Bart Durham

Hot and sweaty is probably the best way to describe it. Our team, including ISA members Mark L and VanH fished the Kankakee in the morning and Dupe in the afternoon. We sheared off one of the three blades on my prop in our first run up river on the Kankakee and it pretty much doomed us for the day. Fishing was very difficult for everyone and all teams as I later learned . I think it was the heat. Most of the teams struggled fishing wise with some of the teams getting skunked. We caught 5 fish, two dinks, a 9 ", 11.5." and 13" for the day. Only a fish over 12" qualified so we had only one qualifying fish. I caught a 1 lb rock bass on topwater on the Kankakee that was the biggest rock bass I've ever caught. VanH caught his 13" on the proverbial, "last cast of the day". The winning team, a brother group from Woodridge that floated the Kankakee in a raft and also caught the largest fish at 19.5" not sure what their team total was. The second place team was at 31" I believe so we weren't far out of the running if you counted all our fish!. The barbecue at the award presentation was delicious. Mike and Kurt put on a great event. Met a lot of great guys at the presentation and look forward to next year's event.

John, these double barrel poppers look great and will be interested to hear how these work after the water gets back down.

As feared the rains hit hard last night. The CFS is at 11,000 this morning and rising. Tomorrow’s float is cancelled due to conditions and we will try to reschedule before season is over..

Unfortunately with the heavy rain today it looks doubtful for Saturday but we'll wait until tomorrow to make the final call.

We're going to try to do this float on Saturday but of course mother nature is calling for rain all day Friday. We'll monitor the weather on Friday and if all goes well, will plan to meet at Warner Bridge parking lot at 8 am on Saturday morning to set up shuttle. We'll plan to float from Bird Island to Warner Bridge, about a 6 hour float, depending on how hard you fish. Let me know if your interested to get a head count.

I stopped by the Dupage River near Butterfield Road yesterday to check out how our water willows looked that the ISA planted two years ago. I was pleased to see the water willows are flourishing in this area and doing their great work in filtering the river and creating smallmouth habitat. Here are a couple of photos of the area we planted.

Boogle has been working well for me. I think the Dupage smallies like the rubber legs.

Mike said if we can get the gear to him at Herrick Lake around 7 am he can take it from there. I'm not sure but I think Rich may have some of the games, etc as well.

Either he or Rich.

I like the garage hoist concept!

Mike, as you know we love helping out on this great event and hope to again this year. Will you able to work with us this year and help with organization?

The crew after our cleanup efforts:

I can relate. BTW is the push up exercise the key to keeping your shoulders healthy for life long fishing/casting?

Six ISA members covered several miles of Dupage River this morning picking up trash between 111th street and 135th street. A big thanks and shout out to Forrest Miller, Mark Lutz, Dick Grundland, John Schenk and Evan Schenk who volunteered their time this morning as part of the Dupage River Sweep, Thanks again for your time. Hopefully Forrest can post the photo we got of the group.

Looks like the rain stayed away last night for the most part and will stay away this morning so come on out and join us this morning at the 135th street boat launch. We'll have all clean up supplies needed but bring your own if you like. If you can only make it for a short time thats ok and come on out. The more the merrier. The bulk of the work will be done between 9-noon. See you soon.

Dick, that is correct, we are meeting at the 135th street boat ramp. Look forward to seeing you and all other volunteers there tomorrow morning at 9 am.

Correct, I plan to bring my boat to assist us if needed. The water levels would have to come down some to use the boats so they are on stand by. Most of clean up will be done by hand and walking along river and river paths with pick poles and garbage bags.

Looks like prime smallmouth habitat!

Looks like the weather is going to cooperate this weekend so we're still on for this massive river clean up event. The ISA contingent will meet at the 135th street boat ramp, where there is ample parking. The boat ramp is located off 135th street midway between Naperville/Plainfield Rd and Route 59. . Depending on the turnout we will separate into groups to cover different stretches of the river. If the water levels cooperate we may have a boat or two to assist us. All clean up supplies will be provided but bring your own gloves/supplies if you like. We will plan to work between 9 and 12 and have lunch/drinks afterwards. Let me know if any questions.

May want to shoot for a mid to late morning start as chance for serious rain diminishes after 9 am.

The more the merrier David. You have a chance to land a brute Illinois smallmouth on this float. We look forward to meeting you and all other new members.

Should be some nice smallmouth caught on this stretch, river is shaping up to be in good shape for Saturday.

Chauncey asked that we send this information regarding Ronald McDonald House fundraising fishing event to our members: This is a fun and great way to fish, enjoy a day outside, win some money and most important help out a great charity, the Ronald McDonald House of Chicago and Northwest Indiana. Dont wait send in your registration today all form are at the web site listed below. Spots fill up so don't wait. Lets help Fishing for a Cure help Ronald McDonald House of Chicago and Northwest Indiana and have fun doing it. Sign up today!! Grab a pole and push out from shore for Exelon’s 17th Annual Fishing for a Cure fundraiser May 12th, 2018, from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Braidwood Generating Station’s cooling lake in Braceville, IL. Teams (two anglers per team) will compete for some impressive cash prizes totaling $10,000. First place will reel in $4,000, and second and third place win $2,500 and $1,000, respectively. Those who finish in the top 10 also win cash. Check out the following link for rules and sign up sheets - easy to download - Invite a friend or just spread the word of this great event!! We have raised over $500,000 for charities and all money raised has been given to area charities and Exelon had picked up all cost while the volunteers work year round at raising money. http://www.exeloncorp.com/…/even…/exelons-fishing-for-a-cure

FYI we’re looking into the calendar issue and hope to have it fixed soon, looks like last nigh’s storm didn’t raise the water levels too much which bodes well for Saturday’s float ?