Bart Durham

I understand the EPA has reversed course denying the mine permit and saving the salmon habitat, perhaps the Menomonie has hope!

Scott, count me in if still available. Sweet looking boat btw.

Lusk Creek near Eddyville is a pretty cool fly fishing area. Can wade but kayak would be helpful.

I can make it after all, save a slice for me!

We plan to overhaul and upgrade our website in the new year. We are hoping to find a member "webmaster" to oversee the changes in our website and to maintain the website. My President's Page article in the next newsletter addresses this issue. Any ISA members with IT knowledge or website experience that would have interest in helping the ISA with the website upgrade please contact Scott Ferguson or myself.

Very nice story, what an honor to have fished with a legend. Thanks for sharing Rob and thanks for the post Mike.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/10/politics/bristol-bay-salmon-invs/index.html

Looks like a senko to me, lol.

I was surprised they still had the pieces but the rep said they kept some when they discontinued the rod for this reason.

Fished the Wisconsin River near Wausau with Ron K and guide Abe Downs in August. Abe is a great fly fishing guide based out of Stevens Point and got us on some big smallmouth, I would give him a call if your in the area. We wanted to hit Point Brewery in Stevens Point but didn't have the time. Really liked the quaint and peaceful town of Stevens Point and wish I could have stayed longer.

Ron, Hardy ended up replacing my end two pieces I lost in the mishap on the Menominee. I just had to pay the $75 warranty fee. Now I have my favorite smallmouth rod back, my Hardy Proaxis Sintrix #7!

Looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow, finally the weather is cooperating, and conditions look very good. Paul, I was in Rockford on business on Wednesday and stopped by Cherry Valley around noon to check out the river and think I saw you walking to the river. I yelled your name but lots of traffic at intersection. By the way the water look fantastic. Can't wait till tomorrow!

Terry, looks like Mark and I can make it up to float on Saturday but have to return Saturday evening if we can make that work within your plans.

Enjoyed the read, thanks Mike!

Scott I may need to switch my weekend to this one due to the solar eclipse (have to be in southern Illinois on the 21st) will that work?

There has to be a happy medium between respecitng landowner's rights and the public's right to use the waterway. I've actually found the landowners around the Mazon to be quite friendly if you are respectful to them. The one time I asked a landowner for permission to access his property to wade fish I was granted permission. I spoke to another landowner who gave me his phone number and said I could park on his property if I ever needed river access. The current landowner adjoining Oxbow bridge will allow you access if you call him and introduce yourself. His phone number is posted next to bridge. Every time I meet these people I stress I am a member of ISA, a steward of the river and respectful of landowner's rights and will not pollute. I think thats what most landowners really want to know. I have never had a bad experience with a landowner when fishing the Mazon. I wouldn't be deterred from fishing the Mazon, otherwise, your missing out on fishing one of Illinois' great smallmouth streams.

Welcome aboard Rory, look forward to meeting you soon!

One of my favorite Illinois smallmouth rivers both for its fishing and scenery. As indicated above there are some issues with floating the river but personally I've never encountered a major problem. To really learn the river and not have to deal with the issues mentioned, you should schedule a trip with fellow ISA member Mike Allen of Midwest Waters Angling. He knows the Mazon as well as anyone and will get you on some great smallmouth action.

Thanks Scott, do you know who makes the rubber piece?

I keep getting license plate mount broken off boat trailer when loading and unloading my boat. Any suggestions for mounting license plate to trailer so won't happen again? I'm told you can't put the plate on side of trailer.

Thanks to all the ISA members (14 total!) that volunteered to help. A truly fascinating mussell tracking and restoration project being implemented by Jessie and the DuPage Forest Preserve Urban Stream team. I'm sure the numerous pallets of water willow ISA volunteers also planted will prosper at the Mack Road site. Thanks John and Ed for putting on another great event!

I've seen them used to fly fish for red fish in Florida backwaters.

I couldn't print the link. Chris said he would have extra waiver forms available to sign at Hidden Lakes park at 8:45 am.

Despite the gloomy weather it looks like we're still on for tomorrow! Attached is information from our liaison, Chris Hanley of the Bolingbrook Park District, setting our meeting point at Hidden Lakes Park in Bolingbrook at 9:00 am. Hidden Lakes is located just north of the intersection of Boughton Road and Schmidt Road in Bolingbrook. After you turn north on Schmidt Road from Boughton, follow the signs for Hidden Lake and follow the road that bends around the community garden, go down the hill and your there! We'll focus on the Hidden Lakes area which is on the East Branch of the Dupage River. Waivers will be available to sign before we begin. Bring your waders, rain gear and boots and mosquito repellent just in case. Any questions let me know. See you at 9 am! Hello everyone, It looks like the thunderstorms will hold off until the afternoon so we will be proceeding as planned with this year’s river sweep event. I have attached two waiver forms and a map of the meeting location to this message. I will be at Hidden Lakes around 8:45am with extra waivers in the event that you are unable to print and sign the two I’ve attached here. I will also have gloves, garbage bags and some trash pickers available for you. If you have rain boots or waders feel free to bring them with since the river may be a bit higher than usual from all of the rain we have been receiving lately. Please feel free to call if anyone has any questions before tomorrow morning. The event will go from 9am to noon.

New ISA member JPalma just pm'd me to advise he will join us on the 20th. We look forward to meeting you at the River Sweep cleanup JPalma. The more ISA members we have helping out the more good work we can do. Let us know if you can help.