i don't know about southern Illinois, but down here in north middle TN, no matter what time of year, I have never went wrong with a simple scud pattern. That is for the creeks around here, I don't do much pond or lake fishing, though that might change this winter some. I tie up alot of different patterns and flies, but I always take a few scud patterns and always catch fish. Sometimes I catch them with a dead drift and sometimes i give the line a little tug. I hope that helps.

hNt