jim bielecki

I wanted to know if anyone uses the lattex caddis? I watched the video....it's really easy to tie but do you use something like this for smallmouth?

I would tie it but my use is limited to just bluegills and panfish.

Do you think a large size like a 6 would work for smallmouth? Just seems that a 16 would be limited to trout.

After reading this here's my question....

If municipalities or water treatment plants are knowingly in bad shape, needs repair, or is outdated and the plant discharges untreated water into the river as the result of something that could have been prevented, shouldn't this be a violation?

I'm asking this because this is a common occurace along the Fox River....it happens over and over again. It's not even a matter of if it will happen, it's a matter of when it will happen....hopefully none of you guys will be wading that day!

That works out for me...I wasn't going to be able to make it due to a funeral I need to attend. Hopefully I'll be able to get out there on the 12th. I don't think I'm going to do the night ice fishing though. I haven't been lucky the last couple of years.

I plan to make it in the morning and I'll be able to bring my video camera. I have to leave though by 11:00 at the latest.

Eric has a good idea.

I also discussed with Mike that it may be a good idea for future shows to be able to demonstrate what our website has to offer. It would be a great visual to present to people and show them the calendar of events, the "hook up", and several of the other forums.

The back issues were a good idea...I was able to show potential members a sample of the outings and events. I was also able to present to them the possibility that if they enjoyed writing articles, ISA may publish their work to share with other members.

All in all we were able to sign up several new members and renew a few others.

I also think that if we have a list of accomplishments ISA has completed it would be another selling point to demonstrate the important conservation work that goes on. The yellow signs were helpful to talk about. Many people were interested in our message of conservation and protecting our waterways...I just don't think they know how to contribute. Many people seemed interested..at least some of the younger folks that I talked to did.

I also think that handing out the yellow cards to people who were just passing by was helpful. If they aren't interested in being a member, at least they have the conservation numbers to call....and who knows...maybe they'll join at a later date.

I was able to help out Sat. and Sunday. I haven't been to the show for several years. It wasn't what I remembered but it was a nice experience. Pat...thanks for the tip on parking....you saved me 8 bucks...I wish I parked by the cta Sat.

I also want to thank Rich Mc. You gave me advice a long time ago...you can go out of state on vacation but spending the time on your local waters is a better investment for your time........Stan also presented a similar message...."you might go on a vacation for 5-7 days on a fishing trip...but what do you do the other 350 days of the year...."

I think that it was a great show overall. Thank you to everyone who contributed and volunteered. Thanks also to those who tied the flies as well. Not many people chose them but I kept looking in them to see the various flies...they looked great!

Jim

I just tied my own version of a Brassie, created by Gene Lynch....I made one with a size 10 with a short shank, maybe 1/4 inch or so....it's supposed to imitate a pupa or larva of a caddisfly or midge. Has anyone tried ice fishing with this? Mine seems to sink pretty quick...anyone try this for 'gills? I'm not so sure if it would cut it for open water gills, it falls too fast.

I just came accross this now....I would have loved this! But I love deer season too. I hope to get in on the next one....I've been ice fishin the last 2 weekends and tying some bass bugs....I've been using a gill pill with a spike with success. I'd love to try some of the patterns above. Any additional pics of flies that have been successful would help me tie a couple. I went to a Dupe Forest Preserve Lake this past Saturday. My usual locations weren't cutting it. Everyone in the area was skunky....I moved to a new location and found success around dusk.....dozen bluegill and a crappie. Maybe a fly approach would help...I never tried it.

Hi John, I was wondering how you paint the jigheads....do you use an airbrush?

This case could have easily been solved if the CAFO was simply relocated to a more suitable site. On the other hand, it sets a new path for real legislation to close loop holes and mandate proper regulation effective at protecting society and the environment. I don't particularly believe businesses should be strictly regulated, however, when the industry ignores moral and ethical responsibilty, it's necessary. It's necessary because we all are familiar with what happens without mandated parameters to follow.

I plan to attend. Also, I will be bringing rubber leg material for everyone...it's only one color though; white. As a tip, if you have any old bungee cords, cut them open....many of them are made of strands of rubber; perfect for legs or jigs! I don't have any foam....any suggestions on where to pick some up?

Poison maybe....conspiracy theories are shaping up...

http://beforeitsnews.com/story/339/358/Top_US_Official_Murdered_After_Arkansas_Weapons_Test_Causes_Mass_Death.html

There's no doubt that there was some kind of acute traumatic event that caused the kills. Any sickness, virus, or disease wouldn't trigger that many birds to die all at once. It's odd that it only effected a certain species and not others. Also, the numbers of birds are numerous and localized which gives the scientists some clues to go on. Another clue that they may consider is if the event occured before or during flight. The dispersal pattern of the dead should explain at least when the event occured.

Fish are a bit different...the kills can be due to stress factors brought on by mother nature. But again it's a bit odd that it effected only one species. A quick acting virus could be a plausible explanation.

It'll be interesting to find out.

