bjensen

Well, I know I was the one who got this whole Kankakee thing started, but I won't be able to make it in the morning. My daughter is pregnant with her second child and is due the end of September. I just got a call from my son-in-law saying they took her by ambulance to the hospital here in town with contractions and pain. They are trying to get the contractions stopped, but if they can't they might fly her to Peoria. So, needless to say, I'll be very close to the phone for a couple days and not out fishing! Hope you guys have fun, and somebody catch a wall-hanger on a fly for me will ya?! Brian

Just as a heads-up, the Vermillion at Pontiac has no current and is getting mossed over. It looks really nasty. There are fish there, but not much size to them and they are stressed due to lack of water, high temps., and low oxygen levels. This is just a thought of mine: Since we were rained out at our last outing on the Kankakee, would anyone be interested in trying the Kank again instead of the Vermillion? Brian

Well, it's 5:30 am and looks like the river has come up around 6 inches. chances are it will steadily rise at least a couple more inches this morning. I'm still making the trip,but will be willing to turn around at a moments notice if someone posts that the level surged up horribly, or that water clarity is too bad to fish. Brian

I'll be there at 8. I'm hoping those storms in Iowa don't come across & screw things up. I've fished the Kank solo and with my buddy Kevin a couple times but never hit a hot bite. Looking forward to meeting some folks who fish it more often! Brian

Only had three of us show up for the outing this morning. It was a slow day, and I think I was the only one to catch a fish.....but it was a dandy and a personal best for me; 16 1/2". And, it was my first smallie this year. Had another one on for an instant and it felt heavier, but came unhooked near the surface. And of course, I had left the camera in the truck! With the warm temps there was a lot of canoe/kayak traffic. Brian

I'll be there! Found some good looking areas when Dana & I were posting signs that I'd like to try. Brian

Will this be our cookout at Harold's afterward, or is that a different weekend? Brian

Yup, I'm out. Forecast now says high of 47 with a 70% chance of rain. I've wanted to fish the Fox for years, but I'm willing to wait!

I'm with you, Dana. Weather forecast for Oswego has turned to crap. I'll be at Busy Corner by 9 am.

I'll be wading as I am too dangerous to be trusted with a watercraft!

We have an outing scheduled for Saturday (4/28) on the Fox River at Oswego. Just wondered who is planning to attend. I'll be there barring any major weather changes. Brian

Fred, Without any personal recommendations I look to Orvis endorsed guides. No guarantees, but it's a place to start. http://www.orvis.com/intro.aspx?dir_id=22592&group_id=2981&cat_id=13912&subject=1088 Brian

The trick to dying any kind of feathers, hair, or natural material is to never allow the dye bath to go higher than 140 degrees. Higher than that and the material will become brittle. Use a candy thermometer and do it in an old glass coffee pot on the stove. You have no control of temperature using a microwave. I keep my dye solution between 130 and 140 degrees at all times and have never had a problem. Brian

White, white, and more white. A hint of chartreuse or olive is good, but white as a basis. Caught a mega-amount of smallies last year on a white & chartreuse Murdich Minnow. A white conehead krystal bugger works well for going deeeep! BJ

That's a nice looking rod you're building! Really like the box elder seat....lots of character. Good Job! I've never built a graphite rod, but have done a few bamboo restorations. You know what would look really good with that rod? A British made Hardy LRH. I just happen to have one if your interested. Good condition, and has the much desired two-screw line guard. It's looks to be in about the same condition as your Orvis. Brian