Gary L

You should become a member of the Illinois Smallmouth Alliance so that you can enjoy the Bronzeback Bulletin and meet some of the fine persons that call the Kishwaukee River home. It will be the best money you have ever spent.

I was always under the impression that the ISA was for "Catch and Release", like it says on the yellow signs that have been posted along the Fox, Kankakee, DuPage and other rivers in Illinois. I would say that this is somewhat of a Policy. It is Catch and Release not catch photograph and release. It also says that we are trying to create world-class Smallmouth fishing in Illinois.

When fishing with Phil Fiscella you must first be in very good shape and plan on covering a lot of ground and second just get used to the fact that Phil will out fish you. Maybe Norm could match him fish for fish but nobody beats him in stamina. He may be getting older now and slowing down though. If you put Phil in a spot where you have never caught a fish Phil will catch a fish in that spot.

You will be close to the Apple River.

That sure is a great way to make friends and influence people to join an organization.

Kevin, When I used to go to the Apple River with Jim Becker we waded a spot between to bridges. I think it was Rushtown Rd. and E. Chelsea Rd. but I don't remember.

Walk the Shore Line around the Parks areas and fish the grass close to shore. I remember catching a bunch of good size Smallmouths on the Kankakee doing just that with Norm and Phil one high water day.

That was one of my favorite restaurants. The food was good and the service. I wonder what kind of Service station will replace it. I won't be coming to Illinois this year as far as I know right now as the Mother-in-law can't travel and someone needs to be here to take care of her. I am sure we can find another place but I sure will miss Baba's. I will miss not seeing my friends and ISA fishing partners also but somethings just can't be helped.

Great News my friend! I am sure that you will make up for the time lost wading the Kankakee. I want you to rest for now and take care of yourself.

Well I hope you don't need by-pass also but hope you will keep us posted on your progress. Don't like to see you down at all so take care of yourself.

That was some of the best PR work I have seen Norm. I can only imagine what sites he was on that he heard we were not what we say we are. Great work on your part and you are what the ISA is about. Good people doing there part to help the Rivers and Streams of Illinois. Lets face it though you are the God of the Smallmouths in Illinois.

Sometimes wires get crossed and it may have looked like you hadn't paid your dues over those years and now you have so the Bulletin started up again. If you don't get the next issue or any after this and you are paying your membership dues then get in touch with the person in charge and let them know so they can fix the problem. I get the Sun Times delivered down here and they have a section called the Fixer. This would make a nice read for me. Just kidding don't go that far. I hope they have it corrected now and you will get your issues. I see Rich is aware of it and since he is part of the Executive Board he will I would think look into it and see what happen.

The Bronzeback Bulletin is a benefit given to members of the Illinois Smallmouth Alliance did you just join or have you been sending in dues money all along. Could be they had a wrong address for you and someone else has been enjoying your issue. I am sure Scott will have an answer on this soon.

One guy who didn't have the authority to state policy on how they were going to handle this gave bad advise. You could have been soured on Simms and told all your friends about the poor Customer Service and they could have lost customers because of this one incident. The management should tell people in all departments to refer the customer to customer service. Sure glad the took good care of you.

Time for the ISA to start sending letters out starting with the EPA office in Elgin and the IDNR head man in Springfield as well as the Attorney Generals Office. Somebody has to be held accountable for this.

What is it happened on the Potomac River in there back yards. Why not call the EPA they were illegally dumping toxic chemicals. I don't see anything coming from this. Send some letters to the IDNR demanding action against these perpetrators. The ISA has got pretty good pull with the IDNR.

Has there been anything new printed on this. I wouldn't think it would take this long to find out what the Chemical was and get something in the way of Charges going. Hopefully it won't get swept under the table for some reason.

I want to know more and being down here I don't hear much. Can you keep me posted on this. That was my favorite river to fish. I posted this on my Ozark Anglers.com site here in Missouri and they are as must interested as I am and suggested that maybe it was chemicals from a meth lab. Several on here have my e-mail so if you would let me know what is happening.

I would just go to Charlie Brewer's site and order them direct if you can't find them anywhere close. That is what I did for the 1/16oz. Crappie Sliders I used up that way.

Jonn, What about forage base like minnows, crawfish and other good things for the bass to eat. Have you seen a drop in the forage base or do you think the sustained high water washed them downstream as they were not able to sustain position with the constant high water. They spawn also so it stands to reason they have had a couple bad years too. With this said the Smallies may be very close to the mouth of the river where it empties into a bigger stream. They may venture upstream some but not find a forage base and move back to where they have something to eat.

Would seem like two bad spawning years in a row would certainly have and effect on the population. Then also with the high water some may have gone downstream searching for better homes and haven't migrated back up stream.

I have a good friend that is starting a full time business painting lures since the Saturn dealer he worked for folded. He is very good at this I think and you guys can look at his website and Gallery to see for yourselves. I would appreciate it if you are looking for some custom painted lures to send him some business. http://www.cliffscustoms.net/

I see the National Alliance as a Big Voice for Conservation across the Nation. Even in the individual states it would show as a bigger organization such as that of Trout Unlimited with the same desires for improved habitat of Smallmouth Bass across the country.

Can you even begin to imagine the number of people that would be affected by something that stupid. I read that on another site. Tackle makers, boat builders, engine makers, and the list goes on. It would put this country into such an extreme economic downturn that we would never recover. That would amount to cutting about 2 million jobs at a rough estimate.

You are still the same old Kevin and the ISA is lucky to have you back. I hope things go well for you in Illinois!