Mike Clifford

Oh yeah- those bird lures are pretty cool to look at, and they were originally marketed as "collectors items", not lures.

I did have a partnership for a time with the producer of those and they didn't sell at all, for whatever reason.

I even packaged them up with the guy's crankbaits and ran specials- the birds just didn't sell.

It's really nothing more than a matter of people seeing a certain lure hanging from fish in photos time and time again to get them interested.

How many times do you hear of Case hellgrammites catching fish like they are the best thing since sliced bread?

You don't.

That worked for one or two seasons because everyone was hot for them.

The photos on the internet stopped coming, and people fell back on their go-to lures that have always worked for them.

Let me see- I know I still have marketing photos of the bird lures.........

Yep:

The crankbaits aren't too shabby either- BUT, they aren't Rapala:

A bigger picture of just one of many species of Birds offered:

Baltimore Oriole

The manufacturer:

http://www.thornwoodlures.com/

Eric wrote:

Regarding color, I think a lot of it has to do with personal preference and confidence. Same thing with lure selection. I find that if you limit your choices and take the time to really learn how to fish a lure, pretty soon color doesn't matter as much. Also, regarding lures, we all become "experts" in our own right on certain lures and fishing styles.

You make a great point.

It so happens the Rodent also comes in white (Albino), so now I have 2 choices of lures to throw.

Here is a favorite 18" though- caught on the Rodent:

I know- this thread is reserved for the 20" Club.

Here is the 19.75" anyway.......

(attached)

How are you guys measuring fish to the 1/4"?

Well, my biggest at 19.75" was witnessed by 2 other anglers that just HAD to know if it was a full 20!

One of my buddies took the photo after checking the length.

What can I say- some guys just need to get that fish before any of their closest friends do, and want proof....HAHA

I love the coloring on that fish Don.

Do you by chance have a picture of the Yum Crawdad rigged up?

My personal best is still 19 3/4, but I'm working on it.

What gave me the idea to post this is the fact that I became just a little bored with catching 10" smallies, no matter the numbers- and felt like making it my mission to get that 20 out of the way.

Lately, I've been throwing a 7" topwater version of the Bettencourt Baits Rodent (it's ridiculously freakin huge!), the Rodent crankbait, and the biggest plastics I can get my hands on.

Of course, many will say that Spring is the best time to get them, but I've had equally as good success with large bass in summer months....and my Spring consisted of moving my residence, so it isn't like I have much choice this year..LOL

It seems that in our specific area, a 20" Smallie is pretty much the bar at which most strive for, with fewer actually getting there than one might imagine.

Seeing as how the ISA is a club consisting of some very hard-core anglers, you know there are those among us fishing hard on any given day.

I'm going to "pin" this thread for those that have caught or will catch this magnificent fish at 20" or above.

Those that have photos already are encouraged to post them in this thread with the lure used, and the time of year it was caught.

As for the "where"- I'd rather keep them guessing, and if somebody really needs to know, that's what the PM feature is for.

There are giant Smallies in any system that has bass as one of it's species.

This thread is intended to discuss HOW they can be caught- not where, and the reader can use that knowledge on their own home waters.

So let's have those photos!

Something to keep in mind is that each individual river will likely have a different forage base.

What is the predominant species (family?) of crayfish for one place is not the case in another stream- even when they are connected, for example.

I sometimes venture up into the Des Plaines from the Kankakee and change tactics altogether. Same for the IL river, which is connected to both of these as well.

Just a thought.

I've got a library of books next to me detailing the forage bases for all of our local streams if you'd like to know the differences- just say the word. = )

That is really something.

What did it fall for?

I'd just like to say that "doing the right thing" in this instance is doing the "legal" thing, as smallies must be released during the spring closed season.

I'm hoping the signs in that region are what made the difference in this case.

The ISA put MUCH effort and expense into them.

Indeed Marc. That one got by me in the article.

It doesn't diminish all the work you do, regardless.

I do know the ISA has a history of participation in this program, and hope that continues to be the case.

Here ya go, gang:

www.CleanWater.il.gov

This may not be smallie related, but it teaches quite few good lessons in environmental stewardship.

Take a load off, slow down for 10 minutes or so and watch this through.

The scenery is breathtaking, and the message a good one.

#6 on this page- "Rising From the Shadows"

http://www.podcast.net/show/51737

Or the direct link to the video:

http://opi.mt.gov/Streamer/FWP/PodCasts/CutThroat_iPod.m4v

Wow- I close on a house Friday morning and instantly add 25 miles to my daily commute (55 miles each way to/from work soon).

BUT- I'll be 5 minutes from the Kankakee River.

Priorities, ya know?

Actually, this is with the intention that I'll be changing careers soon and working from my home (fingers crossed).

This comes from a Bob Maciulis column in the paper:

....Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn, as chairman of the Illinois River Coordinating Council, presented a $10,000 grant to the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center to continue the growth of the RiverWatch program in Illinois.

 

Quinn's environmental advisor, Marc Miller, was formerly head of the Prairie Rivers Network, a Champaign-based umbrella organization concerned with the health of Illinois rivers.

 

"The RiverWatch program utilizes citizen volunteers who observe Illinois waterways and collect samples from rivers and streams," Miller explained.

Click HERE to read more...

It isn't smallmouth related, but it does serve to educate as to the importance of habitat preservation and maintaining a sustainable environment.

A video presentation of Tim Gallagher very similar to the one I saw at last years Prairie Rivers dinner follows.

Video footage (at 1/2 speed and 4x magnification) of an ivory-billed woodpecker taken by M. David Luneau Jr. in the Cache River National Wildlife Refuge, Arkansas, on 25 April 2004, as the bird fled from his approaching canoe.

