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PostPosted: Sun Mar 28, 2021 11:45 am • # 1 
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Location: Suburban Chicago
Earlier in the day my buddy and I decided to take advantage of the Illinois early catch and release season. For the uninformed there are no real trout streams in Illinois but the DNR does stock rainbow trout in some streams and lakes. The streams are open for early catch and release fly fishing only. The stream we chose was crowded and the stream was running high. Fishing wasn’t so good and my fishing buddy who was not really a trout fisherman managed a nice 14” stocker bow and a foot long smallie while I drew the skunk.
After we said our goodbyes I decided I needed to heal my bruised ego by going back to one of my favorite spots on a local stream. While there weren’t any trout there the warmwater fish were there in good numbers. The stream didn’t disappoint and in spite of falling temperatures (40’s) and a stiff northeast wind the fish were biting pretty well. A size 8 pine squirrel zonker and a chartreuse wee Willie wiggler tied on a 1/64th oz jig head caught the majority of the fish. I was using a 7’6” Cabelas Vector 2 wt. paired up with a Scientific Anglers WF 2 wt line. It cast both flies very well and worked well when roll casting. The bigger fish put up a nice fight on it. It’s a good choice for chasing smaller fish on this stream
As last time my catch consisted of crappies, rock bass, and bluegills but they seemed bigger this time and crappies were much more abundant. Without leaving my spot I was able to catch about 30 or so in total.
Below is some fish porn of fish caught.
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This stream is not very scenic but there are stretches that definitely look like they should definitely hold fish. I thought they would contain rough fish like suckers, carp and creek chubs. Still I had to try it. Needless to say this was a pleasant surprise. Not only are there panfish here but also nice population of good size smallmouth and largemouth bass. My recommendation is that if you are in an urban or suburban area and you see a stream that may have potential give it a try. You could be pleasantly surprised.


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PostPosted: Sun Mar 28, 2021 12:22 pm • # 2 
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40's? No thanks!

Good to see you got rid of the skunk!


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PostPosted: Sun Mar 28, 2021 12:43 pm • # 3 
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Nice way to save the day!
brent


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PostPosted: Sun Mar 28, 2021 5:49 pm • # 4 
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Location: North Central Indiana
Nice reward for braving the weather, sure was a change from yesterday. Rude one at that. Looks like a gem of a stream and an interesting mix with those crappies in there. Connect to ponds along it's run?

softhackle wrote:
I thought they would contain rough fish like suckers, carp and creek chubs. Still I had to try it.


Even more reason to visit this flow, those fish can be great fun on small streams with light tackle. Give it another few weeks and see who shows up, could be coursing with Redhorse and Whiteys before long.


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PostPosted: Thu Apr 01, 2021 9:53 pm • # 5 
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Nope, no connection to any ponds. There are some low head dams along the stream’s course. These fish came from a quiet eddy. I’ve found some decent panfish action in the slower areas of many streams.


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PostPosted: Fri Apr 02, 2021 9:54 pm • # 6 
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Location: Coppell, TX
Nice post and thanks for the pictures. I can see by the redness on your hands you are fishing in some pretty cold weather.
No pain felt when your catching fish though.


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PostPosted: Sat Apr 03, 2021 9:16 am • # 7 
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Jim, that was true when we were young, but not anymore now that we're old. The cold DOES HURT us senior citizens. :lol :lol


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PostPosted: Sat Apr 03, 2021 10:18 pm • # 8 
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Cliff, I'll find out when I get there; thanks for the heads up.


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PostPosted: Sun Apr 04, 2021 9:43 am • # 9 
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You already are there, Jim.


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PostPosted: Sun Apr 04, 2021 11:26 pm • # 10 
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Ahhh ya, that's right, forget about that; a sign of ageing I guess.


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PostPosted: Mon Apr 05, 2021 8:58 am • # 11 
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Forget about what? What were we talking about? Now what did I get up to get just now? I do, however, remember how old I am 57. Oops, I got that backwards.


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PostPosted: Tue Apr 06, 2021 2:48 pm • # 12 
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Nice! This reminds me, I need to get out.


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