Dan Draz

Lots of plugs for ISA this morning, the fishing, all the good things we do and a few solid mentions of Jonn's Camp Smallmouth. While talking about my experiences fishing with my son, Quinn, I also threw in a solid shout out to our newest celebrity, Jack Graham.... 4 year old fishing star that he is. Hearing stories like that, and hearing the pride in Jonn's voice when he told the story about it at the Riverside Fishing Club meeting this month just reiterates to me the importance of getting our kids out fishing with us when we can. Bob will have Jack's pictures in Outdoor Notebook next month, just as Quinn got three pictures of his Steelhead in there in this issue. Won't be too long before Jack is writing his own fishing column... might be written in "crayola" but it will be good nonetheless. The next interview I will be talking about more river fishing and will be out and about between now and then logging some river exploration time.

Alas... this is SAD but TRUE!!

After we moved to Illinois, I was asked by Bob Maciulis whether I would be willing to do occasional radio interviews about the special father/son fishing trips I have with my son Quinn and to talk about the experiences we have learning our way around the fishing spots in the state. I have done two previous interviews lasting anywhere from 20 minutes to 40 minutes and am scheduled to be on the radio again tomorrow talking about a wide variety of issues. One of the things I am going to be plugging tomorrow when it comes up is ISA and the great work that we do, our event for next year, and ways that businesses can contribute to us. I am also likely going to talk about our recent trip to LaSalle, my first experience fishing for smallmouth in the area (I won't give away any spots and Bob doesn't want me to.. he understands our position on this) and what Quinn and I have going on in the next two months: two crappie outings, one trip for river cats, and two back to back days to fish with Jonn Graham which is a special after school trip for Quinn in June, and more days on the river fishing for smallies. It's an early interview, I usually go on around 6:00AM and most of you will probably be sleeping but I wanted to let you know that it's a great opportunity for me to work in positive plugs for ISA and the great work that we do, if Bob chooses to steer the conversation in that direction. We talked this evening and I gave him a heads up that I want to try and go in that direction so hopefully it will depending on how much time we have. Once I was the only interview and one time I was half the show so it just depends on what else they have scheduled tomorrow. But one more way for a volunteer to try and make a difference and promote our cause!

That kid is a stud! Catches his 1st smallie and is already talkin "smak" about it. I like his style! As my father used to say to me, "Son, it isn't bragging if you can back it up!" The kid stuck the fish, was delighted with his accomplishment, looked stylish in the photo, stared at the fish with the appropriate amount of admiration and got the national ink.... with a little help from Dad I suspect. To pardon the pun "he's hooked!" Nicely done, Jonn.

I saw someone comment yesterday in a thread that they were not getting e-mail notifications off the site when a new thread was posted and it made me realize that I used to get them every day and have not gotten one in a while. I am still getting notification that I have PM's but none related to the discussion forum and new posts on topics. I have not made any changes to my settings that I am aware of which would restrict this from happening and in light of the other members comment... perhaps there is some type of server issue? Just thought I would bring it up in case no one was aware there is an issue.

I will be there.

Last year, while getting some information on fishing locations around the state to take my son, Quinn, fishing at, I met Bob Maciulis, Editor of the Outdoor Notebook and host of the Outdoor Notebook Radio Show. He contacted me a short time later to tell me that he really liked the fact that I was working so hard teaching my son to fish, making the time to take him fishing and how special that really was. He asked me if I would be interested in doing an occasional radio interview about our experiences around the state, places we'd gone, things we'd seen and done and to talk about the experience of taking your son/daughter fishing. I told him that I would be happy to do so and have since done several radio interviews ranging from 20 minutes to 40 minutes on the Saturday AM program. In all of those I've mentioned that we are members of ISA and are learning to smallie fish. This morning, I happened to open the April Outdoor Notebook and while thumbing through it, there was a note that I sent to Bob about our fishing trip to Western Michigan in March, along with three huge pictures of Quinn holding the big steelhead he landed. The smile on Quinn's face in these pictures and the smile on his face this morning was well worth all the effort I put in to help him have these kinds of experiences that we share together. As I said in my reply to Jonn Graham's post about his son catching his first three smallies, they are memories that will last a lifetime. Make time for your kids and get them out on the water for some quality time together. I am playing hooky from work today and we are hitting LaSalle to see what's going on there with Greg Heath. Heidecke was on original plan but Greg called last night to say that he'd been on the water with clients the last two days and they hadn't caught a fish. The weather is screwing everything up! So, we are going to try LaSalle and see how that works out for us. As you all have been so kind to help me learn to smallie fish on the rivers here, I am sure Quinn and I will be having another proud father/son moment the first time he nails a river smallie and outfishes me again!

