Proviso, Illinois

I have been chasing this fish for as long as I can remember. This was in fact not only my first catch of the year because of all the rain we have received leading to much higher water levels in both Illinois and Indiana, but this is also my 30th Creek Chub caught on a fly rod at this location which I still consider to be my home waters despite the 46 mile drive from where we now reside. This is especially fulfilling to me because back in 1974 when President Nixon signed the Clean Water Act, Salt Creek was SO POLLUTED, it was constantly thicker than a chocolate malt, which means no fish could possibly survive in this fishery. But in 2017 after returning from a three year stint teaching English in Taiwan, I took the Bike Trail and walked up to the water’s edge and to my amazement, I could see clear to the bottom of the Creek bed. And after taking up fly fishing again during the Pandemic, the rest is history. I’m just sorry I snapped off my fly from my leader because once you have tasted success, you only want more. Next time! 😇

Great catch

Second of three Creek Chub. Happy November 1st. Don’t ever let anyone tell you the equipment is all the same. I started out using a 7WT telescoping graphite fly rod made in China and purchased off AliExpress for $17 and didn’t land squat (because it’s GARBAGE). But as soon as I switched to the British Designed Rigged & Ready 4WT and my Orvis Rocky Mountain Four fly reel, I started landing the first of three Creek Chub in the same location I landed three Creek Chub the previous day in short order. And now for another fun fact; two out of three Creek Chubs prefer Orvis Black Ant Toast flies as their dropper fly of choice over popper flies. Finally, I had to stop because the third Creek Chub literally swallowed my black ant fly I was using as my dropper, but the second Chub took the popper instead. I tried to keep going with another popper/dropper combo I previously tied and had handy, but no bites. This brings my total to 28 Creek Chub caught in this wonderful little fishery. I can’t wait until next time. 😇

Third of three Creek Chub. Happy November 1st. Don’t ever let anyone tell you the equipment is all the same. I started out using a 7WT telescoping graphite fly rod made in China and purchased off AliExpress for $17 and didn’t land squat (because it’s GARBAGE). But as soon as I switched to the British Designed Rigged & Ready 4WT and my Orvis Rocky Mountain Four fly reel, I started landing the first of three Creek Chub in the same location I landed three Creek Chub the previous day in short order. And now for another fun fact; two out of three Creek Chubs prefer Orvis Black Ant Toast flies as their dropper fly of choice over popper flies. Finally, I had to stop because the third Creek Chub literally swallowed my black ant fly I was using as my dropper, but the second Chub took the popper instead. I tried to keep going with another popper/dropper combo I previously tied and had handy, but no bites. This brings my total to 28 Creek Chub caught in this wonderful little fishery. I can’t wait until next time. 😇