Dick G

Mark, I think what he is saying is that while those of us with canoes and kayaks have to have a stamp to float Illinois waters, weekend "tubers" can inflate a "pool toy quality" device and float the same stretch of water without any registration.

You did a great job Mike.Really appreciate all the work you did.

The Bolingbrook Bass Pro does a good job of printing up the stamps and supplying the adhesive sheets. They do not store your kayak information at the store. It all goes to the DNR, so you have to have your boat ID #, boat model and manufacturer names as well as the color of boat. They also use your fishing license to connect your information to the DNR.

Mark, here is what I am trying to figure out. Let's say you want a Ducks Unlimited license plate. On the Secretary of State website it says the added cost for this plate is $40. It states that some of this money will go to Ducks Unlimited for their various projects. The proposed amendment seems to say that all fees collected will go only to the highway fund. Same goes for all the other specialty plates. For example if you get a plate promoting your favorite college, the website says that the extra fees will help provide scholarships to needy students. Will these organizations get to keep their cut of the fees? Wetland development and scholarships have nothing to do with highways.

As I understand it, if passed,all money from specialty plates will go exclusively to roads. So if you want a wildlife plate, a prevent violence plate, a fight cancer plate, etc., no money would go to the causes you think you are supporting by paying a premium for one of those plates.

I have fished that stream and I can attest to the fact that it holds a lot of smallmouth. This is a real shame. This is a Sandy smallmouth.

I plan on coming. Gotta try some more of those hot and spicy dishes on the menu.

I first met Bob several years ago when I just started fishing for smallmouth in Illinois. I was wading Salt Creek in the Western Springs - Lagrange area when I noticed this strange looking boat coming near me. I was surprised to see a watercraft of any kind on this skinny, ecologically challenged body of water. I saw wires hanging in the water and two guys with big nets scooping up fish that were floating up to the surface. Bob saw me about the same time and apologized for shocking so close to me. I had already climbed up on a log and was out of harm's way. Bob told me where they were taking out and invited me to come and watch them catalogue the fish they had collected.

I remember how impressed I was that Bob and his crew cheerfully did their job under trying circumstances with minimal good equipment. They had dragged that boat down a steep bank and navigated a log choked stretch of water in 90 degree heat. Everything from their boat, nets, collection buckets to the boat trailer looked pretty beat up. I think Bob made parts of the trailer himself. I asked if the state could buy them some better stuff and Bob just laughed. A true river warrior.

I have a feeling that the week two guys will post more reports and pictures. Just saying.

I will be there.

It was a good turnout for the willow planting. A lot of flats of plants were embedded into the Fox River at prime locations. After a smokey start, a fine lunch of grilled hot dogs was enjoyed by all. A few even put KETCHUP on their dogs. Many did some fishing after lunch, and I am eager to hear how many fish were caught.

I'll be there.

Nice job guys. All of those fish look nice and chunky.

Congrats to all of the officers (old and new) and volunteers for putting on a great program again. It's always interesting how some tables get hot when the prize tickets are drawn. There were two tables that must have won about ten fishing poles between them. With all those sticks waving in the air, it looked like opening day on a crowded trout stream.

I hope to meet the other guys scheduled for the second week that I don't know yet at the Blowout. We can discuss boating and wading options. This should be a great adventure!

Wonderful presentation. I hope we see it playing at the Blowout on the big screen.

I don't have anyone lined up. I just wanted to reserve the date for when ISA members are up there. I am sure something can be worked out. I will talk to Bill first.

Scott,

I just put down a deposit with Mike for Thursday, August 25th.

Done

There is a nice write up in today's Sun Times about the ISA visit to the Urban Stream Research Center in Warrenville. Thanks again Ed for planning this outing. It was a very informative presentation.

I hope everyone is buying their Blowout tickets. If you have been unable to volunteer or participate in the ISA events during the past year, this is the one you don't want to miss. If you have never been to a Bronzeback Blowout before, once you experience one you will want to return.

Rich,

Jessi did drop some scientific terminology on us during her presentation. She mentioned that a, uh, a large load of rock was used to fill the bed of the Dupage River during restoration. She is a real dynamo.

Here are a few photos from this morning's presentation at the Urban Stream Research Center in Blackwell Forest Preserve. Jessi was kind enough to point out some areas on the DuPage River where some large tagged smallmouth like to hang out. A very informative session. Afterwards, a few ISA members went out to lunch and discussed some future fishing trips and ISA events.

Thanks for the update Scott. That is a pretty good result. On Friday we talked to a few more that seemed really interested, but just would not commit on the spot. Hopefully, some of these prospective "buyers" will go home, check out the website and decide to become members.

Friday show seemed pretty busy. We signed up a few new members, resigned some lapsed members and sold 2 Blowout tickets. The weekend crowds should be good with the mild weather and no major sporting events on tv. A lot of neat stuff to look at. There was a kayak that made me laugh. It was loaded with so much stuff that it must have weighed a couple hundred pounds. It looked like the Moby Dick of kayaks.