Calling all Midwest Fishermen
 

Who do we have out there? I'm trying to find others to hit the water with. Since I moved to Chicago a couple of years ago, I've only fished about a total of 2 weeks in 2 years. I used to average 1-2 outings per week:rolleyes: I'm starting to do some research so I can get back on the ball.

I mostly fish the long rod (flyrod), but I do a lot of fishing with spinning tackle. I like to go after anything that swims... trout, steelhead, salmon, largemouths, smallies, white bass, stripers, hybrids, crappie, bluegills, carp, cats, etc. If it pulls... that's all that matters. Although, I've got smallmouth fever at the moment.

In another life, I used to build rods and tie flies. I'm trying to get back in the groove again. I pretty much travel 99% of the time for work. I haven't previously, but I'm gonna try to start bringing some gear on the road with me. I'm hoping to hit some local water if I'm able to (Wisconsin, Minnesota, Indiana, etc.). I'm mostly available on the weekends, but there are times that I'm at home during the week.

So who's out there? Who's up for hitting the water sometime?

Re: Calling all Midwest Fishermen
 

From the East side of lake St. Clair MI

Re: Calling all Midwest Fishermen
 

Most of my fishing is done in northern WI. We fish for bass, bluegill, crappie, pike, and muskie. The most recent years of going up there Ive mostly fished for walleye. By the way, my brother and I were talking the other day about fly fishing. There are a bunch of little rivers and streams in the north woods and we want to fish them. Any tips for getting into fly fishing? From the research ive done on rods and reels, they seem pricey.

Re: Calling all Midwest Fishermen
 

SW Michigan hear! Going to hit up the St. Joe river soon for some steelhead action.

My brother Fissure fly fishes. I can't seem to get it right but he does and he ties flies. Shoot him a PM.

Re: Calling all Midwest Fishermen
 

It all depends on what you consider pricey. To get set up with decent equipment, you really aren't going to spend more than you would for Loomis or St. Croix spinning/casting rods, etc. If you are starting out, your best bet would be to purchase some "hand me downs".... or a combo. It also depends how large of fish you are going after. The rod is the most important piece of equipment. You can get into a decent rod for $150 (retail). A reel might set you back $50 to $70. Larger fish will require a more expensive reel with a better disc drag. For a standard floating line, you will spend at least $30 (preferably as much as possible). There are some deals to be had on ebay... as long as you know what the equipment goes for in stores.

I will be working in Appleton, WI in about a month's time. Do you have any recommendations for spots that are wadeable or fishable with a small pontoon (smallmouths, pike, etc.)? I'm not sure I want to lay down $400 for a guided trip just for myself.

Re: Calling all Midwest Fishermen
 

We actually fish at least an hour and a half north of Appleton, just about as north as you get in wisconsin before hitting the Michigan/wisconsin border.

Would you suggest any good starter brand rod and reel combo? I was looking at cabelas brand. Cabelas Fly-Fishing

Re: Calling all Midwest Fishermen
 

What kind of fish... and what size waters are you fishing?

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If i had to guess, 600 acre lake. Its small compared to other big lakes up there. We fish for bass, walleye, pike, muskie, and pan fish.

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Tossed the line around a little today in the canal, nothing so I tied a few crawler harnesses today for the spring walleye season. I fish on Lake St. Clair and the 2 adjoining rivers.:tu

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Sounds like a great time today. I hope you enjoyed a smoke while tying Chris. I haven't walleye fished in years. Maybe this year dad will take his boat to Lake Erie and I can go with him.

I plan on hitting the St. Joseph in Berrien Springs sometime next week. Got a new reel for my 11' 6" rod.

Re: Calling all Midwest Fishermen
 

You can always come to one of the backyard Herfs a day early and we can fish lake St. Stupid:D

Stay in the humi bedroom for FREEEEEEEE!

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I'm not afraid of guns! :r

Re: Calling all Midwest Fishermen
 

I'm waiting for RevSmoke to get in on this...

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What about Blackhawks?:r:r:r


If you know what I mean Andrew

Re: Calling all Midwest Fishermen
 

You really can't cover all of those species with one setup. If I had to choose 1 rod, I would go with a 7 weight. Have you had any previous casting experience before? Do you plan on taking any lessons? A 6 weight might be a little easier to start out with. I don't have any personal experience with Cabela's rods, but I'm sure they make a decent product from the mid range up. For the money, I like the Temple Fork Outfitters Professional series. They make a good blank and have a good warranty.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...cat600020&rid=

Re: Calling all Midwest Fishermen
 

Sounds good. I've never fished for walleye before (living in the south). I'm gonna have to try and target them sometime. I know there are walleye that inhabit many of the Illinois streams that hold smallmouths.

Re: Calling all Midwest Fishermen
 

I fish many of the lakes in Northern IL - havent had any luck with trout in the area, but the largemouth bass can fish phenomenally depending on the time of year. Panfish, perch, and walleye can be plentiful in some areas as well.

We are getting ready to put the boats in the water next weekend, and our fishing season should kick off in a couple weeks!

