jim bielecki

I had a great time helping. I got to talk to a lot of people. I helped a few families with their kids...and even if they didn't need the help I offered anyway. Some Dad's are just too proud....One Dad and several kids who want to fish is tough to manage. The weather was on the rainy side but it was a great event for the kids. I advocated in a post last year that the trout should be for the kids. I was happy to have helped for this event! It's a great way to get them involved. Like Kevin said, I picked up quite a bit of trash...I didn't mind because there were many people watching....I hope I taught a few of them that it's not ok to litter and to respect our resources. I hope to be back next year!

I think you've got something here. Ideas like this take time to put into place on a statewide level. Coming up with ideas like yours is a great start. I really like the coupon at the bottom idea because even if the people dumped their bait into their own container for another purchase they are still bringing back the container. It's my opinion that it can be piloted first at a bait shop who is interested. Then maybe do another bait shop. Collect the results and submit it to the powers that be. One step at a time. One step at a time. I think that if we can show a successful program, it would eventually expand. Come to think of it, why do baitshops sell containers in the first place? You don't get a plastic bag of minnows...you have to bring your own minnow bucket. To move forward with this I think a plan should be developed to present to a baitshop. The baitshop needs to be on board with the plan. Recruit a couple people to assist in being responsible for following the plan...communicate with the bait shop, talk about what's going on, talk about any issues. It would be up to those who agreed to follow this program to keep a log of the results. The final step would be to look at how the program went, finalize the program and then figure out how to expand it. Does anyone know of ideas like this in any other state? I think it all has to begin with cooperating baitshops. Even starting with a refund policy can be a good start. Have an agreement with a baitshop..."bring in 10 containers and get a lure ect." Good discussion!

Here are some ways to get involved! Cleanup info:Town: Aurora Date: Saturday 4/10/10 Time: 8:00 - 12:00 Address: Aurora Transportation Center Parking Lot, 233 N. Broadway Avenue Type: shoreline clean up Description: shoreline clean-up along Indian Creek and the Fox River in Aurora & lunch to follow. There will also be an expired/unwanted medications collection to keep pharmaceuticals from our waterways. Leader: Pat Divine (630) 301 6817 Sponsored by: Fox Metro Water Reclamation District, City of Aurora, and Kiwanis Club of Aurora, Friends of the Fox River Type of Event: Booth, Educational, Volunteer, InformationalCleanup info:Town: Montgomery Date: Saturday 5/8/10 Time: 9:00 - 12:00 Address: intersection of rt. 25 and Mill Street, Montgomery Type: shoreline Description: shoreline River Clean Up Leader: Debbie Buchanan 630-896-8080 x 1114 Sponsored by: Village of Montgomery, Fox Valley Park District, Friends of the Fox River Cleanup info:Town:Elgin Date: 5/15/10 Time: 8:30 - 12:00 Address: Trout Park Nature's Edge, Duncan Avenue near I90 bridge and Voyageur's Landing Forest Preserve, 50 Airport Road Elgin. Type: shoreline Description: concurrent clean-ups across the river from each other Leaders: Jason Kopplin and Mary Alice Masonick Sponsored by: Friends of the Fox River Type of Event: Booth, Educational, Volunteer, Informational Cleanup info:Town:Algonquin to Carpentersville on the Fox River, Carpentersville Date: 5/15/10 Time: 8:30 - 12:00, lunch at 11:00 Address: Paddlers leave from Buffalo Park Forest Preserve, off of Rt. 31 in downtown Algonquin. Shoreline volunteers go to Fox River Shores Forest Preserve of off Williams Rd in Carpentersville Type: Paddling and Shoreline Description: Volunteers needed to restore this most pristine stretch of the Fox River between and Algonquin and Carpentersville dams. Shoreline workers have quite a job too as Fox River Shores is one of the most heavily used preserves in the area. Leader: Gary Swick 815 370 0026 & Pat Kirmse 847 609 4367 Sponsored by: Friends of the Fox River