Jonn, I think he is going to be an artist... he loves to draw and I think that is the genesis for the multi color swim jigs he asked you for, as he seems to have an eye for color. Hey, it wouldn't be the first time someone combined one skill with another and did something unusual.

My son Quinn and I are members of the Riverside Fishing Club and ISA's very own, Jonn Graham was the featured speaker this evening. He was introduced as the "Guru of Illinois Smallmouth Bass Fishing" and that to me was quite an honor and nice tribute to a quality member of our organization. I know some people came just to hear him speak. I took two pages full of notes and if you have not had the pleasure of hearing Jonn speak, not only is he entertaining but he provides real information on how to be successful smallie fishing. A lot of people asked questions and he had great answers and quite the line of people wanting to purchase swim jigs from him afterwards. I recently bought a bunch from him and he dropped them off to me tonight. Great baits made by a guy who knows what he is doing and what works. He also puts some real craftsmanship into these and has custom colors you can request from him. It is evident what he wants the quality of his products to be. My son even talked me in to buying a couple dozen MORE he liked them so much. Imagine a 10 year old telling Jonn Graham what he wants in a swim jig and Jonn saying "I'll make them for you it will be fun!" I have no idea if they catch fish, but I am going to find out once the flood waters receed. But knowing Jonn, and from what I've heard from everyone else they sure do otherwise he wouldn't either be using them or making them!! Anyway, for those of you that have never heard him speak, if you get a chance... do it. Well worth your time. Then ring him up and buy some of his swim jigs. The quality is way better than what you'll find in the store.

Jim, You are now officially the "Terrell Owens" of smallie fishing! Catch a fish, pull a pen out of your vest, sign it and send it on its way. It's quite apparent that you need an endorsement deal with sharpie!

Gary, You know what... I generally concur with you about the way kids are raised these day but I shared this story with my ten year old this morning and asked him what his opinion was, and even he said it was lame and that it showed no respect for the person they did it to! So, I guess it is not the way ALL kids are raised but certainly the way SOME kids are raised as evidenced by what happened here. Your point is well taken, however. I just wanted to point out that even some kids find no humor in what these two knuckleheads did! Disheartening to say the least!

I was reading Jude's article in the last issue of the newsletter about new members on the train yesterday afternoon on the way home from work. Being a new member, I was scratching my head after reading the first half and had I stopped there, I probably would have been extremely agitated.... but thankfully I did not because after reading the entire thing, the point he was trying to make is REALLY valid. More members is really not a bad thing for ISA because it means you are surrounded with like minded folks who have an interest in seeing the same things happen (conservation, ethics, education, catch and release etc). The truth of the matter is, it would be worse if you came around the corner and there was someone standing in a spot you wanted to fish, and they are not a member who subscribes to the same ethical catch and release principles that we do, and have a bucket full or smallies they are taking out of the river! And in an area that has more than 8 million people in it, one is probably more likely to run into someone like that, then an ISA member. New members also enlarge our organization to the point where we have serious clout! Legislators may not listen to an organization that only has 20 members, but 500 or more sounds much more impressive and may help us get their attention on important issues. So, it seems to me like we should continue going in the direction we are and move forward in a positive direction vs. looking backwards at where we've been. Nicely done!

Norm, In the words of a philosopher type I once heard speak, "eventually those type of people will have their dogma run over by their karma!" You may not know where or when, but that always seems to hold true. People who do mean things to others usually get theirs in the end and there is absolutely no doubt, that was a mean spirited thing to do. I appreciate the fact that you made the effort!

