Scott Ferguson

Fly fishing went way past silly when fly reels started selling for over $500.

Perfect! Thanks everybody.

What if the guy doesn't smoke?

Thanks Ron and Craig.

Ron, you can ride with me if you want.

I plan on attending.

The Schaumburg Fishing Show runs Thursday Jan 28 to Sunday the 31st. We'll need a few volunteers to work Friday, Saturday afternoon and Sunday. Post here if you can help out. Thursday 12-8 John Loebach 12-8 Ed Buric 12-8 Friday 12-8 Craig Holderness 12-8 Dick Gronlund 12-8 Gordon Patriarca 3-7 Saturday Scott 10-7 Frank Briggs 10-7 Sunday Scott Ferguson 10-7 Ron Kurasz 10-7

Sorry to hear that. The disease took him pretty quickly.

There are only 6 beds in the cabin. The owner has approved some tent camping as long as there aren't too many.

The first week is filled up. 2 spots, 2 nights each are left at the beginning of week 2. See the schedule below.

I'll be there. Good pizza, and good friends. I look forward to the pizza party every year!

Jeff, there are several boat ramps along the river, just not in front of the cabin. A lot of the river is safe for a Jon boat, a lot is not. It can go from 12 feet deep to just inches deep right in the middle of the river. Nothing is marked. There will be extra kayaks or even a personal pontoon available it just depends on who is there when you are. I'll have a spare pontoon for the first week to anyone who wants to try it.

OK Alan, I've got you down for arriving on Saturday the 13th, and leaving on Monday, the 15th. Or, you can come on Wednesday, the 17th and leave on Friday the 19th, whichever you prefer.

Ed Buric and Craig Holderness Pat Hirschtick

To be clear, you will arrive on Tuesday the 23rd and be leaving on Saturday the 27th.Thanks!

Big is good. Like Kevin said, room to move without stressing the seams will make them last longer. Bigger also gives you room to layer clothing underneath when it gets cold.

I'll be there. What time should I show up? I'll be bringing all the necessary items for signing up new members including the "mini" 3 piece backdrop. If there is anything else you want me to bring or anything else I can do to help, please let me know.

I have made up a schedule with the names of those who have made deposits and so everyone can see what days are still open. This is very flexible so if you are on here and would like to make a change, that's fine. If you'd like to get in on the trip, please let me know by sending a $25 deposit and picking which days you'd like to stay.

We are excited to announce that the delivery date has been set and hybrid bluegill funded from Eagle Scout Quinn Draz’s Funds for Fish Campaign (of which you contributed!) will be released at Blackwell Forest Preserve and Herrick Lake Forest Preserve on Thursday, October 8, 2015. We are planning a small gathering on Thursday, October 8, at Herrick Lake Forest Preserve in Wheaton, IL of District staff, donors, and the Draz family to witness the release and have a chance to meet or talk with Eagle Scout Quinn Draz on his successful fundraising campaign. He raised more than his $5,000 goal! Attached is a map of Herrick Lake Forest Preserve. We are asking all invitees to arrive at 11 a.m. to see the truck arrive and also in case the delivery is a bit early. The delivery is estimated for 11:30 a.m. Feel free to bring a picnic lunch if you’d like to enjoy while you watch the release. If you will be joining us next Thursday, please enter through the Butterfield Road entrance and head towards your left towards the large East picnic shelter near the boat rental building. You may park near there and we will gather near the shelter. The release will take place nearby. Please let us know if you can join us. Once again, thank you so much for your contribution to the Funds for Fish Campaign, and helping make this exciting day possible. Thank you, Katie Katie Michel Fundraising and Development Coordinator Office of Communications & Marketing Forest Preserve District of DuPage County 630-933-7097 kmichel@dupageforest.org www.dupageforest.org

Clouds did not disrupt my view of Sunday's lunar eclipse.

Only 340 days left!

So you believe that bass have the intelligence to reason that line is bad and to avoid a lure? If they are that smart, how come they can't tell the difference between a hunk of wood or plastic with treble hooks hanging from it from real food? I think we are applying human logic to a creature that does not possess have that ability. The easiest knot to tie, one that you never have to learn or practice tying, one that will never fail, and never hangs up in you guides is no knot at all. Even if you could prove to me that a leader increases your catch, I'd still never use one. Just more trouble than it's worth to me.

That would work fine for fly fishing, but on spinning or baitcasting gear, the knots would hang up in the guides. There are a number of reasons I won't use a leader and knots going through the guides is the number one reason I refuse to use them. Even a small wind knot in my line irritates me to no end and to have that tick-tick-tick on EVERY cast would make me crazy. The whole flouro sinks, braid floats thing is over done. Braid barely floats. A bare hook sinks it. Some guys think braid would keep your baits from reaching their deepest because the braid wont let them dive. My suspending jerkbaits don't rise up because the braid. Flouro barely sinks. It's not like you don't need weights on your jigs because the line sinks. For me, fluorocarbon line and leaders are a solution to a problem I don't have.

On most other fishing websites, the topic of using fluorocarbon leaders comes up quite often but I don't recall every seeing the discussion here. I don't use them, I've never seen the need. I don't believe flouro is invisible, or that line needs to be for bass, I don't like having an extra knot to go through my guides, and I don't have a problem with abrasion. So I just stick to straight braid. Are there many ISA guys who do use leaders?

Today I reserved the cabin for Saturday, August 13, through Saturday August 27, 2016. (2 Weeks) I will begin taking deposits of $25 (or more if you want) to hold a spot for anyone who wants to join in. Deposits with the earliest postmark, will have first choice on their preferred days. Make the check out to Illinois Smallmouth Alliance or ISA. Please send deposits to; ISA 1506 Roth Dr Joliet, IL 60431 IMPORTANT!! Please be sure to include the number of days you want to reserve. Once I have enough deposits to fill the days we have reserved, I will try to set a schedule. Again, the earliest deposits get first choice on available days. Later deposits received will be put on a standby list. (Anyone who makes a deposit and does not get in will get their money back) If you'd like to use Mike Mladenik or Tight Lines for a guided trip, let me know that too. I'd like to be able to reserve some dates with them before they get booked up. I know this is an entire year away, but to be sure we can get the cabin, we have to plan ahead. I'm already excited about the possibilities. Any questions or suggestions please let me know!