Weekender 5-02-08 (updated with photo)
Outdoor things to do, indoor and out.
Let's get into it, there's a ton of stuff, say a dozen. I know I am juggling turkey hunting, morel hunting, perch fishing and, I hope, at least one trip to Heidecke Lake or to the lakefront for smallmouth over the next few days.
The perch fishing was good south of Waukegan with Capt. Bob Jenkins and Jeff Miltimore Friday morning. Here we (Jenkins, Miltimore, me) are with the six best jumbos, the two best went 14.25 inches. Both of them think the monster jumbos are yet to come.
">
1) As the lake has settled, fishing for jumbo yellow perch improved again Thursday. We had to work a bit, but we finished up our limits within three hours. The smart move was going deeper to 64 feet mid-morning.
2) As often seems the case in a high-water year, the Fox Chain O'Lakes is on fire. Capt. Darrell Baker is reporting ungodly numbers of walleye. On Thursday, Arden Katz and Ken ``The Lakefront Lip'' Schneider pounded good bluegills in the channels, and picked up some bonus quality crappie. One of the keys is moving around to find the fish, and use small floats, such as the Thill floats. The bluegills are tight to cover.
3) Timing seems perfect for Baker's third annual Chain O'Lakes multi-species tournament and seminar. It opens with a seminar at the Thirsty Turtle at 7 p.m. Sunday. Launching is at 6:30 a.m. Sunday from the Thirsty Turtle or Barnacle Bob's. It's $70 per person. Call (847) 337-5559.99
4) Big largemouth have busted loose at Shabbona Lake this week. A 7.1-pounder was caught on Wednesday, according to ShabbonaLake.com. Guide Jay Angel said Rat-l-traps was one of the better methods.
5) Big smallmouth continue on the lakefront. Plastics and Senkos worked just on or above the bottom are the ticket. It's been outstanding from boat and shore, shore might even be better.
6) FishTech's Customer Appreciation Weekend runs through Sunday in Morton Grove. Headliners are Capt. Chip Porter (4-9 p.m. Friday), Shimano Fishing Team (8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday), Don Dubin (2-5 p.m. Saturday) and Jim Saric (10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday). Call (847) 966-5900.
7) Heidecke Lake has to bust loose. This might be the weekend.
8) I am curious what the opener will be like in northern Wisconsin and how many of the bigger lakes will have open water.
9) Field & Stream Total Outdoorsman Challenge qualifier is being held at the Bass Pro Shops in Gurnee through Sunday.
10) The Illinois State Morel Mushroom Championship is at Marshall-Putnam Fairgrounds in Henry through Sunday.
11) Indiana, supposedly our stepsister state, is proudly holding its Welcome Back Weekend for its state parks and reservoirs. The Hoosiers are proudly showing off improvements to their parks Friday through Sunday. At least one reader sent a bitter note about the difference with Illinois.
12) The Illinois Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever's state gathering--the seminars and vendors are open to public--is at Springfield’s Crowne Plaza Hotel Friday and Saturday.
