Hello? It's Supposed To Be Baseball Season!

You'd think after all these years of living in Chicago that I'd be used to the crappy weather we get around here, but I'm not. Heading into the last week of March, the temps around our neck of the woods can be about as unpredictable as the upcoming Chicago baseball season. We'll, maybe that's a little bit more predictable than we'd like. Our South Elgin Pirates little league team is in full spring training mode already, except we haven't been able to practice outside yet. The fields are still not open for practice, and with good reason. With highs around 35 degrees and lows well into the 20's we just don't have the temperatures needed to let the grass take hold. This week promises for more of the same. Windy, wet and cold. Welcome to spring in Chicago.

I have managed to get out here and there, trying to catch a few fish with limited results. There just isn't any consistency at this time of the year when water temps are still so cold, and there is so much wind. Some fisherman have managed a few fish, but it is not without spending a great deal of effort. Finding active fish and then getting them to bite is like teaching Alfonso Soriano how to catch a fly ball, it requires more time and patience than I'm willing to give. I'm still a Cub fan, and a Bud man, but my brothers look more comfortable catching fly balls than he does, and they only play 18 softball games a year.

Getting geared up to fish this inclement weather requires you to be dressed as though you are going ice fishing. The difference is that there is no warm ice shanty to head into when you get cold. While wading the Fox river last week, with winds blowing over 20 miles an hour, I managed to withstand the icy water for about 2 hours before the sight of my truck sitting at the rivers edge was too much for me to take. I was wearing insulated waders and two sets of thermal underwear and I was very glad to get into that truck and turn that heat on.

It would be nice if things started to warm up, get these water temps where we need them, and let these fish start moving a bit. After all, the baseball season starts next week! In the meantime, get out when you can, pick the warmest part of the day, dress warm, and dream of the better fishing days to come!

Thanks as always for taking a few minutes to fish with us at Cappy's Pond and The Fishing-Headquarters! Hope to see you out multi-species fishing your favorite waters, and don't forget to share your experiences on our forum page, or drop us an e-mail at the FHQ!

Cappy

Springing Forward With Good Thoughts

First off, I'd like to thank all my readers for letting me take some much needed time off from Cappy's Pond. The everyday grind to try and land a good job is starting to get to me, and I wonder if there are any fish (jobs) left that are worth casting (applying ) for . The extra effort that I have put forth over the last month will hopefully pay off soon. I am keeping my fingers crossed that good fortune will come my way. Sooner than later would be nice. The way it's looking, this spring and summer will be quite painful in the pocket book with gas prices rising and our house values dropping like water from my upstairs toilet. I will keep my head up, and try and stay above the swirling water.

It's been so long since I had time to sit down and write, that I almost forgot my login. I have taken the rods down off the garage wall, cleaned a few reels and made a few trips to the Fox river in search of anything that swims. A few carp have managed to get caught up in my twitch baits, but it would be nice to actually have a fish hit the line instead of roping them in rodeo style. The river looks so inviting for the fish to be making their spring runs. Water levels are good and relatively clear which should give way to a good spawning season. Let's just hope that the spring rains don't come all at once and dirty it up too much.

This week I will be getting out wading for the first time with minnows in my bucket. My sister Cheryl will be glad as she likes to beep the horn when she crosses the bridge in her Suburban and sees me standing in the middle of the river fishing my favorite hole. I'm sure that after that first sighting my nephew Tyler will be ringing my cell and asking when he can come along. He has the fishing fever and it is my duty as an ambassador of the sport to continue to encourage him to pursue his passion to fish. After all, where would I be if I never had anyone there to take me fishing?

I hope that you can find the time this year to introduce someone new to the sport of fishing. For recreation or sport, fishing offers us so much more than meets the eye. I like to step back each year and reflect on what it has done for me in my life. Most of us were lucky to have someone who took the time and the energy to take us fishing at an early age. When that first fish grabbed the bait and got our hearts pumping it set the foundation for what has become for most of us an obsession. Make it a point in 2011 to give someone else that opportunity to experience all that fishing has to offer.

Fishing reports from the Fox river will be coming soon so make sure you check back by the end of the week to keep updated on the spring fishing. Maybe I'll have some good walleye photos and a job to add to all the excitement of spring. Thanks for visiting and sharing my posts at Cappy's Pond, and remember, you can't catch any fish if your line isn't in the water.