Scott Ferguson

The residents on the river are NOT going to be happy. 

Yes. There are also launch/parking fees on the Wisconsin side at most parks and launches. The Michigan Recreation Passport is available online but only the annual pass. Daily permits are available at some sites but not all. 

I’m planning on making the drive in for the picnic.

A spot just opened up for the last 4 days of the first week, August 10-14. Let me know if you are interested. 

I got a message from Kevin Daly who wants to participate but there is nothing there to tell people exactly where the launch is. Hopefully, someone can post the location. 

Due to the uncertainty of future lockdowns, for health and safety reasons for all, and after much consideration, the Illinois Smallmouth Alliance Leadership has come to the very difficult decision to postpone the annual 2021, Bronzeback Blowout. If the situation changes, we are open to having it rescheduled later in the year.

We thank you for your past support and look forward to moving into the future together.

Working To Protect And Improve Our Smallmouth Fisheries.

As a frequent visitor to that area, I’m especially happy about the news. 

I see in the regs that wading isn’t allowed in Will County forest preserves.  In the 20 years I’ve been involved in the ISA, I’ve never heard of a single person who was ever asked to stop wading in the DuPage in Hammel Woods in Will County. We have held several outings there over the years and it’s always been a popular area to wade. Wading in the forest preserve lakes isn’t something I’d recommend and understand why the rules is there for those.

As long as you are not trespassing on private property, you are fine. Lots of access points from Naperville all the way to Channahon 

I got a letter today from the Tinley Park Fishing show letting us know the event scheduled for February 13 & 14, 2021 has been canceled. 

As of right now, the officers had not had the discussion about the Blowout. Unless something changes for the better, I’d say it’s very unlikely that we’ll have the Blowout on its usual date. There is always the possibility of it happening later in the year. 

The Schaumburg show had been canceled quite a while ago as the show owners shut it down for reasons beyond the virus. They did sell it to another group and it hasn’t been decided if it will go on or not. I can’t see how it could be put on, but even if it is, the ISA most likely will not be there as none of our officers are willing to put themselves at risk.

The deadline for the next printed edition of the newsletter is Friday, September 25th. If you have an article you’d like to submit or if you’ve read an article you think would be of interest to other members, send it to ferguson.crystal@sbcglobal.net

if you are not the author, we do need to have permission to reprint. 

Got it Tim.  We are nearly 75% full for next year's trip. I want to remind everyone to get your deposits in. Without a deposit, I can't hold your reservation.

My experiment with my jet river boat is over. I'm just not using it enough to keep it. I'm also going to be moving in the next year and won't have room for it anymore. The boat is everything I was hoping for, easy to fish from, and perfect for rivers. If interested, call me at 630-209-9452

Scott

Looks like rain is going to keep me away from this event. Too bad.....

Eric, got you on the schedule.

Got it Tom. The schedule above is up to date and I'll keep updating it as it fills.. We are just over booked. If anybody is thinking  about coming to next year's trip and have a preferred date, don't wait to long to let me know.

There is a second set of falls, the lower falls,  You can put a kayak in there, but I doubt you could kayak up and over the falls to the upper falls.

The first picture is looking upstream toward the lower falls, the second is a closeup of the lower falls.  I don’t think there is any road access to the river between the upper and lower falls.

I'm booking the tinkers Dam Cabin again for next year, August 7-21, 2021. As was this year, There will be a choice of a 3 or 4 day trip, or you can combine and stay as long as you like. The price has gone up a bit, $35 per person per night. The choices are; 

Arrive Saturday August 7, leave on Tuesday August 10 (3 nights)  $105  SOLD OUT

Arrive Tuesday August 10, leave on Saturday August 14 (4 nights)  $140 ONE SPOT LEFT!

Arrive Saturday August 14 leave Tuesday, August 17 (3 nights)  $105   SOLD OUT

Arrive Tuesday August 17 leave Saturday, August 21 (4 nights)    $140

If you were on the 2020 Road Trip or cancelled due to Covid, I'll give you first choice on next year.

Non-refundable deposits are required to hold your spot. If for any reason you have to cancel, I'll make every effort to fill your spot and refund your deposits.

If you have any questions about the cabin or the location, the VRBO website has details.

Contact me for reserving your spot by PM here or cal me @ 630-209-9452. Deposits can be made via credit card over the phone or mail me a check made out to ISA sent to ISA 895 Garden Lane, Wheeling, IL 60090

https://www.vrbo.com/612837?noDates=true

Here is the schedule with the available dates. I'll update as the schedule fills up.

If that was me, that's when that bass tosses my Mepps back to me!

Overall numbers for me weren’t too bad, my biggest fish of the trip was the first one I caught, a 19.5 incher. It seemed like the lure that worked best for me changed every day. Mepps spinner one day, a soft plastic jerkbait was best a couple of days, and a paddle tail swim bait another. The weather was beautiful most days. It made it hard to leave the peacefulness of the shaded back yard at times. 
I’m glad everyone had a good time and hope to have all of you back next time. Next years trip has already been booked. The dates are August 7-21. Due to a price increase, the daily rate next year will be $35.  I’ll start a new thread for signups. Hopefully, Covid will be less of an issue and make the decision to come an easier one. 
(no matter which way I load the photo, it comes out the same way!)

Things are still a bit slow numbers wise. I got a 19.5 this morning. Storm are rolling through this afternoon with breaks in between 

9 minutes ago, Terry Dodge said:

Whopper Plopper and other top water toys rule. Not pulling in numbers but catching good quality fish. 17 and 19 inch on a morning downstream float. Sir Paul plucked a 20+ with the Whopper. Levels not too bad, wind is biggest challenge.              Loving the Menominee!!!

Terry, you must’ve taken Sarah’s place? Glad to see you got to go!

According to the VRBO website, check in time on Saturday is 3:00 pm. Checkout on the last Saturday is 10:30 am.