jim bielecki

I think mike is right. Big bass like big rats...unless the rat is from Chicago.

Thanks for the info...I may be ignorant in this manner...what were the purposes of the McDowell, and Warrenville dams? What function did they have? They were placed there long before I was even around. Irrigation??? Holding back the water to fill smaller cut troughs for cattle and fields? Or did they divert the water to make another waterway navigable for boats?

very cool site! I saw a herd of wildebeast last night... Thanks for sharing!!! It's in my favorites too.

I have used cheap polarized sunglasses before and was happy with their performance. However, I can't see without my prescription glasses. This past year I bought a pair of prescription polarized sunglasses. They are expensive, but because I need them for driving and other activities I take meticulous care of them and always keep them in a hard case. I have never been happier...I wish I bought them years ago! I highly recommend buying them for anyone who wears glasses. Sure you can by the polar's to go over your glasses but it's very awkward. It's just not the same.

Does anyone know if the Warrenville Dam has been approved for removal? If so, when? And does anyone know what the benefits will be? It seems to me many fish gather below dams because of the oxygen they create and deep holes they cut out. I think if the dam is removed, the hole below the dam will get filled in with rubble and the fish will move on to deeper holes elsewhere. This will definately make it harder to find the fish after they relocate. I'm wondering what other people think.

Don...you are a person I would call a "Die Hard". Nice Fish!!!

I've been sending information about our concerns and efforts to the govenor via email. I simply cut and paste then send. I also know that Dennis Hastert has made more than 3 million dollars on the sale of the surrounding property in order to build the road. Currently, he is under investigation. It seems the cycle of destruction never ends...people destroy natural resources in order to make money...one way or another. Which is why I joined the ISA...but we don't have the political power to really stop things like this from happening. Any non-members who are reading this I encourage you to join the ISA! And for members who have read this...please write to your state representatives!!!

Nice fish guys! I thought I'd try to fish one more time before it gets really cold Monday after work. Thursday is going to be the beginning of winter. I haven't done much fishing...been doing a lot of bow hunting lately. But I managed to catch a 12 inch around 4:00 pm on the DuPage River on a white twister. Kinda wish I've done more fishing now that I've looked at the photos. Maybe, it's never too cold to fish?

I had an interesting discussion tonight with a reliable someone, who knows "a little bit" more about how Governor Blagojevich is managing the Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources. It's not good! Alot of money and resources are being diverted from the IDNR to pay for other unrelated programs. Revenues generated from the enviornment should be put back into the environment. Unfortunately, this isn't the case! I have written numerous letters and emails to the governor to encourage conservation and related programs. From what I gather, it's a waste of time. The person I spoke to said if you want to make a difference, contact your state representatives. That's how you can make difference. Also your local Village Hall for the town you live in would provide support for your concerns and respond positively to efforts we are trying to accomplish. We all need to keep pressure on our government to protect our resources! One day they may be gone! Here's the web site you can check out for your local representative: http://www.ilga.gov/reports/rptMemberList....amp;ChamberId=H

For many years I was a non-voter. I would rationalize, "what good is my vote...it's only one vote anyway." Or I would think "how does my vote count when politicians do whatever they want anyway?" Well, I'm a little older now and I vote for one reason... to respect the people who died for our country...What a strong statement that demonstrates! During the history of our country millions of people have fought for our right to vote. It doesn't matter to me if my vote makes a difference or not. In my mind I'm paying respect...and that respect is well deserved...I think it's ashame more people don't vote, if, for no other reason. I'm very skeptical of politicians and empty promises. I could only hope they are trying to do what's right but, personally I'm not convinced. I have a lot of respect for our armed forces...they are put in compromising situations and sometimes pay the ultimate sacrifice. I encourage members to show up at the polls this year... But who is the candidate who is most likely to be more active in the conservation arena?

I must say I've appreciated everyone's participation in this discussion and have learned alot from everyone's view point on this topic. I have to agree with Mark...leaving a carp on the shore really does demonstrate a method of polluting. Good point Mark...I'll admitt I've left a carp or two...or three...on the shore. It also doesn't help develop good relationships with the public. I'll be sure to begin different practices.

Michael, I've experienced the same thing...the smallies sometimes prefer the warming water...often I've had luck with the later hours of the morning. It's more likely pronounced in the fall, but I've also seen this happen even during the summer. It seems the heat increases their metabolism and when they're "ready", they go on a feeding binge. Some anglers may remember their odd success catching numbers of fish...return the next day but at a different time and...nothing...not a bite. Your very observant!!! Fish On.......

Has anyone experienced this... You're fishing a pretty good spot and you're catching fish...no big ones but you've got action...and then all of a sudden...no more bites and you see a carp swimming around the hole you were just fishing. Do carp out compete smallies for resources? I'd like to know what others think. I've talked to carp enthusiasts and they promote catch and release as well. As a non native specie...what should we do when we hook and land a carp?

