I’ve been fairly busy these days. This past Saturday was the Fall trout opener here in Illinois. They stocked the lake down the street from me after they stocked it with a bunch of rainbow trout. The lakes been closed for 2 weeks, and now it’s finally open. With the sun going down around 6:30 PM, it’s only logical to fish this lake after work during the week, and now that it’s stocked with trout, for as long as they last….Bonus!
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| That bucket has only seen a handful of fish in it’s life. |
Made it out on a dreary Monday evening just as the sun was starting to set. There were a ton of guys, but I was lucky and was able to get my favorite spot on the lake. I am usually 95% catch and release, but I paid for the inland trout stamp this year, because, I wanted to give these stockers a go in the kitchen. I didn’t feel all too bad about it, because, it was either me or someone else taking these trout home. So, why the heck not, right!
Next stop for this rainbow…my dinner plate.
Living out in Colorado, it is always strange sounding, when I read about those Fall Openers from your area. Have fun with those stocked trout from the lake. Nice approach to it all, too. If you want to take a few home to fry, why not? Experience the fried side…………………………..
Nice. No shame in keeping stockers. They don't belong there anyway. I'd be there too after work. Heck, probably would be sneaking out early!
I would go out there before work, too, but they don't open up the gates that early. Thumbs down to them!
It is sort of strange. I never really understood why they did it in the first place. The Spring trout opener you're only allowed to fish if you're 16 years of age or younger until Noon on the first day. They say it's to get kids into fishing. I don't know why they don't set up a bluegill outing in the summer months for them.
Stocker trout are good times! did you catch them on the fly or spin fishing?