Illinois Smallmouth Alliance & DRiFT Present: 2015 Early Show

Show season has begun.  Last month the ISA (Illinois Smallmouth Alliance)and DRIFT (DuPage River Fly Tyers) hosted their annual "Early Show" at the Mayslake Peabody Estate in Oak Brook.

The plan was to meet up and fish Salt Creek near the show with Dave of Chi-Tie / Urban Assault Fly Fishing, and Adam of Adam Alexander Photography at 06:30, but I had one of those mornings.  You know, the one where you just continue to sleep, and wake up at a time, later than the one discussed.

I arrived at the show around 12:30.  Much later than I had anticipated.  I was looking forward to sitting in on a presentation on fly fishing the Driftless Area of Wisconsin presented by my buddy PJ, but unfortunately when I sat down, he began the Q&A, which normally only takes place at the end.

PJ and his wife Donna are two of the most pleasant people you will ever meet.  They both love to fish, and are both very knowledgeable, so, if you're ever looking for a guide for Southwest Wisconsin, shoot him an email.  He even has cool shirts!

Facebook -- PJ's Guide Service

Email/Contact -- pjguides@sbcglobal.net

One of my few purchases at the show. Artwork by Jonathan Marquardt of Badaxe Design.

Throughout the show, there were casting demonstrations going on outside on the lawn.  Someone mentioned to me that if I haven't casted a double handed/spey/switch rod, that I should go out there and try it out, because, Douglas, the guy teaching it was awesome.  

They were spot on about the instructor.  His instruction was knowledgeable, clear, easy to follow, and funny.  After learning how to spey and switch cast, I now want a two handed rod.  While I only spent about an hour with Douglas learning to cast, I know that I can recommend him as an instructor, because, I know if I ever need to relearn it, I'm going back to him.

Here's a cool guiding service with some really cool dudes from Wisconsin.  It was great talking with them, especially, learning about "Crash Camp."  Check out their site for more information, and some fun facts about the guys.  I got a good laugh from it.

Website -- Black Earth Angling Co.

Facebook -- Black Earth Angling Co.

I received this fly from one of the local tyers of DRiFT (DuPage River Fly Tyers).  I was told that it's an excellent pattern for crappie, and I think I should believe him, because, the tyer goes by the name of Crappie John.  Thank you, for the fly, John!

I'm a fan of stickers and cool t-shirts, and when I saw the table for The Driftless Angler, I got exited, because, I have been wanting one of their shirts for a long time now.  Unfortunately, I didn't have much time to talk with the guy working the booth, but I did get the t-shirt I've been wanting.

Front

BACK

I also picked up some awesome stickers from them, too.  Looking forward to finding a home for these.

Website -- Driftless Angler

Facebook -- Driftless Angler

When I was finished learning how to cast with a two handed rod.  I went over and talked with Matt Sment about Tenkara, and even learned how to cast one.  Interesting stuff.  I can definitely see myself using one of these rods for bluegill and my small creek fishing for smallies.

Website -- Badger Tenkara

Facebook -- Badger Tenkara

After the show I was walking out with Dave and we stopped by his buddy Abe's (Blackwater Fly Fishing) truck for a beer, and some great conversation.  I didn't get a chance to talk much with them during the show, but the conversation in the parking lot between the guys with Blackwater Fly Fishing, Black Earth Angling, and Tight Lines Fly Fishing Company, I can tell that all of them are pretty cool dudes, who I wouldn't mind going fishing with.

Website -- Blackwater Fly Fishing

Facebook -- Blackwater Fly Fishing

Email/Contact -- info@blackwaterflyfishing.com

Thanks, again, for the beer, Abe!!!!

Blackwater Fly Fishing is sponsored by Stevens Point Brewery, a local brewery of the area they fish in Wisconsin.  How awesome is that!!!  That's the best sponsorship I have heard of.

Fly Tying Season

When I leave work during the week, I have about a 1.5 hours of day light, and that flat out sucks.

Enter Fly Tying Season.

I haven't had the chance to sit down at the vise to put in an extended amount of time in for quite a while.  I'll begin filling my own personal boxes and taking care of any orders that may come in.  One of my goals this fly tying season, is to come up with something new and different or a revised version of another pattern out there.

Now that Wisconsin has extended their trout season, I think I'll be able to find enough time to make it to Southwest Wisconsin, in the Driftless area for an outing.  I haven't made the drive that way in 2 years, since I totaled my car on the expressway, because, of some deer frolicking on the highway at 4 AM.

Clousers are a staple in any bass fly fishermans box.  These simple patterns do nothing but catch fish.  Here are some reds and blues.  My favorite are chartreuse over white, not pictured here.

..and as cabin fever sets in during mid winter, this is probably what I'll look like, as I start to lose my mind.

