Jock Scot used the phrase, "rise to the fly" in one of the other current threads and it got me thinking that, having procured my State of Illinois fishing license for 2010, I am going to set aside a day next week to get out to the local mini-lake with my 7' 4wt and pester the Bluegills.

Just curious about how many of the other members who fly rod go out for other species. Not too many trout here in Illinois and those that are there are hatchery trout that they dump in every Spring and Fall...the kind of trout that wouldn't know an insect if they saw one so you have to tie flies that look like the Purina Trout Chow that they've been living on since birth.

I've found Bluegills and Crappie (your pronunciation may vary...) to be good alternatives to the more traditional quarry and one of those big, old, dinner plate sized Wisconsin Bluegills can be quite a trip when you've got 'im on light tackle. I have managed to pick up the odd Largemouth but am still trying to find a good Smallmouth river hereabouts.

Any of you folks killing time between actual trout fishing sessions by going out for the local species?

Best

AA