Bart Durham

Agree Frank, if so could be really good float conditions on Saturday, unfortunately won't be able to join for this float as wife and I have longstanding plans to be out of town this weekend. The stars could be aligned for this one, however. Best of luck to everyone!

Last year ISA volunteers helped clean up a stretch of the East Branch of the Dupage River near Hidden Lakes Park in Bolingbrook. This year the ISA will set up station at the 135th Street Boat Ramp north of Plainfield with plans to help clean up as big of part of the main stem stretch between Bolingbrook and Plainfield as possible. We hope to have some boats and plenty of man and woman power available to help clean up and preserve this great smallmouth stream. We'll plan on meeting at the 95th Street boat ramp at 9 am on May 19th. The Conservation Foundation will provide work gloves, waste bags, clean up poles and help organize for trash debris removal. Free T Shirts will be given to all volunteers. Let me know if you can volunteer for this environmental clean up event!

Big find on the West Branch! The purpose of the River Sweep is to encourage volunteers to help "sweep our rivers clean" by picking up debris in and along the local waterways and restoring nearby land back to its natural state. Despite heavy rains on the day of the River Sweep in 2017, more than 600 volunteers came out to cleanup the waterways. Some groups shortened their day and others rescheduled, but they all helped remove approximately 6 tons of debris from the DuPage River and its tributaries. In 2017 over 65 miles of shoreline were cleared of trash. The treasures found varied widely, including an adult bicycle, car jack, tires, seat cushions, lawn chairs, milk crates, a custom golf bag, ladder and golf, soccer, beach and tennis balls.

Here is a recent article from Michael Hawthorne of the Chicago Tribune with an update on the Middle Fork Vermillion Coal Ash Issue: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-illinois-scenic-river-endangered-20180409-story.html#share=email~story

The wire ties suggested by Paul for the plates have worked great!

I've fished near its confluence with Big Rock Creek and caught some nice fish there. I look forward to exploring more upstream where it appears the Forest Preserve will be located.

See attached link for the announcement by the Conservation Foundation of the creation of the Little Rock Creek Forest Preserve. Great work by the Conservation Foundation in creating this Forest Preserve along one of the most pristine waterways in our State! This is a tributary of Big Rock Creek that runs into the Fox River. http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?m=1102260488944&ca=743e1124-b2dd-43f5-b177-e8ceb0724f71

I invited Ron's brother, Alan, to the Blowout, he indicated he would love to be here to share in and listen to stories about Ron, but unfortunately his work prevents him from being able to come this year. He asked that we send him photographs of Ron that we put together. I don't think Alan would mind if I share with you this tidbit from his email: I can still remember when he was learning to fly fish. He would be out in the middle of winter after a snowfall and would be practicing his casting across our front lawn and that of the neighbors (we lived at W 83rd St near Pulaski Ave in Chicago). I am still amazed at the length of line that he could throw out and the accuracy. i think he could land a fly in a coffee can at plus 50 yards.

I'll have a Gin & Tonic with you on that and what a nice gesture Tom. Ron had a strong influence on a lot of us and I will cherish the fishing we did together including those Steelhead trips to Milwaukee the three of us made together and our talks at the coffee shop after a cold day on the water and drive home.

I’m so sorry to hear this. We lost a great person and fly fisherman. What a gut punch, we became great friends over the years and fished the big horn in Montana last year and the upper Wisconsin with Abe Downs last August. I’ll miss his wit and wisdom, his social commentary and his fly fishing acumen. Peace be with you Ron.

Mike, thanks for feedback. Hopefully, we'll get more and will discuss all at upcoming officer's meeting.

Here is recent investigative story from Chicago Tribune on the subject: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-met-illinois-scenic-river-coal-pollution-20180130-story.html#share=email~story

Thanks Rob. What a beautiful Illinois stream. Dynegy must be held accountable and do the right thing to make the repairs and cleanup necessary to save this beautiful stream for future generations to come. Last weekend I traveled through Galatia, Illinois near the former Kerr Magee Coal mine in southern Illinois and was astonished to see the huge gob pile outside the mine that stretched for miles and miles. Who will pay for the cleanup of this awful gob pile which must have a toxic drainage effect on local land and streams?

This year's river sweep cleanup will take place on Saturday, May 19, 2018. The ISA hopes to have a big presence this year, please mark your calendars. More information to follow.

Some fascinating information about the Shawnee Stram habitat, my grandfather taught me to fish on these Kentucky and Illinois streams leading into the Ohio near Cave In Rock. The crappie fishing could be incredible in these streams and the river crappie are strong fighters not to mention delicious eating. I always wondered why smallmouth could not thrive in these streams but now know the reason. Thanks Saluki!