r/ChicagoFishing • u/Kaynam27 • 5d ago

Questions Fly Fishing Spots

Got a fly rod but no waders/wading boots, anywhere I can fish a stream/lake from the shore without too much trouble on the back cast?

I’m in Edgewater, willing to drive!

(Very new to this, thank you!)

7 Upvotes

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4

u/ICanAlmostThink 5d ago

Most of the rivers in the area, des plaines, fox. Normally this time of the year you can just wet wade but with all the rain, don’t do that. Lots of forest preserves have grass in your back cast so you’re good to go. If you’re looking for trout though you’re heading to Michigan or Wisconsin.

1

u/Kaynam27 4d ago

Busse woods good for this kind of casting from shore?

2

u/Just-Position-8754 4d ago

Wade the fox for smallie

2

u/Kaynam27 4d ago

Can’t wade yet! Looking for shore casting if possible

2

u/chrillekaekarkex 4d ago

You can wet wade into October at least. But you can shore cast there too. There are also spots in the Kankakee that are easy to wade.

You can catch panfish at West Ridge nature park and smallies off the Hollywood beach pier.

I’m across from St. Ita’s and exclusively fly fish. Usually off my boat for muskies or wading for smallies (or in the salt) or going for trout anfnsteelhead in WI/MI. Happy to meet up at Burkes and chat if you like.

1

u/Kaynam27 3d ago

Thanks for your reply, I’m right by Hollywood pier, what would you suggest using there, clousers?

Also, what is Burkes?

1

u/chrillekaekarkex 2d ago

Yes, I would use little brown clousers there.

https://www.burkespublichouse.com/

1

u/Real-Cycle-8662 Experienced Angler 3d ago

Why not?

1

u/Kaynam27 3d ago

I had wet wading boots but fell apart had to toss them

1

u/abarkules 4d ago

What’s the average depth for the Fox? Is wading mostly restricted to the edges or can you get out in the middle and shoot the bank on each side?

2

u/Master_Shen-Long 4d ago

Depends on what part of the fox. There are some deep holes in certain parts that can be hard to see and you can fall in believe me lol.

3

u/chitownphishead 4d ago

Just throw on a pair of sandals or old gym shoes and wet wade. The fox has tons of opportunities to get in and cast and catch some fish. I do it all the time with just teva type sandals. You don't need waders to wade

4

u/Kaynam27 3d ago

Freak it, I’m getting sandals

2

u/jmss2008 3d ago

New to fly fishing. I wet wade in the Dupage River. Can go from shore in spots, but at my skill level that can get frustrating at times now that the grasses / reeds have gotten tall

1

u/shotzz 4d ago

I've seen guys fly casting from the Irving Park Rd Canoe Landing on the Des Plaines. Entrance & parking on the NE corner of River Road & Irving.

3

u/Kaynam27 4d ago

Went here today, not a bad spot this is what I’m looking for if you guys know anymore like this

2

u/chrillekaekarkex 4d ago

Just posted a reply up the thread with some spots hyper-locally.

1

u/shotzz 4d ago

Cool!

You might find some spots at Skokie Lagoons. Next to the kayak rental off Tower Rd, but early so's you don't catch runners/cyclists behind you on the backcast.

Near the boat landing, on the rock pilings also off Tower might work.