Rachel Tucker’s big largemouth and Ryan Lipsett’s big steelhead double on Fish of the Week.

Rachel Tucker caught a big largemouth bass and Ryan Lipsett caught a big buck steelhead to double on Fish of the Week.

By Dale Bowman

Rachel Tucker caught a 7-pound-plus largemouth bass from a public suburban water. Provided photo — Rachel Tucker caught a 7-pound-plus largemouth bass from a public suburban water.

Times seem right to keep doubling on FOTW.

Here’s Rachel Tucker of Westchester and Ryan Lipsett, 12, a seventh-grader at Jack Hille Middle School in Oak Forest.

Tucker caught magic Saturday while fishing a public suburban pond.

“She was throwing a Strike King Thunder Cricket in the bluegill color and laid into a beast,” Mike Wolthusen tweeted. “Fought it and flipped it up onto the bank. I ran over with the scale, ended up being 7.12 pounds and 24.5 inches.”

That’s a true beast in northern Illinois.

Lipsett went with his father Court to fish with Ripple Guide Service Thursday on the St. Joseph River in South Bend, Ind. Ryan caught his first steelhead, a 29.5-inch buck. His father landed and released several hens.

“Possible big fish of the Week”’ Ryan asked.

Oh, absolutely. Plus I like calling it Big Fish of the Week.

“After I lost a couple, I finally had the fight of a lifetime on the egg pattern I was using,” Ryan tweeted.

Ryan Lipsett with his first steelhead, a buck caught on the St. Joseph River. Provided photo — Ryan Lipsett with his first steelhead, a buck caught on the St. Joseph River.

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 (@BowmanOutside) and Instagram (@BowmanOutside) or email (BowmanOutside@gmail.com).

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Big Fish of the Week: Rachel Tucker’s big largemouth and Ryan Lipsett’s big steelhead

Rachel Tucker caught a big largemouth bass and Ryan Lipsett caught a big buck steelhead to double on Fish of the Week.