Dave Jones

Harold I will share dates when I know more> Dave J

Dan Sallee (ISA member and DNR manager) and I joined 5 other DNR employees in conducting surveys at Apple River State park today. Recent rains prevented us from surveying the South Fork Apple River first thing this am because water levels were too high. We surveyed Clear Creek where it joins with the Apple River at the east end of the park. We used electric seine stations to stun and net the fish. We collected smb, trout, white fish, chubs, minnows & etc. During breaks we counted, measured & weighed the fish before release. The DNR staff was pleased with the counts and creek conditions. It was neat to see the recent bank improvements (funded by ISA) holding good numbers of smb and trout. Rains after lunch prevented our efforts to conduct another survey on the Apple with the park. I had hoped to take pictures during the afternoon session but missed out with the rain. This group will be surveying other rivers and creeks in NW ILL tomorrow thru next Tuesday, let me know if you are interested in helping. During July this DNR group will be surveying the Mackinaw near Bloomington and Spoon near Peoria. Please let me know if you are interested in helping. Assisting with surveys is a great way to learn from the DNR about river conditions and habitat that hold smb. Dave

The Illinois DNR will be conducting surveys on tributaries in the Upper Mississippi River Basin. The following rivers will be surveyed from June 14 through June 22; Carroll Creek, Plum River, South Fork Apple River, Apple River, Long Hollow Creek, Smallpox Creek, Rush Creek, Galena River and Menominee. If you have interest in volunteering to assist with the surveys please let me know and we can provide more detail and contact information. Currently the DNR will need volunteers to work the electric seine stations. Dave Jones 563-299-2759

Not sure. I was in the hall taking to new members and missed the fly tying session. Dave

Mark Just sent you a PM. Dave

Mike, Not alot. Karen really would not comment much in front of the group. Seems that DNR employess are careful not to be on record with any comments prior to a ruling. She did say that the railroad is claiming that most of the fish kill took place some 50 miles downstream from the spill. It takes time for ethanol to breakdown, but when it does, it depletes the oxygen content. Dave

We had a very good Quad City chapter meeting Sunday evening April 11. About 40 people attended. About 25 were members from the Hawkeye Fly Fishing club. 15 were existing or prospective ISA members. Signed up three new members, (applications and checks are in the mail). Karen Rivera, Illinois DNR, spoke for 45 minutes regarding the surveys last summer on the Middle Mississippi Tributaries and Green River watershed. Karen also reviewed the 2008 Rock River smallmouth bass survey. Karen also spoke a bit about the 2009 fish kill on the Rock River. Mike Jacobs demonstrated tying a new smallmouth fly. Meeting lasted about two hours. We plan to have several joint meetings each year to jointly recruit new presenters. The Hawkeye Fly Fishing club was a most gracious host and good to work with. Next winter we will try to schedule several fly tying meetings with the Hawkeye Fly Fishing club to focus on SMB flies. Prior to our meeting Dave Jones, Ron Price and Matt Schroeder fished the Duck Creek tributary for several hours. A handful of SMB were caught, the largest being 16 1/2 inches by Ron. Dave Jones

The Quad City ISA region will have a joint meeting with the Quad City chapter of the Hawkeye Fly Fishing Association this Sunday, April 11. The meeting will start at 6:00pm. Meeting to be held at the Riverdale Fire Station (110 Manor Drive) on route 67 east of Bettendorf. Karen Rivera from the Illinois DNR will report on surveys conducted on the Green River watershed and Mississippi River tributaries last summer. Any questions call Dave Jones 563-299-2759 or dave_jones@muscatinefoods.com. PS Matt S will post info regarding a fishing outing late Sunday afternoon just before the the meeting.

To the ISA executive officers, Thank you for your committment and service. As a volunteer for other organizations I understand the time you dedicate to ISA. Keep up the good leadership. Dave Jones

The Western Region will meet Saturday, January 16 at 9:00 a.m. at the IHOP restaurant near South Park Mall in Moline Illinois. We will be discussing potential outings for next year. Potential outing considerations include Apple River, Maquoketa River, Green River, Snakeden Hollow Lake, Pope Creek, Cedar Creek and South Henderson Creek. We will likely plan outings for June, July, August and September. We will also discuss potential volunteers to work at the Quad City Outdoor show during February. Please contact Dave Jones (563-299-2759) or Ron Price (309-314-2294) if you have any questions regarding our meeting or Western Region activities.

Jonn, I will bring my waders, I was planning to wade as well. My cell # is 563 299 2759. See you at 9:00. Dave

Jonn, Ron P was going to be my canoe partner. Therefore I will take you up on your offer to share a tandem canoe with you. Let me know you read my response so I know not to bring my canoe. See you tomorrow. Thanks, Dave J

Jonn, I am still planning to come Saturday. I wish the temps were more couraging. Hoping the Green stays stable. See you Sat. morning. Dave J

Jonn, I am interested in joining your group on Saturday. Trying to round up a few other Western Region members as well. I will plan to bring my canoe. Looking forward to learning more about the Green River. Let's hope the weather cooperates. Thanks, Dave Jones

Bob Fauser is willing to lead a smallmouth float trip to Missouri on the last weekend of August. For those interested Bob is departing Quad Cities area after work approximately 5:00 PM on Thursday 27 AUG and will arrive very late on Thursday evening approximately 11:00 PM at Lucky Clover River Resort near Steelville MO. Their website is copied below. Bob will probably have his canoe shuttled upstream around 7:00 to 8:00 AM on Friday morning. Bob will be bringing his 4+ canoe trailer and will probably have room for two or more canoes or kayaks. Bob will be camping out in his truck camper at site #2. The owner of the resort is named Bob also, contact him - you can mention Bob's name if you want. Located approximately 15 to 20 minutes south of I-44 at Cuba Missouri - takes about 5 1/2 hours to drive. <http://www.luckycloverriverresort.com/canoe-camp-fish.html> Bob plans on fishing all day Friday and Saturday and mayber a half day on Sunday. This part of the Meremec River is a "trophy" smallmouth area. Call Bob 309-933-0203 if you want more info

Just curious, what were the conditions like Saturday on the Apple River for your outing? Watching the flow rates in particular. Thinking about heading up early next week if the flow rates are okay. Dave J

If anybody interested has questions about our Vermilion trip you can e-mail me at dave_jones@muscatinefoods.com Dave J

Looking for a fourth person to join the Western Region on a alternative trip planned on the Vermilion River Saturday, August 15. Three of us will drive over Friday night and stay near the Vermilion River put in. We have two canoes and three people. Looking for a fourth ISA member to join us. Planning to start about 6:30 a.m. Saturday morning. We will put in at either Streator or the Kangley Road bridge. If anyone is interested please contact me at 563-299-2759. Dave J

Unfortunately we have to cancel the western region Maquoketa River outing scheduled for this Saturday. Too much rain last Friday and Sunday. Water levels are too high and flow rates too fast. Several of us are looking for alternative rivers for Saturday. Keep you posted. Dave J

Just for the record. The Western Region choose August 15 for their Maquoketa River outing last May. Just didn't get around to posting it on the calendar until this week. We selected August 15 because that date worked best for the two trip coordinators. Nonetheless we will keep other scheduled trips in mind when we plan for future outings. Dave J