Yes, I’m from Illinois.
Flatlander.
My college roommate, Zach Lawson, first introduced me to the term. Apparently a derogatory word, “flatlander” is used to describe yuppie, weekend warriors from Illinois who supposedly rape and pillage Wisconsin’s lakes and rivers. My first reaction to the expression was laughter. Flatlander, really?!? I never knew Wisconsin was overrun with mountains?
My humor transitioned into disbelief as I found out that the people who hated Illinois the most,were those in area’s dependent on Illinois tourist dollars. (Sorry for the economic boosts, Door County, Rhinelander and Minocqua)
However, attempts to rationalize my new label merely manifested more malice. I soon realized flatlander is a scarlet letter amongst Midwestern anglers, and bore the cross at my weekly fishing-team meetings as well as at every bass tournament I ever fished in. My Illinois plates were bulls-eyes for those yearning to unleash their geographical prejudices.
“Go back to your corn!”
“If it wasn’t for Chicago, Illinois wouldn’t even be a state!”
“I’m surprised you’re not using a Zebco!”
Their words were like salt rubbed in an already gaping wound.
Somehow, I persevered, and am now living amongst my former tormentors. A flatlander disguised as a cheesehead.
Several years later, I have learned to embrace the flatlander tag. It is no longer a catalyst for discomfort, but a reminder of the things that make the Illinois outdoors experience fantastic. We have arguably the nation’s best Canadian goose hunting. Southwestern Illinois is home of one of two “golden triangles” of whitetail deer. And my personal favorite, Illinois has year-round fishing on most bodies of water.
The latter of these reasons is particularly pertinent as we transition into spring. While my Wisconsin friends must either wait until May, or head to the nearest river to pursue game fish, I can hit the shores of my favorite lake to chase whatever species I desire.
So rather than suffering under my flatlander nomenclature, I’m going to seize the angling opportunity Illinois’ laissez-faire legislation presents and partake in ice-off fishing. Cheers to Illinois!