No Perch, Big Problem....

My good friend Rich was the first to arrive early Wednesday morning at Waukegan Harbor. He called me on the cell to let me know that the parking lot was filling up fast with trucks and boat trailers. I was still a few miles south of my exit off of Interstate 294 and I was thinking to myself, how crowded can it be on a Wednesday? I pulled in at 5:30am and the boats were lined up out of the parking lot and down the street. There is three public boat ramps at Waukegan Harbor, so you can get an idea of how many people had the same thoughts that we did. After we launched the boat and took our time heading out of the harbor channel, we noticed that all the boats were forming a giant flotilla about a mile out from shore. We made our way into the group and began to fish for Lake Michigan Perch in about 55 to 60 feet of water.

I looked at all the boats that were resting comfortably upon the calm clear water and took a quick count. I was well over 100 before I stopped counting. Most of the boats were smaller vessels under 20ft and I think I saw only 3 charters within the group. This gave me a little cause for concern. The Perch must not be biting or there would be more charter boats. We marked a few fish on the locator, but after an hour or so we only were witness to one Perch. No excitement, no Perch. After talking to a number of other boats we had gotten the story straight. You had to have been out before sunrise to catch any fish on this day. If you had managed to get out there at 4:00am you would have caught a few, but they stopped biting at about 6:00am. Lucky me! That's the time we got out there.

Our boat captain who still had to go to work that morning said we better call it a day. I'll keep his name off the record as to not help the company build a case against him. That reminds me of the guy who skipped out of work to catch a Cubs game and catches a foul ball. His face is plastered on the TV and he is fired for calling in sick. Classic! So we headed back in around 9:00am. I could have talked him in to staying out there if we were catching any fish.

Rich and I spent the rest of the morning fishing the Skokie Lagoons, having a few laughs and seeing a guy keep a 20 inch Largemouth. I was so mad at the sight of that fish on a stringer that I wanted to get as far away from Chicago as I possibly could. All the care that is taken by most of us to release fish that will help create trophy fisheries, and some idiot comes along and makes you shake your head in disgust! I will continue to try my best to educate the public on the benefits of CPR. Catch, Photo, Release! It is the only way that we will be able to provide quality fishing for future generations. Take the time to teach as many fisherman as you can. I eat fish all the time, but know the waters you are fishing, and what species is in abundance and the average size. I'm preaching to the choir here, but you get my point.

When I was a youngster, Dad would keep all the fish we caught as long as it was legal. I remember when I started to release some fish as a teenager and he would look at me and say, "What the hell did you go and do that for?" It was one of the few things we didn't agree on, but I think he came around to understanding why I did it. To me there is no better feeling than to catch a trophy fish, snap a few good photos and place that fish back into the water to fight another day. It is the true definition of sport and all that goes with it. My son Bryan said it best while as a four year old. He would sing a little jingle. "Put the fishy back where he came from". It shows you that a little education to the younger generation can make a big difference. I started watching the pros releasing fish on TV and it caught on. Now my son is releasing fish, and so on.

As soon as I'm done with this post I'm heading to the river to catch a few catfish for dinner. Most of them are about a pound and a half to two pounds. Perfect eaters, and if I happen to catch something else, you can bet I'll be posting a few good pictures!

IHSA Bass Fishing Sectional at Busse Woods / St. Viator H.S.

Yesterday was one of those days that just don't come around often enough. Getting up at 4:00 am and smelling the freshly brewed coffee that I had prepared and programmed the night before. I was filled with anticipation for the days events and also a little nervous that I may not be able to meet the expectations of those who were counting on me. It had finally arrived. The IHSA Bass Fishing Sectional on Busse Lake was here and I was very fortunate to be a part of it.

I showered to wake myself up, got dressed and headed down to the kitchen. I packed my lunch and water, filled my thermos with coffee, and topped off my travel mug too! As i headed for the garage, Scruffy looked at me from his bed, as if to say...I hope he's not planning on making me get up? I obliged and told him to go to sleep. He was very content with my response. Hooking up the trailer to the truck, I closed the garage door and headed out of the subdivision and down the road. As I approached route 20, I was surprised to see so many cars out so early in the morning. Oh yeah! It's Friday and people have to go to work. Sometimes I forget what day it is, being so occupied with all that I have going on with Cast Across America and Job Hunting!

