Mike Clifford

Come hungry- I'll be bringing doughnuts and coffee for everyone to partake in before we get started.

Just when you think your urban fishing spots could be cleaner.....

Ohhhh man. I can't wait to see it! That reminds me, I've got to do some repair work on a couple of my rodent cranks before the weekend.

Beautiful Smallie Steve! Way to go. Kind of puts to rest any doubts I may have had, as in that conversation we had at the State Fair with Marc? LOL!

Those frogs look very interesting. I love the minnow pattern as well. Any chance you could mimic a baby rodent in some fashion? I know for a fact Smallies eat them. = )

Very interesting discussion. ....and here I've only fished downstream when drifting hamburger on a treble hook for bulldog catfish on the Kankakee. Which is not an easy task, BTW.

That will be plenty Rich. Thanks.

Good question Mark. I used to launch my boat there just about every Sunday for a few years, then came to realize it became a free launch when the state bought it. Haven't been there in a few years, and everything was boarded up at the time. There was a big push by the state to purchase land in that area, and they even approached a club I belong to that is right on the river- we turned them down. These days, I'm not sure the state has any funds to actually make any purchases in that tract, or do anything with it if they did. Would love to know the status on the properties they have acquired to date.

I am going to make sure I deplete just about my entire stash of signs- so yes, we will be doing postings on this day, along with light trash pick-up.

Please chime in if you have received it AND read it. I have to say- they just keep getting better with every issue! My hat's off to Scott and Jim for working so tremendously hard to make this happen every other month. Beautiful work. Sometimes we take it for granted when it just arrives in our mailboxes, but it should also serve as a reminder that we are very lucky to have such a strong commitment and volunteer effort being put into this. THANKS!

From the IDNR Website- There was a near-miss in July below the Wilmington Dam as well! WEEKLY ACTIVITY REPORT July 19, 2006 A CPO responded to a report that a person was drowning at Wilmington Dam on Saturday. A 15 year old male had entered the boil area of the dam after repeated warnings from his parents to stay away and became caught in the current. His father attempted to rescue him and also became caught in the boil. After rotating within the current for 30 seconds or so, the father was able to escape the current. The son was caught in the current for a few more seconds and was able to be rescued by onlookers. The CPO arrived just as the boy had been rescued. The boy was completely wrapped up in fishing line and was not even able to attempt to swim during the time he was caught in the boil. The CPO cut the fishing line away and assisted emergency staff in transporting him to the ambulance. Both individuals are fine. Wilmington dam is not owned by the IDNR, but rather, the City of Wilmington. As such, Wilmington Police handled all reporting duties and media inquiries. The Wilmington Dam is prominently posted in English and Spanish restricting people from wading or swimming.

Yorkville is on there, Tim- under the Fox River heading. Very interesting to see the Wilmington Mill Race dam on the list! It used to be a concrete wall, and according to local lore it was dynamited some years back, for reasons best left to one's imagination. That thing serves no purpose whatsoever and is as dangerous as any dam can get. It's nothing but chunks of concrete that were blown out of the wall, with loosened chunks and trapped debris flying out of the thing willy-nilly. I have spent many a night perched atop that wall, and had some remarkable smallmouth experiences there- but it needs to be cleaned up once and for all. The Momence dam is only on one half of the river, but the wash looks deadly as well. Wilmington Mill Race (Broken Dam): Momence:

Here is an article that discusses the acrylic model more extensively. The Illinois Paddling Council deserves much of the credit for coming up with the idea: ARTICLE HERE I took some video of the Dam Simulator, but these guys do a much better job- http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6846124409391034920

Yes indeed! Just like the real thing when out on the river. Hey- at least they were NATIVE plants. = )

Once again I'd like to thank Marc Miller and the office of Lt. Governor Pat Quinn for inviting the ISA to participate in the Illinois State Fair activities. Our Kids Casting clinic was a big draw as always, as there was little down-time for Steve Jordan and myself throughout the day. Each child left us with a smile and a goodie-bag, and hopefully a better understanding of how to cast a fishing rod. There were actually quite a few that had never done it before, so perhaps we may have succeeded in "hooking a kid on fishing for life".

Yet another example of why they are good for nobody. The Wilmington Dam in particular serves no purpose whatsoever. Rather than spending all that money on the Danger signs, they should have just installed the fence like they discussed- making it a crime punishable by a $1,000 fine for trespassing. Rip out the dam, or fence it off....but if you are going to do that, there better be some way for rescuers to reach the canoeists and boaters that tend to get sucked over it as well.

Try HERE ...and I just noticed they come in RED. That site has the best prices on them that I've been able to find.

Interesting topic- now you have me searching, Tim.

Clear Creek Streamside Hip Pack $15.95 -Was $50.00 - Save 68% Item #70059 # Closeouts. The Clear Creek hip pack can help you get organized for fishing. Inside divided compartment secures with a hook-and-loop closure foldover flap. Outer mesh and organizer pockets # Fold-out fleece fly patch for easy access # Handy neoprene bottle pouch # Pack converts with strap for over the shoulder wear # Size:6-½x10x2-½" # Weight:1 lb. 4 oz. # Fabric:Nylon # Closeouts. China. http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/4305,70...e-Hip-Pack.html

Looks very cool. So, you send off an email for a Blowout prize yet? = ) You could stand in the river and model it for a magazine ad Jim. (On second thought- maybe not) Does it measure like micro-units? Say, from my front door to the mailbox? Can't remember the last time I waded. But hey, I did just get a new mountain bike! LOL

Yeah, I do listen to Flyfish Radio when I think of it, and also run a feed from it on my Outdoor Bloggers Network. Here is a great resource for podcasts as well- http://www.podcast.net/

I will have signs with me. Will grab some hardware as well.

Steve Jordan and myself will be assisting the office of the Lt. Governor Pat Quinn once again this year on Saturday, August 19th at the Illinois State Fair. We will be conducting our very special ISA Kids Casting clinic and helping with the booth. If you happen to be at the Fair on this day, be sure to stop by and say hello!

Our traditional Kankakee River clean-up (which involves a couple hours of picking up trash, preceded and followed by Smallmouth Fishing) is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 2. We'll be meeting at the concession building in the State Park at 8 a.m., and disperse in groups from there. What I'd like to know is how many that are reading this can make it a point to attend. Chime in here, send a Private Message or Email me at isaconservation@comcast.net I'd prefer to see a response in this post so we can discuss specifics, but whatever works for you is fine. Thanks!