Mike Clifford

Thanks for your tremendous dedication to this project over these many years, Craig.

All good choices. Went to the fundraiser banquets and think tank meetings as an ISA representative. Our group is well respected among our peers.

Thanks for all the kind words. I worked really hard to make certain that the ISA conservation agenda was conducted with a great deal of professionalism and dignity at all times. My hope is that the next person to take the reigns will use the same consideration going forward.

One of the hardest decisions in my life occurred this week, as I've decided to step down from a leadership position within the ISA. Actually, from all non-profit sectors in my life. Serving as your "Conservation Director" and being an officer in the club has allowed me to see the true passion that our members have for fishing and conservation. The memories we created together over the years will remain with me for the rest of my life. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you all!!!

Oh, right. The whole "sun blowing up" thing. Gotcha.

Now THAT is a comprehensive explanation. Hopefully, the reversal doesn't last long.

His point about needing to get permits for every drop of water was disputed by the EPA lady. Whether what she said actually applies in the wording? No idea.

Great explanation from both sides. The contractor has a good idea with the mapping.

So.....you haven't read the chapter. It's rather "revealing". That's alright. Going to happen whether you know about it or not. Lol.

I already stated that the interpretation of what is a wetland or navigable stream was vague and open to whatever the feds decide is in their best interests, not the interests of the American people. "It's all about clean drinking water". No.....there's much more to it they aren't telling you. While I was not a fan of Obama on just about anything he did economically or socially for 8 years as President, this was a step in the right direction for our rivers and streams. Our new President will screw it up and send us back to the way it was when SCOTUS took away federal protections of wetlands. The states don't have the means to manage regulations like this anyway. At the end of the day, I don't trust the feds to get anything right even with the resources to make it happen. Another President will come along and put protections back in place......yawn. Read the last chapters of the Bible. None of us are getting out of here alive in the end. Neither is planet earth.

So true.....but there just might be a refuge in our lifetime.I mean a significant one. It can happen against all odds...

Ron- let's not forget that minor issue of the steam shovels dredging the entire stretch in Indiana as THE major contributor of sand delivery over the state line since around 1910. The Yellow and Iroquois basins have added to the mix substantially.....but ask anybody involved in the restoration process and they will tell you that restoring the meanders that were eliminated is the only true hope the Kankakee River will ever see. No amount of agricultural "best practices" is going to save this river.

Trump's revisions are absurd, but the Obama rule was ridiculous as well. I'd like to see a more common sense approach to intermittent streams and the like, but Big Ag is a powerful machine. To answer your question, Mark....the "ISA leadership" doesn't take an official stand on national issues, as it isn't our position to affect national policy. Trying to affect positive change on a local level is difficult enough, given our very limited resources.

Awesome!!!!

I only stated that it's a really irresponsible thing to stock them in the creek. Nobody said they were going to make any demands of anybody to stop them from doing it.

You almost sound as if you support the stockings, Norm. Do the rest of the math. It's an invasive species. The time of year is irrelevant. Studies show clearly that whenever trout are introduced into a smallmouth stream, they compete for the same foodstuffs that smallies do, regardless if they were raised in a farm pond, hatchery.....whatever. Look it up. If the trade-off is getting kids fishing, then Bird Park Quarry has them too.

Thanks, Scott. Several years ago we stayed at a cottage in Michigan on Wolf Lake the week before bass season opened, and I took it to mean we couldn't fish for bass. We had a great time with humongous bluegills regardless.

That makes sense. The fact remains though that the IDNR encourages people to stomp all over the beds and fish for anything that swims by adding the trout to the creek. An invasive species. Brilliant. There is no logical explanation as to why this continues to take place every Spring.

I wasn't able to determine how many states have a season for black bass from a Google search. Anybody?? It does seem like a logical approach. Not sure how it is enforced. Consider that people are casting flies in a creek where trout are introduced,the IDNR supports the stockings and this same creek is used by spawning smallmouth. A topic I've ranted about in the past as being maybe the most irresponsible fisheries management debacle in this entire state. They can't know for certain what species an angler is targeting.

Here's a wrap-up. https://youtu.be/-4xIKlinU3c

For 11 years, your tireless efforts in the casting field at "Sgt. Tommy's Kids" Fishing Day never cease to amaze me. To say "Thank You" doesn't begin to explain the thanks we all get from the smiles on the faces of all the kids.

8 a.m. Thanks!!

We can also use some help on the lake helping the kids to fish. With 350 registered, we're a little light on volunteers all-around. Come on, gang. This is fun!!!! Let me know if you can do this, guys and gals.

Thanks, Craig. Will do!!

I'll bring extra rods to cycle through. Please let me know if you have the rest. Thanks.