Norm M

That also works Mike . I have also found it beneficial over the years to establish a good relationship with legislative assistants . Many times they are the ones deciding who gets access to the legislator . Well, unless you have big time political clout .

That's like arguing over the best color tube or what type of line is best . In all my years on line I don't think i have seen any one's mind changed in those let alone political or religious discussions , It's pointless in the long run . I am on the side of those who disagree with the changes being wrought in the environmental protections . I just don't see how putting someone down who disagrees accomplishes anything positive . If want want to do something positive take the time to actually write a real letter and mail it to your lawmakers . I have found over the decades that doing so makes more of an impression on them , especially these days when so many send e-mails . Many times I have got a letter back , sometimes it's the same thank you for your interest you get in e-mail blow offs . There have been enough where they actually explain their position that leads me to believe that they take actual letters more seriously . I remember when Mike at one of his websites offered a prize for anyone who sent a copy of a letter concerning environmental concerns to a lawmaker . As I remember it, he never gave away a single prize . I was excluded from the contest as he already knew that I did so . Not that it bothered me now or then, what bothered me was no one got a prize, sure that bothered him just as much if not more .

Rich The current issue has step by step instructions in building it . i could pick you up a copy at Barnes and noble and mail it to you . PM your address if you want me to do so .

Any body check out Craig's new fly , the rattleback in the current issue of FlyTyer magazine ?

I don't know if I'll get thru all of these in the 10 to 12 weeks it's going to take for treatments and recovery . If I can't fish , I can continue educating myself and have compiled this list for that purpose . Some of these are real heavy duty reading . From my personal library : The Ecology of Running Waters by H.B.N. Hynes University of Toronto Press, a reread this is the book that brought worldwide research together and gave the whole movement of studying the ecology of running waters it's start . Heavy duty but a must read for those interested in the subject . Wildstream-A Natural History of the Free Flowing Stream by T Waters a reread this book is a worthy follow up to Hynes . It covers everything that contributes to a river in that river's valley . How Fish Work- Fish Biology and Angling by Sholseth a reread this book,s title is a fairly accurate description of the content . The First International Smallmouth Bass Symposium American Fisheries Society a reread a collection of scientific papers submitted for the symposium The Warmwater Streams Symposium American Fisheries Society same as above Response of Fish to Habitat Structure in Standing Water American Fisheries Society same as above . If time runs short this is one that will be skipped until the river freezes . IDNR pamphlet Aquatic Plants - Identification and Management a shorty but goody From the Kankakee Community College Library : The Fishes of Illinois Illinois Natural History Survey by Smith Handbook of Freshwater Biology Vol 2 Life History of Centrarchid Fishes of USA and Canada by Carlander Freshwater Ecology Principles and Applications by Jefferies and Mills Exploring Ecosystems - Rivers and Streams by Martin The Rivers Handbook Vol 1 Hydrological and Ecological Principles by Catlow and Petts Black Bass Biology and Management by Sport Fishing Institute Symposium collection of scientific papers submitted to the symposium From the Public Library system : For the Love of Rivers - A Scientist"s Journey by Fausch Elements of Physical Hydrology Vol 2 by Hornberger, Berg, Raffensperger and D'Odorico Aquatic Plants of Illinois- An Illustrated Manual Including Submersed, Floating and Some of Shallow and Muddy Shores by Winterrenger How to Know Aquatic Plants by Prescott A Manual of Aquatic Plants by Ogden A Guide to Common Freshwater Invertebrates of North America by Voshell Textbook of Limnology by Cole Handbook of Common Methods in Limnology by Lind Likely more than I will get to in this time frame but I'll have the rest of my life to finish reading them and others I'll find . A lot of real heavy science but I believe that the more you learn about how rivers work the better you will understand how to fish them . Who knows maybe I'll be inspired and have the knowledge to write followups to Current- A River Primer that is available in various forums online that I wrote some time ago .

Terry I rechecked my notes , it's now until 2090 . They said as time went on it would only increase with the frequency and severity of the rainfall and high water events . There was science behind their figures that I did not fully understand . None of the other scientists, biologist , etc took exception to their predictions .

if i remember right they went from now until 2050

From what they told us at the K3 watershed conference the pattern of more rain and severe high water events is only going to get worse as time goes on .

Terry It's high on my list of things to do . I have to take one of the labs to the vet soon to update all the shots , then it's time to try and catch a few fish . I would love to spend a few hours fishing with you as well . I would ask for dancing lessons but I am so bad at it that not even the Swami could help according to my wife . Picnic tables , grills , old Edsel transaxles , it doesn't matter to the fish .

Terry Just how wader friendly is it up in that neck o the woods ? It sounds inviting but a lot depends on the recovery and general health after the cancer treatments .

Mike You were the best Conservation Director the ISA ever had . Thanks for your many years of dedication to the ISA and all the other causes you have been involved in .

I quit fishing the stretch Mark mentioned when I heard the clickety-click of shotguns and turned to see two guys pointing 12 gauges at me .

As long as the Farm Bureau is one of the major powers in Indiana , there is about as much chance of restoring the meanders as there is of me waking up one morning rich , handsome and in my mid 20's .

