Mike Clifford

An online companion to my monthly article in the Outdoor Notebook: The Mississippi Rolls On By Mike Clifford Wikipedia online describes the Mississippi River watershed as the third largest drainage basin in the world, exceeded in size only by the watersheds of the Amazon River and Congo River. It drains 41 percent of the 48 contiguous states of the United States. The basin covers more than 1,245,000 square miles, including all or parts of 31 states and two Canadian provinces. Major watershed tributaries to the Mississippi include: • Red River in Louisiana • White River in Arkansas • Arkansas River in Arkansas • Ohio River in Illinois and Kentucky • Big Muddy River in Illinois • Kaskaskia River in Illinois • Missouri River in Missouri • Illinois River in Illinois • Des Moines River in Iowa • Skunk River in Iowa • Rock River in Illinois • Maquoketa River in Iowa • Wisconsin River in Wisconsin • Chippewa River in Wisconsin • St. Croix River in Wisconsin • Minnesota River in Minnesota Some fun facts and statistics to consider regarding this magnificent watershed before we get to the heart of the matter and the purpose of this article: In 1848, the Illinois and Michigan Canal was built to connect the Mississippi River to Lake Michigan via the Illinois River near Peru, Illinois. In 1900, this canal was replaced by the Chicago built Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal to link the Great Lakes to the Mississippi. The canal allowed Chicago to address specific health issues (typhoid, cholera and other waterborne diseases) by sending its waste down the Illinois and Mississippi river systems, rather than polluting its water source Lake Michigan. The canal also provided a shipping route between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi. The sport of water skiing was invented on the river in a wide region between Minnesota and Wisconsin known as Lake Pepin. Ralph Samuelson of Lake City, Minnesota created and refined his skiing technique in late June and early July of 1922. He later performed the first water ski jump in 1925 and was pulled along at 80 miles per hour (128 km/h) by a Curtiss flying boat later that year. In the spring of 1927 the river broke out of its banks in 145 places during the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 and inundated 27,000 square miles to a depth of up to 30 feet. On October 20, 1976 the automobile ferry MV George Prince was struck by a ship traveling upstream, as the ferry attempted to cross from Destrehan, LA, to Luling, LA. Seventy-eight passengers and crew died; only eighteen survived the accident. This is the last major loss of life on the Mississippi River. The Great Flood of 1993 is considered the most devastating flood to occur in the U.S. in modern history. A river with such credentials steeped in history and folklore deserves to be protected, as it serves as the lifeblood of the Midwest for so many. According to Illinois’ Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn “The Mississippi River is not only a tremendous economic and recreational asset, but it is crucial to our state and country's identity.” A new initiative by the Lieutenant Governor has resulted in the creation of the Mississippi River Coordinating Council. Modeled after the successful Illinois River Coordinating Council (IRCC), the Mississippi River Coordinating Council (MRCC) will bring together citizens, river organizations, and state and federal agencies to coordinate and implement policies on the intertwined environmental and economic health of the Mississippi River and its tributaries within the State of Illinois. Citizen input and involvement is highly encouraged and necessary for the success of the IRCC and the creation of the Mississippi River Coordinating Council. One of the consistently dynamic portions of each quarterly meeting of the IRCC is the public comment section. Members of the public have brought items to the attention of the IRCC, which resulted in victories for the Illinois River, and agenda items have sparked the creation of new programs or activities to benefit the watershed. This involvement and interaction between state and federal agencies and members of the public will be a hallmark of the new Mississippi River Coordinating Council. Meetings will begin after January 1, 2007. In setting out to create the MRCC, Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn asks for your ideas, comments, and concerns, and encourages you to participate in our on-line survey. To access this survey, please point your internet browser to the following address: http://www.standingupforillinois.org/cleanwater/mrcc.php This grand old river deserves to hear what you have to say, and is listening intently right this moment- so please consider giving her five minutes after all she has given in her glorious journey. Until next time, I’ll leave you with this: "We call upon the waters that rim the earth, horizon to horizon, that flow in our rivers and streams, that fall upon our gardens and fields, and we ask that they teach us, and show us the way." American Indian, Chinook Blessing Litany Photo credit: ecology.info Photo credit: chbb.com Photo credit: lmrcc.org Photo credit: mississippiriverchallenge.org

Great stuff Joseph.

I found this article and thought I'd share it here to get your thoughts. http://www.mgfalaska.com/catch-release.html Money Quote:

Are you guys in these watersheds taking the survey? = )

Buying that new William Joseph, are we?

I'll be there, and will consult with Craig on which aspect and when.

It's late July, and it sure seems like the summer patterns have taken hold in our local rivers and streams. What are you finding to be most successful right now? I need to get through the next week or so of work to find out for myself.

I ran across this article on the Field and Stream website. Unless I'm mistaken, I thought there were a few smallie addicts 'round here with an insatiable "rodent fetish". This should satisfy your craving until you can get out there on the river: The rest of the collectibles shown are rather interesting as well, to say the least! Rare Fishing Lures: Rodents, Reptiles, Crustaceans, and Other Collectible Critter-Shaped Baits

The Lt. Governor's staff contacted me and would like for our stakeholders in the following watersheds to take their Online Survey. Mississippi River corridor; Rock River (including Green, Sugar-Pecatonica, Kishwaukee Rivers); Kaskaskia River Big Muddy River Cache River Other? As the first chairman of the Mississippi River Coordinating Council (MRCC), Lt. Governor Pat Quinn is asking Illinois residents to help protect the great Mississippi River by contributing your comments and ideas to the Lt. Governor’s office. Your comments will help provide direction to the newly formed Council, will be held confidential. Please provide an email address below so that we may notify you of meetings and other events regarding the Mississippi River. To participate in the online survey CLICK HERE

Wow- kind of spooky to be going outdoors at night with those bears prowling, huh? Nice smallies though!

I'll be there as well (provided I'm not called in to work) with camera in hand, and maybe a short video of the process before heading out to plant. Got something in mind to use the video for if it turns out right.

Here is an interesting collection of "before and after" photos from a streambank stabilization project. Follow the link below to read all about it. A very thought-provoking case study. Streambank Stabilization Project

That's pretty cool....and ironic that you posted it. Just the other day I was attempting a field repair on mine with a Bic lighter. ...and yep- dipped it in the river to cool and hasten hardening.

Now that thing would look great and function very nicely on a Gamakatsu weighted worm hook. = )

The river is about as optimal as it gets Steve. Clearing up very nicely, but we don't need it to get any lower- though we know when the rains stay away it is going to get ridiculously low as it does most summers. That won't be long now. Forget about Rock Creek or the mouth unless you are wading up into some of the deeper holes for dinks. There is no water there, and dropping by the minute....and the big fish know it, causing them to head for the river long before they get trapped. I always get a kick out of folks that go to various local fishing websites and ask "How's Rock Creek doing?". It's late June, how do you think it's doing?? Bring the camera there and leave the gear in the truck, walk or ride the trails- whatever. I can sum it up by saying: If you have some favorite places to wade in the main stem- why are you sitting there reading this? It doesn't get any better than it is right now. = )

This is the first time I've ever seen a giant turtle hanging out on my favorite boulder in the whole river. Found this old-timer this morning: Did somebody mention turtle lures? I'll take mine with 10/0 or larger Gamakatsu (red) treble hooks- but I can put my own on if necessary. Let me know if you find any!

Ducks and turtles. Added to my list...thanks! = )

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: 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)

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!