Mike Jackson on the outdoors

It was one of those chilly, rainy days, and I decided to invest some time tying flies.

In between concocting my own styles of streamside creatures, I moved between the fly desk and the computer. And as luck would have it, there was a rather lengthy e-mail from a reader who took issue with me about fly fishing.

After reading the communication I realized that I cannot and will not please everyone.

Here's part of what he wrote: “It seems to me that you are always extolling the virtues of fly fishing when there is so much more to talk and write about. I tried fly fishing some years back and decided it wasn't for me, but rather more suited for the snobs amongst our fellow anglers.”

Well, I honestly never thought of myself of a snob, especially when I fished for bluegills using a very inexpensive Crystal River fly rod and reel made by South Bend Tackle ($39.95). But I can understand his feelings about fly fishing, especially since this aspect of fishing is populated by some folks who need to re-enforce their egos by attacking a stream with an $800 rod and $600 reel. So what?

I helped my friend A.J. Paul get started in flyfishing, and when he's not casting Little Action Mac plastic worms to bass and panfish in his pond he can usually be seen with a fly rod in his hand.

Some years ago A.J. presented me with about a dozen flies he created. He told me to try them and I was able to catch a couple bass and lots of bluegills with those flies on the end of the leader.

“Believe me when I tell you I get great pleasure when I catch a fish on a fly I tied,” he said one day while we were fishing together.

Friend Roger Pulkka recently said that he could tell when I'd spent time at my fly table, tying a bunch of bug imitators.

“You always seem to be more relaxed and I know it's because you've been busy tying flies,” he said.

He was right, as was A.J., regarding the pleasure one can derive from creating a fly pattern that could be the trigger for catching lots of fish.

But it's the whole picture of fly fishing that gets my juices going.

I tell you in all honesty that once I step in to a stream or stand on a bank and cast a fly, all the dark clouds, so to speak, seem to vanish. As corny as this may sound to some, once I feel a strike, be it a bluegill or bass, I feel renewed, energized if you will, and I just want to keep going, trying some of new creations in order to note their effectiveness.

Of course there are times when I prefer a spinning or casting rod instead of the whippy fly rod. I am not by any means a purist, unlike some of the people I met in New Zealand.

In coming months you will read about a Chicago fly fisherman named Robert Thomes. I wrote about one of his books entitled “Muskie on the Fly,” and this is a chap who is committed to get fishermen to try fly angling, especially for the giant toothy critters. No snob there, but rather a down-to-earth angler who gets his thrills using a fly rod to coax a muskie out from the weeds.

Lou Traffoli is another fly fisherman who ties his own flies and fishes for anything that swims.

“I truly enjoy wading the Fox River looking for smallmouth hiding in the shallow riffles,” he shared over a cup of coffee. He's managed to hook over a dozen smallies on his own “wooly buggers” with some measuring over 19 inches.

“There's nothing like battling a big smallmouth on a fly rod,” he said.

So why do I sing the high praises of the fly fisherman, and the sport itself?

The answer is simple. I and countless others who are not snobs feel the fly rod is the perfect tool to get us out of a funk while bringing a smile to our craggy faces.

The Wisconsin season opens up for trout fishing Saturday, the beginning of a two-month catch-and-release season. Might be time to give my creations a try.

Fishing report

I took a tour around the area, especially in the river areas. Where water levels appeared to be normal and where there were open patches with disappearing ice, some anglers have become creative.

In the search to cure cabin fever and release pent-up wintertime energy, some anglers are able to brave the extreme cold water temps while searching for fish. They are wading, of course, and also willing to challenge the elements. Some fishermen have been able to entice a few walleyes near the McHenry Dam.

Fox Chain: It's a tad different on the Chain, where thin ice makes for treacherous footing. And believe it or not, the walleye story gets a bit interesting near the Rte. 12 Bridge if one can find the right open pocket.

Fox River: Here's where caution is the key word and mindset. There's quite a few open pockets but also some ice flows that seem inviting for the brave and not-so-smart. Start the search for fish near shorelines, especially right close to downed trees and discharge pipes.

Lake Michigan: Some perch have been located but nothing spectacular. Navy Pier is an iffy proposition while South Side locations could be a little better.

Trail Creek: A few anglers have spotted fish and even a few steelhead were caught, but it may be a bit too soon for high fives.

Ÿ Contact Mike Jackson at angler88@att.net, and catch his radio show 6-7 a.m. Sundays on WSBC 1240-AM.