When I arrived at the launch ramp I was surprised to see that there was only one other boat there. That was a good thing because we were first for boat inspection. After a complete check of our safety equipment we launched and tied up the boat at the dock. I was very impressed with how well organized the Sectional was. The volunteers were great and it seemed to go quite smoothly. A big round of applause is needed for their efforts! After our coaches meeting it was time to hit the water.

I was the boat captain/coach for two Sophomores from St. Viator H.S., Daniel Cleary and Patrick Hulsebosch. I graduated from St. Viator back in 1985 so it was an honor to be helping out my old school. The boys were pumped up for the tournament and ready to go. That extra adrenalin might have cost us our first fish. Patrick was fishing a crank bait and probably was a little too aggressive in trying to reel one in when it let go. Within 15 minutes he had a second fish hit that same crank bait, this one held on a little longer but still managed to get off. I'm pretty sure that both fish just nipped the back of the lure and were not hooked very well. That can happen to anyone, unfortunately it happened to Patrick. He handled the situation quite well and it only made him more determined to catch a Bass. Daniel on the other hand didn't have any opportunities, and other than one bump on a twitch bait, it was a quiet day for him. We did however fish the spot where the largest Bass of the day was caught. We talked with that team for a few minutes just before they hooked it. That's Bass fishing. Congratulations to Jacobs H.S., Algonquin, IL for catching that 3lb 14oz fish!

There were some nice fish caught and a few limits too. All in all I'd say it was a win win situation for everyone involved. Another round of applause goes out from Cast Across America to Wheaton Warrenville South Boat #2, Maine West Boat #1 and York High School Boat #2. Good luck at the State Finals on May 7Th and 8Th at Carlyle Lake.

One final thought on the days events. 25 years will have passed this June since I walked through the doors of St. Viator H.S for the last time. I have many great memories from my years there, and have always felt that I was lucky to have been able to attend St. Viator. Meeting Daniel and Patrick and spending a few days with them on the water, has reminded me again, not only of the academic education that I received, but the outstanding character values that are taught at St. Viator. The Cleary and Hulsebosch families along with the Faculty and Staff at St. Viator should be very proud of these fine young men. Thank you again, for letting me be a part of the first Bass Fishing Team at St. Viator H.S.

St. Viator Bass Fishing Team

Friday April 23rd is the Busse Woods Sectional for the Illinois High School Association 2010 Bass Fishing State Tournament. I was asked to be the team boat driver/coach for St. Viator High School, Arlington Heights, IL. I graduated from St. Viator in 1985 and it is an honor to be participating as a driver/coach for this years event. My brothers and I were happy to be able to donate the use of our boat to our former High School. Not only did each of us receive a quality education from St. Viator, we also made many long lasting friendships and a boat load of memories.

Hopefully the weather will cooperate for us on Friday and we will be able to complete the 5 hours of fishing. About two hours ago it was as warm as 65 and sunny and it is now overcast and much colder. It must have dropped about 20 degrees. The up and down temps will make it difficult to find numbers of active fish, and I believe that a lucky fish or two is all the students might need to place at this years event. In order to qualify for the State Finals on Carlyle Lake on May 7Th and 8Th St. Viator will need to finish within the top three teams at the Sectional.

As a competitive sport fisherman I have competed in a number of Muskie fishing tournaments in the past, and although I am not fishing in this event, I feel that I am just about as nervous and excited as one can get. The boat is ready to go. The team has pre-fished the main pool at Busse Lake and we have formulated a strategic plan. Now all we have to do is execute and hope that the Bass help us out a little bit too. I know that Patrick, Daniel and I will do our best to try and qualify for the State Finals. Good Luck to all of the participating teams at this years Sectional and let's hope for a nice day for everyone involved!