Eric

Ditto L.L.Bean. Just ordered their Gray Ghost Studded wading boots. Great service and return / exchange policy.

That is really cool! What a beautiful, prehistoric-looking fish! Thanks for sharing.

Had a conversation about this very subject with a field biologist, who in turn escalated it to a fisheries research scientist with knowledge of smallmouth bass in our state.

Basically, the amount of stress that any smallmouth may incur depends on temperature and oxygen which can be determined by a variety of factors including the number of deeper pools available and number of other fish in the system seeking out those deeper pools. The best way to help protect smallmouth is to continue smart fishing practices including single hooks, barbless hooks, quick release, etc. All fish have a certain temperature threshold that can be fatal, but since we really haven't seen smallmouth die-offs yet this season, the conditions aren't at their temperature and oxygen thresholds yet.

Good news is that despite daytime highs in the 90s our nights are now getting cooler. We'll get some rain eventually and our rivers will even out.

Tom has earned the spotlight with his win! In addition, our own Frank M. and Bart D. took second in the team division. Despite a few heartbreaks, the Dupe was good to them. They put in a good effort and were rewarded. Was great to meet up with them and have a few frosty beverages after a hot day of fishing! Congrats guys.

To be clear, river fishing during low water conditions does not constitute poaching.

How confident are you that a well-fought battle ending with a release isn't doing damage or killing your population.

As confident as any other time of year. They give the typical 'smallie splash' on release, often soaking my sunglasses. With any fishing there's going to be a percentage of loss, despite your best efforts. You have to be willing to accept that as part of the game. If you can't, don't fish.

How much easier has it been to locate fish in this extreme heat which is aggravated by a severe lack of precip?

Although high water fishing is what I prefer, finding fish in low water is easy too ... if you can read water. Riffles and chutes have current, oxygenation, and forage. Although it's not uncommon to find fish in very shallow, slow water. How many schools of minnows have you spooked out of the warm shallows? Lots!

Can smallmouth that are getting condensed into horribly low water survive and thrive in these conditions?

River smallmouth are more tolerant of warm water than many other fish species that inhabit the same river. If there is flow, I'd say they can survive. Thrive? No. If they are locked in a stagnant pool, they are vulnerable to catch & keep, predators, high heat, oxygen depletion, algae blooms, ammonia spike.

Judging by the types of conditions you are describing, you have me envisioning the Vermilion River and places where you've got more bedrock exposed than you do water. Those "fish in a barrel" type situations are dicey. But it's a choice left up to the individual angler of whether or not to fish -- just as it's a choice whether to catch and release, what types of lures or hooks to use, to fish during the spawn, to fish in winter, etc.

Reading between the lines, it seems you're wondering why the ISA has not issued a decree to cease fishing during drought conditions for the sake of conservation and protecting the fishery. Like you, some have stopped or restricted their fishing, and for some it has been business as usual. It is an individual choice anglers make as they evaluate the conditions on their favorite flows. There is no one answer that is going to satisfy both sides.

Event Recap from the "Statmaster" Kenny Abbott:

18 Individual Entries, 4 Team Entries, & 10 Big Fish Entries

Total Length (of top 3 fish) of all individuals = 468.25" @ avg 33.45"

Team Class Awards:

1st Place = Chris LeMessurier / Paul Biediger @ 66.75" (total top-4, 2 each), biggest @ 17.5", avg @ 16.69 ($100) *(Grand Prize includes 1 night, double-occupancy, at Comfort Suites of Downtown Aurora)

2nd Place = Frank Macikas / Bart Durham @ 57.0", biggest @ 17.0", avg @ 14.25" ($80)

*(2 other teams did not qualify for awards)

Individual Class Awards:

1st Place = Tom Loo @ 51.75" (total top-3), biggest fish @ 17.5", avg @ 17.25" ($100) *(Loo donated 1st place grand prize Jackson Coosa Kayak to ISA.)

