Warm Water Discharge

With the temperature in the high 30's, again. I just had to wet a line, so, I went to the only place that I knew would have open water. It's a place we refer to around here as the WWD (Warm Water Discharge). The water never freezes there, and all of the fish congregate to the area....bluegill, crappie, bass, huge shad, carp, goldfish, and musky.

While the fish are clearly visible with a good set of polorized sunglasses, they are not incredibly easy to catch, to me anyway. I have a friend Geo who is an excellent angler and the big fish always seem to find the end of his line. Check him out on Instagram - GEOFISHING 

I did manage to hook up with a bluegill before moving to a part of the WWD that I have never fished before.

Whoa! I caught a heart shaped bluegill, just in time for Valentines Day! My GF is surly going to love this freak of nature. :)

After moving to a part of the discharge I have never fished. I finally got a solid hook up!!!! It was like I was stuck to a log....and it turns out I was. Oh well. I absolutely hate when this happens, and I try my best to retrieve the line and lure. I could care less about the jig, but I don't like leaving line out there, but sometimes you really don't have a choice. It unfortunate.

But if it's line left in a place that reachable, like the ground, I pick it up, and stuff it in a pocket. I hate seeing pictures of birds and other animals caught up by these lines that are just left out there. I mean really, is it that hard to take back with you? Apparently, it is, and I wish I could give them a swift kick in the ass for not picking it up themselves.

LEAVE NO TRACE

Bo Knows...Swings!

Over the weekend while my GF and I were taking the dogs for a walk, she thought it would be funny if she put Bo Marley in a swing. Well, sure enough, the little stinker loved it...or at least tolerated it. Haha

Enjoy!

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.

Ice Fishing

As I was wandering through Cabela's killing time, and looking at a bunch of hooks, I came across some very small jigs that looked perfect for ice fishing. The hooks were 1/100 oz, and they had a clean hook shank to work with. 

1.  I tie on some marabou for a tail (Do not cut off the excess.)
2. Add some crystal flash for an attractor.
3. Wrap the excess marabou around the rest of the hook shank.
4.  Whip finish.

Done.

I am going to give ice fishing another shot this winter.

Happy Customer and Catch

One of my most recent customers had an awesome outing on a river here in Illinois. He was able to hook up with about 7 northern pike with the first flies that he has purchased from me. He was more than pleased with the flies, and the pike were, as well - just look at that smile. :)

CHEESE!

I love hearing about people having success with something that I created. Nothing pleases me more!

I've been sick for the past 5 days. Bummer, because, it was extremely nice out this past weekend with weather in the 40's. I am hoping that I will be able to get out and we a line this upcoming weekend. Fingers Crossed!

Wolverine

The Outback received a new decal. 

I think it suits it very well.

Winter's here....

No More Daylight

The photo below is the exact emotion/feeling/look I get when returning home from work and want to do something outside, but it's already, too, dark out.

Wolves -vs- Coyote

Just thought I would share this video I came across. I have never seen footage of how vicious wolves can be. I feel bad for that coyote, but he seemed like he was aware of the consequences. Those wolves really F'd him up bad!

Notice the bald eagle scavaging! Reminds me of the time I saw a bald eagle up north scavaging on a dead deer on the side of the road.

Winterizing the Outback

Stumbled upon this on one of the Facebook Subaru Outback forums. Someone posted about how the side skirts really have no drain holes, and if removed you will find all kinds of dust, muck, and old salt residue. 

Living in the Chicagoland area, in the winter we go through a astronomical amount of salt. That is bad news for our vehicles, because, of rust. The side skirts in the picture below have almost no drainage holes underneath.

Underneath the side skirt it's all painted metal. That paint is really not going to protect or prevent your vehicle from rust.

After cleaning the all of the dirt, soot, muck, salt, and debris in the side skirt and body, I just used painters tape to protect the areas that I did not want to spray with the Rust-Oleum undercoating.

I sprayed on 2 layers on the side and underneath where the side skirts cover. I just made my vehicle better prepared for the upcoming winter and beyond. I was very pleased with the outcome.

An Icy Wade

I went fishing.

Checked out my favorite creek in search of some early season smallies, but the outing didn't last long. Much of the creek was still covered in about 3 inches of ice. I spent 1/3 of my time pretending to be an ice breaker. That stopped when I couldn't break any more ice to wade through, and when I got bored of watching the mini icebergs float down stream. (Also, because, I realized that I probably looked like a clown out there.)

No fish were caught.

No fish were seen.

Went home and took a nap.

Yawn.

It's a Midwest thing

Reasons why I have never gone ice fishing in the past:

1. I don't see the enjoyment of fishing from a hole in the ice.

2. If there's ice, that usually means it cold....not a big fan.

3. Being a bigger guy, I have a fear of stepping on the ice, breaking it, and falling through.

4. I like to move around when I fish, not sit in one spot.

5. Did I mention that it's usually cold out?

I knew not to expect this...but there nothing wrong with wishful thinking, right!

So, I went ice fishing for the first time with a friend who had invited me out. He had an extra ice fishing rod, and I needed a fishy fix.

The outing was short, different, and exhausting. The ice was 16 inches thick, and a pain in the ass to auger for a first timer. After drilling my first hole through the ice and dropping a line, the action was immediate. I hooked up with 3 bluegill, one after another. FUN! Then the bite died. My buddy finished the short outing with 6 bluegill and 1 crappie.

CATCH

RELEASE

Did this change my mind about ice fishin...No.

