After all, this Web log is named for the Stray Cast, which has snapped off the end of the outdoors column in the Sun-Times on Wednesdays since April 2, 2003.

Here's today's:

Matt Forte is like a 5-pound smallmouth: special, but not a 6-pounder. Ken Williams is a like a hybrid striped bass: under corralled shad, but feeding up. Steve Stone's commentary is like a walleye bite: subtle, but with teeth.