Lost Mail Found

With all the snow that we received in the Chicago Burbz on Saturday, I didn't bother doing going out like I had planned.  I cooked, cleaned, and sat on the couch and drank some beer while.

While I was cleaning my desk, and organizing all of my materials, I found an envelope that I had been looking for since I received it.  The envelope contained a sticker and business card from Howard at Windknots & Tangled Lines.  This sticker will find a home on my Nautilus Reels Yeti Cooler.  ThANK YOU, for the sticker, Howard!

Also inside of the envelope were 2 stickers from FrankenFly that I received the same day, and put them all together.  I completely forgot I had these.  Who know's what more I will find as I clean even more.  I have my fingers crossed for some $$$.

Now that my fly tying desk is all cleaned up, it's time to mess it up, again.  Time to stock up on my favorite local craft beers, and get to tying.

We're Huntin' Musky

Friday 7/24, I received a text from my buddy, Mario, informing me that Friday night basketball has been cancelled.  Damn.  Then I received a text from my buddy, Mike, that said, "Open seat if you want to chase some Ski's today.".....Yeah!!!

We put the boat in at 6 PM, and what a perfect time.  There were still a few pleasure boaters out and about, but they were decreasing in numbers as time went on.  The waves in the lakes were starting to go down, and it was a cool sight to see.  I've never seen these lakes without waves.  It was a beautiful thing.

We started out casting inline spinners, and then we began to toss some big top water lures that splash down in the water like a cannonballs.

My new favorite July beer.

As the night progressed, we did not see any fish.  There were a few other musky hunters out, and they were having the same luck that we were having.  

It was getting late, and the time was 11:30 PM, and we were just talking about heading back.  As I was making a few more casts into the darkness of night, one of my casts did not find water.  Instead we could only hear the not so joyful sound of leaves.  I just casted an expensive lure of Mikes into a tree.  No other words can describe how I felt other than "SHIT."

We tried everything from the boat, and then Mike decided to climb the tree...and he did.  Turns out, I cast the lure so far, that it went beyond the tree that was nearest to the water, and into the tree behind it.  Hilarious...but not really.

Motoring to another fishy spot.

There were no fish caught, no follows spotted, but there were a few beers drunk, and a good time had.  

 How's that old saying go - "That's musky fishing."

Big THANKS goes out to Mike for inviting me out.

Weekend Floats

SATURDAY 7/18

I was hoping to fish early and beat the heat, but that plan did not work out. I woke up late. It was forecast to be cloudy and 70/80 until Noon, and then it was going to be clear skies, sunny and in the 90's. I got to the Des Plains River around 9:30ish, unloaded my kayak, and paddled upriver.

What a workout! The water was high, stained, and moving fast due to some recent storms we've had. That did not make paddling up river easy at all, but I toughed it out. I brought some beers with me, and that helped offset the calories I burned paddling. Haha.

A local Chicago brewery - Revolution Brewing - Fist City

There's a very busy road that runs along the river, and it's appropriately named River Road. I started to hear some rumbling, and figured it was just some semi trucks hitting one of the many potholes. Started to hear it some more, and I saw the sky get a little darker west. I quickly checked my phones weather app, and nothing. Same forecast as before. Then I heard the rumbling, again, but that time I was damn sure that it was thunder. The fishing was terrible, so, I decided to just paddle back the rest of the way. The wind picked up and it started to drizzle as I approached the launch.

Right after I got my kayak and gear loaded, and sat down in my car, it started to downpour. LUCKY!

SUNDAY 7/19

I arrived at Busse Lake around 8 and fished until 11:30...I think. Ha ...I really don't remember looking at the clock.

I had an are of the lake known as CWB all to myself. The rogue storm from Saturday churned the water up, so, it was murky everywhere. The water was up, too, so, the weeds that I normally fish with a frog were all submerged. I tossed a frog with my casting gear, and some flies out in some open water parts of the lake. I was receiving a skunk, so, decided to call it a day.

On the way back to my put in, I decided to make a few more casts before I paddled the 25 yards to the take out. Boom! I was rewarded with a froggin' bass, and beat the skunk!