If anyone is interested in a decal, please shoot me an email at carfoutdoors@gmail.com or book face message, and I will gladly send you one.

I Hate Cotton Candy

In the Fall edition of A Tight Loop Magazine there is a video of me tying one of my favorite pike/musky predator flies.  I hate cotton candy, and the colors on this fly, to me, resemble just that, so, it is deemed my "I Hate Cotton Candy" fly.

And here's an old video of me attempting to play the jaw harp for the first time.  You decide what I do better...play the jaw harp or tie flies. ENJOY!!!

If I didn't provide you with that description, there's a good chance you would have thought it was me trying to impersonate Arnold Schwarzenegger reciting vowels.  Am I right, what did you hear?

WADERS

My Bass Pro Shop White River waders I've had for the past 3/4 years have begun to fall apart this summer.  Last year a small leak started in the neoprene boot on my right foot.  I know there was no fixing that, and it really didn't bother me much.

Well, this summer the leak became worse, and then another leak started somewhere on my right leg started....and before I can find and fix that one I stared leaking in the left leg, and above my wading belt near my pockets.

For the past 2.5 months I've still been using them, but at the end of the day, I'm pretty much wet from the belly down.  I wasn't soaked, and it doesn't get that way immediately, so, it was still tolerable.

With winter looming, and some plans (hopes) to get out there and do some cold water/weather fishing, I think it might be time to retire those leaky waders.  That leaves me with the dilemma of choosing a new pair.  There are so many out there with different prices, construction, and negatives.  I just don't know which way to go.  I've done a ton of reading and research on review, and even picked a few of my friends brains about the ones they own.

Here is what it's been narrowed down to....

I'm leaning toward the Orvis Encounter waders, because, there are 2 Orvis stores in my area, and in the event that I don't like them I won't have to go far, but one of the bad things I have found about them is they have poor boot construction on their seams.

What waders are you all using?  (Maybe there's a pair I failed to look at or consider.)

Pros - Cons of those waders?

Does anyone have any experience dealing with Orvis Customer Service for their waders??

In advance - Thank you, to all who provide me with their insight!

****Note - I have tried LL BEAN waders in the past, and they just don't fit me right, and I am well aware of their no questions asked return policy.

Float The Fox

Floated the Fox River with my homie UA-Dave (Urban Assault Fly Fishing) and his canoe, in search of anything that would bite.  While driving in the morning my car thermometer was saying it was 32 degrees outside, and it felt every bit of it.  I knew the catching was going to be tough.  Dave ended the day with 1 smallie caught in a great section of water that would more than likely produce a fish every cast, and I finished with 2.

It was a fun float on an unfamiliar section of the river, we both caught fish, and we found a great bar with awesome food and drink to end the day.

Here's a short video of the outing.

+Howard Levett  - I came across something in the middle of the river that you would enjoy seeing.

Fish Da Kish

     My homie DanK asked if I wanted to fish, and I said, yes.

He asked where, and I said, I'm down for where ever.

DanK said, the Kishwaukee, it is!

He fished the "Kish" for the first time a weekend prior, and the smallies and pike kept him busy, so, he was eager to return.  I, on the other hand, was simply excited to see some new waters.

Having done a bit of homework...I asked my buddy Kurt from "a Tight Loop" magazine about some intel on the river, and he gave me a quick run down of what to expect, and he mentioned 1 fly - a yellow and white clouser, tossed on a 5 wt.

Armed with my 5 wt, a freshly tied yellow/white clouser minnow, and my ultra light spinning rod, with a 1/16 jig and a white twisty tail grub, I was ready for the Kish.

The start of a great day.

Check out that water clarity!!!

The water was low and crystal clear.  The day was started slow.  There were quite a few places that we had to get out of our kayaks and drag them, because, the water was so low.  In the areas the water was not low, you can betcha we caught some fish!!!!

The smallmouth just could not resist the freshly tied yellow/white clouser or the white jig that I tossed with my spinning rod.  It was one of those days where you just couldn't wipe the smile of joy and excitement off of your face.  Thanks, for the tip, KURT!!!

Tons of fun!

REPPIN' THAT #PIGFARMPINKIE

One of the bigger ones you'll find in this river.

I just love floating the rivers in Fall.  The change in colors just makes everything so scenic and beautiful.  With the arrival of off the Fall season, there were a ton of leaves on the water, so, between the two of us, we caught well over a hundred leaf fish.  High Five!

FALL.

Fall on the Kishwaukee River.

I wasn't the only one to hook up with some fishy friends.  DanK found his fair share of smallies with a small jerk bait, and skirted jig.  He caught the biggest smallie of the day on a jig, while I was fighting a 30 lb carp that was foul hooked with my 5 wt.  The carp shook free after a 4 minute fight and sleigh ride.  DanK was also able to find and hook up with 3 pike, and one even stole a hook from his lure, and he didn't even know.  He had a pike hit his jerk bait 15 times without a hook up, and that's when I noticed he was missing one of the hooks from his lure. Ha.