Re: Calling all Midwest Fishermen
 

No experience with fly, but my dad has had some. I was also looking at Temple as well.

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No fishing sunday rain snow and winds in the 40 mph range:mad::mad:

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http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/pictur...pictureid=1822

This mornings catch.

Re: Calling all Midwest Fishermen
 

Very nice Andrew:tu

Re: Calling all Midwest Fishermen
 

Yo Brandon. How about smallmouth, red ear, blue gill, rainbows, browns, largemouth, crappie, perch, pumpkinseed, and goggle eye......and within a 30 minute drive of my house. World record brown trout was caught in the Little Red in Eastern Ark, 40.6lbs. Any time you can make it to NW Ark, you have tackle and a place to stay.

Re: Calling all Midwest Fishermen
 

I'm not seeing a pic... did you catch anything?


One of these days... I'm gonna make it back out there. I never forget the brown that I played for 10-15 before it broke off.

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Andrew way to show them all how we catch them in the mitten:tu:tu

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Nice!! You bringing fillets to the herf on Wednesday?
:r

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[quote=Brandon;320518]I'm not seeing a pic... did you catch anything?
QUOTE]


Whoops, my album was set to private. There ya go Brandon. I'm going back out this week/end sometime

Re: Calling all Midwest Fishermen
 

[quote=DPD6030;323156]Nice Steelie!!!

I'll be working in South Bend this week. Any chance you can meet up after work one day? Do you have any advice on access points for shore fishing or wading. You can PM me if you'd like.

Re: Calling all Midwest Fishermen
 

[quote=Brandon;323192]PM sent :tu

Re: Calling all Midwest Fishermen
 

During the winter I ice fish for panfish, northerns, and walleye. During the warm months I fly fish for trout, northerns, bass, and panfish. I rarely use conventional fishing gear during the warm months.

To the OP, consider checking out the ponds and lakes surrounding office complexes. Oftentime you'll find carp. I know it's not the greatest, but if you're stuck on a business trip, it beats watching HBO in the hotel.

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Hit the river again today. Fished from 7-11 AM. I had 5 on and landed this one. It's now in the freezer. Pic. was taken with my cellphone so it's not so good.

http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/pictur...pictureid=1872

Re: Calling all Midwest Fishermen
 

Dang... you're making me jealous. I sure could go for some smoked trout!

I'll be in Hammond, IN for the next several weeks. I'll probably be shore fishing around the warm water discharge at the plant after work. At least I won't have to drive anywhere.

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Lemme know when you are coming to Chicago and we can do that other thing you dabble in...ya know, cigars. :)

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Oh Admiral, I didn't get an invite :( and I was just in IL last weekend.

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I saw your post that you were going to be in South Bend, Andrew, but that's 2 1/2 hours from me. Lemme know when you are in town again and if I am off, we will smoke. :)

Re: Calling all Midwest Fishermen
 

I have been longing to go fishing as of late. I have some gift certs to cabellas, figured I would pick up a decent spinning or casting setup and hit some local lakes. Dont know anyone who fishes here.

Re: Calling all Midwest Fishermen
 

Tom,
I live in Niles, MI which is about 10 minutes north of South Bend. Sometimes I take the train over to the windy city sometimes I drive. I'll shall let you know when I do my next adventure to the windy city.

Brandon,
Too bad we couldn't hook up when you were in South Bend. Let me know when you're back in town and at the very least we can burn a stick or two.

Re: Calling all Midwest Fishermen
 

Been busy, just saw this thread for the first time right now - 9:13p 4/10.

I do some Steelheading in the spring - been done got a couple but not as many as I would have imagined. Will be getting out Easter Monday - and a few days off the rest of the week. Don't know where I will be yet, but I figure that will pan out.

I fish many of the tribs into Green Bay and Lk MI.

If you are interested, I'd happily show you a little of what I know of them.

Re: Calling all Midwest Fishermen
 

Went out today for about 4 hours. I caught a huge carp 10-12lb., a 2lb. carp, had one steelhead on and broke the hook just as I was about to beach it. I ended up catching one more. Here's what I caught.

http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/pictur...pictureid=1889

About a 5 lb. male again. Another one for the freezer.

Re: Calling all Midwest Fishermen
 

nice catch:tu

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Geez Andrew... it looks like you're going to be eating well for quite a while!

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Got to get that reinforcement backup plate done and get the boat in the drink so I can catch up to you Andrew, nice looking fish your putting in the crewl buddy:tu:tu

Re: Calling all Midwest Fishermen
 

Thanks Chris! I'd like to make it over your way and do some fishing and cigar smoking with you this spring/summer/fall sometime.

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I caught this smallie on Lake Michigan the other day. I can't wait for the spring time feed to start coming on:tu

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Nice fish:tu

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Great looking fish Brandon. We have been chasing the White Bass here. Nothing like hooking up on a pissed off four pound female white bass with a 5wt. What a fight.

Smallies and Crappie are starting to spawn here. Wish it would stop raining long enough to fish.

Re: Calling all Midwest Fishermen
 

Wow, beautiful smallie!

Re: Calling all Midwest Fishermen
 

Nice fish :tu