Decided to wear a Hoo Rag so that my racoon eye tan lines don't get any worse.

CPR

All in all, it was a rather interesting weekend. That rogue storm was really something else. I should also note that I'm happy to hear that some friends that were out fishing on Lake Michigan were able to make it off of the water before it got too hairy out there.

Side note - My farmers tan is looking killer!!!

I forgot how to count.

Needing to fill an order for a dozen Zebra Midges. I grabbed my size 22 hooks, beads, wire, and my newly acquired half hitch Rite Bobbin (Review to come after extensive use). I thought I had counted out 12, but when I was finished, I only had 11 flies, and of course I had already put everything away....I've been trying to keep my desk as organized as possible.

My last Bells Hop Slam. Sad face.

Maybe a few too many of these led to me miscounting the flies.

Hop Slamming Some Buggers!

One of my favorite craft beers was recently released - Hop Slam by Bell's Brewery. A few of my friends took a road trip to the brewery in Kalamazoo, Michigan. They informed me that the brewery and local stores were sold out of the beer, so, my only hope was to wait until it was distributed to the Chicagoland area, and even then I wasn't guaranteed to get it.

Fortunately for me, my GF and her mom are awesome, and were able to find a 6 pack for me! Woo-Hoo! A big THANK YOU goes out to them!

Hop Slam glassware

Poured myself a few of those that night, caught up with a show I started watching with the GF, and tied up some buggers for my personal stash. Loving the Vedavoo bench basin! 

These buggers do well for me on the lakes and ponds that are in my area.

Here's the material list:

1. Black Marabou tail

2. Two Strands of silver crystal flash

3. Olive medium chenille for the body

4. Black Saddle Hackle Feather for the head

5. Cone bead (put on before any of the other materials)

Sticker from @WYCOFLYCO on Instagram

Chorizo stuffed Jalapeño Poppers

If you have ever watched Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, you may have seen an episode where Guy Fieri was at a burger place in Chicago. The name of the place is Kuma's Corner, and the burgers there are outstanding! Not only are the burgers delicious, the appetizers are just as good, too.

Here's a step by step on how to make these poppers. I do them a bit differently than Kuma's, and they come out just as good...in my opinion.

Ingredients

• Jalapenos
• Chorizo
• Whipped Cream Cheese
• Panko
• 1 Egg
• Beer (Optional) 

Step One - Open beer and take a sip. (Optional.)

Step Two - Make sure you have all of the required ingredients. If you don't, then improvise. I forgot to get panko, and was too lazy to go back to the store, so, I improvised and used Italian bread crumbs instead.

Step Three - Cut the tops off of the jalapeno peppers and clean them out.

Step Four - Cook the chorizo sausage.

Step Five - In a bowl mix the cooked chorizo sausage with the whipped cream cheese.

Step Six - Drink Beer. (Optional.)

Step Seven - Fill the jalapenos with the chorizo sausage and cream cheese mixture.

Step Eight - Prepare a bowl with the 1 egg, and another bowl with panko.

Step Nine - Take a jalapeno and soak it with egg, then coat it with panko, and place on a baking tray. Repeat until finished.

Step Ten - Pre-heat oven to 400 degree's, and bake the jalapenos until golden.

Step Eleven - Take them out of the oven.

Step Twelve - Drink beer and eat.

Done.

Not pictured is the finished product. It's because my GF bought a deep fryer, and I tried to use it for the first time with these poppers, because, Kuma's Corner deep fry's theirs. In the past I have baked mine, because, I never had a deep fryer, and they have turned out awesome. Well, not the case with the deep fryer. I was very disappointed with the finished product. I chalk it up to it being my first time using the deep fryer. I will post a picture the next time I make them.

Shout out to my beautiful sister, Jennifer, for getting me a case of one of my favorite, hard to attain beers. Zombie Dust from 3 Floyds in Munster, Indiana.

Goose Island Bourbon County Bourbon Stout

Goose Island's Bourbon County Bourbon Stout. A delicious 14.2 % ABV that has a ridiculous amount of flavor. If you come across it, and haven't had it, I highly recommend that you purchase it, and give it a go. I'm not much of a bourbon fan, but the first time I had this stuff, I was like WOW. I believe this beer is best when it's at room temperature. It allows all of those flavors to come out even more.