Biggest Northern Musky of the day.

Biggest smalljaw of the day.

Solid fish.  He's been after this one for years!

Oh, I also, caught a chunky little largemouth bass.  Check out those colors!

Love those predominant markings.

It was a solid day of fishing, especially, on new water, and always a pleasure fishing with my boy DanK.  Smallmouth bass galore and 40 minutes from the house, it's a no brainer...I'll be back (Arnold Schwarzenegger Terminator voice). 

Thanks, to SkiFish, for showing DanK the Kish, and to DanK, for passing the knowledge.

HAHA!!!!

Channeling my inner Bill Dance

Have you ever made the mistake of going to cast, and forgetting to open the bail on your spinning rod???  I've done this often, but never once has it happened to me this bad.

Turn up the volume, and you'll hear me laugh at myself.  It's something I do often, because, I'm hilarious. Ha  What you can't see in the video is the slope that the rocks are on, that's why my rod and reel rolled into the lake.  I laugh every time I watch it.  Watch my hands, you can tell that I am helpless and there was nothing left for me to do but watch, and laugh.

Oh, and if the video from my last post didn't work for you, check it out here.

Spin For The Win

This weekend was a bit strange for me.  Part of the strange was me fishing exclusively with my spinning rod.  The other part was hooking into a yellow bullhead.  One of the reasons I decided to go with my spinning rod was, I wanted to catch the fish in the backyard utilizing a different method.  I like variety.

On Saturday, I decided to use my spinning rod to toss out a floating Rapala lure with hopes of finding some bass cruising in the shallows.  15 minutes into my backyard outing, I hook into a fish.  At first I thought it was a bass, and as I was reeling it in, it was sort of barrel rolling on the surface of the water all of the way in.  I was surprised, because, that's a new species to my knowledge for the backyard lake.

I've handled quite a few catfish this year of all different sizes...I've lip grabbed all of them with no problem.  Did they bite down, yes.  Did they hurt, no.  All good, I'll just lip grab this little bullhead to better get the lure free.   OUCH!!!!!  Teeth like Velcro just like a bass, but I was not expecting them to have such a strong bite.  Whoa!!!  I was totally not expecting this little dude to have such a strong jaw.  While I was cursing the bullhead out, it bit down even harder, and I just couldn't wait to get my finger free, so, the lure had to come out after me.  Haha

Note: The short video is silent.  There were some curse words and laughing, but the GoPro case doesn't have good audio.  I hope it works.  If it doesn't, you'll be able to play it on my Instagram page - ( JUSTINCARF )

***Click on the center to get it to play***

Tossed a lure tonight looking for some cruising bass. Instead I hooked into a yellow bullhead. This little fucker had the strongest jaw, and actually drew blood from my finger. That fucker! #fishing #bassfishing #bass #swampdonkey #slouchmob #trophycatch #catchandrelease #catfish #bullhead #yellowbullhead #bitch #cat #fish #gopro #ouch #punk #rapala

A video posted by Justin Carf (@justincarf) on Sep 26, 2015 at 7:11pm PDT

After quite a few curse words with laughing in between, I was finally free, and then the lure was, and this little guy was free to swim and terrorize me, again, in the future.  I'll be better prepared for him.

Oh yeah, he drew blood.  What as asshole! Haha

Sunday morning, I tied our little dog Bo Marley's leash to my belt and went into the backyard.  I brought my spinning rod, again, but this time I tossed a Mann's -1 in the firetiger color scheme.  Bo barks at my lure whenever he see's it and I can see it in his eyes that he want's to chase it out into the lake.  

I've caught fish with him tied to me before, but he's never seen a big fish.  I hooked into a decent little guy and Bo tried biting at it's tail while I was trying to get the lure out.  After getting the lure out I let him make a fishy friend....and he licked him.  Is it weird for new friends lick each other? Daisy is visiting with my Mom, but I'm curious how she would react to a fish.  We shall see.

***Click on the center to get it to play***

Good morning bass! Tossed a Manns -1 on the spinning rod this morning for 30 minutes. Note - I did not kick the dog haha. #fishing #bassfishing #bass #bucketmouth #largemouth #largemouthbass #gopro #topwater #swampdonkey #slouchmob #lunker #monster #fish #spinforthewin #goprofishing #goproeverything #catchandrelease #midwestfishing #midwest #outdoors #catchandrelease

A video posted by Justin Carf (@justincarf) on Sep 27, 2015 at 8:31am PDT

Bo Marley meet Bass.  Bass meet Bo Marley.

It was a good weekend.

