Terry Dodge

Saturday, Feb. 4, @ 9am. Practice Log-In Session. Follow the directions and link above.

1) Keep the 'toon partcially blown up at all times. 2) Air pressure is not a problem if the 'toon remains in the water. The water will keep it cool and safe from heat expansion. 3) If the 'toon is kept inflated then the straps should not be a problem. 4)I can only speak of my 'toon. *Set-up from out of the box...........15 minutes. * See step #1. Set-up about 7 minutes.

Don't forget. Practice Log-In session this Saturday Feb. 4th @ 9am. Hope to see some of you there.

This is getting more attention than I thought it would. I have never fished from or even been in a yak. I'm not saying that I would never use a yak. When I began shopping around for a water craft, the yak was the first thing I looked at. I think it depends on how a person prefers to fish. I prefer to wade over anything. This is why I went with the pontoon. I think the size of water being fished plays into which is the better. If I were to fish lakes, I would have to get a yak because the 'toons just don't paddle all that great. I have yet to try fins with my 'toon. I've thought about but have just never done it yet. Don - how's that work out for you? It looks like you have about a 9' 'toon. Fins will control a 9' 'toon? If I were to get a yak, it would have to be a sit on top. I do like the comfort of the 'toon. Maybe we do have enough 'toon folks to have a get together later this year.

Just so everyone knows......... This thing is still in it's TEST FAZE. Whether you like the topic or not in the room, please join in and just get a feel for how it's going to go. This room is going to be opened to all things smallmouth when it kicks off in Nov. It's not going to be limited to just tying flies or watching Jude trying to put on a pair of waders. If you like what you see and would like to set up something that you think others might be interested in seeing, then send me a PM and we'll get the ball rolling. All I ask during this TEST FAZE is for participation and comments on how to improve and make this a good experience for all members. A Featured Speaker/Guest doesn't even have to broadcast via live video. If you think you have a technique that other members would like to learn or discuss, it can all be done by live text chat if you prefer. Take the time and check out ISA LIVE. You might like what you see. And just think of the possibilities.

Once a month for about the last 5 months there has been a handful of people in the village of Cherry Valley meeting with concerns for the Kishwaukee River in Winnebago County. In the beginning about all they had was an idea. Myself, Paul T. and Jude attended a meeting in early December to discuss the possibilities and answer any questions of this committee applying for a grant through the ISA Grant Program. This committee started out with a good idea in mind but seemed to be confused on which avenues they wanted to travel. To keep a long story short, I just want to inform anyone interested that they will have a power point presentation on Tuesday, Feb. 7 @ 7pm. in Cherry Valley at the Cherry Valley City Hall. I attended a meeting tonight (2/2/12) and must admit that I was impressed with their progress. They seem to have their direction figured out and are putting things together nicely. If you get a chance and are in the area, try to attend this meeting on Feb. 7th. and hear what they plan to accomplish.

I have decided to post this as an "Opened Log In". Follow the directions I have posted and see if you can get into the room. If you are having any problems please let me know. Chances are you will be the only person in the room as this is a random unscheduled log-in session. If there is another member in the room go ahead and chat if you would like. When entering chat-room (nios) you will be asked for a Password: isabbb Click on "Connect" or hit "Enter" on your keypad. Then you will be asked to sign in on a network. Click on Guest. Type in your ISA user name. (example.- terryd.) If a name is already in the box just backspace it and type in yours. Click on "GO" or hit "Enter" on your keypad. That's it! That's all it takes. Please let me know how your log-in went either way, good or bad. To enter chat-room click [HERE]

HA! I love cabin fever.

Thanks Brad! That means a lot coming from you. I hope this thing works. I don't see why it wouldn't but I am glad that you commented on it and brought it back up because I would like everyone to know that I will be holding a practice log-in session on this Saturday, Feb. 4 @ 9am.. This practice log-in session will be in LIVE text format only. No LIVE video feed on this run. Pour yourself a cup of coffee and log-in, enter the room, say "Hi" and leave, or stick around for some friendly smallmouth talk. It's just a session to see if there are any problems with the log-in. I will post the link here on the "Open Discussion" forum along with log-in directions. Watch for the headline "ISA TV 1/4/12" , Hope to see a few members in the chat room this Saturday morning at 9am.