The popularity of craft beer has sky rocketed, and has gotten out of control. I was only able to score 1 bottle this year. I'm sure I will find some more as the days go on, but I am not one to stand in those "Black Friday" type lines for anything, let alone beer. Ha!

Are there any others out there who enjoy craft beer?

FSA Custom Rods presents: The Dragon Slayer

The Dragon Slayer

An FSA Custom Rod

Last October (2013), after breaking my 9 wt rod on my fall musky hunt. I was chit chatting with Ed over at FSA Custom Rods, and he talked me into having a backup rod. He didn't have to do much selling on the idea, because, it was already in my head. I mean, why in the world would you not have a back up rod, especially on a fishing trip. I'm such a critical thinker. =)

As the two of us were talking about the build, we both were throwing out the same exact ideas, at the the same damn time. It was extremely hilarious and awkward at the same time. I was starting to think he was literally in my head. We both thought it should be a stealthy build. Black on black with some gunmetal gray mixed in.

"Slate poly, charcoal nylon, gunmetal metallic and bullard black nylon 4 color throop wrap." - FSA Custom Rods

Those throop/tiger wraps really make this rod a thing of beauty. Ed does some outstanding work, and it shows.

More specs on the rod.

• Matte black 9' - 3 pc - 10 wt.
• Double locking nut reel seat.
• Smoke black TiCh snake guides and tip top.
• Full wells cork grip with x-flock heat shrink over wrap.

I could not be any happier with this rod. The grip on it is fantastic. It doesn't get slippery and it seems to have saved my hand a few blisters. It's performed great, and I cannot wait to see what other big fish this rod helps me land...steelhead...tarpon...snook...a shark? Hopefully, all of those!

If you're interested in contacting Ed about a possible build or if you have any questions about rods, fishing or beer (Ed is a fantastic home brewer) I'm sure he'll be glad to answer your questions. He's a good guy, with some serious talent.

Website - FSA CUSTOM RODS

EMAIL - ed@fourseasonangler.com

I BELIEVE IN DRAGONS

The Dragon Slayer

Exploring the Northwoods

So, I took a 4 day trip to the Northwoods of Wisconsin with my buddy Fat Gordo. We drove around in search of any water we could find to fish. We fished some rivers, and we fished some lakes...pretty much just stopping when we saw something fishable. I'll let the pictures do the talking. It was a great trip!

The top water bite was on. The smallies were loving the fire tiger Todd's wiggle worm I was tossing.

I love these Northwoods smallies. They all fought way bigger than they were.

An underwater release shot I got of this smallie with his war paint on, all ready for battle, again.

When I'm in Wisconsin, I just cannot pass up picking up a 6 pack or 2 of some of Wisconsin's finest beer. New Glarus Brewing Co. This was my first time having Moon Man, and it did not disappoint.

Lucid Fishing Grips helping me handle the toothy pike. Check out them eyes!

I didn't take a measurement, but this pike is way bigger than my personal best 25" northern pike.

The Fat Gordo hooking up with some chunky smallface bass. 

Replacing the studs on my wading boots, and eating dinner. Turkey and Dorito's sandwich.

The nicest fish I caught all trip. What a freakin' beauty!!!!!! My face doesn't show it, but I am beyond psyched! (I've got a good poker face.) This one took a swim jig with a Stankx Bait Co. mudbugz trailer in the Gobi Wan color pattern. Killer!

Just another shot of the beauty with me holding back my excitement -  I really don't know why I wasn't smiling in those pictures, Haha. I was really pumped up, that's for sure.

Pulling over on the shoulder to cast a frog in some of the best lilly pads I've ever seen while my buddy watched. I went 1 for 2. I got too excited for the 2nd fish and set the hook well before it had it.

3 days of turkey Dorito sandwiches will make you want a whole pizza to yourself.

My favorite shot of the trip.

The smallies up there are something else. They fight they put up is second to none. I absolutely cannot wait to return up there. There's a ridiculous amount of water up there just waiting for me to explore it some more. Big thanks to the fishing gods, we were able to catch a few!