent" size bluegills. (Don't worry... I know this is a catch and release venue).

Can we drink beer while we fish?

Is it private land? Are there any signs posted? Do these people actually own the land? If it was illegal to fish there, I would think that there would be official signs posted.

I would post a report... if I could My weekend will be on Tuesday and Wednesday next week. I plan on getting out at least a little bit both days. Let me know if you might want to meet up.

I'm not familiar with the river at all. Given the current river flows (cfs), what are the chances of being able to do any kind of wading at all next weekend. Thanks, B.

I ended up walking all the way around the island. I didn't get any bumps, followups, etc. I did see some fish breaking in the main lake... probably trout or salmon chasing bait. Also, I did see some cottontail in the brush, and fairly fresh blood all the way at the end of the sidewalk The folks chuckin' bait didn't have anything to report either. I did enjoy a cigar while walking around though

You could ride with me. I live downtown at Monroe and 90/94. I'm not sure how long I will be there though... depends on the action and any hunger issues that might pop up

That is a long ways off for me, but I would like to attend if there is room. Is it bank fishing only... or would a pontoon be allowed?

Nice fish! They must have been quite the fight on a 4 wt.

No bourbon for me. I'm stuck working 12 hour night shifts in North Carolina. I look forward to meeting some folks to hit the water with. Hopefully I can make the Chicago meeting on the 28th.

Personally, I'm not a fan of interchangeable tips. Depending on the lengths, sometimes they have a tendency to hinge. On shorter tips and shorter casts it might not be a big problem. If you're using longer sink tips and casting longer distances, I would definitely go with a sink-tip line. If you are fishing in different water column depths throughout the day, then carrying 2 lines and 2 spools would be most ideal.

Whenever I fish weighted streamers or split shots with nymphs, I always use a side arm cast going back, and an overhead going forward. The large loops help prevent fouling when turning over. In addition, I always try to employ a double haul at the same time (single haul at a minimum). For me, large loops and minimal false casts are the keys for casting heavy flies or indicator rigs.

Hello, You guys can probably guess what my first name is. I'm 32 and have no wife or kids (yet)... just a girlfriend and dog I live slap downtown in the loop. I'm a mechanical engineer (power generation industry) and travel about 95%. I moved up to Chicago about 2 years ago. I lived in Atlanta for about 20 years previously. I began flyfishing in 1990, mostly for trout. Soon afterward, I starting tying flies and building rods. I love to chase after anything with the flyrod... trout, smallmouths, largemouths, white bass, stripers, crappie, bluegills, carp, gar, etc. Although, I have no objection to picking up a spinning rod and throwing plastics, jerk baits, spinner baits, etc. (and live bait in those times of desperation ). I was somewhat active in Trout Unlimited up until the time I moved from Atlanta. I love fishing out of boats equally as much as wading. Unfortunately, my kayak and canoe are still located at my folks' house in Atlanta. I'd love to get river boat (jet drive), but the circumstances won't allow for it at the moment. My friend (a fishing guide) REALLY introduced me to smallies for the first time in Tennessee. The picture of the fish above is one I caught in Tennessee using a chartreuse leech pattern that I tied up. Nowadays, I consider smallies to be my favorite species to catch. Other than fishing, I like to dabble in bourbons, scotch, and cigars. I look forward to meeting up with other junkies in the near future. I really need to get back into the swing of things. I used to fish several times a week at one point. Since moving to Chicago, I've probably fished a total of 2 weeks in 2 years Cheers, Brandon