Bart Durham

Mark Lutz and I are going to float the Mazon River this Sunday, August 2nd. Anyone who wants to join us is welcome. The float will take about 6/7 hours. We plan to meet at 7 am at McDonalds on Rt 47 in Morris. If you've never floated the Mazon, its a beautiful little river and the smallmouth fishing is usually pretty good. I know its short notice but you have to take advantage of the good conditions this summer when you can so join us this Sunday if you can.

Shorewood level looking great for the morning. Look forward to meeting you Ken.

The stars have finally aligned for what looks like perfect conditions for Saturdays float. There is a slight chance for a shower so bring a rain jacket just in case. Also bring a snack lunch and drink to quench your thirst as it looks to be a hot one. Hopefully the smallmouth bite will be hot as well. See you there.

Yes indeed, only 3 more days, river levels coming down nicely and should be in near perfect shape by Saturday. Come out and join us if you can!

Brian, we'll have two options, one, about a 6 mile float that will take about 7 hours, the other, a 8/9 mile float that will take about 9/10 hours, depending on how much u pick it apart. Conditions are looking very favorable for the float.

Five more days!

Believe it or not, If the rain stays away this week we may actually have pretty good water levels and weather conditions for next Saturday's scheduled float. Mark your calendars to meet next Saturday (July 25th) at 6 am at Seil Road bridge in Shorewood to set up our shuttles. Should be a great time and opportunity to catch a big smallie, so come out and join us. If anyone needs directions or has any questions let me know.

Very nice event. Congrats to Eric and Grant for taking the team championship and individual honors. Congrats to Mark Lutz for winning the Jackson Cuda 12 kayak.

River level is coming down nicely.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, July 25th. Only a month away. We plan to do the southern stretch of the Dupe, which many consider to be the best for smallmouth fishing. We'll plan to meet at Seil Rd. bridge park in Shorewood at 6:30 am to set up shuttle which will take approximately 30 minutes. This is located approximately 1/2 mile west of Rt 59 and Seil Rd intersection in Shorewood where Seil Rd crosses the Dupe. Anyone who needs directions or additional information let me know.

In putting this event on our Calendar I accidently placed it for today. I couldn't figure out how to delete this, so if anyone knows how please do so. The correct date is July 25th.

We're rescheduling the DuPage River float for Saturday, July 25th at 7 am. The river levels should be down by then and water temps will be prime time for topwater action. More details to follow.

I didn't realize he was such an avid fly fisherman and conservationist. Thanks for posting John.

Yes, will be rescheduled, I'll post new float date later this week.

Thanks for the kind words everyone. Ron is right,its particularly hard when its your mother. I really hate to miss this weekend's float as the Dupe is in great shape right now and it looks like Saturday will be a perfect day. Now only if rain in between will not be too severe. Tip to fly fisherman. The foxy crawdad is like candy to the Dupe smallies right now. Tie some lightly weighted flies as you'll continually be cleaning algae off the flies if bounced off bottom. This one wasn't getting off the hook.

With a heavy heart I have to let everyone know I just got news that my mom has passed after battling a lengthy illness and I will have to bow out the float this weekend. If we don't get rained out Mike Allen and Mark Lutz have agreed to help with the float and set up of shuttle. I'm sure Scott and others can help out as well. Ironically, I waded the Dupe today in anticipation of the float and caught this beautiful smallie on foxy crawdad. I received the phone call on my mom right after the catch. I hope the float doesn't get rained out as the Dupe is pretty hot right now. The plan will still be to meet at the 135th street boat launch on the Dupe at 8 am. There are basically two options for the float. Put in at 135th and float to Caton Farm bridge or boat ramp at park, or for kayakers only, put in at confluence off Kings Road in Bolingbrook (ask Mark Lutz) and float down to 135th launch. They are about same distance and both stretches will produce large smallmouth. Nevins pub on 59th would be a great place near 135th launch to grab some grub and drinks after but there are other places too. If anyone needs directions let us know. Ill be with you guys in spirit so catch some great smallmouth!

Based on the early fishing reports, it looks like smallie fishing on the Dupe is off to a good start. This bodes well for our float trip on the Dupe set for April 11, 2015 which is now only two weeks away. Keep the date of April 11th marked on the calendar to make this inaugural event. Hopefully, the water levels and weather will cooperate. The plan at present will be to meet at 135th street boat ramp at 8:00 am to set up put in/take out shuttle. Depending on turnout we may set up two different stretches to float. Let me know if any questions.

Looks like a great steehead fly! Nice drumbeat!

Subject to river level and weather conditions, we'll kick off the 2015 Chicagoland fishing season with a float trip on a lower stretch of the Dupe. Mark your calendars with more details on time and locations to follow.

Another benefit from the breakdown of the Iron curtain. Cuban cigars for everyone!

Thanks for the info John. I think we can all find something to donate. Maybe we can schedule an outing this new year to try and help some veterans catch some smallmouth bass!

Maybe the reopening of diplomatic ties will also make it easier to schedule a fishing trip to what I understand is a fly fishing nirvana.

Jude, I think I was with you when we met Joe and his friend while taking a break on an island, toward the end of our Kish float this past summer. Don't ask me what month it was in. Am I right Joe? We caught quite a few fish that day.