#SPINFORTHEWIN

Fly Fishing with The Slaunch Mob

My buddy Adam aka The Slaunch Mob (Instagram - @theslaunchmob) decided that he wanted to pick up fly fishing.  We were finally able to get out and fish with one another, and since we both have a love for smallies, we decided to wade a stretch on the DPR that he fished the day before with minimal luck.  There were some storms that rolled through, so, the water was high, but that didn't stop us from getting out and getting some casting time.

We were skunked, but it was a good time none the less.

Here's a short short video of the outing.  Basically, it was just me playing with different camera angles and working on my editing for future stuff.  Turned out pretty cool.

Enjoy the skunk.

Here's an awesome shot that Adam took while I was casting into the morning fog with the sun peering over the trees.  If you're on Instagram, I suggest you give him a follow.  You certainly won't find fishing shirts quite like his anywhere else.

@justincarf casting in the fog this morning. www.slaunchmob.com #flyfishing #fishing #bassfishing #largemouth #smallmouth #trout #slaunch #slaunchmob #carfoutdoors #art #apparel #illustration #chicago #heavymetal #deathmetal

A photo posted by @theslaunchmob on Sep 13, 2015 at 12:41pm PDT

Northwoods Exploring: Part 2

Forever exploring the North.

2 lane roads, tall trees, endless amount of rivers and lakes, and no ambient light to hide the stars at night.  These are just a few of my favorite things.

There's just something special about finding beautiful places like this at random.

Smallmouth, musky, pike, trout, New Glarus beer, and cheese curds.  A few more of my favorite things.

I fished a few places along this river with some great success.  I was able to entice some fish at 3/4 spots.  The next time I head up, I'm going to spend some more time at these areas with my kayak and waders.

Here's a small pike that came out to play.  I asked where Mom and Dad were, but his lips were sealed.

Another spot warrented some hefty bronze smalljaws.  Oh how I love these river brutes, and the fight they put up.

This one had some real battle wounds.  Hawk?  Eagle?  Snapping turtle?  Musky?  Pike?  Whatever it was, the wound was fresh.

Cannot wait to get back up there.  I know my Subaru Outback enjoys the dirt gravel logging roads. 

Until next time.

Popping For Backyard Bass

Went out with my FSA Custom Rods built 3 wt, and tossed a Boogle Bug with hopes of finding top water bass.  Needless to say, I found them.

Check out the video!!!!

Hopefully, the next one will have a better camera angle, and some better video quality.  Working out some kinks on my PC and iPad.

Camper with the Family

Family time is the best time.  My GF and I, headed up to my Grandparents camper at Fish Lake Beach in Volo, Illinois, to hang out with some of my family. 

We arrived just in time to join in on a hay ride around the campgrounds.  Not everyone joined us.  My Grandma stayed behind to wave at us when we rode by.  Everyone but 3 people on the hay trailer were a part of my family.  We were the best group that the residence of Fish Lake Beach ever experienced, hands down.

We always know how to have a blast.

When we were nearing the campers behind my Grandparents.  My Grandma was standing outside with a sign that read "Homeless - Need Family"....Hilarious!! We all got a great big laugh out of that.  Ain't she a riot!!

She cracks us up!

After the hay ride, a few of my cousins and I headed down to the lake with our fishing gear.  My cousins have all fished before, so, they all sort of know what they're doing.  My cousin Giacomo (Red Shirt), and Jeff (Not pictured) have more experience than Michael aka Big Red and Sam.  This lake had a terrible fish kill when we had our polar vortex winter, and some have told me it has bounced back through stocking, but I am not too positive about it.

The fishing was tough, as expected.  I was the only one to hook up with a fish, and boy, oh boy, was it a whopper.  After trying several streamers, I switched flies to a small san juan worm, and I cracked the code to Fish Lake Beach.  

Trophy catch.

After fishing, my cousin Jeff and I headed to the store to restock the firewood back at the camper.  Once we returned there was a fire already started, and we all started to make use of it for a snack.

Hot diggity dog.

Awww...here's me pictured with the person that hates all of my jokes, my lovely GF. :)

My Love.

Here we have pictured myself with a few of my many cousins.

We're a pretty awesome group.

As the evening turned into night.  The campground was having a Ho Down type dance at their pavilion a stones throw away from the camper.  Before we all headed over there, we made some pot pies.  Butter, bread, pizza sauce, and some cheese.  Close the pot pie, and stick it in the fire, and viola, a great meal. 

I've always enjoyed a good campfire.

I apologize, but there were no photos taken of my dancing.  I know you're all disappointed, but what I do have, is photo with my very awesome, special, and beautiful Grandmother. 

My Grandparents are part of the reason I love the outdoors as much as I do.  As a kid they used to take me, my sister, and my cousin Sharese camping with them all of the time.  They used to have a pop up camper, and belonged to a group who would travel together to different campgrounds. 

She doesn't read my blog, but in the event that she does - I LOVE YOU!!!

Love this woman!