Manitowoc County

 After the Bears crushed the packers on Thanksgiving day we decided to go full FIB, slap some bears decals on a bright orange car,  and head up to Manitowoc county to not catch steelhead.  

There are some scary creatures that lurk around Manitowoc co.  There's something askew with this pointy fingered slimy fish man.  

Right there, that's where they won't be

A nice place to be mocked by steelhead

Land of Lincoln Bass and Musky

It's March, and although sleet/snow is cumming down in the Midwest, spring floats are right around the corner.  With football season over, we need some type of excuse to casually drink 12 beers on a Sunday.  

The flatland has some good looking rivers that don't get much fishing pressure.  Most small river floats you will see the occasional paddler, but rarely do you see other fisherman, and fly fisherman almost never.  

Spring is a good time to try new beers.

Oculto tastes like someone poured a cheap shot of tequila into a bud light lime, and then pissed in it.

  

Stick with Dale's 

You don't  have to travel to the northwoods to catch a musk on a fly.  Last spring this tiger gave us a pretty big creampie surprise while casting slump busters for bass. 

Chubbs Peterson

The Chubs Unlimited crew would like to welcum, and officially announce our new spokesman: Chubbs Peterson!  

Chubbs Peterson is a former golf pro who has spent the last several years studying our riverine friend the chub.   He is not to be mistaken for the poser "Chubbs Peterson" in the video below.  Do not be fooled by him, he is NOT affiliated with Chubs Unlimited.  

Southern Wisco Bass

Summer is a time for beer and bass

Catfish on a crank

A few morning beers + casting into a tree= falling out of the boat

Bros

Smallie love 

Wedding Season

We were lucky enough, that our friends had the good taste to plan their weddings near some nice fishing spots.  It may be hard to keep your suit from wrinkling when its packed next to your waders, but it was definitely worth it.

Chub searching for a stripper

The sunrise in this valley outside of vail was unreal

The trout were small, but the scene is pretty big

Nothing better than showing up to a wedding, wet and smelling like fish

Old Stomping Grounds

Back in the University days a few of the Chubs crew frequented a small creek in Ohio to escape studying and football practice.  We drank Labatt, smoked bugler, found a bunch of cow and deer bones, and caught a few smallmouth.  We also got harassed by the Ohio grassman at one point for checking out his hut.  

 Grassman hut circa 2008, he threw rocks at us. 

 Back in the day the cows would watch us fish and drink

On a college budget it was tough to let go of any lure, even if it was a 30 cent curly tail 

Five years later we were able to head back there, nab a few smallies and rock bass before heading to reunion events.  

 Back in this with the fly rods

Damn fine creek 

Winter's Cum and Gone

Winter's cum and gone again

Unfortunately I have only fished the early season driftless twice, both in march, both cold with slow spooky trout.  Mainly just tying knots and drinking beer next to a stream.  The chubs have eluded me so far this season, but spring is here and I will catch a chub one way or another!

No more snowy banks, time to break out the chacos and get the feet wet

Took a break from spooking trout to hang out with this sculpin who didn't seem as bothered by my presence.  Trout can be assholes, but sculpin are always cool, and they make an awesome IPA. 

He could be on the cover of a beer bottle 

Something a trout sometimes eats 

Capniidae

First dry fly trout of the year, we're on to bigger and better chubs.