First Chinook earns Fish of the Week: Phillip Jones does it in style

Perseverance suited Phillip Jones, who landed his first Chinook last week.

``Phil discovered fishing a few years back and has become one of the most ardent and dedicated individuals on the lakefront,’’ Bill Tentler emailed. ``I introduced him to the fall run last year. Many casts were made, a few fish were hooked, but none were landed. He made himself a solemn promise to bring one ashore this year.’’

Mission accomplished late night as Jones, in his three-piece suit, netted the fish by himself, too.

``I spoke with him on the phone immediately after the catch and he was positively beaming,’’ Tentler emailed. ``There’s nothing like that kind of pure joy and triumph over adversity to really warm one’s heart.’’

If my memory is right, I believe it is the first FOTW with an angler in three-piece suit. And I love it.

FOTW, the celebration of big fish and their stories (the stories matter) around Chicago fishing, runs Wednesdays in the Sun-Times. Submit nominations by message on Facebook (Dale Bowman), on Twitter and Instagram (@BowmanOutside) or email (BowmanOutside@gmail.com).