The Season Approaches

With a good chunk of winter in rear view, it's tough not to get excited for another season on the river. Warm days on the water are around the corner and with a little help from mother nature, March will bring some solid pre-spawn smallmouth fishing. I'll be sending fishing reports and updates for openings in March and accepting bookings for April and the 2015 season.

Early season streamer fishing can bring some of the largest fish of the year. Big bright baitfish patterns will earn aggressive takes from hungry fish. Join me on the river this spring and watch the Illlinois fishery come alive. Click here or call to book a trip for pre-spawn this spring or to get a date on the calendar for spring/summer/fall 2015.

To help tough out the remaining winter days, check out these upcoming events from Big River Fly Fishing:

Intermediate Fly Tying Class: Guide Flies for Smallmouth Bass I
Tuesday, February 10th 6:30-8:30pm
Join me at Chicago Fly Fishing Outfitters for this two hour fly tying class. I'll be sharing some of my subsurface smallmouth patterns in this interactive tying session. Follow the link to sign up with Chicago Fly Fishing Outfitters.

Introduction to Fly Tying Class
Tuesdays Evenings, February 24, March 3rd and March 10th
Learn the Art of Fly Tying!
Join instructor, Will Winans for this comprehensive three-session class designed to introduce the fundamentals of fly tying.
In 3 classes you'll learn to tie the three major categories of flies: streamers, nymphs and dry flies.
No experience necessary. Call 312-944-3474 or follow the link to reserve your spot.

Seminar:Fly Fishing the Kankakee River
Saturday, March 7th 3:30 to 4:30pm
Stop by Chicago Fly Fishing Outfitters and see my presentation on the seasons of the Kankakee River.

Intermediate Fly Tying Class: Guide Flies for Smallmouth Bass II
Tuesday March 17th, 6:30-8:30pm
The second class in this series on Smallmouth bass flies. Come learn some of my favorite summer smallmouth flies, while we focus on top-water patterns.

River sunset

Summer Update

The dog days of August have arrived, although out on the river, it doesn't quite feel like a sauna. Cooler nights and mornings are giving way to some very pleasant fishing weather. The big flows of June and early July have dropped down into what smallmouth bass like best, consistent conditions. Water temps are remaining in the upper 70's, throughout the day.

Thanks Boogle Bug

Primary objective: having fun

Fat fish are working the rock shoals and chomping flies in riffles and runs. More importantly, the top-water bite is bringing lots of action. I thoroughly enjoy bouncing crayfish patterns along river bottom and feeling a tug, but watching giant smallies roll up on poppers in slow motion is tough to beat.

This is a visual sport and the river is looking good! Clearing water, active fish and river mallow in bloom, lining the islands are just a few reasons why I love this time of year in Illinois.

A huge and sincere thanks to everyone who has come out this year and expressed interest in this guide service. Plenty of spots are open for late August and September. I hope everyone is having a great summer and has had a chance to enjoy some quality time on the water.

Big Start to a Big Year

As a Midwesterner, I embrace the four seasons. That doesn’t mean I don’t like some more than others. This spring has been incredible on the river. Over the last few months I’ve watched the river transform.  Ice-scoured banks are now green shorelines of water willows. Wild red columbine blooms out from the limestone bluffs.  The river has come alive.

Baitfish imitations and crayfish patterns have brought countless big-shouldered fish to the boat. And now, as the river warms into the 70’s and begins to clear, smallmouth bass are starting to look up for top water flies.

There’s a first time for everything. And as I’ve launched this guide service, I have seen a lot of firsts: Anglers landing their first fish on a fly rod, first 20’’ smallmouth bass of the year (nice work Dave), first time getting buzzed by a Bald Eagle, first time being chased by a beaver, the first damsel and dragon flies showing up on the water…

 I invite you to book your first trip with Big River Fly Fishing and escape the city, the office, work, routine for a day on a drift boat.  Enjoy some of the best angling to be had during these warm months and experience a river that never ceases to amaze.  A BIG thanks to everyone who has come out with me this year to put a few bends in the rod and share some laughs.

As we move into summer, I’d like to point out a few fly fishing resources, new and long-standing in the Chicagoland area.  Congrats to Jeremy, Andy and the guys at DuPage Fly Fishing Co., who opened their doors this year in Naperville.  Illinois is now home to two outstanding fly shops, staffed with the friendliest, fishiest guys in the industry.  Pay a visit to Dupage Fly Fishing Co. or Chicago Fly Fishing Outfitters, where I’ll be working on Tuesdays throughout the guiding season. Check out the gear, take a casting lesson or brag about your most recent trip on the river.

Summer dates are filling fast. Reserve your spot soon. For more info or to book your trip, feel free to contact me. Thank you for your continued interest.
Join me on the river.

Captain Will Winans