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THE BLUEGILL "ADDICTION"
This is when it all began; Hooked from the start. I grew up and still live in the Northwest Suburbs of Illinois. At a young age, I was privileged enough to get out fishing a few times with my Older Cousins. The memories and excitement of reeling in that first Bass would never fade. Unfortunately for me, those opportunities were few and far between, as very few friends and family shared the same passion. I realized one day I was going to have to teach myself everything I would need to know. When I was in Grade School, I recall going over to the neighborhood pond and throwing lines in the water for hours on end. No fish tales here, just a lot of Blue Gills. I was the typical kid with a bobber and worm, just excited to be outdoors with the hopes of someday understanding how to catch the "big ones." The problem was, it was the same pond, with the same technique for years. The Bluegill Days is where it all started though; It was an Era that taught me Patience.
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THE CHANNEL CATFISH "BREAKTHROUGH"
The breakthrough began during my teenage years, when I started to explore areas outside the local pond. The Des Plaines River would become my second home. Over the next few years I would start catching a lot of catfish, experimenting with techniques, and continued to catch more and more fish every year. I was learning everything I knew from the Internet as well as the guys at the local bait shop. Eventually, I practically considered myself a catfish expert and could easily land a steady ten fish a day. I was still not satisfied though, as it really bothered me I wasn't catching Game Fish. I never put my head down though, I just kept fishing. I was sixteen years old, and this Era taught me Self Confidence.
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THE NORTHERN PIKE "ACCIDENT"
I had heard rumors for years that their were Northern Pike in the Des Plaines River. Never once did I see anybody pull one out, so I assumed it was a local tale. On an overcast long day of poor fishing, I decided to reel in my line and go home. With a dip worm and stink bait on my line, I reeled that line in as fast as I could out of frustration. Then two feet from the shore, a huge explosion. I stopped for a second out of pure shock, and then realized a fish was on my line. I had no idea what it could be, but out of total surprise it ended up being a smaller Northern Pike about 22" long. But, I needed to find more, so I focused my next few years on learning how to fish for Northern. I eventually found multiple hot spots in the Des Plaines River and was suddenly having the most fun I had ever had. There is nothing more exciting than seeing a Northern hit a Top Water Crank flying out of the water. This Era taught me, 'Nothing is Impossible'.
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THE LARGEMOUTH "TRIFECTA"
So, I was catching Northern Pike right and left but still couldn't catch many Largemouth. So, I started to target other locations such as ponds and lakes. This exploration would eventually create hot spots all around the Suburbs for 2-3 pound Bass off crank baits, worms, buzz baits, you name it. The ability to switch between species and switch techniques was a great feeling, and I finally was able to feel like a well-rounded fisherman. It was these years that I would understand where to fish, what baits to use, and to finally be able to 'think like a fish'. I still remember the day of reeling in that first four pound lunker. What an awesome feeling! It was that day that I began to bring my camera with me on all my fishing trips as I decided I couldn't have any fish 'tales'. It was this Era that taught me, 'Appreciate the Past, Look forward to the Future.'
And the addiction and passion continued...and lives on. To date, I have caught multiple freshwater species of fish including Bluegill, Sunfish, Perch, Crappie, Bullhead Catfish, Channel Catfish, Carp, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, and Northern Pike. I've also been lucky enough to have successful salt water experiences which landed Barracuda, Flounder, Halibut, Sea Bass, and Yellowtail.
I look forward to the next chapters, Walleye and Musky. See you in 2012!
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