The photo above, from five years ago, remains my favorite one of the MWC tournament at Spring Valley. It's a hands on experience for kids, family and fans.

MWC: And this year looks prime: for fishing, for weather and for river conditions.

Roy Vivian, with whom I rode in prefishing last year, emailed last night that the bite has been pretty good. While collecting milt and eggs last weekend, IDNR staff said this looks like we are in the prime spawning stage.

I look forward to the final weighin. Weighins will begin about 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Spectators should park at Hall High School, then take the shuttle. For info, click here

Henry's Spring Fever Reliever: This will be a good chunk of my weekend. I am doing a seminar--``Lakefront: Gated Community or Public Space'' at 12:30 p.m. Gary Urbahn of Falcon Rods does ``Proper Rod Selection'' at 9:15 a.m. Ed Bohn does ``Lake Michigan Smallmouth Bass'' at 10:30 a.m.

I happen to love the eats--Italian sausage and jambalaya--as much as anything as this gathering. The first prize in the raffle is a fishing trip with Capt. Guy Lopez.

It's all at Henry's Sports, Bait & Marine, 3130 S. Canal, Chicago, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. Phone is (312) 225-8538.

Great Outdoors Expo: There's a strong seminar schedule with Spence Petros, Tasmin Kaliska, Bob Bott, Capt. Darrell Baker, Jason Randall, Lynn Buswell, Alan Ott and Darin Sakas for the second annual Great Outdoors Expo at Woodstock North High in Woodstock on Saturday and Sunday, Click here for info.

WALK FOR SUNSHINE APPALACHIAN TRAIL SHOW: Author Jeff Alt (click here for info on him) goes over his third ediction of Walk for Sunshine at REI-Lincoln Park at 1 p.m. Saturday, Click here for event info.

ARCHERY TOURNAMENT: There's a 300 rd at the Lincoln Park Archery Club, Pulaski Park fieldhouse on Saturday. Practice begins at 9 a.m. Click here for info.

LaSALLE LAKE: Very simply this is my pick for fishing this weekend, both from shore or boat. For blues, bass and hybrids. Click here if you need lake info. Through March, the lake is only open Wednesday through Sunday, but that will change in April.

(LATE ADD) SPRING LAKE: Almost forgot, if you're up for a drive, Spring Lake has been hot for bass and muskie, according to reports of friends and PrairieStateOutdoors.com.

PERSONAL PICKS: The Fever Reliever is my focus today and tomorrow. Later today I will be doing more running around on it, then be at Henry's for a good chunk of the day on Saturday. . . . Sunday afternoon is out to Spring Valley for the MWC final weighin. Not sure if I will try to sneak in a bit of shore fishing at LaSalle on the way or not.