TimU

Thanks Gary! I fished the Dupage yesterday(about a 30 min drive) below a dam and was able to catch a 12 incher off the backside of an island(sandbar) on my third cast with a 3" jerkbait...unfortunately it was my only action of the 2-1/2 hour trip. I fished both sides of the river and covered all the eddies I could reach using a tube, a small spinnerbait and the jerkbait with no luck. The reason I asked about fishing above the dam is because I can get access above the dam, but I can't get much farther than about 200ft below the dam do to it being private property. Sounds like I should look for another access point a bit farther downstream, which unfortunately is also going to be farther from my house. I thought I might have found a decent spot I could run to after work for a quick fix. I have yet to try the Fox as it seems a bit overwelming to me do to it's size and lack of knowledge of access points.

If given a choice of fishing the eddies above a dam or below a dam, which one would you choose?

Should these areas near the dam be fished differantly than more open areas of the river?

Should I stick to the slack water or fish more in the current?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Here's the link to the post from a few weeks ago....it costs between 12k and 18k a year to run the gauges.

Gauge Funding

Had a great time! Thanks to everyone who made this event possible! Looking forward to next years event and a summer of good fishing.

Rich was my trip given away? Did you guys ever get the copy of the smallmouth dvd? How do you guys auction the trips off?

I know of atleast 1 DVD that was passed out...I don't remember who it went to, but I believe they had bid on the trip at some point.

Just an FYI for you fly tyers out there....Cabelas has several items from "Made 2 Fly" on sale in the online bargain cave. A vise, a light and an organizer that seem to have a pretty good discount on them. I know nothing regarding these items, nor do I have interested in learning at this point....but I thought I would pass the info on.

Flexible Spinner Bait

I received an email regarding a new flexible spinner bait and thought it would be interesting to pass on. Instead of using a piece of wire to hold everything together they use a small piece of metal chain covered in plastic tubing. Besides being flexible and supposedly insuring better hook set, they state the plastic tubing will hold a scent better than your standard spinner bait.

Just wondering if anyone has seen or heard anything regarding these, they seem a bit expensive to just run out and buy.

http://www.rrstar.com/archive/x1802695436/...unleaded-tackle

Jude's link is broken....this one should work

Got mine today 2/17...60194

I was going to ask about the Alliance possibly adopting(funding) a few key gauges that we might all agree on, but at the costs Mike is talking about it doesn't sound feasible. This is really sad news as I have been using the USGS site for flow information for a few years for the Kankakee and Dupage...chalk another one up for the economy!

I second the idea of having him as a guest speaker...I'd like to hear what he has to say.

Here's a link to another article that gives a little bit more background on him.Miller named DNR director

Not positive on this....but I would think putting that much weight on the ice would make it rather unsafe for the people moving the rock. The ice was about 18" thick on Saturday, but 10-14 tons of rock is alot.

Hi All,

I joined at the show on Thursday. I also live in Schaumburg and shore fish mostly in Dupage County, although I have a decent knowledge of Shabbona and the State Park area of the Kankakee by boat. During the summer I fish 3-4 times a week and sometimes twice a day on the weekends. I have fished for LM with live bait most of my life but was introduced to wading by a friend late last fall in a small creek, I caught 3 crappie over 13" and had an absolute blast! Besides the fish, it was just a wonderful way to spend an afternoon away from everything and I can't wait to get back out there. I came across the SM Alliance while searching for wading spots on the internet and stopped by the booth at the show. The two gentleman(I believe one of their names was Tim, although he was wearing Don's name badge) were friendly, enthusiastic and seemed very passionate about what the alliance does so I decided give it a try. So far you guys have not dissapointed as Rich MC has agreed to let me tag along on Saturday and show me the ropes of ice fishing out at Shabbona. I plan on attending the Blowout and look forward to getting out for some outtings.

I'm usually a catch and release guy, but I did let my buddy keep the last 2 crappie I caught...only 2 fish we kept all year.

Was at the Rosemont Show on Thursday and have to say I was a little disappointed this year...but probably to be expected with the "economy". Both the halls seemed to be only about 2/3rds of what they usually are. I did pick up a nice Plano tackle box that holds 5 3700 boxes for about $40 and of course bought my ISA membership from two very nice gentlemen at the booth.

Chicagoland Sport Show