Looking For Some Information

[Kyle]

Hello All,

Well to start I am taking a job at Campbell Cameras in southeastern Illinois. I am from the STL area and like having streams (especially trout) with in a couple of hours of home. After looking through the Illinois DNR it seems there are no cold water streams in the state. All that being said:

I am a fly-fisherman and I am now looking for other options satisfy my cravings that will be closer to my new home.

Cold Water

1. Is there good trout fishing in Indiana? I have found some streams there, but have not found a lot of information on the fishing.

2. I know there is good to excellent trout fishing in Kentucky (Cumberland River). What are the western most trout streams that would be good for fishing? (I'm ok with small streams. I am a big fan of Blue Spring Creek and the Little Piney in MO)

Warm Water

I am also interested in catching hybrids or musky on the fly.

1. Is there good hybrid fishing behind any of the lakes in Illinois or Kentucky or Indiana? (Rend, Shelbyville, Carlisle, Kentucky Lake, Patoka Lake, Broad Pond (looks like a power plant cooling lake))

2. Is there any good musky fishing in southern Illinois?

3. Are the lakes clean (like Table Rock) or do they tend to be murky (like LOZ)? Thinking about sight fishing for carp.

I am not all that into black bass. They just don't do it for me, but I am aware they are in every pond and lake basically everywhere.

If you can answer any part of these questions I would greatly appreciate you knowledge.

I love to fly-fish and want like to be able to continue without having to drive 6 hours to Missouri.

Thanks for reading and Thanks for your help.

Kyle

[Guest]

deleted

 

 

[Kyle]

Siusaluki,

Thanks for the info. Have you ever tried to catch some of those Musky below shelbyville on fly?

Maybe we could get together in the spring sometime and you could show me a few places. I am eager to learn the new waters and especially tailwaters and streams.

Also, are the access/trespasing laws the same in Illinois and they are in Missouri?

Kyle

[Guest]

deleted

[Kyle]

siusaluki,

Again, thanks for the information. I will probably moving there sometime in January, so maybe we could try something in the spring (unless your crazy enough to go out in the cold (like me), then maybe some time in Feb or March).

Kyle

[Greasy B]

About 20 years ago I discovered Bluegill fishing on the strip mine pits in south central Illinois. The water is crystal clear; the sight fishing opportunities are fantastic. During the spawns the typical day starts by standing on the front of the boat scouting the water for beds. When active fish are spotted the idea is to set the boat to drift with the wind past the bed without spooking the fish. On the first pass you want to throw your bugs on the edges, well beyond the main beds, often aggressive male Bluegill will stage around the limited shallows waiting their turn to move in. On the second pass you move in a little closer. I’ve seen beds that stretch for a hundred yards full of countless fish, other times just a few fish are on select spots. When you lay your fly over an undisturbed fish the take is almost always instant and violent, the fish will immediately swim straight for the deep water under the boat, if you don’t set up on them instantly and strip like a crazy you’ll lose most. After you’ve taken a few fish off a bed the rest of the fish wise up so a person needs to work another area then come back. A big bull Bluegill bending my fly rod double is every bit as exciting as any trout fishing I’ve done.

[Kyle]

Greasy B,

I too am a fan of bluegill fishing with my 3wt, but I have never caught a 15+ inch bluegill and sometimes the size is what I'm looking for. (hence my interest in Muskies and Hybrids)

Kyle

[Kayser]

Kyle- try finding some redear. I've caught some at 15", and white bass would be afraid of that pull. Not gonna be a drag-screaming war of attrition, but you need to be ready to give some line on the bigger ones, or they will break you off.

Rob

[Guest]

deleted

[Njardar]

If you set up an Illinois springtime fly fishing event count me in, it would be a blast

Charlie