Bart Durham

John, I can't help you with finding another pedal drive, but I'm trying to learn more about them and I'm curious what you liked about the pedal drive vs. paddle and whether you think a pedal drive would be good for fishing use on our local rivers?

A well deserved honor indeed, congrats Mike!

Some good news to report. Dam removal projects in Illinois are moving forward. See attached article from Chicago Tribune: https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-illinois-dam-removals-20201013-jtcb2h3hpfhkhfgugacsw64lcu-story.html

Pleased to report website issue on mobile device has been resolved.

Thanks for the heads up Eric, we're looking into the issue and hope to have it resolved soon.

They’re not otters, but endangered mussels in Illinois play a crucial role as environmental sentinels. ‘They all have a story to tell.’.webloc From Chicago Tribune

There is an area on the lower DuPage River near the campground below the breached lake south of Shepley Road that was at one time full of tires that needed removal. I haven't floated that area in awhile and maybe they have since been removed or washed out but that would be an area worth checking out. Not a bad area for smallmouth fishing either. Shhhhh.

Coal ash along the Middle Fork of the Vermilion River. Will Vistra Do What's Right? Photo by Jeff Lucas. Your Voice Now Will Make The Difference for Future Generations The Coal Ash Pollution Prevention Act, passed in 2019 was just the first step in bringing about regulations that will protect Illinois residents from the effects of toxic coal ash pollution. Over 80 coal ash storage sites throughout Illinois are threatening the health and safety of our r

Second group is putting a wrap on our four day stay, weather has been phenomenal but smallmouth bite has been a little more finicky than normal , still catching a lot of great fish, hate to see our trip end but back to reality soon .

Good news on this and for chance to help improve water quality on the East Branch.

I hope this can be reversed if new administration gets in.

Mark Agresta of DRiFT kindly shared this information with us on an important local dam removal conservation project with webinar Information which will be broadcast tonight and Thursday night on the subject: “Hello, everyone. We have been contacted by a local not-for-profit group, The DuPage River Salt Creek Workgroup (DRSCW), which includes more than 50 wastewater treatment works and municipal entities. The DRSCW is proposing to remove the dam at Fullersburg Woods to enhance the fishery of Salt Creek. They have invited all of our members to one of their webinars to present

I believe Downers Grove, Woodridge, Lisle, and Bolingbrook, all have wastewater treatment plants that empty into the East Branch. I believe West Chicago, Warrenville, Naperville, Plainfield, Shorewood and Channhon have treatment plants that empty into the main branch. There could be more but those are the ones of which Im aware. So yes there is a tremendous amount of treated wastewater in the river.

Looks like North Aurora dam on the Fox will be coming down soon.. If Montgomery dam is also removed there would be unobstructed float from Batavia to Yorkville. Thanks for sending me the article Mark Lutz. https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/ct-abn-north-aurora-dam-st-0608-20200608-w72kimalargo5h7db5s6cowg4q-story.html

This Blue Sky yak is pretty cool, a kayak you can actually fly fish from.