tgoodmanii

Agreed!

One can hope. Besides we're the ones who keep putting the crooks in office.

Hey as long as the money stays in the hands of the DNR an is used responsibly and efficiently and not stuck in someone's pocket I think it's a good idea. I could care less if the tubers like it or not. Many of them litter and are obnoxiously drunk and cause problems. If it prevents some of them from going then so be it.

Unfortunately I can't go on this one. But I did go to the Apple on Friday and landed over 50 smallmouth. Water level was good and very clear. Most fish were in the 10-14 inch range and I landed one that was 16. If you haven't been out there this year this would be the outing to attend. Should be good weather and water conditions and excellent scenery.

Smithwick Suspespending Rattlin Rogue, Cordell Wally Diver, and jig and twister. Low light near weed lines

I was planning on coming but I agree with the reasons for a reschedule. Good point on the low water comment Mike. Makes it easier for me to find all Terry's lures that he snags on the bottom.

Awesome Josh! That looks like a great boat. I almost went with that one because it looked like a great platform to fly cast from.

Extended weather and river forecast looks decent for now. Lets hope it stays that way.

I was in LL Bean in Hoffman Estates Friday and they had a Tarpon 120 on sale for about $800. That save you a couple hundred off retail. Guy said their kayaks and canoes go on sale in the next couple of weeks. The Tarpon was a sand color I believe.

Thanks Tom and everyone for the tips.

Good news for Rock River. http://rockrivertimes.com/2013/04/10/rock-river-trail-gains-national-water-trails-status-2/ http://www.rockrivertrail.com/ http://watertrails.nps.gov/watertrails/

Yeah that photo clouser doesn't look like Bob's. definitely enhanced for book cover. Bob doesn't use that much material. He said less is better. I found that true last season. I had a clouser that was getting pretty beat up and didn't have much bucktail left on it. The worse it got the more smallmouth and pike would hit it.

Tom, I tied up my first Foxy Crawdad today. It turned out ok but I was wondering where you get your Eagle Claw 413-2 size# 2 (45 degrees jig hook). I was at Cabela's today and all they had were some Eagle Claw 570-2 hooks with a 90 degree bend that have a bronze finish. They seem like they will work fine but are not a heavier wire hook. I can put more of an angle on it to make it more of a 60 degree but I don't want to weaken the hook too much. Also size 2 seems a little small so I was thinking about going with a #1 or 1/0 maybe even 2/0. Here is a hook I think is similar to the one you suggested https://do-itmolds.com/shop/do-itmolds.com/shop/index.php?route=product/category&path=2_93_98. Also you suggest using flashabou but in your pics it looks like you used red Krystal flash. I only had black and olive hackle. What size dumbell eyes do you typically use for this fly? What method/presentation do you use when fishing this fly? Thanks Looks a little too long Tim

That's going to be my next yak purchase. I really considered getting it this spring but got the Coosa instead. Let us know how you like it after some regular use. Looks like a great boat. Enjoy

I'll be there. Not sure who's coming with me yet.

Great job guys. Looks like a good meeting with some good speakers.

Seminar went well. Hopefully some people walked away with some good info and an idea of what the ISA is about. There was some good interaction with those in attendance. I took a few pics also.

Looks great! Did you just figure out how to unwrap it from the plastic? I've been waiting over a week for pics.

Here is my email correspondence with DNR. I called the different places like Walmart and Big R about the the stamp and they had no idea what was going on even though they are suppose to issue them beginning June 1. To DNR: "I just purchased a new kayak on 3/9/2013 from Paddle and Trail in Loves Park, IL. Do I need to register this watercraft or just wait for the new water usage stamp to take effect? It did not come with a title or any type of registration info. It does have a serial number on the hull." From DNR: "Canoes, kayaks and paddle boats will no longer be titled/registered with Illinois UNLESS they have a motor; otherwise customers will be able to purchase a paddle pass at local vendors for $6.00 per calendar year. Please access the attached link. It will allow you to enter the county or city and will display locations as to where you can purchase a paddle pass. They will be available for purchase around June 01 and will be enforced in July: http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/LPR/Pages/LicensePermitVendors.aspx So until the paddle passes are available, I'm going to use my kayak and canoe with the understanding that this is a transition time for the DNR and I will get the stamps when they become available on June 1st. It wiil not be enforced until July 1st. So my understanding is that if you have recently purchased a non motorized watercraft (kayak/canoe) and is has not been registered with the old program, you can use it but you need to get the stamp when it becomes available. In otherwords, I'm not waiting until the stamps are available (3 months) to use my new kayak and I don't think it will be an issue. Anyone else have any thoughts on this?

The clinic is tomorrow. I hope to see some ISA faces there.

Unfortunatley it's not Terry Dodge and his new Coosa. Instead they got Jim Sammons. This is pretty cool news if you're someone who likes Jackson Kayaks. http://jacksonkayak.com/blog/2013/03/15/jackson-kayak-welcomes-kayak-fishing-legend-jim-sammons-to-team-jackson-kayak/

Colin Belle, of Hobie Fishing Team and Paddle and Trail, has started a new group called Midwest Kayak Anglers. So far 44 people have joined up since it was started in February of this year. If you are someone who enjoys kayak fishing or are just getting into it, this group is a great way to meet other kayak anglers. This is not a fishing club. There are no commitments or cost in joing the group. The way it works is simple: Colin, or other members of the group suggest a get together of some kind and if it's something you're interested in you attend. If not, don't go. So far he has organized several events including Kayak Fishing Milwaukee Harbor, Rod Building Class, and Salmon Trolling Techniques From Around Lake Michigan just to name a few. This may be a good way to meet other anglers and introduce them to the ISA. The group is sponsored by Tackle Grab and Paddle and Trail who offer discounts if you are a member of the group. Check it out.

Sounds tasty!

Ingredients and preparation instructions please?

If you can get a great deal for the Pentax it might be worth it. I actually wasn't too impressed with the quality or features of that camera compared to the price. There are better options out there.