mikeyd Posted February 18, 2019 Report Share Posted February 18, 2019 I recently received the March Bronzeback Newsletter and noticed that the speakers at the upcoming Bronzeback Blowout feature the guides from Midwest Waters Angling Co. Of note, the speaker descriptions highlighted that Mike Allen and Kurt Nelson guide rivers located near the Fox River Valley including the DuPage River and that they use jet boats as part of their business. The feature really stuck out to me as I don't believe the use of jet boats is appropriate on rivers as small as the DuPage based on experience. I can only offer my own experience. I learned fishing river smallmouth on the DuPage as a teenager in Naperville in the 90's. After college and living in Chicago for ten years, I recently returned to the area about three years ago and began re-exploring the DuPage. I was pleasantly surprised to see the dirty smelly river I grew up with transformed into a world-class smallmouth river with opportunities for days of catching multiple smallmouth in the 16-20" range. I now fish the river extensively in between bass club tournaments, especially in late summer and fall. Last summer, I started fishing a new stretch of the Dupe. After catching several bass 16-18", I heard the noise of what I thought was an outboard motor coming up the river which seemed odd to me given that the DuPage is a small river. Around the corner came a jet boat running what sounded like full throttle, traveling about 25-30 mph. The stretch of river I was fishing was at best 30-40 yards wide. This process was repeated on several occasions on subsequent trips, including cutting short an outing that I could only describe as the best day of river smallmouth fishing I've ever had. I later learned from another angler on the river that the boat belonged to Midwest Waters Angling as part of a guide service which they use to run to a spot several miles upstream. I have several issues with the use of a jetboat in this manner. Aside from the obvious safety issue to others in the river, the water conditions are ruined for the day after the boat passes. The boat generates a wake which is too big for a narrow stretch of river that muddies the river in addition to what is kicked up by the boat itself. You end up with a conveyor belt of silt, mud, and grass coming downstream for hours. I can't imagine that this is good for the river either. Unfortunately I'm unable to make the Blowout as I would love to discuss this issue there.. I think its great that anglers who are obviously passionate about the sport are able to make a career out of what we all love. I just think the use of a jetboat is an issue and isn't fair as the day's fishing is adversely affected for the day after it goes through. MWAC may not even be aware that their boat is creating this issue. It would be nice to see a solution that would benefit all that want to fish the river, maybe as simple as operating at a slower speed that doesn't kick up the river. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gordon p Posted February 18, 2019 Report Share Posted February 18, 2019 Agree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Clifford Posted February 21, 2019 Report Share Posted February 21, 2019 I decided to do an online search regarding this matter, and was surprised at the lack of studies on the environmental impacts of jetboats. What I did find is actually a little comical, and primarily relates to salmon. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/292774727_Jet_boating_on_Canterbury_rivers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Gillio Posted February 21, 2019 Report Share Posted February 21, 2019 I totally agree with that quote. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Clifford Posted February 21, 2019 Report Share Posted February 21, 2019 On 2/21/2019 at 8:42 AM, John Gillio said: I totally agree with that quote. Clicking on the photo I posted displays a clear version of the text. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeyd Posted February 21, 2019 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2019 I can attest from experience that smallies don’t like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick G Posted February 22, 2019 Report Share Posted February 22, 2019 I hope this issue is discussed at the Blowout. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeyd Posted February 27, 2019 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2019 To follow up on this, Mike Allen reached out to me to apologize and thanked me for bringing the issue to his attention. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Clifford Posted February 28, 2019 Report Share Posted February 28, 2019 On 2/26/2019 at 7:03 PM, mikeyd said: To follow up on this, Mike Allen reached out to me to apologize and thanked me for bringing the issue to his attention. At least you have that going for you. He simply "unfriended" me on FB. Didnt' know we were friends to begin with. Ha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev-mo Posted March 1, 2019 Report Share Posted March 1, 2019 On 2/26/2019 at 7:03 PM, mikeyd said: To follow up on this, Mike Allen reached out to me to apologize and thanked me for bringing the issue to his attention. That's good to hear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob G Posted March 2, 2019 Report Share Posted March 2, 2019 It doesn't take a genius to determine it's not ideal for that particular environment. And may I be honest when I say that I hate it when an individual seeks financial gain at the expense of my recreation and/or hobby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark K Posted March 3, 2019 Report Share Posted March 3, 2019 18 hours ago, Rob G said: It doesn't take a genius to determine it's not ideal for that particular environment. And may I be honest when I say that I hate it when an individual seeks financial gain at the expense of my recreation and/or hobby. +1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Posted March 13, 2019 Report Share Posted March 13, 2019 I've seen Mike a few times on the Fox and he has always given me a wide birth and a friendly wave. Sometimes he stops and we trade info on numbers caught and techniques used. I'm sure we fish a lot of the same water. He has always been courteous. I think the Fox is more accommodating to that type of activity. Lots more room to move around. Of course, there are the dams, so you're somewhat limited from pool to pool. I understand what the original poster is saying about the Dupe. Excellent points made. Not sure if Mike is posting on here much these days, but would be interesting in hearing his thoughts on it and if anything will be done differently this year. I'm kinda surprised anyone would want a guide on the Dupe. Being a small river with a plentiful population of smallies, it's a pretty easy river to fish. An inexpensive kayak and a free afternoon for a float trip will provide plenty of opportunity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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