I think the idea of a deposit may be good. Much like the shopping carts at Aldi. Buy the bait....the tackle shop collects a 25 cent deposit and you get your quarter back upon return. Or...maybe the idea of getting a discount for each container returned. This can be communicated and worked through with local tackle and bait shops. They are the ones who would need to be involved with this type of solution. I think any of the ideas above can be successful if ISA can facilitate how to communicate solving this problem with bait shops. What about the 5 cent deposits on glass bottles? In Michigan they have this. Can there be some kind of deposit on bait containers; vending machine???; insert the container and get back a nickle??? Just an idea. The DNR may have some good ideas. It is a problem...I'm not sure how it can be solved but this pollution is no different than line being left behind, tackle containers, plastic bags, pop cans ect. It is worth talking about.

I just did the kids trout event this past weekend. When I wasn't helping I was picking up trash around the lake and right at the feet of other anglers. I was polite, I asked them if they had any trash, if the fish were biting and offered some advice. I think awareness and education is the most important aspect of pollution of all kinds. People need to know that "we" care and that it's not ok to leave their trash behind. I do this kind of picking up everywhere I see other fisherman to show them that it's not ok. I also think that the appearance of a fishing spot makes a difference. If it looks trashed people seem to think that it's ok to trash it too because it's not going to get any better. They also seem to think it's the DNR or the Forest Preserve's responsibility. I keep garbage bags in my truck everywhere I go. I think picking up is especially educational to families that fish with their kids. We are showing them and teaching them the right thing to do. I haven't done this as much but families who go to the parks often feel they can leave their trash behind. If I notice they have no garbage bags I have passed out garbage bags to those people to make them more responsible. I also know that contacting the local police dept. about littering can be effective. They are required to respond to every call that comes in to their dept. If they get enough complaints about a problem they are required to act on it. I also know that in this economy the local police deptartments are being pushed to write more tickets. There are litter laws that they can write tickets for...sometimes those tickets can be costly. Yes, the trash looks bad and may not pose as an immediate environmental hazard, but some of it that is metal breaks down and releases heavy metals into the water. Other materals collect along the shore. Glass and aluminum may seem harmless, however, animals who use the shore of a body of water don't have shoes and can easily cut open their feet...especially at night. Other materials may collect at the bottom of a body of water which can pose as obstacles to potential spawning sites. And don't forget all that left over fishing line...major danger for aquatic birds! I haven't done this yet but I intend to pass out pollution awareness cards with phone contacts to fisherman I come accross. We may not "catch" anyone in the act of polluting but I think by handing out information it helps educate people to change their bad habits. Education is the only way...the ISA way.

But can you imagine the positive effect all those people would have! I suppose that's the reason that we are all involved in the ISA....it takes time and effort from each and everyone of us.

I'll be there for sure! Jim B

In the next few weeks I'm going to post a clean-up effort for the Montgomery Dam area....it's in really bad shape. Jim

I'm going to go tomorrow, Saturday a.m to post 2 signs I have left, and clean-up the shore a little. Anyone who wants to help can meet me at the Montgomery Dam Parking lot on the east side of the river off of Route 25. I plan to put up the signs and clean up for about an hour...no more than that. Meeting time is 8:30 a.m. Thanks in advance...Jim B. If you plan to come be sure to bring gloves and a couple garbage bags. I'm bringing some bags but the more the better so we don't run out. I also recommend a "grabber", Menards has them for $1.99...they aren't the best but it's easier on your back.

I'm going to float and fly the Fox R Sunday if a group wants to get together. I'm going to post it in Lets Hook Up.

AWESOME RESOURCE! John, Great job on not only your questioning but the stats to back it up! Facts are what people respond to!

