John Gillio

This is it, with or without eye shadow.

Good luck with that. As you know, I love fishing trash.

Yes, you win. That is a huge drum. You are too harsh on yourself though. You haven't even caught a small one. Not you can't even. I still believe.

Thanks Rob. I see the state record for short nose gar has just been broken.

What is the size of your rope fly? Were you fishing the gar with a 5 wt? Damn drum. When you do catch one it will surely give you that so very sad look and you will feel bad about hooking at all.

Very nice report Rob. Nice looking flies. Nine hours on the water sounds lovely. I usually need a day to recooperate after those long ones anymore.

That's cool to hear about the old Wheaton home. Hope you get to check out the Westclox museum. They have tons of pictures and info about former employees. Maybe they can locate photos of your grandfather.

John, I worked there in 1977 & 1978 so I missed your grandfather's time there. The section along water street has a different owner than the section along Rt.6. The entire middle section burned out and has been cleared. It , along with the Rt 6 section, was bought 3 yrs ago by 3 of the business owners that remained in the building after the fire. I think the water street section is all warehouse. We moved into the west wing of the Rt 6 section of the building 5 yrs ago, just after the fire. It was a scary move but worked out quite well. At that time the east end was industrial and the west end was warehouse except for us. We were glad to see the new owners had a vision for the building. The past 3 yrs has seen a flurry of growth in the building. including a museum dedicated to the preservation of all things related to the history of the building when it was the nation's largest producer of clocks and watches. Let me know when you are in the area and I would gladly give you a tour of the building if I am available. It has changed tremendously since ownership switched back to people who care about the building and it's history. My wife's business is Music Suite 408, Fine Arts Factory, and Paintbox Gallery. Check it out at the Music Suite 408 website or facebook page.

Star Union Spirits is a new distillery and one of the new businesses that is opening in the Westclox building where my wife's business is. It is in the center of the two city block complex and will eventually have a tasting room and restaurant attached.

I have similar memories. When I was in about 3rd grade, dad tended bar part time at Balconies tavern which was kitty corner from the school. On Fridays my folks allowed me to stop into the tavern for a soda pop. Marie, the owner, wouldn't let minors go past the soda fountain ,where the bar started, but I was allowed to go to the poker table to get a chip from my uncle and turn it in for my treat. Good memories.

A fellow down the street would load up my wagon with quart bottles, if I remember correctly, and send me down to the nearby tavern to get the deposit for them. I think he paid me a dime for the trip.

I remember the river when it was in that state. Star Union Brewery was one of the midwest's largest breweries. It was established in 1845. It ceased production in 1966. I was 10 yrs old. Dad used to drink Sepp'l Beau, which was Star Union's premium beer. When I was very young I remember sitting on dad's knee and sipping his beer as he watched Friday Night Boxing on the old tube TV.

I'm going to have to check that one out when I'm up that way.

Nice! I agree.

I am not sure. There is contact info at tangledrootsbrewing.com. I picked up a 6 pack in LaSalle. The Lone Buffalo is a resturant attached to the brewery. It is worth a visit.

One of my favorite beers is named after my favorite stream, and it is local. Brewed in Ottawa Illinois no less. As the bottle says it is upstream of ordinary

That is one chunky smallie.

Congrats on your first smallie. Those natural rushes are extremely addictive.

Nicely done!

Thanks for sharing!

Ever so true.

Thanks Bart.

I also use aquaseal.