Bart Durham

I'll bring my wife's chocolate sheet cake for desert!

That beautiful fish must have been a hell of a fight. On the black bug as well, congrats!

Sounds like a great time with perfect conditions,sorry I had to miss.

Thanks to everyone that participated. I can't help but believe this is going to help out the Dupe tremendously.

Unfortunately, I won't be able to make this one as I'm out of town this weekend. Weather and river levels look like quite favorable conditions for the planting tomorrow. Good luck guys and gals!

Certainly an eye opener. Kudos to Tribune for its in-depth reporting on this issue. Let your elected State representatives know this law must be changed. Senator Durbin is now calling for changes.

Welcome aboard. What are you favorite Indiana smallmouth streams? We've been wanting to schedule an ISA trip to Sugar Creek or other productive Indiana smallmouth stream but haven't gotten around to same. Maybe you can help us finally make it happen!

I'm one of the late sign ups. The rain last night screwed up my best laid plans, now what to do?

A belated shout out and thanks to John and the 19 ISA members and volunteers who participated in this great even last Saturday. I don't think John could have picked a better spot on the Fox for this planting. I marveled at the beautiful site of the plantings once they were planted. Hopefully they will take and prosper similar to previous year's plantings. Here are some photos of the event that hopefully give you a feel for the outing and the results.

Better late than never, but the annual Conservation Foundation Dupage River sweep clean up is taking place the weekend between 9 and noon. They are breaking the river into sections along and you are welcome to join and help in the clean up efforts. For more information and to find out what section to help check out their website at Theconservationfoundation.org.

Six members met up for the float this morning. But for a brief shower at the start the rain stayed away, the skies cleared and it turned out to be a beautiful day. The river was moving swiftly and posed difficulties for fishing and navigation. The bite was slow. We picked up 10 fish between us with Mark and Ken both picking up 16s. I caught a quilback and Jason caught a nice largemouth. The water temps are nearing that magical 60 degree mark and I think the smallies had other things on their minds. I'll post some pics from the float when I get more time. Unfortunately I did not see the fighter jets but maybe some of the other members did.

Great to hear Ken. See you there.

Eric, thanks for the info. Do you have any suggestions for a take out near N. Aurora dam? Can you take out at the dam?

Looks like were a go for tomorrow morning's float on the Fox. The river level has come down and will be near median level for the float. Not perfect but not bad either. The temperatures look to be in the 60s but there is a chance for rain so bring your rain gear. Based on Eric's last report you may want to bring some top water baits too. We will plan to meet at Old Mill Park parking lot at 630 am to set up our shuttle. The float will take 6-8 hours so bring plenty of water and a snack. Any questions let me know.

Almost got it but schedule didn't permit.

It looks like the Fox has come close to cresting from this weekends rains near 3000 cfs. If the rain stays away this week I predict the river level should drop to a level good for kayaking and the weather this Saturday looks to be perfect. If ago, the plan will be to meet at 6:30 am at Old Mill Park in Geneva located off the north east side of the Fox River bridge on E. State Street. We'll plan to float to the Aurora area which will take us through some great smallmouth areas along the Fox. It will require a short portage around the Batavia dam and possibly the N. Aurora dam if we go that far south. I'll continue to monitor conditions and notify everyone of any change in plans. If anyone has questions please let me know.

Fred, I will be scheduling a Vermillion trip for late summer through the area you mentioned, more details to follow hopefully you can join us. We hope to fill the central Illinois coordinator position soon and I'm sure more scheduled events in your area will be forthcoming.

Miss seeing his reports and photography. Hopefully he won't be away long.

We had a great day on the DuPage River yesterday, Six ISA members met up at Seil Park in Shorewoodo at 7 am to begin the float. The weather was beautiful with temps near 80 and bluebird skies. River levels were near perfect at 350 cfs and the water was clear. The only problem was algae debris floating down the river. This made fishing difficult as you had to clean your lure after every cast even with weedless presentations. Nonetheless, while the bite wasn't hot we all caught fish approximately 25 smallmouth and a few largemouth with Mark and Tim catching the biggest at 15". We saw a ton fish moving through mid stream including smallmouth, catfish, blue gill and carp, but getting them to bite was another thing. We theorized that fish may be moving staging for the spawn. Everyone had a good time and we took out at approximately 4:00 at McEvily Road. Here are a few photos from the trip Put in at Seil Park Tim started things off pulling with this nice smallie Mark with a DuPage beauty: Ken pulled a few out of this eddy: One from my yak: Even though the fishing wasn't great, it was a fun day to be on the DuPage River with a great group of guys.

Did a short wade scouting mission this evening and found some smallmouth feeding near the top of water column in a deeper pool. I swung my autumn splendor fly through the heart of the pool and the smallmouth slammed the fly. Picked up a 17" and 13". Could be a really good day on Saturday. Hope you can join us.

May want to throw a weighted senko at them, especially near structure and rock.

Quick message on change of meeting location for the float as the Shorewood Burger King parking lot is closed and under construction. Burger King is located on the northeast corner of rt 59 and rt 52(Jefferson St). We will meet instead at 7 am across the street on the southeast corner of Rt. 59 and Rt 52 (Jefferson St.) in "The Crowd" parking lot. We will set up our shuttle from there. The conditions are setting up to be perfect for the float. The more yaks the merrier so try to make it if you can. Mike, I left my extra kayak at my dads so don't have my extra yak available. If anyone can bring an extra yak that Mike can use please let us know so we can include in shuttle. The plan will be to do a 5-6 hour float with an option to do longer float if there is interest. Bring some drink and lunch/snack along and don't forget your PFDs. Any questions let me know.

Due to water level and weather conditions were going to cancel this weekend's scheduled float and reschedule for next Saturday, April 16th. The weather looks much better for late next week. We'll keep our plan to meet at Shorewood Burger King at 7 am to set up shuttle. Third time is a charm! Any questions, let me know.

No problem Ed, the cozy confines of the Orvis store sound much more appealing then Saturday's float conditions. Regardless if we float or not, I'm going to do everything I can to get there. Looks like a great lineup, hope to chat with the Galena guide and others.

Nasty conditions last Saturday for sure. Went by the river today and water level is looking great and clearing. The bad news: most recent forecast shows rain through the rest of week. We'll see how it goes but may have to continue it again.