Going to the polls to find the best fisherman from Illinois

Please allow me to pose a question. I’d like to get your opinions about who you think is the best fisherman to hail from Illinois.

This is just a poll. There is no prize given to the winner, only a little publicity and some acclaim to the fisherman named the most amount of times.

My only restriction to nominating somebody is that the person must be a resident of the Land of Lincoln. That rule knocks a lot of anglers out of the discussion.

The world-famous Lindner Brothers, Al and Ron, are out of the contest. The Lindners, who built the “In-Fisherman” media empire, are arguably the best fishermen on the continent, but the brothers left the Northwest side of Chicago for Brainerd, Minnesota, many years ago. Ron has passed away, but Al still loves Chicago and Portillo’s and Gene and Jude’s in River Grove, but he’s a Minnesotan and isn’t eligible to be nominated.

How about Illinois as a home to great tournament bass fishermen? Edwin Evers is one of the top bass fishermen in the world. He’s been a huge winner on both the Bassmaster circuit and also Major League Fishing. Evers is one of a mere handful of fishermen to win over $3 million. I remember watching Evers catch 22 largemouth bass on 22 consecutive casts during a television tournament. Amazing.

Evers’ dad was transferred on his job from Texas, and Evers spent his high school years in Minooka. Evers worked part-time at Bedford Sales, a large Ranger boat dealer, while quarterbacking his high school football team to a championship.

Evers said: “I am still proud to be a part of Illinois and the time that I spent there gave me some of the great memories of my life. I made a lot of great friends there that I still have to this day.”

That said, Evers, you are a great fisherman, a great guy and a good friend, but you are an Oklahoman. Sorry, you don’t qualify to be called the best fisherman from Illinois.

Up until a few months ago, the question of who the best angler in Illinois was an easy one in my opinion. Spence Petros, who grew up in Chicago and resided in a number of suburbs, was the best I ever met.

I have been fortunate enough to spend time in a boat with Spence. I’ve seen him catch perch, bluegills, walleyes, pike, crappies, smallies, largemouth bass, salmon and muskies.

Petros always says, “I’ve never been skunked, but once in a while I run out of time.” You couldn’t prove that by me. I’ve never seen the man run out of time. He is the GOAT in my book. Unfortunately, Petros has moved his residence to Lake Geneva. Sorry, my friend, someone else needs to lay claim to the title of Illinois’ best fisherman.

I think the best fisherman in Illinois might be someone whom most of the public has never heard about. They just need to have their name put out there and, hopefully, you are the people who are going to do it.

Every local lake, pond, river and reservoir has a fisherman who is known for his skill on that particular body of water. Have you ever been on a trip and visited a local tackle shop where the guys are hanging around talking about what “Crappie Joe” has been catching them on lately?

I’m just making up a name. It could be “Walleye Willie” or “Musky Pete.” I am sure you have heard talk about a local legend whom people think is the best fisherman on a particular body of water.

Maybe one of these local legends is the best fisherman in Illinois. Maybe it’s your dad or mom or uncle or granddad. Let me know your thoughts, if you please.

• Daily Herald Outdoors columnist Steve Sarley can be reached at sarfishing@yahoo.com.