Fredmo

I do agree with all the above. I will say the article on winter fishing, discussing all the things to wear and carry, the warning signs for hypothermia, etc., convince me my winter fishing should be staying home and tying flies. It's like playing golf when it's too hot or cold, if it ain't fun, don't do it. That's my bias, others must really like getting out in the cold. Maybe it's my age.

Is this news to everyone, or just me?

Proposed 'mega-dairy' may close before opening

Four-year legal fight nears end with California businessman dropping plans for site near Galena

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By Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune reporter

11:15 p.m. CST, November 20, 2012

A controversial plan to build the largest dairy in Illinois has been put out to pasture, state officials announced Tuesday.

The Illinois attorney general's office announced a proposed settlement in which the owners of the 5,500-head dairy planned near Galena will clean up and leave, to the joy of local opponents.

"We've agreed they would not seek permitting to allow the dairy, and they've decided to dismantle and be done with the project," said Scott Mulford, a spokesman for the attorney general.

The agreement would end a four-year legal battle between California dairyman A.J. Bos and a group of area residents who fought his "mega-dairy," fearing the vast amount of manure it would produce would foul the air and contaminate groundwater. The end comes without a cow ever being milked there.

Bos proposed the Tradition Dairy in 2008 near the northwestern Illinois town of Nora in Jo Daviess County. He maintained the site was safe and got a permit to proceed from the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

He soon ran into resistance from opponents, who formed a group called HOMES and filed suit to stop the dairy. A judge halted work on the site in 2008, but the courts allowed the project to proceed in early 2011.

At the same time, the environmental protection agencies at state and federal levels began requiring more documentation from the dairy to prove that it would not contaminate the groundwater.

In April 2011, the Illinois attorney general's office filed a complaint alleging that purple silage runoff, a liquid produced from stored corn, had leaked from the site and contaminated a nearby creek and the Apple River. Dairy officials maintained the liquid had done no harm, and they quickly took steps to prevent it from happening again.

Prosecutors proposed a fine of up to $250,000 for water pollution and operating without a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit.

Under the settlement, the dairy would be fined $1,000 and required to dispose of the silage runoff in a safe manner so that it will not leak into nearby waters.

The settlement will be considered for approval by the Illinois Pollution Control Board.

Danielle Diamond, attorney for the Illinois Citizens for Clean Air and Water, gave credit to local activists for stopping the "dangerous" project.

Officials with Tradition Dairy could not be reached for comment late Tuesday. They have said the project would have helped the state's shrinking dairy industry, but that Gov. Pat Quinn's opposition to the dairy unfairly tainted the regulatory process.

rmccoppin@tribune.com

Copyright © 2012, Chicago Tribune

Not sure my two tiny fish, barely bigger than my fly, qualifies as putting a "whuppin" on anybody. Almost makes me want to trek up to Kishwaukee next Saturday to see if there is a river that really has fish in it.

I want to come, but probably can't be in Goodfield that early (granddaughter duties overnight while their parents karaoke, so may need to return them home, first) I think I'll come later in the morning, probably fish above or below the Rt. 150 bridge by Goodfield, then join the group at @1 at Harold's. Any other suggestion of location?

By the way, does it violate some sacred rule to mention the bridge location?

Not sure who makes the formal report, but 6 of us showed up to try the K3. River was pretty low, clear water. We tried several spots in the State Park. By noon, only 5 fish had been caught, 2 by the guys with long rods, 3 by the spinners. Even Norm only had one. Not sure if all the spinning guys gave up, but Doug and I gave another try with the fly rods up near the campgrounds, each adding another fish. Doug had a 14" one that was the biggest I saw today.

I probably was the "winner" because I got a free lesson on how to spey cast with a one-hand fly rod. It was the highlight of my day. Thanks, Doug!

Earlier this year I bought from Cabelas, via the internet, a 5wt, 4pc, Wind River flyrod, nothing expensive but seems o.k. I went to Michigan on vacation last week and took it with me, along with a few other rods. I just laid them in the van.

Friday I hit the St. Joe River with my son and grandson, only to discover that one of the sections of the rod was crushed or split, rendering the rod unusable. Made no difference, we didn't catch anything on any rod. I assume the rod probably got crushed by luggage, tennis rackets or other vacation stuff.