I think one thing we all could do is continue to put pressure on our state representatives. I for one do this almost every week. I'm not going away and neither is the message. I'll send a bag of sludge to their office if I feel I need to. Like many of us...I'm tired of this "crap" from happening and yet it's ignored by many and it repeats itself over and over and over again. The Fox River is due for another spill as well. The message I got according to the EPA, the state needs millions to upgrade the waste water facilities that are in operation. The money isn't there....guess what....the spill will occur, it's just a matter of when. I think it's time for a back up plan....instead of waiting for a spill to happen of even if it does happen, the river water should be diverted to a filtering facility to protect the rest of the river downstream. Of course this will never happen, it costs money. So what else can we do? Educate, educate and educate some more. With proper education, you hope that the average person will recognize the importance of an "environmental tax" to protect the resource. Why should the environment depend on outdoorsman when it is mostly influenced by society...shouldn't they pay for it? The IDNR is on the right track....there is a donation box that all of us should check to fund the resource. I think one of the ideas some fisherman have in Illinois is that the state "owes" them. This is crazy! Everything costs money...plain and simple. You want to catch fish, it costs money. You want clean water to fish in...it costs money. You want to irradicate invasives...it costs money. Fishing can be free...but if you want to catch something...it costs money. In our club it costs us time. Some of us volunteer to make a difference....being a member of ISA makes a difference....all of us together makes a difference.

I'm not sure if the IEPA failed to do their job...people that work for such an agency go into the field to make a difference. It's just my opinion that the IEPA were probably told to look the other way. Maybe I'm wrong...we'll never know. I'd love to work for the IEPA myself but if your hands are tied with someone telling you what you can and can't do, it's not a job I would want. Either way, it's about time that something is not only recognized but possibly something will be done about it. I'm hoping that the Federal EPA will step in; possibly even take over. At the same time, I'd love them to step into the office of the Dept. of Agriculture and have a talk with them. Something in that office just doesn't seem to be right. They are advocating for the wrong reasons and their decision making process seems to be one sided. I read the previous articles above and the one article hit the nail on the head. Illinois citizens can complain all they want about polluting sources but their views are consistently ignored. This is what angers all of us and it should! We pay taxes to a govenment that is supposed to protect all of us...instead the govenment sells us out and ignores what we want. In some cases...it's even legal to dismiss the will of concerned citizens such as this case....that's insane! I think the anger has finally reached a turning point for all of us and change is coming. It's way over due. I also go back to what I thought a year ago....the IDOA is advocating for this CAFO, which will compete with family farms....how is that ethical? Crazy, that's all I can say. This is just crazy. I really somethimes wonder what's wrong with people. Are they really that ignorant or do they just don't care about anything except for money. I can say this...I'm surprised that the anger people have in cases like this isn't turning to violence. We see the same record played over and over again.

I wasn't able to attend many of the bass buggers meetings but I learned quite a bit when I was able to go. Joseph was a great teacher with a lot of patience. I appreciated the time he took with showing me a few things...he didn't have to. That's just the kind of person he was. He was very welcoming and kind to everyone. Joseph is very good at what he does. I have a feeling his teaching days aren't over. The shop might be...but his love of teaching and sharing will continue. I didn't know him as much as others, but I admire him...he took a lot of risk to open his business and worked hard at it. Good luck Joseph and thank you.

I have several concerns here, why was the IDOA working so hard on behalf of A.J. Bos…..they aren’t going to gain anything out of this at all but it seems they were fighting so hard against the plaintiffs.

What’s going to happen if counts 1, 2, and 3 are violated? This is what’s going to happen, Bos will be fined which will be mere pennies on the dollar, and his business will continue. In the meantime, the plaintiffs will be paying the price when the odor is rank, and they can’t sell their homes.

Why didn’t Bos pay for Panno to test the site thoroughly, pay for the service and thus win the case without question? It seems that he expected Panno to do it pro bono. Panno works for the Geological Survey….he’s not an independent analyst! Also, as an employee of the Survey, he doesn’t have access to funding to conduct “every test available” to test the site. Again, Bos’ attorney’s expected this.

It seems that an independent analyst should have completed the testing instead of tossing Panno in the middle of this suit.

This is really crazy! It seems the court wanted the plaintiffs to prove their case, but the defendent had no evidence to disprove their claims. I guess that's why Homes wasn't liable for damages...that's good but Bos still didn't disprove anything. Homes initial claims may come to fruition....then what?

Sounds like another slap on the wrist....what a joke. So what...they clean it up....get business up and running again and then we all wait for the next spill.