2nd Place = Paul Biediger @ 49.25" total, biggest @ 16.75", avg @ 16.4" ($75)

3rd Place = Chris LeMessurier @ 49" total, biggest @ 17.5, avg @ 16.33" ($50)

Biggest Fish Award:

1st Place = Chris LeMessurier @ 17.5" ($100 Cash)

*(Jan Panlilio @ 18.0" & Tom Loo @ 17.5" did not register for the "Biggest Fish" category.)

Additional Awards include:

"Longest Drive" Mobile Gas Card from Paul & Bills' Service & Wash = Ray Fesemeyer

"Raffle for a Paddle" = Bart Durham

"Battle for a Bait Box" = Colin Belle

Was my first Riverbassin' tournament and I had a great time! It was well-organized, casual and low-key. I signed up and fished as an individual. Since the Fox is so low, I left the kayak at home and just shore- and wade-fished. First cast was 5:45 AM. I travelled light with my baitcaster and one small Plano box of lures. It was a day of power fishing! I spot-hopped and worked waters in Geneva, Batavia, Oswego and Aurora. The smallies were aggressive and short fish were out in force. My hot presentation was a 1/4-ounce Eric Bait from Timmay's Tackle. It finally broke in two after fish 56! Ended up with 59 bass, primarily smallmouth with a few largemouth and one white bass. The three largest bass that I scored were fairly short at 14", 15.25", 15.5" (total score 44.75"). Like most of the tourney participants, I had my share of blunders throughout the day and lost a biggie here and there. But overall, I sure can't complain!

Topwater was fairly uneventful but the 5" double-tail Yamamoto Hula Grub rigged on a slider head worked out as a great sub-surface presentation for finicky bass that boiled on the spinnerbait but needed some extra coaxing.

Check-in was at 4:30 PM and around 5:30 PM we had an awards ceremony, food and drinks at Ballydoyle Irish Pub in Aurora. I think at that point everyone needed a few beers after a long, hot day on the water.

Our very own master fly angler Tom L. won the individual category (and the grand prize: a Jackson Kayak Coosa) with three 17"+ beauties. Congratulations Tom!

When the festivities were over, Tom and I hit the river once again and exercised a few more Aurora smallies. I picked up another 7 fish on a 3/8-ounce Eric Bait and Tom landed a few on the long rod. Was our first time fishing downtown Aurora and there are some neat urban spots.

Had a really fun day and would definitely do it again! Thanks to Paddle & Trail, Kenny Abbott, Tim Goodman, Jim Jozwiak and all who worked hard to make the event FUN and a success!

Early morning setup at Jericho Lake in Aurora.

Charlie Zine of Paddle & Trail, ISA member Steve "Spiz" and ISA officer Ed Buric

ISA officer Ed Buric takes a Jackson Kayak Cuda for a test paddle.

ISA officer Cory Gale takes a Jackson Kayak Coosa for a test paddle.

Wilderness Systems Ride 115.

A great selection of watercraft to try. This was only half of what was there!

ISA member Steve "Spiz" -- born to fish, forced to work.

ISA officer John Loebach and Charlie Zine of Paddle & Trail.

ISA member Steve "Spiz" test paddling a Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120.

Lots of paddling discussion on a balmy July morning.

ISA officer Ed Buric and Charlie Zine of Paddle & Trail.

ISA member Steve "Spiz" and ISA officer Cory Gale test paddling fishing kayaks.

ISA officer Ed Buric.

ISA member Steve "Spiz" and ISA officer Ed Buric.

DNR stream biologist Bob Rung stopped by to test paddle a few kayaks. Seen here in a Jackson Kayak Coosa. He stood in it!

ISA member Dick Gronlund test paddling a Wilderness Systems Ride 115.

The Big Kahuna (ISA officer John Loebach) test paddles a Jackson Kayak Big Tuna.

Lots of watercraft to try!

ISA officer Ed Buric in his solo Mowhawk canoe.

ISA officer Eugene Collins in a Jackson Kayak Big Tuna. This fishing kayak is extremely versatile and can be used tandem or solo!

ISA officer Eugene Collins trying his luck on Jericho Lake from his "Pond Hopper." He caught numerous species.

