Dick G

Very nice Mike, but where is the fishing pole and the Rat Bait?

Thanks to all who planned, cooked and cleaned up. A lot of great food, friends and fishing- real and talk. I think more fish were caught at the picnic tables than in the Fox, but that's fishing! An Illinois Hall of Fame fisherman was there, and a spot was pointed out to me where the state DNR shocked up 100 smallmouth bass not too far from the picnic site. The things you learn when you participate in ISA activities!

I'll be there with a tray of veggies.

I was out of town, so I didn't make it this year. Very informative video Scott. Nice work guys and gals. It was neat to see the older established plants doing so well.

Sound like fun. I will try to make it with my kayak.

Hey, I've got an idea. Let's start an ISA lawn and garden forum. Instead of fretting about high river levels, we can discuss various flowers and plants. The bird feeding thread got us through the winter, and garden chat should be able to fill in for missing fishing reports until August when yards start to brown out in the heat. I'll start with some pictures of some of my plants that are just loving the recent 2 1/2 " rain we got this weekend.

I signed my name to this great cause. I can testify that there are a lot of smallmouth in this creek. Some of them are really big!

I am one of those guys who forget to check for messages because I don't get too many. I was told at the Blowout that I had been sent 2 messages several months apart and had never responded. I didn't even know how to use the private message board then. This spring I was using it for the first time on a regular basis for a few weeks when I was discussing a fishing trip to Door County and then I just haven't looked at it again since then. I had better shape up!

I would hope the ISA could help this project with a grant. Where did they get the fish that were stocked in the DuPage River after the cleanup on the West Branch a few years ago?

Being retired, I really don't fish on weekends or holidays. On any day I prefer to be out in the boonies away from the crowds.

It is indeed a nice little creek. I did see a few SOS signs in the area while checking it out the other day. I also saw a IDNR yellow sign posting bass fishing regulations. Keep us posted about anything you see in the local press out there.

Nice to see the names of two ISA members in Dale Bowman's Wednesday column. Both Ed Buric and Dan Basore offer some observations about spring.

Spring has been called back. After a review in the booth upstairs, Monday's spring weather has been declared illegal forward progress. Replay winter for two more days.

Wow! Went outside this morning and it felt like spring. I could actually see puddles, not ice, and patches of bare grass. Will the next two weeks show some open water on the local ponds? In the past I have checked out local ponds at early ice out to look for signs of winter kill. I have discovered some huge dead largemouth in small retention ponds that I had previously thought held no quality fish. Often, it seems the larger fish die off from lack of oxygen before the little ones do. The first lure I like to use on early open water is a red Rat-L-Trap. It seems to drive those fish crazy.

:DNice canoe. I can't believe you get to keep it in the house. I have to store my kayak in the garage-wife's orders. I'd love to have it in the family room so I could sit in it and practice paddling and casting while watching television.

Thanks to all the officers and volunteers who put together an excellent evening. I really enjoyed the speakers. Both Dan and Denny proved that there are some great fishing opportunities close to home.

Mike,

I saw one of those 5 hook Pfluegers in an antique store yesterday in southern Illinois. They were asking $157 for it. They also had a flyrod for $1,400,but I don't remember the brand.

John,

Great looking jigs! Could you show us some with your favorite trailers attached?

I remember the first meeting I attended as a guest of Ken G down in the Kankakee valley at a VFW hall in the spring.. I didn't even own a pair of waders or hip boots at the time. Mark K, Jim J, Norm M, Mike C, John G, Scott F, Ken G and a few others were there. I was in awe of the river knowledge of these guys. I had no idea of how to fish for smallmouth in rivers. A few months later, I was out fishing and catching some nice fish because of what I had learned at that meeting. I caught an 18 inch smallmouth in the West Branch of the Dupage River in the middle of suburbia and I thought I had died and gone to heaven. I had no idea there were fish like this in Illinois waters. Later there was an ISA outing on the Dupage River that brought so many anglers out that some had to be diverted to the Fox River to prevent overcrowding. It was too large a group to have decent fishing, but it sure was cool seeing a parking lot full of fishermen in their waders and vests comparing reels, rods and lures.

That's great Bart. I might have to bring an extra box to put all my purchases in.

Scott,

I can close out the Rosemont show and take all of the stuff home in my van and deliver it to you or to those using it for another presentation. I hope Bart or someone can help me tote the equipment or watch it while I bring the van from the parking garage.

I could work on Sunday all day on the 26th with Gordon.

I am really looking forward to hearing Dan's presentation at the Blowout. I hope he wears that Bobby Knight plaid sport coat that is pictured in the purchase tickets thread. I would pay double to see that jacket!

Reports from up north show that ice fishing is well underway.