jude

I'll vouch for the Eureka brand. Mine's been rained on every year for the last 7 or 8 and it's never let me down. Keep an eye on Steep and Cheap. Right now they have a sale going on backpacking tents, but I'm sure they'll be offering different tents soon. They change their inventory all the time. http://www.steepandcheap.com/?cmp_id=EM_DLY5001&mv_pc=r204

I have a couple questions…. Is Tom Tim's brother? Can I bring my own cone? Maybe Rocky Road on a sugar cone?

Nice. That is one healthy looking fish!

Nice. Hope Sr. is O.K. I love taking people who've never been to the Apple. Their minds are usually blown by the beauty.

Good job guys! (and Pat)

Looks like a bunch of happy kids. Good job, folks!

Congrats guys!

Yep. About twenty of the type he was after plus some different types. Plus I caught a snapping turtle. Saw some thrashing around and thought it might be a big smallie. Nope…big old snapper. He did not go in the tub.

I took a day off of work yesterday to go play in the creek. Terry put out the call for volunteers to help the DNR sample tribs in the Kishwaukee basin. I thought it would be cool to explore a new area, so I opted for Piscasaw Creek near Poplar Grove. Here are some pics…. Generator on the boat runs the zapper out front and the aerator for the tub of fish that we net. The netters wade behind the boat and try to get all of the stunned fish and toss them into aerated tub in the boat: After a section is complete, we pull over so Karen can identify, measure, and weigh the fish: I believe we identified 27 species, including several suckers, several darters, stone cat, shiners, green sunfish, bluegill, rock bass, and of course smallies: The star of the day was the American Brook Lamprey (not a parasite like sea lampreys): It was hot sweaty work, but a lot of fun working with Karen's crew. The only other volunteer was a guy from the Shedd Aquarium looking for Rainbow Darters and Orange Throated Darters. Our last location was a little tough to access:

I'll help a.m. and p.m. on the 19th. Is there any official sign-up or just show up?

Not sure if I'll be able to fish, but count me in for the Country Breakfast, over medium, with crispy hash browns.

I'm definitely interested. (Yes, neoprene is acceptable, and yes, Terry should wet wade.)

Wow…John did a full-blown re-enactment! Nice. I should probably post some sylvania pics. Soon.

Not sure you ever had one, but on the off chance that you have a man-card, it is hereby revoked.

Hey Eric… since it looks like you're "just a member" now, I want to say thanks for all you've done for the ISA, particularly where you've brought the Bulletin. You and all the other guys put a hell of a lot into this thing, and I and others really appreciate it…..Jude

Looks like I'll have to back out. Going to "Blues on the Fox" in Aurura. Los Lobos and Tedeschi Trucks Band. Now you'll have a chance to catch a few, Terry.

Count me in.

I was being serious. I know it's hard to believe, but I actually was sorta giving you a compliment. Don't get used to it.

Yeah…I know the feeling. I really like that first pic, Terry. I know you've been told a hundred times to keep the sun behind the camera, but this time it looks cool as heck. Now go ahead and try to tell me it was intentional.

Terry, you must have missed the "last weekend" part of my post. Back when spring was in the air and birds were singing. And remember….when some people kayak fish, they spend most of their time in the kayak. Ed…"every 20 incher" makes me think you had a pretty good trip to Door County.

If it's in my fishes mouth, odds are it is indeed a judebug. I've been busy tying a bunch for Sylvania. How many days?

There's no dust on my rods, boy. I just don't feel the need to post pictures of every fish I catch. I took a ten hour float last weekend and caught a bunch, all on top with the fly rod. The conditions were way "less than ideal." I only took a picture of this one because it was probably the nicest looking smallie I've ever caught: You seem to like fishing from shore in high water. I like wading or floating in low clear water. I like the fly rod. You don't. Potayto. Potahto. Everyone's different. Change the icon? Not sure what you're trying to say. Are you trying to say we should limit our conversations to smallmouth fishing only? Maybe Tom should give lessons in humility.

I wasn't sure anyone would get the joke, but knew if anyone did it would be you. Certainly not Terry.

IT WAS A DEER!

When do I get my certificate?