In the way home Saturday I stopped at the Cabelas in Hammond, IN. The flyfishing salesman said they didn't carry the rod, except as part of a set with reel, line, etc. He told me to take the rod to customer service to see if they would give a credit, since it was such a recent purchase.

The service rep. just asked to see my i.d., took the rod, gave me a credit for the amount that the Wind River set costs, in the form of a gift card. I proceded back to the flyfishing section, bought a new TLr 5wt, 4pc rod, which comes with a hard tube to prevent from happening what happened to my other rod. The "upgrade" cost me a total of $21.

I'm becoming a fan of Cabelas. Too bad they don't have an outlet anywhere nearby.

If we don't get rain there may not be a Vermilion by next Sat. I crossed the Kank and the Vermilion yesterday on I-55 and both are low. I'd vote to try Kank, if I am allowed to go.

This talk inspired me to get down to my bench and tye a few wooly buggers for the Kank on Sunday. Amazing the variety of materials you can use, depending upon whose instructions you follow. Now, if they work tomorrow.......

Oh, I bet lots of us are interested in breakfast, but not the other side of the State Park. Maybe in Pontiac, or Dwight.

By the way, the rains and lightening are just now reaching the Lake Bloomington area. Hope they blow through in a hurry.

Downstate forecast is for much-needed rain Sat. nite-Sunday morning. What's expected in the Kankakee area?

My granddaughter explains my hobby:

For those of us coming up this Sunday, is the Kankakee R. one you wet wade, or should we plan on wearing waders ? Seems like I have usually worn waders, but it's been several years since I was up there to fish.

I have a young golden retriever that sheds hair prolifically. As I was recently brushing her and getting handfuls of hair, golden and very delicate, I wondered if there was a use for it in fly tying. Anyone ever use dog hair and have any opinions about how to use it. Can't really stack it like deer hair and I don't know how sturdy it would be in a fly. Looking for ideas.

I'm taking a long weekend trip in May to the area in Tennessee around Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. I thought I'd take my fly rod and waders and see if I could land a trout. It has been suggested to me that since I'm clueless as to the streams in the area I might hire a guide for my first effort. Anyone have any suggestions or recommendations for someone in that area? For that matter, do you think a guide is necessary or desirable?

Remind me of what the suggestion is: do you go up a size on the line? Put a 6 wt. line on a 5 wt. rod? Does that work at any level?

I just got a 5 wt. rod from Cabela and have a 6 wt. line sitting around unused.

Not sure where to post this, but it looks like a fishing movie. Not exactly "A River Runs Through", but it has fish, and flies and flyfishing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEUwCX2UjJA

So, if we're coming, any particular materials we need to bring?

Suppose Rob will next make a Ryan Sandberg fly, in Cardinal Red?

Looks like it would be good for grandchildren, with or without the dog!

Paul- Kevin has it backwards.

Has anyone hit the new store that opened in E. Peoria this week? Looking forward to getting over there. I assume they will be like the others, which means we finally will have a fly shop within reasonable distance. Seems that Dick's and Gander Mountain decided to support only the dark side, and occasionally it's nice to see what you are buying instead of relying always on the catalogue or web site.

Can't make a Sunday event, other than church, but I'm curious if it is possible to float the Middle Fork in a Pack canoe? I really miss getting over to that river.

Bruce, if you check the calendar on the general ISA site, it is set for Sunday, the 18th.

I must be visual, not verbal. Anyone got pics of what you are talking about?

Did you notice there are no postings, telling about the big fish caught, the bigger ones that got away? We did have a great turnout, must of been about ten of us meeting at Busy Corner in Goodfield, split up into three groups, hit various areas of the Mack. Our three went south, but in the four hours in the water, only two fish, none worth picturing. Back at Harold's there looked to be good food, but not much talk about fish. Did host Harold get two? Anyone else catch anything?

I looked at the "short" list, and find both Vermilion rivers are on it, but there is either only the last half mile from the Illinois, or all but that last half mile is included. It is written so you have to sit and read it over several times to figure out what they mean, and I just didn't have the time tonight.

This looks like one of those situations where the legislature authorized the DNR to come up with the list, so it is something created by a bureaucracy, not our elected representatives. There is a petition process outlined to request that bodies of water be added to the list. Wonder if that has been invoked by anyone on the upper Vermilion. Doesn't look like it is rocket science, might not even need to hire an attorney.