Damsel in Distress SBS

  A few years ago, Adam Hope created the Carp Damsel, which is a hybridized version of a damsel and dragon nymph designed to target carp. The fly excelled across a wide range of conditions but made its name fishing mid-column to prowling carp and to bank feeders where the fly was delicately dapped in front of the fish. The […]

SOMETHING has GOTTA give…

For the past 2 months Chicago has been pounded with snow, subzero temperatures, ice, and wind. We broke two records for the coldest days in IL history this winter, we have 52 plus cumulative inches of snow on ground, and another 6 inches coming tomorrow. Everything from creeks to large Rivers are froze over. No open water as far as […]

Backup Plans

  It is late August and there are sporadic reports of good numbers of salmon running through the lower end of the Douglastown Salmon Run. Naturally, my mind wondered to two handers and swinging flies for fresh kings, cohos, browns, and steelhead. The reports elicited enough of a response that I decided to break my one rule for salmon fishing: […]

#mulberrytime

  The first week of June usually signals the beginning of that special time of year. Mulberry time. The mulberries are now ripe enough to attract the attention of hungry birds and squirrels. Usually multiple squirrels and a variety of birds can be found in a mulberry tree at any given time. They feed on these berries quite aggressively because […]

The Ides of March

Interestingly enough, carping in month of March made me miss the hardships I endured back in January and February. Spring was definitely here. Large shoals of carp were now staging in the shallows. Amongst the shoal, small groups could be found cruising, tailing, sunning, you name it..they were doing it. It was chaos…