Temporary Happiness

Des Plains River.

20 minutes to kill.

Bait caster.  Steel leader.  Rapala Husky Jerk (Firetiger).

High water.  Fast current.

Nothing.

20 minutes of satisfaction.

a Tight Loop Fall Edition (I contributed)

The Fall Edition of a Tight Loop Magazine is out, and yours truly has a little article in there about the Des Plains River and the Northern Pike I love to fish for.  I also have a fly tying video in the magazine, as well.  

My buddy UA Dave (Urban Assault Fly Fishing) has a great pictorial in there from his most recent trip to the boundary waters.

One of my favorite articles is "Ball O' Crap" by Matt Jennings

Check it out!!

---->CLICK HERE<----

Let me know what you all think!!!

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

WCF DPR FLOATILLA

This past Labor Day weekend, I got out with a bunch of guys from a local fishing forum - WindyCityFishing.com.  I believe there were 13 of us that made it out to the Des Plains River with kayaks and canoes.  It was a great time.  I got to meet some good people from the forum that I haven't met, yet.  After the float there was food and drink provided by a few guys.  

Big thanks, to all of them for throwing this all together.

I made a video of the outing.  Everyone contributed to the video, so, I can only take credit for throwing it together.  Hope you enjoy it!  Hopefully, I'll be able to make the next one.

DPR...IT'S BACK!!!

We've had an extremely wet June and mid July here in the Chicagoland area.  That means that one of my favorite fisheries has been blown out or not to my liking to fish.  Finally, the rain let up for a few days, and the Des Plains River returned to it's normal levels, and allowed me to finally get some fishing in.

One of my favorite shirts to wear out on the DPR is a $3 shirt with a shark on it for "Shark Week."  Well, this past Spring I was checking out the clearance section of a store and stumbled across this gem of a shirt.  It's a Shark Week shirt, and it says "I <3 Snuffy"...I'm not familiar with Snuffy, but someone told me that's what they named one of the seals at the infamous spot where Great White Sharks fly out of the water.  The best part about this find is that it was another $3 shirt! SCORE!!  I couldn't wait to wear it out on the DPR, and I finally received my chance.

SNUFFY and PIG FARM INK

There were 4 of us that day...DanK, Keith, and Piker Mike.  We floated a section that Keith was familiar with, and it proved to be tough.  DanK, Keith, and Piker Mike tossed spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, and some other lures.  I tossed some flies, with the occasional soft plastic swimbait (I wanted to try something different).

Cleaning up all of the missed pike. :)

I ended the day with 3 pike caught all on a firetiger baitfish pattern of mine on a size 2 hook.  Nothing with crazy size, but the normal hammer handles that love to keep me busy.  I really with all of the ones that missed came back for a 2nd run.  DanK hooked up with 1 little "pickle" and missed about 25 others using a buzzbait.  He was really determined to hook up with all of his pike top water.  Keith caught the biggest one of the day toward the end of the float trip, and missed quite a few others.  Piker Mike finished the 8 beers he brought too early and didn't even see pike.  I'm sure he had some unseen follows, the pike are getting hungry!!

This one exploded out of the water when it hit my sub-surface fly.  Great strike!

DanK got caught playing with his Pickle!

Great company to go on a float with.  Looking forward to our next outing Gents.

Catch n Release

Sun drunk and stick boats

The 3rd installment of - Bored and going through old photos.

I cannot count how many times Bobba-Dood overstayed our welcome in the sun, and became silly sun drunk fools. We've all been there...am I right?..please tell me I'm not alone. Haha

Our fishing outings use to last all day. 6+ hours of baking in the sun fishing multiple times a week. There were multiple outings where we would reach a that point where we became silly, stupid, and laughed at everything. 1 part sun, 2 parts exhaustion. During those times, the creative side of my mind would get going. I distinctly remember 2 occasions where I just randomly started to make something that resembled a watercraft of sorts, not human size, but something you could put a lego person on. 

On the first occasion we were fishing at Mallard Lake. I made a small watercraft the size of a post card out of sticks, grass, leaves, and vine. Whatever was around. I set it out to sea. It floated. I was proud. I then had the grand idea of trying to sink it with small rocks, pebbles if you will. I didn't want to cheat and use a big ole rock, where would the fun be in that. My accuracy was terrible and eventually just tossed a big ole rock, and defeated my very own Eco friendly battleship.

The 2nd time we were fishing the Des Plains River, and catching a skunk. I decided that we both create stick boats, race them, and see which one will survive falling over the low head dam.

Bobba Dood started making a Mark Twain'esk type stick raft. As you can see in the picture below, it shows he has just started the frame. Unfortunately, I was unable to locate pictures of the final product. I do remember it was no match for my ingenuity.