Now don't laugh. This is a cheap round-about way of doing things but could help to protect you until you get your funds in order. Draw a sketch of your idea along with whatever kind of explanation you feel fit to go with it. Sign it and date it. If you have a prototype, that's great. I would think pictures might help also. Toss it all in an envelope or box (if needed) and mail it to yourself. Your idea is now sealed and has a government stamping on it. Never-ever open! Repeat.....Never-ever open!! If a time ever comes when it does need to be opened........Let a judge open it. Little trick I learned as a songwriter. Remember the rock band "The Cars"? Shake it up? Never heard from them again after that song did you? This method help a New York City songwriter. Big pay off. You do need to get all the other stuff in the earlier posts done as soon as possible though.

Welcome Tim. Glad to hear you enjoyed the ISA Fly Fishing Show. I'm sure you'll like it here, this is the best spot to get all your smallmouth info. Keep your eye open for our wade outings coming up this summer.

ISA TV is a live chat room designed as a source of information, education and entertainment for all registered members. The chat room will feature a guest who will broadcast by a password protected live video feed. Featured Guests will be tying flies, discussing smallmouth fishing techniques, promoting something or whatever the heck else we can think of to do. The Featured Guest will be the only one to broadcast by a password protected video feed but at times I (Terry Dodge) may have to moderate the room (with the Featured Guest) by audio only feed. All other guest will be able to ask questions by typing text. There are plans of doing a test run later in February. The date has not been set yet but it will most likely be on a Saturday morning about 9am. There is a Featured Guest lined up for this test run who will be tying a fly. I don't want to announce the Featured Guest just yet, as he may have second thoughts and want to back out. I'll leave his announcement up to him at this point. The idea I have for this is to line up a Featured Guest once a month from Nov. 2012, thru March/April of 2013. This program will be run under one of our "protected forums". (these directions will be post with each monthly session) When you enter the chat room you will first be asked for a password. This password is [will give at a later date] You will then be asked to sign in on a network. Click on "Guest", type in your first name, last initial, then hit enter. Welcome to the room. To enter chat room click on >>> [link will be here] I am posting this now to try and answer any questions some of you might have. Please ask. The room will look something like this......

I'm really happy to hear that this went well. Good job to all.

When I first got my 'toom I was not sure how it would handle going upstream I took it to Kilbuck Creek Bluff F.P. and stuck it in the water heading upstream and paddled my little arms off for about ten minutes. Then I stood up and put it back in my van. I don't think I went any where on this day. I had not started shooting videos until about a year later. Sorry.

Exactly! Plus with a little thought you can load them up with all kinds of gear. I need 3" of water to float.. I think the 'toon is great for the Kish. If I do hit a shallow spot all I need to do is stand and walk it. I mainly use the 'toon to reach areas to wade. I keep a rope with a clamp tied on one end that I just clamp to a tree or something to make sure the 'toon don't float away while I wade.

Sweet. I guess we're the only two pontoon guys.

Having 2 is a good idea. I like the pontoons. I'm not real sure I'd like a yak. Seems like I see a lot of people tipping-over in yaks. I don't think I can tip my 'toon if I tried. Scott - Do you keep you 'toons inflated? I keep mine inflated all year hanging in my garage. Never had a problem with it. Going on 6 years now.

Just wondering how many people have one? I got one and I love it! I was kind of thinking it would be cool (if there are enough) to try and have a 'toon outing later this year. I just always seem to get the feeling that the yak-heads don't like us all that much.

rich - I hate to say it but I don't think I will be able to make the fly show this year. I hope all goes well with the show and I hope to see it's return in 2013.

I can't take a good picture of a fly. Must be a trick to it.

I use a 9' tapered mono Bass leader with loop to loop connections. Once I use a certain amount (18") of the smallend of the leader, I then tie a loop knot at the end of the leader and connect 6# - 8# tippet with a loop knot. Have never used dry flies for smallmouth. Have never seen a need to.

I have a question........ Isn't "liquid manure" sometimes used as a fertilizer on feilds?

Saturday Feb. 25, 2012 @ 12pm. Charles (Chuck) Corley of the IEPA will give a Q & A presentation at our Northwest Region meeting at the Rockford Gander Mountain on Perryville Rd.. In a recent email Chuck has asked if any members might have any specific questions or concerns? Let's shoot for a big turnout on this day. Please post a few questions or concerns you might have so I may relay some of the info to Chuck. I believe he would like to know where we might be coming from so that he can be better prepared to answer any and all questions. More info on this meeting to follow in the Jan./Feb. issue of the Bronzeback Bulletin and also here on the site. Thanks.

We understand that but what about outside of the state, like Wisconsin? Can Northwest and Chicago region members hold a meeting in Wisconsin, bad mouth cheese and the Green Bay Packers and still return to Illinois and the ISA's open arms?

Members could always just add any regional info to their signature (as did I).