The footage:

View

The Tim Gallagher Presentation

View Presentation

There is much debate as to whether this bird was mistaken for a Pileated Woodpecker, which is very similar.

Any thoughts after seeing the 2 videos?

A friend of mine goes along on the shocking boat most times for that river, and the last I heard was that the Smallie stocking project was a near total disaster. They shocked up a total of one smallmouth on a particular trip a couple years ago.

I've been told that they simply aren't spawning much at all.

Things may have changed in the last couple years, but it never hurts to try regardless.

That name doesn't ring a bell, but I'll definately look further.

Thanks Chris.

I was unable to attend. Anything interesting to share from the meeting?

Chris

Well, it was refreshing to see so many divergent groups able to put aside differences in philosophy and get together in one room for a common goal- making the Kankakee River more sustainable.

Basically, there were tables set up with each group presenting their latest agendas with brochures, posters and photos. I talked at length with quite a few people, and look forward to working more with them.

The Openlands group has an especially attractive program on one of the feeders to the Kankakee in Trim Creek. There was a nice spread of finger food as well as some hot meatballs and other stuff.

Was able to talk with one gentleman that does quite a bit of streambank restoration and native plantings, and plan to look more thoroughly into the catalogue I received from him.

It was neat to run into people that I had only heard about through mutual friends in conservation, so we were able to share some stories in that regard.

Of course everyone that I spoke with was well aware of the ISA and what we are about, and many said they appreciate our dedication to the resource.

As I don't care to use a baitcaster unless I'm in a boat under tournament conditions (which is very rare anymore), I've adapted my pitching method to spinning gear pretty well. Rather than get too technical with it, I simply experimented with whatever felt natural.

It takes a soft trigger finger, that's for sure- but it can be done.

Heck, there are pros that still prefer spinning gear over casting, as surprising as it sounds- and they do quite well.

I've made it a point to attend this meeting.

Any others care to help me represent the ISA's interests in this watershed?

WHAT: Open House Forum

 

WHEN: 5-9 p.m. Thursday

 

WHERE: Quality Inn and Suites, 800 N. Kinzie Ave. Bradley.

 

WHY: Learn what is being done to preserve the Kankakee watershed

 

Meeting focuses on area's 'greatest asset'

 

By Bill Byrns

 

bbyrns@daily-journal.com

815-468-7349

 

How do you protect a river?

 

The question seems simple. The answer is complex.

 

"Everyone says that the Kankakee River is our greatest asset," said Kankakee County planner Mike Van Mill.

 

"I agree, but exactly what does that mean? We have never defined what kind of asset it is and what it can be in the future."

 

The river, Van Mill said, means different things to different people: For fishermen and boaters, it's recreational; nature lovers delight in its ecological diversity; farmers view the network of ditches and tributary streams as vital to their crops; and developers see untapped potential for growth.

 

Even the crusade to curb sediment and sand build-up in the waterway has no simple solution. How and where do you stop it? What do you do with it? What are the repercussions?

 

Finding at least some of those answers has mobilized a number of local, state and federal agencies. Each is working on its part of the river puzzle.

 

On Thursday those agencies will be in Bradley from 5-9 p.m. to discuss those questions one-on-one with the public during an open house at the Quality Inn & Suites.

 

The event, hosted by the Kankakee River Basin Commission of Illinois, will offer a smorgasbord of information without forcing visitors to sit through a formal presentation.

 

"People can come and see everyone who is involved in protecting the watershed and go to the areas they want to learn more about," said J. R. Black, chairman of the basin commission.

 

Van Mill agrees, saying, "There's no pressure. It will be a very informal open house. You can come for five minutes or stay for four hours."

 

"Those who have questions, whatever they may be, will find the people with the answers there," Black said.

 

Agencies will include the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Natural Resources Conservation Services; the Illinois departments of Agriculture, Natural Resources and the Environmental Protection Agency; the Kankakee County Planning Department; the Kankakee Soil and Water Conservation District; Farm Bureau; the Kankakee River Conservancy District; Northern Illinois Anglers' Association; and the Kankakee River Basin Commission of Indiana.

 

"I think this will be a fantastic time to network with agencies," Van Mill said.

 

"There's a lot going on all across the watershed," Van Mill added, noting efforts in Will and Kankakee counties to preserve the Thorn Creek tributaries and even Kankakee County's new stormwater management plans.

 

"We are pushing to get municipalities here from Grant Park and Essex," he said, referring to communities at opposite ends of the county. "It's a good opportunity for different groups to get together and talk common cause.''

 

Black also said that it's important for both federal and state agencies to be reminded just how much a priority the Kankakee River watershed is to the area.

 

"Attendance at these meetings is important because numbers count to these agencies," Black said.

 

"Sometimes it's easy for projects to get lost in the bigger picture. The Kankakee River is part of the Illinois Rivers 2020 and Illinois River Restoration projects. It's easy for other projects to take priority. We don't want to see that happen," Black said.

I got 4.7 lbs. on various calculators.

Sounds about right to me.

Thanks again for introducing me to Bill at the Blowout, Rich.

The kit Bill gave me has some interesting creations in it, and I can say they have definately caught fish for me already.

I got it Jim.

Thanks for all your hard work already!

I'll be working on the calendar within 24 hours.

We continually seek volunteers for various conservation projects and count on members like you to help meet our goals and commitments throughout the year. We achieve our goals in the most efficient manner possible by spreading the many tasks involved among a greater number of people.

Please take a moment to fill out a short questionnaire on the following page:

http://illinoissmallmouthalliance.com/cons...ion_signup.html

The form can be accessed at any time by clicking on the "Conservation" link as well, located above the header on every page of the website.

Thanks for your help.