SKollmann

YOU'RE THE MAN, MIKE . . . WITH YOUR GUIDANCE, I WAS ABLE TO REVISE THE VIEW FROM OUTLINE MODE TO STANDARD MODE. THANKS . . . MOST APPRECIATIVE!!!

Sounds like I missed a real eventful outing, Jude. When it comes to running fast water on a river, I prefer paddlin' white water Class 2-3 in my canoe without fishing gear. Glad to here you made it out unscathed. When the river settles down, let me know . . . will bring my canoe out for a private outing.

Thanks, Guys . . . I suspect the change in view was at my end. Will need to consult with my son who's a Systems Engineer when he return from Japan in a couple weeks. Until then . . . I can live with it. Appreciate your input.

Mr. Rego (aka Don) . . . Paul responded to my initial request, but have not received a reply from you regarding the latest look. Comments please. Thanks

Thanks, Paul . . . would appreciate!

Jude . . . since the water is high and the 3K outing is scheduled for the following day, I would favor postponing the Kish outing a couple weeks.

Don . . . all of a sudden, I've begun seeing responses to initial posts listed by name instead of the full response. Did I inadvertantly strike an incorrect key or is this the new approach being implemented by ISA?

When updating my personal 2009 calendar to record outings scheduled by several fishing and canoeing organizations that I belong to, I noted that on August 15th, there are two key ISA outings scheduled . . . the Kankakee River and the Apple River. Any chance one of these outings could be rescheduled for another weekends to allow interested fishermen, including but not limited to me, to attend both events?

Hey, Guys . . . I've got a dozen or so crawlers, so will bring along. Happy to share . . . you need only ask (and show your ISA membership card, of course).

Thanks for the offer, Brandon . . . have decided to drive in order to give myself flexibility in departure time. Steve

Anyone else attending from the northern suburbs? Interested in carpooling to minimize parking issues? I'm in Northbrook.

Not familiar with Lake Michigan shores. Please be more specific about location . . . or provide map points. Thanks. Disregard, John . . . I just google mapped "Northerly Island" and located the site. See you next Saturday at 9:00 am. Looking forward to the outing. Any suggestions for artificial lures that are good for Lake Michigan smallies? Have never fished for them along Lake Michigan shores.

Sounds and appears this proved to be an outstanding event as expected. Sorry I had to miss it. Regretfully, my elderly Mother fell which precluded me from attending. I do recall from prior years' events that copies of the fly patterns being demonstrated and tied were available for distribution. Since I was unable to attend, would appreciate receiving a set of the patterns that were tied. Thank you.

Regretfully, my elderly Mother fell which will preclude me from attending tomorrow's event. I do recall from prior years' events that copies of the fly patterns being demonstrated and tied were available for distribution. Since I will be unable to attend, would appreciate an attendee forwarding me a set of the patterns being tied. Thank you.

As a fisherman of all persuasions, including fly fishing . . . I do not consider myself OLD as I approach 65 this Fall. In fact, I just landed a position with the U.S. Department of Commerce at my YOUNG age. I and others of my advanced age are considered SEASONED . . like a fine wine! PS. If you still consider me OLD, Tim . . . let's play a set or two of singles tennis. Just in fun, of course!

Hey, Ron . . . you came thru! Count me in . . . trust we'll catch more in June than you and I did at The Glen in March.

Fred . . . I have a 17' Wenonah Spirt II kevlar tandem canoe that my wife and I use for paddling with Prairie State Canoeists (PSC) and that I and any fishing companion use when float fishing on rivers and lakes. Only weighs 45 lbs. which facilitates put-ins, take-outs, and portaging. When float fishing, I add sponses to create good stability, a trolling motor on a side motor mount, and portable fish locator to complete my fishing unit. Have been quite satisfied with its performance and adaptability. Suggest you request a copy of Wenonah's annual Buyer's Guide which walks prospective buyers through the many features and decisions to be made before making a purchase. Their website address is www.wenonah.com. If you and your wife would like to "test drive" my canoe, just let me know . . . we could launch it quite easily in the Skokie Lagoon. You two might also enjoy paddling with my bent shaft carbon filament paddles, each of which only weigh 8 ounces.

Where might this beautiful scene be, Don . . . looks like an excellent paddlin' venue.

A fishing buddy (another ISA member) and I are planning on attending the ISA event tomorrow night, but in advance thereof, would like to fish some local waters tomorrow afternoon. Thinking about 3K River or Powerton Lake. Any suggestions for closer locales?

It was undoubtedly one of my best days at catching smallies, Mike . . . other than up in Canada during a mayfly hatch last year when four of us caught 16 smallmouth in two hours with an average length of 20". Looking forward to joining you once again at the April 3K River outing . . . a day after I tote my canoe to the Kish to paddle with Jude. Will indeed be bringing along my red/white spinnerbaits . . . will be happy to lend you one this year . . . I just hate to see grown men cry!

Right on the mark, Scott and Dan! I'm also a fan of seams in the water after reading a lot about them in various sources. Then several years ago, I applied the knowledge I had absorbed while attending an April ISA outing at the 3K State Park. River was extremely high with a powerful current, so wading was out. We shore fished while standing in muck with our waders. Saw a classic seam in the water about 10 yards away, so I cast a brand new BPS red/white spinnerbait past the seam on my first cast of the year. Just as the lure crossed the seam on the retrieve . . . Bam! A 17' smallie took it. Quick picture and then released her, of course! This was followed by a 15" and 12" smallie within the next half hour with the same lure crossing the same seam. Mike Cliffford was beside himself as I was pulling them in! This experience was drilled in even further after I won the silent auction at a Bronzeback Blowout event several years ago and accompanied Bob Long, Jr. for a "fishing class" on the Fox River. He's a "Master" at fishing the seams, evidenced by the number of smallmouth we caught that day. I'm sure we'll hear more about this when he speaks to our ISA group next Saturday at Bass Pro Shops in Bolingbrook. Pleased to report that I won this year's outing with Bob again, only this year the focus will be on fly fishing for smallies on either the Fox or DuPage.

Thanks for the reminder, Nick . . . just cleared out 75% of my inbox messages.

Wow, Nick . . . now that's an offer any ISA member with a right mind would not refuse! Most appreciative! Appears you live in Skokie, and I live not far away in Northbrook. In return for your kind offer, I like to reciprocate and offer to have you join me on a fishing expedition in my 17' canoe, complete with sponses for added stability and a trolling motor. How about the Skokie Lagoon sometime this Spring?!? Will be sending you a PM over the weekend in hopes we can connect shortly. Stay tuned . . . and thanks again, Nick!!!

Excellent idea, Cory . . . in fact, for one who aims to be an informed consumer before making large purchases, your idea hits the mark. Thanks for you input . . . and thanks to others who took the time to respond to my inquiry. Can't vouch for tying with you soon tho (darn it!) . . . too much tennis. Then again . . . can't get enough physical exercise at my age. Steve

Earlier this year, I polled ISA members about fly tying vices. Now it's time to make my final decision! Most ISA fly tyers have endorsed Renzetti. Follow up question . . . Renzetti has several models, including the Traveler 2200 Series as well as Presentation Series Cam 2000, 3000, and 4000. Would appreciate clarification from you Renzetti owners re. the models you own and are using.