Here is what my mind is capable of when I'm exhausted, and had too much sun. Pure genius! How can you not say to yourself, "Wow, that's impressive! Is it for sale?!?!"

I was extremely pleased with the outcome of this vessel, that I contemplated changing careers, and devoting all of my time building stick boats, and starting a stick boat river racing league, but I didn't want the fame and fortune that came with that territory. I'm a humble guy. Plus the world wasn't ready for that kind of excitement at the time.

...and there she goes on her maiden voyage. What a beauty. The only fixture that did not survive the fall over the dam, was the sail. She kept on going down river, and didn't miss a beat. She's probably made her way around the world a few times by now. 

I know everyone has a few stories similar to this one. I'd love to hear them, so, please, do tell!!!!

Winter DPR Float

I have been itching to get out on the Des Plains River (DPR) 1 last time this year, and I finally got my opportunity. After my morning workout, I loaded up my kayak, and headed toward the river. When I arrived at the launch, the sun was out blazing, and it was a very warm 35 degree's outside.

Paddled up river quite a ways. Pretty much my 2nd workout for the day - I was exhausted. My gear was kept to a minimum. It was hard for me to only bring my 10 wt fly rod, and 3 flies. The first 2 minutes of my float back to the landing, I had a very nice chunky 25+ inch northern pike sort of lazily explode out of the water in a terribly failed attempt to strike my fly. It kind of seemed like it didn't want to go after it, but had to. Sort of how I most of us feel about work sometimes. Don't really want to be there, but need to be. I anchored and casted like a billion times into the same area, but no dice...or pike.

That was the most action I received fishing on my float. I did, however, see a female deer standing near the bank, and soon after that,  I saw a raccoon walking the bank. They were probably just enjoying the beautiful weather just like me. 

Not wanting to end this beautiful day with a skunk. I loaded up my kayak, and headed towards an area I can get a decent cast from shore with my fly rod, not to mention, the spot is always good for at least 1 pike. Upon arrival I was happy to find no one else was there. The last few times I stopped here, there were some characters I didn't get a good vibe from.

If you look close, you can see the fly, flying.

Nothing on Side A, so, I flipped over to Side B.

Graffiti under the bridge.

Side B had the soothing sounds of thrashing water I was looking for.

These pike have dirty mouths.

The DPR

It's that time of year when I hunt for teeth. I'm referring to Northern Pike, and Musky. I have caught many pike, but musky seem to elude me. I know that I'm not alone.

This one time I hooked up with a musky, but that was about it. I was bass fishing, and had an 8lb test leader on. My prayers of a the hook being set in the perfect place were not met. I was broke off right in front of me.

I took my kayak out for it's first float of the year on the Des Plaines River (DPR). The outing was short, and upon arriving at my desired put in, I was upset to find that the chain with the closed sign was still up.

Plan B.

Before I put my kayak in the water I made a few casts near a big storm pipe, and I was greeted with an explosion, but no hook up. Then I casted straight out into the river and watched a pike about 17 inches short strike my single pike fly about 5-9 times. It was quite comical.

Belmont Ave.

It was going to be a short outing with the sun starting to set earlier as Fall quickly approaches. I decided to paddle up river and float, anchor, and fish my way back. I ended up going 1 for 3, hooking up with a hammer handle.

Shark week or pike week

Not too long ago a friend of mine hooked up with a pike estimated at 34 inches, a real trophy for the DPR, but there are rumors of 37 +inchers roaming these waters. Looking forward to a weekend outing where I have nothing but time.

Bitchin'

Snow Pike

Not wanting to pack up our fishing gear for the winter just yet. My buddy Dave (Urban Assault Fly Fishing) and I decided to take a float down the Des Plaines River just outside of Chicago, and fish for some feisty Northern Pike.

The day started out a lovely 23 degree's. We were well aware that it was going to be cold, and that we had snow in the forecast, but that did detour us one bit. We spent the first 1/2 of the day casting with no luck. After a few offering changes, Dave, was able to hook up with his first DPR Pike.

An average sized DPR Pike for Dave in the midst of some snowfall (Photo by: Myself)

As the day went on, the snow began to fall steadily, and the temperature was up and down ranging from cold to really cold. Dave continued to hook up and find these feisty pike, and totaled 3 on the day. I on the other hand, was not able to hook up with any. I did, however, have 2 really nice blow ups.

Anchored down in front of a warm water discharge. (Photo by: Dave)

Although, I was not able to hook up with any pike, I would still consider this a great outing. Floating down the Des Plaines River whiled it snowed, chucking big buck tail streamers for northern pike - Hell yeah, I'd do it again!

One of the 2 low head dams we had to portage. (Photo by: Myself)

Broke the oar in half breaking through an iced over section of river. Hand Paddle!! (Photo by: Dave)

Snow, ice, and a frozen buck tail streamer. (Photo by: Myself)