Cody309
Well-Known Member
Mid-week last week, I was requested to travel to the Chicago area for some work, leaving on Sunday. Before I let the commotion of booking last minute travel plans take hold of my mind, I did the natural thing - bought my Illinois State fishing license online. After having my travel plans made, I began to do some research for areas to toss a fly or two while visiting. To my pleasant surprise, I came across information from the DNR stating that sport fishing is open all year, and an excellent small-mouth river was literally right next to the plant I would be working at.
I took a quick look at the weather, and things did not look promising for my visit.
So, as I flew into Chicago and picked up my rental car, I crossed my fingers that weather forecasts would be what they usually are - wrong.
Thunderstorms hindered my ability to wet a line on Sunday evening, and a very long work day tired me out on Monday. Walking into the plant for the first time on Monday morning, I wasn't so sure that the forecast would be so wrong....
So, today, I finished working at around 5:30pm, cautiously looked outside, and was greeted by a great sunny afternoon. I grabbed some Subway on the way back to the hotel, quickly threw on my fishing gear, and headed to the state park just down the road.
The state park was very easy to access, and hosted some very lovely views.
After only about twenty minutes of being there, I witnessed a very large spinner hatch, which I tried to (and sort of did) capture on my camera.
I saw bass rising everywhere in this large river, and started casting to the fish I could reach. I managed to hook-up with 3 smallmouth while being there, and saw what appeared to be some very nice fish living in this water system. Seeing as bass is currently closed at home, I was thoroughly enjoying my opportunity to catch a few that were in season here in Illinois!
As the sun began to go down, I started my small hike back to my rental jeep, and began driving back to the hotel.
The town I'm staying in seems like the quintessential all-American small-town - I loved driving through it to see a kid's baseball game, packed with fans, and when I was returning from the state park, I drove past the Dairy Queen in town, which looked as if all the fans had migrated over to the parking lot and walk-up window.
Although I am very much missing home, and cannot wait to head back, I would be lying if I said I wasn't enjoying my time down here in Illinois!
Until next time, Chi-Town!
Cody
I took a quick look at the weather, and things did not look promising for my visit.
So, as I flew into Chicago and picked up my rental car, I crossed my fingers that weather forecasts would be what they usually are - wrong.
Thunderstorms hindered my ability to wet a line on Sunday evening, and a very long work day tired me out on Monday. Walking into the plant for the first time on Monday morning, I wasn't so sure that the forecast would be so wrong....
So, today, I finished working at around 5:30pm, cautiously looked outside, and was greeted by a great sunny afternoon. I grabbed some Subway on the way back to the hotel, quickly threw on my fishing gear, and headed to the state park just down the road.
The state park was very easy to access, and hosted some very lovely views.
After only about twenty minutes of being there, I witnessed a very large spinner hatch, which I tried to (and sort of did) capture on my camera.
I saw bass rising everywhere in this large river, and started casting to the fish I could reach. I managed to hook-up with 3 smallmouth while being there, and saw what appeared to be some very nice fish living in this water system. Seeing as bass is currently closed at home, I was thoroughly enjoying my opportunity to catch a few that were in season here in Illinois!
As the sun began to go down, I started my small hike back to my rental jeep, and began driving back to the hotel.
The town I'm staying in seems like the quintessential all-American small-town - I loved driving through it to see a kid's baseball game, packed with fans, and when I was returning from the state park, I drove past the Dairy Queen in town, which looked as if all the fans had migrated over to the parking lot and walk-up window.
Although I am very much missing home, and cannot wait to head back, I would be lying if I said I wasn't enjoying my time down here in Illinois!
Until next time, Chi-Town!
Cody