They should do something on The Simpsons or Family Guy! That would be funny. I really don't understand why politicians, and judges are hard of hearing....is it an age thing? Thousands of people....not just a few....but thousands of people put up a fuss about the mega-dairy and yet it was built anyway. We all said it was a matter of time before something happened....here we are talking about it! I just don't get it. It's my opinion that action should not only be taken against the Mega-dairy to shut it down but the judge who approved the damn thing and the people who are in the dept. of agriculture! This may be a poor similarity but you get the point.....Why should Charles Manson be in prison...he didn't do anything....he just told other people what to do......how is this Megadairy any different? The judge said to Mr. Bos he can build the mega-dairy.....there were enough people to PROVE it was unsafe and yet it was approved anyway. To me the judge knowingly put safety aside....repercussions should fall upon the judge. It's time people are accountable for their actions. It's way over due! I just don't get it! Same with judges and lawyers who let criminals out early and then they commit more crimes! Why aren't the judges and lawyers accountable? The state wants to oppose right to carry.....why? because we can trust the system to protect us? I don't think so. But I'm off on a tangent....you get the idea of what's wrong here.

This is the current site near 56.

Ever since that mega-dairy was an issue I have kept writing to Senator Dick Durbin about it. Perhaps there was finally enough people complaining, writing, and advocating for our rivers to finally get recognition that there is a problem. I'll be forwarding the above information to Dick Durbin with a polite "I told you so"....along with "something needs to be done before another incident occurs". Of course we all know it's a matter of time but we can always hope we are doing everthing we can as citizens to prevent man made disasters.

Thanks Mike, I didn't convince anyone to sign up on Sunday but at least maybe I gave them something to think about later. I know I remember meeting someone at Shabbona...I'm pretty sure it was Rich. He talked about the ISA but I didn't really act on it until a year later. So maybe those who stopped by will join later. I think the message ISA is sending is the right one. For me conservation is the biggest attractor to the ISA. We are doing many things to make the fishery better...not just for smallies but for every specie that relies on a river or lake to survive. We all want to catch more and bigger fish...as you and most everyone here already know, conservation is the only way that's going to happen.

Personnaly, I enjoy talking to the people I meet at these events. I appreciate what ISA represents and try to sell that message for new members. Lets face it....without particpation in events like this, conservation really wouldn't make a difference to the people we are trying to influence. Participation is a great way to demonstrate..."we are here and this is important". As we can see from members above, conservation and education takes time, work, effort, dedication, and appreciation for the resource we are trying to preserve. Without it....by now, there wouldn't be anything left to preserve. I volunteered for only a few hours Sunday but by the looks of everything there, I can only imagine how much effort it must have took to put it all together. Thanks to everyone involved this year!

Well as you can see, it's a hundred plus pounds of trash from the Fox River. This morning I waded a stretch of the Fox River for 2 hours with a big bin and filled it up with fencing, a pipe, glass, plastic and cans. I also strained a bit to pull out a water soaked blanket...for those of you who have done this, you know it takes a bit of effort to free it from the river bottom and pull it out on the river bank. In addition, I recovered a badly damaged child's car seat. All the trash was hauled out to my truck to be disposed of on Tuesday for trash day. The bin worked out great and allowed me to haul out trash not easily accessible...I cleaned up a far shoreline and carefully floated it, (so as not to tip and fill with water) back to the near shoreline where I pushed it up a gentle slope to the bike path. From there I pushed my treasure box full of crap, 500 plus yards to my parked truck...I was glad the bin slid nicely on the path...there was no where to pull my truck closer. After my little adventure, I came out to help the ISA booth at the hunting and fishing days for most of the day. When I arrived home, it was a quick shower and dinner, and then a short adventure to the pond with my daughter. I posted this for those who need inspiration to get out and volunteer. More people are needed to accomplish our goals as conservationists and fisherman. Do I want to bust my but everytime I go out....no...but I will do what I can to make things better for the next time I get out to fish. I also will do what I can for when and if my daughter takes up fishing. When I was at the ISA booth today I shared with many people who stopped by, why I joined ISA. I joined because I was catching more fish and bigger fish.....I told them that I realized my success was the result of many people before me working hard to make things better. If you are a person who has enjoyed success, perhaps giving back a little by volunteering is in order. Volunteering can be as simple as lining a back pack with a garbage bag and filling it up with trash as you fish. No matter where you fish, improving things takes a lot of work and time from volunteers. For those who volunteer, I want to personally thank you...my fishing success is the result of all your work and those before you.

I plan to make it out on Sunday.

Dinks are actually a good sign! It indicates that there have been successful spawns the last few years. It also indicates that there are mature smallies present, doing the spawning. As far as numbers of larger fish...they are often difficult to find. With Fall approaching, keep at it and you will find a few larger fish. Also keep in mind, that the size of the body of water will designate the size of the fish. A smaller river like the Kish will have large fish but they will be spread out due to competitive reasons for food and habitat. 15 inch plus fish are hard to come by on smaller rivers...there are too many places for them to go. They also got big because they know how to survive, avoid predation, and find food. This time of year, use larger baits...you will hook less dinks, recieve less action, but may hook into a bruiser! I catch a lot of smaller fish, but I also use smaller baits. Recently, I switched to a larger presentation and have had some luck on larger fish. Hope this helps. No doubt that the Kish can use some conservation....every river does. I don't dispute your observations...take a closer look at the forage...if there is an abundance of minnows and crayfish, the fish have a better chance of growing larger. If they have to work at finding food, you will no doubt see many more smaller fish.