When it comes down to fishing, panfish always measure up

It was like a session of an old "hot stove" discussion when four angling buddies got together to discuss issues and angling matters.

Charles, the elder of the group, announced he was driving to southwest Alberta, Canada to tangle with jumbo bull trout in some of the best streams open to the public. I had been there several years ago and learned first-hand that a bull trout can strip line off a fly reel in nothing flat.

Tony chimed in with his planned adventures to North Carolina's Outer Banks for that region's fabled Atlantic striped bass. Ralph, not to be outdone, grunted and groaned a few times and suggested we join him in July for a run at the Rock River (Illinois) monster flathead catfish.

Not a bad idea, I thought to myself.

And then retired charter pilot Kent laid his 2 cents on the table almost as if he had a straight flush and was ready to scoop up his winnings and smile at everyone.

"You guys seem to forget all the great jumbo bluegillin' we did in southern Illinois and Kentucky," he noted. "All of you said at the time that the outing a couple years back was some of the best angling you had ever encountered."

And of course I was the first to nod my head in agreement. I commented that because I live in the northwest suburbs, I can usually entertain myself on any number of area ponds with tremendous bluegill action.

Outdoor Notebook's Bob Macuilis likes to stop by my house when he's in the area delivering the new monthly edition to local bait and tackle shops. I know the real reason he knocks on the door is because I make a full pot of my famous coffee, otherwise known as "Jackson's Jet Fuel."

The coffee and conversation is what acts as a magnet to keep Macuilis glued to one of the kitchen seats for a solid two hours.

Our recent conversation focused on bluegill and crappie fishing with both a fly rod and ultralight spinning rig.

Like me, Bob is passionate about this stuff. He knows from past discussions that I enjoy scouting the small flood retention ponds around the various industrial parks and apartment complexes because I long ago discovered they're loaded with chunky panfish.

"After 25 years, you know me well enough by this time, Jackson, to realize that even though I chase muskies once in a while, I would rather spend an afternoon finding and catching slab crappies and bull bluegills," he declared.

"But what I don't get is how some fishermen measure their success on the water for a day by the size of the fish they manage to catch," he added.

And of course he's referring to that element in our sport where some are always looking to measure their prowess by holding up a 5-pound largemouth bass.

Granted, I also fell prey to that mentality, and I know there's nothing wrong with tickling the testosterone levels a bit, but for sheer, everyday fishing, panfishing satiates my appetite for fast action.

Aside from the retention ponds, I also like Skokie Lagoon for exceptional bluegill action. In Lake County (Rte. 137), you may want to explore Independence Grove, where the action can be hot and heavy.

And then if you want to pack a lunch and take ride to the south, Maple Lake is the crown jewel on the far south end of Cook County for big panfish.

And when you get back, maybe I'll invite you to the "old salt" gathering so you can strut your panfish stuff to the rest of the clan.