Posted by PaulT from pool-63.52.230.196.ipls.grid.net on March 04, 2002 at 14:06:08:
In Reply to: Re: Kevin they need to attend the ISA meeting! posted by Fishski on March 04, 2002 at 12:48:59:
As a speaker at the SSC meeting on Sunday I'd like to clear the air on this whole keep the Kish a secret issue. First of all, the general consensus ranks the Kish #3 or #4 for smallie rivers in our state. The Kankakee#1 and the Fox#2 are better bass fisheries than the Kish so there shouldn't be a huge wave of inconsiderate fisherman traveling to the Kish. The Apple river makes a good argument for #3 with the Kish close behind. Also issues like obtaining permission to fish private land were dicussed. I printed out a form from the DNR's website and reccommended that people knock on doors and present this form if they would like to fish private land. The only spots given were public land where anyone can fish(Huber Park, Olson F P, Russel woods, Oak Ridge, etc.).We talked about canoeing being a legal way to access more water and that even wading in the water can be considered trespassing as interpreted by Illinois Laws. We discussed other issues like techniqes to help others catch more fish. We strongly promoted 100% C&R and preached the values of the ISA like keeping our rivers clean. Most of the guys at the meeting were ISA, DRIFT, and Shabbona Sportsman's Club Members. All of these groups contain ethical fisherman that want to protect/improve out natural resources. If the Kish gets more attention, that's fine as long as its from the right people. If the Kish turns into a big garbage dump and there are NO TRESPASSING signs on every bridge from DeKalb to Rockford then we know we made a mistake. Kevin and I felt this was a neccessary step to help the ISA in getting a stronger pressence in the Northwest Region. Our area rivers face many issues that the ISA can help resolve. The stonger our pressance the faster we can get things done. We don't expect people to just give without getting something in return.