The DNR has jurisdiction over any public waterway...I would be more than happy to post a few signs! But I still encourage members to talk to other fisherman to be careful about their waste...you don't need to be aggressive about it! A friendly hello and a "by the way did you know..." should do the trick. Thankyou I appreciate your support.

I would be interested for 1/2 day sunday but I'm not sure what I would have to do. Jim Bielecki

I think growth rates in the wild vary...I don't remember where I've seen it but 1 pound for every 4 years is what I remembered... I agree with Tim; different variables effect growth rates in different parts of the nation. I think you would find smaller growth rates in rivers where the fish need to expend more energy to swim amongst rocks and currents to find food. When you isolate one variable you can make comparisons...more than one variable...well... it's difficult to make predictions...but that's what science is for. So if you ONLY compare the environments of smallie habitat, lakes may be an easier habitat to live, which can contribute to larger sizes. They don't have currents to fight against or rocks to navigate around in quick water. You may find that smallies found in rivers may be more lean and fight harder because of energy expenditures required to live day to day...the fish's muscles are trained and toned...just like people who excersize and lift weights.

I would say the fish was injured...possibly was washed over a dam, bad release from someone else (could've been injured on a rock), a dog fishing... you never know. As for survival...I think it's fine...fish are remarkable animals in their ability to sustain serious injury and survive...they don't have much blood concentrated in the flesh, most of it is found in and around the organs, heart and lungs, if it can swim and feed it can survive. In the world of the animal kingdom only the strongest survive to reach adulthood...if your fish gets a chance to breed I would say it's a good gene pool for the future!!!

Hi Kevin, I would be interested in volunteering but the problem isn't with people like you and I. Litter laws aren't enforced and conservation officers are non-existent on the Fox and many other places. I've questioned this with with the DuPage County Forest Preserve Police in the past...and they said it is very difficult to enforce the laws because they cannot prove that an individual purposely left their trash behind. Sure, you, me and the Alliance do our part to clean up but at the very least public relation work should be done through the State DNR resources to inform others of Alliance work, Friends of the Fox work, and all of our work... Perhaps they would be more respectful if they know a lot of people are trying...ignorace is no excuse to be negligent. Here's a simple example...I was walking around the dam area picking up trash...it was pretty obvious what I was doing. Several people were fishing in the area and I purposely walked right up to each one and picked up the trash right at their feet to send a message for the future! Out of several people...no one asked to help...and no one pitched in to clean up, even for a couple of minutes. No one greeted me, no one said hi, no one acknowledged what I was trying to do...they all continued to fish...To me this demonstrates significant ignorance which needs to be addressed... My opinion is...enough is enough, I wrote the letter to the Village because it is their responsibility to manage the town and enforce pollution problems. We'll see what happens... But I can tell you I share your concerns and I'm not going to give up, Keep up the good work!...I think I might just start talking to people as I'm fishing to express the work we are all trying to do. I encourage you to do the same...what's the worst that can happen? Maybe this is a project all members can share...PR work??? It addresses the source of the problem and not the product of the problem...

I have caught some good smallies, size and numbers. I have pinched my barbs down every time I've gone fishing for smallies and encourage everyone to do the same. You've all heard this before, but I'll say it again...when a fish is hooked it's fighting for it's life and uses alot of energy...when you take it out of the water to unhook it, the fish is deprived of oxygen... Complicate this with damage to it's mouth or gills from exposed barbs and you've just decreased it's ability to survive... and if it does...you have just decreased it's ability to "gorge and grow"... everyone wants to land a "20"...make sure you're doing your part to ensure an opportunity! FYI...a smallie grows about 1 pound every four years...a four pound smallie...well...that's a 16 year old fish! Tight Lines!!!

I would have to say an 1/8 ounce yellow jig with a white 2 inch mister twister tail in shallow water. This is my "go to" bait. My second choice would be a 2 inch sinking rapala in black and silver, especially if I'm faced with a good pool. I've gotten good size fish with it...no 20's but 12 to 15 inchers... Good luck

I would like all members to be aware they can email the governor to express their concerns...in my case, many are environmental...perhaps yours is too. It's quick and convenient. Strength in numbers is true...the more people who speak out, the more our concerns are respected. When using the website, you do need to provide personal information...so be aware...however, as of yet I haven't had any problems and I use the site quite often. Here's the website... http://www.illinois.gov/gov/ If you prefer regular mail...here's the address...(I write to the governor as much as I can to express what needs to be done...too many people have legitamate concerns and don't express them.) Elections are coming up...lets see if Governor Blagojevich is willing to keep his job! Rod Blagojevich Office of the Governor 207 State Capitol Springfield Il 62706

I think it is park district property. I have seen the staff who are college kids mow and pick up trash in the park but they never go down to the banks of the river, which is where much of the trash is left. I usually bring a bag when I fish and clean up some of it but the amount is disheartening. thanks for responding jim