Northern Illinois Trout Fishing

Let's hear reports from other places.
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BearsFan
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Northern Illinois Trout Fishing

Post by BearsFan »

Went home over the past weekend for a family reunion. I was excited of the thought of getting back to my home stream and doing a little fishing. There was a bit of rain last week and the water was a little on the turbid side but not bad enough to put off the fish. The dry fly fishing was non existent but at the same time the cloudy water really gives the males great color. Here are the results. I hope you enjoy.

A "river" runs through it. Follow the big trees.
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A bit farther down stream it runs through 50' limestone bluffs. Here is the stream from above.
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The climb down.
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Looking up from the half way point. It only looks like a tough climb with a fly rod in hand. Several years of practice and I had still not lost it.
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Tough part is making it down without knocking rocks into the pool below as it will put the fish off. Mission accomplished, trout landed in first pool.
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Various trash fish I landed, only needed a sucker for the "slam". I seemed to catch creek chubs on almost every cast.
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Another nice sized hen, especially for a creek you can jump over in most places.
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All of the fish were very fat. Here is why. 17 year cicada hatch. I have never seen this before on a midwest stream. Of course I was only 7 the last time they hatched in these numbers, they were everywhere. It was fun to watch 4" creek chubs try to eat a 2" oversized house fly.
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This is the average size trout on "My St. Verain". There seemed to be an alarming shortage of them as this was the only one I caught. I was using the wrong fly for them though.
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Here is the fish porn you all expected to see. A beautiful Buck Brown that was hanging in the same pool as the little guy. As promised the cloudy water makes the males absolutely beautiful.

First glipse.
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Might send this one in to the trout mags. and try to make some covers.
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A great fish for the new 2wt. I still cannot get over how pretty this fish was. I love the gold flakes in the fins.
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That is about it. It was nice to be back on the stream I spent countless hours on learning how to fish. The skills one learns throwing a fly on a tiny little stream full of big browns (I have landed one that was over 28") truely transfers to all other types of fishing. This place will always hold a special place in my heart. I am glad I got some good pics to share it with all of you.
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Erick
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Post by Erick »

Nice work. The browns are my favorites. Some great photos and it sure is easier launching kayaks than climbing down banks for trout fishing. Actually getting down is pretty easy, it is the getting back up!
Don't give up. Don't ever give up.
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Post by Chief1600 »

Very nice!
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ray-uk
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Post by ray-uk »

cool pics, thanks for sharing.

ray.
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Post by cj082 »

im from chicago , where are you located? ive never seen any trout in illinois before!(from streams that is)
skipn809
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Post by skipn809 »

Surfing the net in the middle of winter, it is good so see this sort of thing somewhat close to home. Wish we had trout like that down here.
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Post by LivelyBaits »

Erick wrote:Nice work. The browns are my favorites. Some great photos and it sure is easier launching kayaks than climbing down banks for trout fishing. Actually getting down is pretty easy, it is the getting back up!
Mine too. I fished the mountain lakes of Arizona targeting the browns and the Cutthroats. We had rainbows and brook trout too but the brown trout were the toughest to catch (and the largest). The cutthroats were pretty cool but always liked those brownies the best
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Post by mudfish »

Wow it's beautiful up there. Nice pics.
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Post by MrSpectaculous »

Spectaculous!
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Post by Alnorito »

Super.Congrat. :D After seing this report yesterday i spend most of th day thinking about getting into fly fishing. :D
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Post by FishingDL »

That one pic is truly wall hanging quality. I have some new areas to try in Montana, Yellowstone, and Idaho. Your pics have inspired me.
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BearsFan
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Post by BearsFan »

I am thinking of heading out there to guide for a year or so before I get too old. You will have to fill me in on where you are headed.
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