Gregg S

Did anyone read my article on kayak fishing in the current issue of the Bronzeback Bulletin? I love my Native Ultimate. Love it alot more since bolting the seat across the gunwales. The higher seat in a canoe is a distinct advantage in my opinion. Maybe I'll write an article about how I managed to put the seat at gunwale height. Any interest? I would never buy a sit in kayak to fish out of again. Too low, too little leg and "stuff" room for my taste. Canoes CAN be significantly lighter than typical plastic kayak, too. Gregg

Would someone who attended Shabbona on Saturday post something about it? I chose to go crappie fishing instead because it was so nice. Did well. Yum. Poor Shabbona, usually a blizzard for their event. This year it was one of the nicest fall days of the year. I wonder how attendance was effected. Gregg

Freebies motivate- BLUE BONANZA SUNFISH SURPRISE Gregg

I'm in. Gregg

Steve, Your in box is full. Delete some messages. Gregg

I find this interesting. In Slyvania they do not allow the biodegradables (if that means Gulp and similar products) because they are viewed as an unfair advantage and/or more likely to be swallowed resulting in gut hooking. So, for the conservation minded, which way is it? Gregg

Tim, We went ATT triple play; TV, internet, and phone. Saved about $60 a month. So far, so good, about 6 weeks. The ATT internet is faster, has had less downtime, the Direct TV is at least the equal of cable if not better, and the DVR is thrown in at that price-didn't have one before. For big events (like the Masters golf tournament) direct TV has 5 channels of coverage at no additonal cost.

new e-mail address for me is: gstockey@att.net I'm comcast free! Gregg

Jude, Is Potawattami Preserve in Winnebago county or DeKalb? We have a relationship with that county that goes back to the original logjam project. We were given a key to the gate before it was open to the public. Must be DeKalb or the guy you talked to would have known about that previous relationship. Gregg

Mike Jackson's column in today's Daily Herald commends the selfless efforts of Illinois Smallmouth Alliance and Illinois Muskie Alliance. Gregg

I'm in. PM sent to John. Gregg

I went to Canoecopia Sunday and entered some info and thoughts about the new boats in the blog on my website today. Please check it out and share your impressions. webs.com/greggstockey Some interesting developments for sure. Gregg

There was a time when I was a serious student of photography. I was in attendance for some very technical discussions of light, camera settings, etc. The most successful nature photographer to participate was asked his secret. He answered "F8 and be there." He was saying if you want to take good pictures, take pictures whenever the opportunity arrives. What is the fishing equivalent of F8 and be there? Maybe, "You can't catch fish while watching TV." or "The fish are never biting in your office." Whatever the fishing equivalent of "F8 and be there" is is my best fishing advice. "If you want to catch more fish, go fishing more often." Gregg

Hodgman, and others I presume, make porous neoprene wading socks. The neoprene provides warmth without the concerns that have been mentioned about seal skinz type waterprooof neoprene. I primarily wear mine for kayaking because I step in the water getting in and out-like you're supposed to. Gregg

Maybe one or two more. I have a couple that won't upload for some reason. Here is the prez at Blowout, and Tim Negronida working the Deerfield Show Gregg

Attached are a few Blowout pics. Hey officers, how much did we raise? Gregg

I started this thread months ago to sell a set of j-cradles. They are still for sale, $60. Anybody who bought or is buying a kayak for this season can save more than 50% over what you would pay new. They work for sit-in or sit-ons except for Native Ultimate (because of the pontoon feature). Gregg

I'll work sunday am at Deerfield if needed. Gregg

Jason, I have been looking for an answer to your question "what boat?" for years. Truth is, there is no one boat that is best for every use. If your primary use is to fish the Dupage, I would look at sit-on-top kayaks. To me, traditional kayak feels a little claustrophobic and lack room to spread fishing gear around. There is something to be said for a tandem. You can meet a friend at the river to do car shuttle-and there is someone with you to take the picture! Canoes are a better choice if you are going to portage it from lake-to lake. Gregg

The Rosemont show shrunk again this year. There were almost as many guys selling SHAMWOW! as there was fishing gear. None of the major manufacturers are there letting you try rods or reels and offering incentives to buy at the show. But Bobber Ann was there, so not all bad. Gregg

Great looking flys Jonn. I love the look of the Clouser mad tom. Gregg

split shot on the hook shank probably a good idea, but I have had success with it on line too. Gregg

I grew up fishing flys on spinning gear using clear plastic bubble 3 to 5 ft up the line for weight. It worked great. I still use it and it works in lakes for panfish and bass. Since joining the ISA I have tried it in current. The bubble and the fly tend to move at different rates creating problems with slack line or not knowing where your fly is. I believe this is why Jonn Graham recommends wighted floats for the FNF technique; to try to equalize the rate of movement between the float and the bait. I have also pinched a little split shot above a fly and casted it with spinning gear. For river fishing, this works better than the bubble, but it procludes dry fly fishing, which is half the fun of the bubble & fly technique. Gregg

On my lure collector's message board, joesoldlures.com, there is this story and picture today. Blind man catches 9 lb smallie in Michigan, fishing off a dock at night, with a black jitterbug for bait. http://www.joesoldlures.com/wwwboard/messages/291180.html Gregg

I believe the state park closings were overturned by Emil Jones and the Senate yesterday. There is an article about it in the Daily Herald this morning.