Will I go ice fishing again...Yes, but I'm not spending a dime on ice fishing gear!

FISH EYE

***(For some reason this post went back to draft, and took changed on me.....WTF Google!)***

I just want to fish.

Okay, winter....enough already! I've lost count of all of the subzero days we've had. I know it's well into the double digits, and I don't care to Google it up.

I don't even need Spring or Summer at this point, 30 degree weather would suffice. Just enough to get out on a river without having to worry about dodging icebergs. I just want to breath in some fresh morning air without my nostrils freezing shut or looking like Harry and Lloyd in Dumb and Dumber, while out ENJOYING the outdoors. There is no enjoyment in single digit weather, unless you're an ice fishermen or a polar bear.

Anyone have any big fishing trips planned? I'd love to hear about 'em!

I am still trying to figure out where I will be wetting a line. My fishing goals this year are to fish/explore new water/places.

In April I will be spending 3 days in Fort Myers, Florida. I'll be able to fish part of the time, and I hope to hook up with some salty fish...tarpon, redfish, grouper, sharks...pretty much whatever the hell wants my fly in it face.

Then I'll be in Orlando for 7 days, and I'll be able to fish a limited amout, but I have day dreams of catching bass bigger than 5lbs.

And of course, I have to make a Fall trip to a magical place, Musky Country. This is the year I slay the King of the North.

I'll end this with a thank you, to Mike over at Troutrageous! for showing some love to my blog. If you haven't checked out his blog, you should.

Simms Rogue Fleece Hoodie

I've been rockin' the Simms Rogue Fleece Hoodie since September, and I absolutely love it. I'm not a fan of big bulky jackets, so, this fit the bill. I could have easily went with the XL, but I opted for the XXL, because, I like my layers. (It's a Midwest thing). I have an Under Armour fleece jacket that I like to wear as a base, and it fits perfectly under the hoodie. The two of those combined have stood up to the subzero temps that we have been experiencing here in the Chicagoland area this winter.

When the temps are up to the 30's, the hoodie is all I need. It has repelled water fairly well, for being a hoodie. I love that is has 2 chest pockets, and a slot for headphones. I am also, a big fan of the camo pattern by Simms.

Geez! I didn't realize I had such a love fest with this hoodie, until I wrote this.

Fact - I do love this hoodie! :)

If you like hoodies, and don't mind putting up $80 bucks for one, I say, go for it!

Note: I might have been lucky to find it for the price I did, because, after a quick search I only see it listed for $90+  ....still worth it IMO.

Cold Weather Outings

Went out for a quick wade this past Sunday on Poplar Creek. It was about 25 degrees, and there was ice forming in the slack water. 1 hour of wading, fishing, and getting rid of the ice build up on my guides produced a runny nose. I didn't mind that at all, because, the sun was shining and it was a beautiful day, despite the cold. Then it was off to Cabela's for some more tying material. Ha!

My FSA custom 3 wt on ice.

Skunked Photography

Here are some more pictures from my last few outings.

Late October stocker rainbow trout taken on a royal wolf.

Late October DPR northern pike.

GoPro Hero 3

I finally got around to playing with some video I took to test out my GoPro Hero 3 camera. Here is just a test video I made with some video, and still shots. I edited this on my iPad 2 using iMovie. (I need a new laptop/desktop...they're outdated, and not capable of playing the videos from this camera.)

(Mind you - I threw this video together in 20 minutes.)

Let me know what you think.....

Also, has anyone else had a problem with their GoPro and 64gb class 10 micro SD card????

I just sent an email to ScanDisk about the GoPro possibly frying my card. I've read numerous forums about this subject, and there seems to be quite a bit of people out there experiencing this. I am hopeful that they will send me a new one. (I've read they will replace it....I should start looking for a different brand if it continues.)

6 Days - Zero Fish

So, I've been out fishing 6 times thus far (Not consecutively), and I've only accomplished to shake the rust off of my cast. Which is fine by me...for now anyway. Here is a day by day recap w/pictures of my outings.

Day 1: Salt Creek
I had zero expectations, because, there was still quite a bit of snow on the ground, and the temperatures were still boucing between the teens and 30's.

This snowball took a size 6 black wooly bugger.

Day 2: Downers Grove Pond
After work I decided to fish a decent sized pond. When I arrived I took notice that there was still quite a bit of ice on the lake. It was a beautiful day, the temperature was up, and the sun was shining. I was actually hoping to catch my first fish of the year, but she stood me up.

I was dressed to impress, but my first fish of the year stood me up.

Day 3: Songbird Slough
This lake is litterally down the street from me. It's only good for sunfish. It was an extremely windy day, but the sun was shining, and that's good enough for me. Only thing caught was this tree....

What not to do while fly fishing....catch trees.

Day 4: Meachem Grove
What a beautiful day this was. That was about it. No fish, but I got some nice pictures.

Day 5: Lake Michigan
Wasn't planning on fishing, but while in downtown Chicago I decided to give the Big Pond (Lake Michigan) a few cast's with a spoon, because, I know the browns and salmon are moved in. Didn't catch a thing, and I neither did anyone else I talked with. No fly rod today.

Day 6: Songbird Slough
I now know why I dislike this lake. I talked with a guy that was fishing nightcrawlers under a bobber, and he said that he heard from a guy, who was talking with another guy, about how they shocked the lake and hardly any bass came up. Mostly carp and catfish." So, I just casted with extremely little expectations.

My weapon of choice.