Jim J

As a fun get together using the ISA forums would be fine. Any tournament stuff would need to fall within our mission statement:

Dedicate to Improving Illinois Smallmouth Fishing Through Conservation and Education.

So a tournament to to expand the kayak fishing world would not fall under something the ISA would support.

If you exclude Lake Michigan, virtually all smallmouth in our state live in streams and rivers. Thats why our conservation efforts like grants, plantings, etc are river based along with our outings and education.

A few of us were strongly involved in tournaments the last few years. They were based upon Drew Gregory's RiverBassin format of CPR in only movng water. Shore, wade or boat.This was not sponsored by the ISA just supported by some of us who were involved. Here's the event description:

Event description:

The River Bassin (Fishing) Tournament was a unique conservation minded, paddle-powered or shoreline only fishing event, with a catch-measure-photo-release format that promotes sustainability within the environment. Anglers can fish in rivers or streams in a large region of Northern Illinois (see map) beginning at dawn the day of the tournament, and simply take a photo of their catch on a standard measuring board given to all anglers. After taking the photo they release the fish back into the water for future generations to enjoy.

The top angler Tom Loo received a Jackson Coosa fishing kayak, which he donated to the Illinois Smallmouth Association (ISA). This tournament is intended for all ages and skill levels, both amateur and expert fishers.

There are lots of IL based fishing sites (forums) that have thousands of posts and threads on cooling lakes, tournaments, largemouth, and other species. We are an unique organization with a singular mission statement.

Hey Cory , where you been? Haven't heard from you in a long time.

You probably got plenty of advice but check your kidneys

THANK YOU to our volunteers and officers who did a great job as usual. Beautiful pictures and great planting.

This is one of the longest running conservation successes the ISA has.

Hi Brian,

Again, we discussed this subject a lot. It is too time consuming to monitor each member and non member. Dues go unpaid, people drop etc. It would be a monthly deal to track 400 people.

Also, we use the boards as a vehicle to recruit new members so by making it private, it wouldn't have the ability to attract someone looking for smallmouth information.

We've had guys participating on the boards and then decide to become members which wouldn't have happened had they not been able to view.

Jim

On a personal note, teaching someone what baits to use in what situations, in what water levels and clarity at what time of year gives an angler many more tools to become succesful than telling someone a spot. Telling someone that doesn't fish well a spot to help them is actually a doing them a disservice. Once that spot dries up, they have no tools (except trolling more forums) to find another spot.

Our forums and magazine that contain many articles do just that. Educate. You can come here and see what baits are hot, ask about water levels, equipment and more. You can join the ISA, and come to outings and learn from other excellent fishermen on the water.

Most good fishermen I know spent a ton of time on the water, experimenting, exploring and learning. Looking for internet spots is a cheap way to cut corners and does not lead to someone becoming better at anything.

Hi Everyone,

This subject comes up on our forums about twice a year, every year. Our officers have been on fishing forums since they began 15 or more years ago. The ISA was founded on conservation principals making us a more unique fishing organization. There are plenty of generic fishing sites with forums guys can go to and exchange information. Our mission statement is Conservation, Education and Fishing.

Everyone has a different opinion in regards to the location discussion, how much info, how specific etc.

Our officers monitor the boards and if we see some information we feel is a bit over the line we try and send a respectful PM to the person.

Our boards are totally public and anyone can see what’s here as long as they register.

After many many hours of this discussion between officers, we always come to the same conclusion. We always err on the side of conservation. Some don’t like it but that’s the way it goes.

We’ve been called names, made fun of, put down but that’s irrelevant to us. We have a great organization with great members who care about what we do and how we do it.

These policies aren’t designed to please everyone, they are well thought out by long time, conservation minded anglers.

That’s about it. It can be discussed here as much as we like, but the policy we set stands.

Hi guys,

Been out of town and still am but the tournament is off for good this year.

Just got the word a few days ago.

Plans are to get it going again next year when there's more front time with the changes at PT.

Yes, it applies to aurora.

The paddle and trail closing is TEMPORARY. they are doing some restructuring and may be open in a week or so.

They are working as fast as they can to get this done and have all intentions of being back.

Right now the tourney is still on with maybe a few tweaks.

Great!

WE NEED MORE HELP!! Post here if you can make it even for a bit.

Thanks!

Jim

Yakima's customer service is absolutely fantastic. Call them and they will walk you through anything.

Hey, we could debate the perfect meal forever. The perfect meal is an individual thing along with time of day and your tastes right there and then. Fresh blueberry muffin with strong coffee, Lou Malnottis deep dish with beer, ribs, ...this could go on and on.....

A supporter of the ISA.

Here is a link to some cool stuff they are doing including supporting the Kish Love Your River Day which the ISA gave a grant to last year.

A river Environmental Coalition and more.

http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=e52cf542647a2b964274b4b0f&id=f075258e28&e=5c3b419c61

That's the sort of track I was on. Thanks

I will look that up and see where it can be mounted.

Yes huge!!!

it's funny about weight on smallies. When you hear guys claiming they caught a 24" or 25" and that it must weigh so and so.

Smallmouth do not get longer, they get fatter (wider). I am really curious to know the length of that fish. The weight is not debatable coming in from a tournament weigh in. Just would like to know the length.

Moved to a lake last nov and inhereted an 18' pontoon with electric minkota.

It has a 30lb anchor tied to it but that's too heavy for my daughter or wife to lift over the side especially with mud on it.

I am contemplating a claw anchor that would be lighter but it is a high percentage rock base generally not over 12'.

Any suggestions on making anchoring easier?

Jude and I just found out our money never made it to him so if you can get him an apartmet or somewhere to stay for a while until this gets worked out, that would be great!

Crap, I just wired him $1000.

THANKS!

Hi guys,

I got this email from Gordon today. I am out of money but if someone could help him out with some I'm sure he'd appreciate it.

We've got to get him home.

Good Morning,

Hope you get this on time, I made a trip to Manila(Philippines) and had my bag stolen from me with my passport and personal. The embassy has just issued me a temporary passport but I have to pay for a ticket and settle my hotel bills with the Manager.

I have made contact with my bank but it would take me 3-5 working days to access funds in my account, the bad news is my flight will be leaving in less than 8-hrs from now but I am having problems settling the hotel bills and the hotel manager won't let me leave until I settle the bills, I need your help/LOAN financially and I promise to make the refund once I get back home, you are my last resort and hope, Please let me know if I can count on you and I need you to keep checking your email because it's the only way I can reach you.


Thanks!
Gordon P.

I agree with the above. You are still around to fish and you will eventually replace the gear.

In a few months when the weather is warm and sunny and you're catching fish you will feel better.

This is good lesson to all of us. Even though levels are down the flows are still really fast in some areas. I appreciate you writing this up.

Yes, sorry you had such a bad day also.

Really nice!

Tipsy goes away after a few hours in the boat. Secondary stability is there and great. People at first don't realize the boat will stop strongly at a point. They just feel it will start going over.

Check some pics of guys siting and casting sideways from their kayaks. If they were tipsy the weight of sitting on the side would just flip it.

Here's Chad Hoover. All his weight is on the edge of the kayak. It just sits there.