Here is the contact information via email. "DRAFT Environmental Sustainability Plan (Coming Soon!) The draft Environmental Sustainability Plan will be posted here for review and comment. Feedback and comments on the draft Environmental Sustainability Plan are encouraged. Comments submitted by Wednesday, March 31 at 5 p.m., will be included in information provided to the City Council for the April 13, 2010, City Council Workshop. Please send comments to environment@naperville.il.us. The draft Environmental Sustainability Plan will be discussed at a City Council Workshop on April 13, 2010 at 5 p.m." I think if ISA can cooperate with city programs and vice versa, it benefits the river even more. I’m just a messenger. ISA officers can decide what they want to do with this. However, for ISA members or anyone else that wants to contribute their thoughts, the website is available for input. I think this is a good opportunity for ISA. And it seems government officials, and city members are motivated to make the changes necessary to improve our resources. (Better water quality means more fish!!!!) "The working definition of “Environmental Sustainability” There is some ambiguity in the use of the term “environmental sustainability.” The popular literature and governmental activities on a international scale have taken an extremely broad view of the term, often including such issues as aboriginal peoples’ rights and social welfare in the evaluation. This report and the committee, expressly limit themselves to those programs and activities that directly impact, or seek to minimize our impact on, the physical environment. The report includes traditional programs focused on the three core practices of reduce, reuse and recycle (i.e. recycling programs, alternative energy and waste reduction programs) and also takes a broader view and includes those practices and programs intended to enhance the physical environment by facilitating community decision making and activities (i.e. programs centered on permitting, code enforcement and traffic patterns). The format and content of the report This report is a listing of the City of Naperville’s current practices related to environmental sustainability." Here is an example of the 2007 programs: http://www.naperville.il.us/emplibrary/EnviInventory.pdf It includes how storm water is managed, flooding, contaimination, etc.

I wouldn't use ISA in a letter like this. It had everything to do with me being a citizen of Naperville, and feeling the city should be doing more. I think I communicated that in a way to show this. If Naperville can do more and agree that more should be done; that's great. That's the whole point. I'm sure it wasn't the first time they have been notified of concerns similar to mine. You don't need to be so aggressive with your language as I was but I think towns need to hear more from people who are concerned.

After the news of the Fox River spill, I contacted my local government to express my concerns. First is my letter which is followed up by their response. This may be an opportunity for ISA to get involved in providing input! Your Question: I want to notify Naperville of all the people working hard to improve the quality of the DuPage River. I also want to notify the Naperville city council to do MORE TO PROTECT OUR NATURAL RESOURCES. Wednesday 2/24/10 225,000 gallons of raw sewage were released into the fox river by FRWRD in Elgin. Even though this is an accident, I could have been prevented. Now the damage is done and the damage isn't even measurable because all the waste is drawn downstream. I want to see Naperville do more to protect the DuPage River. There are several things you can be doing. I have been working hard on the Fox River and the DuPage River to clean them up and it pisses me off when I hear about a major sewage spill. Naperville can do more. Water treatment plants should be repaired and replaced! People who live along the river should NOT be allowed to fertilize. People should not be allowed to leave trash behind along the river walk. People who have leaking fluids should be prosecuted and they are not......this pisses me off .....naperville gave me a citation for parking on the damn sidewalk in front of my house but they don't prosecute people who leak fluids from their cars which get into our water ways. Also public works shouldn't be using so much salt. Homes along the river should not be allowed to clear cut foilage along the river which provides habitat for animals. MY POINT IS NAPREVILLE NEEDS TO DO MORE! Our Response: Dear Mr. Bielecki, Thank you for your comments regarding the environmental improvements the City of Naperville needs to make. The points you made are correct, we need to do more. I am pleased to inform you that your elected officials share your view and concerns. They directed the city staff to prepare an Environmental Sustainability Plan and then discuss it at a special city workshop. The plan should be available on-line in the next week or two. Interested individuals can review the plan and provide comments to the city. The plan and input will be shared with the City Council at the workshop on April 13, 2010. Thank you for taking the time to provide us your comments.