I ended up with eight largemouth bass -- six on a Super Spook Jr., one on a Hula Grub, and this 18" on a Senko. I fished from my Jackson Kayak Cuda. Had a very enjoyable morning visiting, photographing, and fishing.

Eric

Fantastic turnout of people and boats. Big thanks to Paddle & Trail for the test boats and guidance! The weather held and it was beautiful out. 4 largemouth bass landed from the Cuda thus far. Nice little lake and only 10 minutes from home.

Update: at the lake. Weather good. Ed and Eugene here.

50-70% chance of thunderstorms rolling through Aurora during the duration of the outing. Radar looks iffy at the moment and can hear thunder rumbling to the southwest of me. :-(

We sure need the rain though!

I'll be there with my Jackson Kayak Cuda.

I'd use a simple Coke can rig and hand-line a crawler on a rusty hook.

I'll bet if I detailed my car it would rain.

Welcome Blake. Always enjoyed your pics and reports. Glad to see you here.

Several years ago, the decision was made to print the cover in color in order to enhance the look of the publication. The inside pages were kept as grayscale in order to keep costs down. The rationale is that we do not want the newsletter expense to be so high that it hampers other areas such as funding grants, etc. -- things that really make an impact from a conservation standpoint.

It's a balance.

For this issue, I wanted the PDF that's available in the online archive to be in full color with photos that bleed to the edge of the page so our membership could enjoy the piece the way it was designed -- independant of the budget or mechanical limitations of the printed piece. That's the intent on future issues as well.

Article submissions can be e-mailed to Jim J. The hard deadline for materials to be included in the August 2012 issue is Friday, July 13. No exceptions. Materials should be spell checked, grammar checked, proofread and be single spaced. MS Word (.doc / .docx) is preferred. Submissions will be included at the editor's discression.

Was just reading this good article from Bob Maciulis on a similar subject:

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/sports/12887874-419/maciulis-time-for-responsible-stewardship.html

I'd gladly pay 3-4 times the current amount for an annual IL fishing license. I think our current license fees are way too low. Wish an increase was guaranteed to go back to the Division of Fisheries. Therein lies the problem!

FYI on the distribution of the printed newsletter... once the final file goes to the printer it is out of our hands. It gets printed and bulk shipped from Addison, Illinois. The length of time it takes to reach individual members and businesses depends on the efficiency of the post office. We play no part in the shipping and have no means to speed up or check status.

I know you are joking here Terry but just an FYI to all since I've seen this comment come up numerous times over the years.

Thanks Jude. That was a fun shot. Its from a series while wading the Fox solo last autumn. I was in a really good area and the intention was to play around with photography that evening. I had my camera setup on a tripod and my wireless remote ready. I tied into some good fish on the swim jig and snapped away. (That shot is also used on a Web promo banner for Big Hammer.)

The photos throughout the issue are mine, my friend Branson's, or from iStock.

We're extremely proud of the new design. Any members that want to read the June/July Bronzeback Bulletin in its full-color glory can downoad the PDF from our web archive.

The archive login is included in the last issue.

5" for me. On a 1/8-ounce Slider Head, it just works perfect for me. More often than not, in my arsenal.

Nope.

Top one ... think it's bittersweet nightshade. Most people get rid of that one. Its berries can make people and animals sick. It's in the same family as deadly nightshade.

Bottom one looks like a Virginia Creeper. Harmless.

The Fox is fine for wading or kayaking. The CFS last I checked was 1,300.

1,800 - 2,000 is my top end for comfortable wading in most areas. Obviously for kayak fishing, a gentle flow is more advantageous for boat position.

I was out early this week and fishing was relatively slow. I hit some great areas with the kayak and boated a combined 9 with a buddy. The hula grub was a winner. A few on a spinnerbait. Largest were 15". I'm guessing the spawn has slowed things down a bit. But you never know what'll hit on that next cast. There are always fish on the feed of various sizes and styles...

Ryan,

Get out there and do it and then let US know how it goes. :-) Spending more time on the Fox is just that...

Here's the smallie Bart popped on a 3/8-ounce Eric Bait fished near rock in fast water.

BTW, nice buzzbait fish!