Scott Ferguson

I’ll be in the booth. Show hours are Thursday and Friday 12-8, Saturday 10-7, and Sunday 10-5. Schaumburg Convention Center 1551 North Thoreau Dr, Schaumburg If anybody is around the Show Sunday at closing, we usually go to Tom Loo’s after if you’d like to join us.

Yep, that’s him.

Here’s the group.

See you there!

Besides being a nice article on the Mazon, it reminded me of what a wonderful writer John Husar was and how much I miss his outdoor column.

That axe was made on the “Forged in Fire” TV show. It is so sharp, you can cut down a tree with one swing of the axe.

We all were having such a nice time, nobody thought to pull out a camera! Thanks to everyone who came out.

Tickets can be purchased now.

Looking forward to it. Remember, for members, pizza is on us!

Jim Crowley will be the featured speaker. I’m not sure who the conservation speaker will be yet.

All of the outdoor shows happen after the first of the year. This one, is earlier than all the others, so.......it’s The Early Show.

Robert Thompson is an Emmy awarding winning producer currently living and working in Chicago, IL. A former Michigander, Thompson grew up in the north east part of the state as an avid fisherman and found his way to a fly rod in 2004. Fly fishing soon became an obsession and in 2009, he combined his background in film & television and his love for fly fishing to create fly fishing documentaries. His first film Night of the Hex was released in 2010, followed closely by Musky County in 2011, Heart of the Driftless in 2012, The River in 2014, Spey Daze in 2017 and latest release Summer Haze in 2019. All of his films are set in the Midwest and parts of four have been featured in the Fly Fishing Film Tour. Robert Thompson will talk about his experience filming around some of the best locations in the Midwest. Dennis Potter owner of Riverhouse Fly Co. has patterns in the Umpqua catalog. His tying theater will be at the show & he will demo his unique patterns.

8 of us made it to Tom Loo's Thai Garden for excellent food and friendly conversation.

Looking forward to it!

I’m so glad that even though the fishing was less than stellar, everyone had a good time and so many have already signed up for next years Road Trip already.

The second week of the Road Trip proved to be the toughest week of fishing on the Menominee River that any of us have ever seen. I floated a section 50 miles north of the cabin, a flowage 30 miles north of the cabin with guide Mike Mladenik, and the 6 mile section that the cabin is on. It seems the entire river had just shut down. Everybody got something, and for the most part, the average size for most fish was 16-17 inches, but even with low numbers of fish, we all had a great time. Next year's trip is filling fast and we are already over 70% sold. If you want to get in on the 2020 Road Trip, don't wait too long to make your reservation. Chris Sharas go this one from my boat Mark Kasick has a nice one while wading Guide Mike Mladenik with Dick Gronlund hold a fat smallmouth.

Pat, Tom and Eric, got you all on the schedule. We are halfway filled already!

Kevin, you Ken and Lauren are on the schedule.

Anybody who stayed during the first week leave a Yeti bottle behind?

I'm booking the tinkers Dam Cabin again for next year, August 8-22, 2020. As was this year, There will be a choice of a 3 or 4 day trip, or you can combine and stay as long as you like. The price will remain the same, $30 per person per night. The choices are; Arrive Saturday August 8, leave on Tuesday August 11 (3 nights) SOLD OUT Arrive Tuesday August 11 leave Saturday, August 15 (4 nights) SOLD OUT Arrive Saturday August 15 leave Tuesday, August 18 (3 nights) ONE SPOT OPEN Arrive Tuesday August 18 leave Saturday, August 22 (4 nights) ONE SPOT OPEN If you were on the 2019 Road Trip, I'll give you first choice on next year. Non-refundable deposits are required to hold your spot. If for any reason you have to cancel, I'll make every effort to fill your spot and refund your deposits. If you have any questions about the cabin or the location, the VRBO website has details. Contact me for reserving your spot by PM here or cal me @ 630-209-9452. Deposits can be made via credit card over the phone or mail me a check made out to ISA sent to ISA 1506 Roth Dr, Joliet, IL 60431 https://www.vrbo.com/612837?noDates=true Here is the schedule with the available dates. I'll update as the schedule fills up.

From the last two days. Fishing has been slow. The threat of rain this morning caused everyone to get a late start. High winds made life miserable for those floating. The rain never really happened in our area, so the river hasn’t come up and is still wadeable. Tomorrow, the weather should be great, we’ll see if the fishing improves.

On the Menominee, I get a lot of hits on a Mepps #4. The problem is, the smallies are so good at throwing those baits. Every time they jump they spit the lure back at me.

We’ve all been waiting for a report. Glad to hear everyone survived and had a good time. I hope you left a few biters for the rest of us!

Ok, I’ll bring corn on the cob.

Ed, any suggestions on what I can bring?