I plan to be there. I think it should be for the kids. I didn't know this program was available last year. Thanks for positing that Ed.

I remember that pic. I enjoy bowfishing too but take them with me...they really do stink and can attract disease carrying flies. Although I think carp are here to stay, efforts to manage them should be put in place to keep their numbers down. They compete for resources just like any other animal that depends on space and food to survive. They are fun to catch which makes them great for kids. One of my most memorable experiences was with my brother...he was fishing the Lombard Lagoon and caught a 5 lb'er. He got his picture taken and was in the local newspaper. He still has that pic to this day! Taking a few really isn't going to do much for the population, however, taking thousands can help. I know they have the hillbilly carp tournament on the Illinois River each year to take the asian carp. Also several years ago they had a carp festival in Montgomery on the Fox River; I think it was sponsored by the DNR but I can't be sure. I also agree with Scott; where you find the carp, smallies aren't that far behind!

I think Addison had a good time with everyone but I think 10 months old may be a little young yet to be an ISA member. Maybe next year... Had a great time and a good breakfast. Good to see everyone. Jim

You gotta check out their web site and click on videos....whoa! I second the motion to form and alliance with the Bikini Ice Fishing Team! I'm all for the conservation and preservation of our rivers but I think we can start a new ISA tradition! http://www.bikiniicefishing.com/

Has anyone tried the drop shot rig for Smallies? I haven't but figured maybe someone has had luck with them. I have ignored the carolina rig but it really is a good presentation for keeping on the bottom and having your presentation act more natural versus a jig combonation tied directly to your line. I'll have to put this on my list of items to try this year!

I would go one step further....use Norm's hair of course, but then I would alter the bait a bit to make it more realistic. First get some super glue and cut off the tail. Go to Pet Smart and Pick up one of their adult frozen rats. With some simple surgery you can remove the tail. Then carefully replace the old fake one with a real new one! Of course you can thaw and use the frozen rat on a single number 5 hook but they don't hold up as well....they also tend to float on their backs....

There is a survey about funding the Department of natural resources. http://www.dnr.state.il.us/nrab/cc.htm Many of us have opinions about how money should be spent and ideas to make Illinois better. Here is a great way to speak your opinion. I encourage all members to take the survey! Do it soon though because there will be a meeting coming up. Jim

That stinks. In the mean time I guess I'm going to do what I can. I've been hitting the Dupe hard in cleaning up the last couple of weeks...hood of a car was the most recent find. I pulled it to the bank but couldn't get it up over the bank. I emailed the f.preserve guys to get it...I hope they do. I caught 2 rusty crayfish in the process I also donated 10 bucks for the ISA grants...it's not much but something is better than nothing. I couldn't afford more. I hope to put in a couple hours either sat or Sunday a.m. if you want to help out. 2 hours maybe 3. Start at 7 a.m. I'm 10 miles from the Fox R. if that's closer....either river needs a lot of work. I wonder if we are allowed to trap crayfish. The idea is to cull out the rusties. Just like any invasive you can't eradicate them but efforts should be put forth to control them. (Then again, the passenger pigeon was wiped out and people didn't think that was possible.)

PHEW! Thanks for the update! I was getting pretty upset and working myself up. I'm glad to be a part of the ISA... with so many members there's enough people here to know or find the answers.

I went to the McDowell Forest Preserve on my way home today. I saw that the old "McDowell" dam was taken out but they replaced it with a new one upstream. My question is, what was the point of taking out the old one and then putting in a new one? I thought the dam was supposed to be removed. The new one is holding back a lot of debris and there is NO way for fish to migrate at all. What's the point of all our efforts when the "Man" is going to do what they want anyway. There were a lot of people working and looking forward to the removal....not the replacement! I thought our voice was heard but apparantly not. Any thoughts on this? Where did we go wrong?