Scott Use rattlebaits instead of crankbaits if that's the case . When the Kank gets all algaed up , I don't bother with cranks myself . BD I've been fishing cranks and spinnerbaits on spinning gear in rivers for over 5 decades, never had any issues .

it depends on the current flow and size lures I'm using . generally for most lures and all current condition i use a 7 ft medium action spin rod with a 30/300 size reel spooled with co poly or mono . i primarily use a 7 ft medium lite spin with a 20/200 reel co poly or mono for creeks or very low flows in the river when i just fish smaller lures or live bait to catch more of a variety of size/species . i use a 7 ft medium heavy spin with a 40/400 reel co poly or mono when i start throwing the really big stuff like 1/2 oz jigs tipped with 5 to 6 inch swimbaits, 5 to 6 inch crankbaits , dragging 1/2 oz or better jig/pigs on bottom upstream and such like . sometimes i play with braid and nanofil when the mood strikes me . i no longer use straight fluro especially with slower presentations the line snagged in rock crevices before the lure did . i never tie on any sort of leader with the exception of certain live bait rigs . keep as much bow out of the line as possible, keep your hooks sharp , multiple hook sets and watch your line are the best ways to improve your hook up/landing ratio . kirbing your hooks and opening the gaps also help a lot especially with rattlebaits . length and gap of hook also should be considered . not enough gap of hooks leads to missed strikes . at times using a longer hook to set the point back a little further back in the lure can make a difference , experiment .

Way to dangerous to fish from , end up falling off trying to fight a fish , maybe even on hookset .

Ed This is the kind of stuff I like doing but can't due to the stuff implanted in my torso right now per Doc's orders. Next year should be better . Besides I just loaned my formal waders to James Dean .

Ron Not to mention the Kankakee dam , alas too many places and no where near enough CPO's . Mike, I wasn't sure where you were going and wanted to my thoughts know before I started the radiation/chemo stage of my treatment . No telling how the combo will effect me, but don't figure it well good .

Ron The fact is that walleye are a native strain of the Kankakee and the only walleye involved in the stocking process are from that native strain . As a lifetime fisherman , I would hate to lose any native species , if the river ever does get fixed . While there are a couple spring seeps in Rock Creek , their influence does not last much beyond the entry point . You are correct the trout die off generally starts in June and is complete before summer's end . the water temperature in the main river during summer would prove fatal even if an odd trout or two made it that far . For example last year when the average sized trout stocked seemed to be about 8 inches , ideal size for a larger predator including raptors . Yes , there are definitely those that harvest trout until they are gone . Unfortunately some of that group harvest everything , hence the need for more enforcement officers . As much as I enjoy turning in poachers , I must admit that in summer my attention goes elsewhere as the mosquitoes biting overwhelms the fish bite even with bug spray in that stretch .

sharp hooks , as little slack as possible at the set, kirbing and opening the gap on hooks and multiple hooksets all can help . If the fish is heading toward you it,s best to reel in slack and then set the hook , otherwise it's wasted energy .

Further thoughts on the subject . The ISA has developed a nice relationship with Trout Unlimited and and has a long term relationship with D.R.I.F. T. How do you think their members would respond to getting their fishing opportunities restricted ? Likely the same as ours would if it happened to smallmouth . There is also the relationship with Orvis to consider . I am not arguing the biology stand point , that's a given considering the research . As far as protecting the genetics of a native species i.e. the smallmouth , after many decades of fishing Rock Creek , I will tell you flat out that poaching and intense fishing pressure especially during the spawn have done far more damage then the trout will . In a stretch that 40 some years ago hosted 100 plus smallmouth nests now hosts about 20 . The stock that was genetically prediposed to spawn in Rock Creek has been severly fished down , Of late , there seems to be a few more smallmouth showing up due to sand and silt destroying spawning and habitat the YOY need to survive and the increased competition for the remaining habitat elsewhere . All I am attempting to point out is that there are many factors that would work against the ISA and the strictly biologically correct , protecting native fish arguments the ISA could rightfully present . In fact it could do harm to our standing with outside groups including the IDNR . If our membership overwhelming approves of trying then go for it after the current budget mess in Springfield is resolved when the IDNR could be theoretically more inclined to listen . After all , I am just one voice offering up my thoughts on the subject and do not claim infailbility on any subject . Even if we win at best it would likely be a win/lose deal . If it's a lose/lose deal which it very likely could be , is it worth damaging the ISA's standing with others ? We would be better served by addressing the major issues affecting the entire watershed , loss of habitat and the bottom of the food chain due to silt and sand , getting the numbers of CPO's increased to better enforce the regulations in place and gaining more public access to allow the fishing pressure to get spread out . Steve, The trout from the spring stocking do die out and that process is beginning . The trout from the fall stocking do survive over the winter unless there is a severe freeze up in the creek . If that parking lot off 5000 West is open and the creek does not freeze , the great majority of those that fish there are fly rodders . There are likely a few ISA members who take advantage but I have seen many a TU sticker then and in talking to them most have traveled quite a distance to be able to catch trout from an Illinois stream during winter .

Mike The spring one not so much , the fall one I know that by then the smallmouth and rockbass have begun moving to different areas thru experience . However , I do acknowledge the economic realities involved . With no budget , no funds from general revenue . In a situation like that , do you really think the IDNR is going to close any revenue stream ? With that in mind it is an unwinnable battle that might cost the ISA's relationship with the IDNR . Even in the best of times , I think that this is one battle that could hurt the relationship with the IDNR and lead to condemnation from the general angling public . There is already a sizable number of that general public that consider us an elitist group . This is one battle that should involve considerable discussion before we engage .

Ron, It's June and folks are still catching trout in Rock Creek . I did several spot checks in slower/slack water and there dead trout there . Mike, The issue always has been sales of more licenses and trout stamps . The more licenses sold the bigger the slice of federal funds you get . It is also supposed to be about getting kids involved in fishing . Biologically the spring one likely does have a greater impact on the bass than the fall one . However since most likely sales are higher in spring than fall , I don't see it going away .

Scott i am out for this year . they added an extra round of chemo , pushing back the radiation . No way i'll be recovered enough in time for me not to be a drag on every one else .