Same thing... takes FOREVER to load and keeps kicking me off... I just thought it was a subtle clue that no one around here loved me anymore! I can take a hint!

Not that I would ever have duct tape on me but when we lived in the Pacific NW, they had an article once in the Sunday paper about all the things one could use duct tape for and more than one fisherman wrote in praising its use for one fishing application or another. One person used it to patch a hole in their drift boat after banging into something substantial on the river and another person used it for medical purposes after they injured their hand while out fishing. While I understand that duct tape has all types of applications, the earlier question still remains... who carries duct tape on them?

Mike, As a relatively new member myself, I can tell you that one of the great advantages to a group like this one is the incredible networking. I spent about a half an hour on the phone last night with one member getting the 411 on everything from reels to line choices to baits and then 3 hours this morning with someone in person getting dialed in on technique, water to fish near my house, lures to work with and the names of other people who can hook me up with a few other fishing related activities. That, in itself, is worth WAY MORE than the membership fee to me... it's really priceless! I also met several people at the Bronzeback Blowout who extended invitations to fish with them. The opportunity to get out on the water with people who know what they're doing and who are willing to show other people some of the subtle tricks of the trade, is again priceless. But like anything else, I think you get out of something what you put into it, at least that is what my parents used to tell me when I was younger and that seems to hold true here as well. I am getting more involved in the organization, the fund raising and the conservation efforts and the satisfaction that goes along with making a contribution is often unknowingly rewarded in spades. Hope that helps you...

I have been reading this thread with interest... while many of you do not know me, I am a member and have been in the investigations and Criminal Justice business for the past 23 years since graduating from college. I deal with bad guys/gals on a daily basis and am going to take this conversation in a slightly different direction. When ISA members witness acts which involve poaching... I think it is imperative that everyone think of their personal safety first. While going up and speaking to someone directly may provide an educational benefit, the flip side is that it does not and someone ends up being killed. Before anyone thinks that's not realistic, how many time have you heard about bad things that have happened when one driver got out of their car to have a "conversation" with someone about their driving habits, or lack thereof? A bunch, and the road rage analogy to this is not really that different. You don't know who you're approaching, you don't know anything about them, you do not know what their circumstances are and you definitely do not know if they are armed or not. I am a big proponent of observe and report. Get as many details as you can and let people who get paid to do this, do their job. They may not get the person at that exact moment but when detailed information gets entered into case databases they have a way of turning into larger investigations which pay off in the long run with criminal convictions. As they used to say at the end of roll call on Hill Street Blues, "Let's be Careful Out There!" We have to be smart about this and pick our spots. Conversation which ends in physcial confrontation will definitely ruin a perfectly good fishing trip! Dan

Don, I am one of the relatively new members you referenced and have been trying to find some time to get more actively involved. I am going to attend and bring my son Quinn, who I took to the Blowout with me. Great opportunity to meet new people and any opportunity to eat and go to a tackle store is a good one, especially Strictly Fishing! Dan

Pat, There is an entire article in the August/September issue of In Fisherman on this topic titled "State of the Sinker." You are correct, it lists jurisdictions with bans and in the U,S,. it says "no use of lead sinkers in 13 national wildlife refuges and Yellowstone National Park. In the article they have pictures of three products, Gremlin Green - Steel Split Shot Sinkers, Steel 2000 - Bullet Weights, and Thunder Bullets - Brass Weights. So, there are definitely products out there.

I forgot to answer the entire question. I have Berkley Fireline in Flame Green on my reels. Dan

Coming from the Pacific NW where we did a ton of steelhead fishing, the high vis lines were all the rage because when you are fishing rivers in a drift boat it is often very difficult to see clear line in fast moving, or dirty river water. And if you couldn't see your line, you were likely to miss bites that you observe, especially when bobber and jig, or bobber and bait fishing the rivers. That said, I haven't tried it for smallies but the premise is basically the same. If the fish aren't line shy, it will probably work and since I am one with vision issues like alot of other people (we all get older sooner or later...) I am likely to break it out here as well. I was just contemplating that this afternoon. Tight lines, Dan