I wanted to get this list out earlier than usual. The economy is tough, but I think a day with a guide is a good investment. Here's my list of a number of guides working Illinois and Wisconsin waters within a reasonable drive time that I do not hesitate to recommend for a day on the water.
Captain Darrell Baker – www.midwestguideservice.com – 847-337-5559 – This man has taught me a lot about fishing. He is a retired school teacher and is great with kids. Nobody knows the Fox Chain better. He also does a great job on some of his secret hot spots – the smaller southern Wisconsin lakes.
"Cat Matt" Jones – www.catfishacademy.com - 815-537-5506 – This guy chases big cats on the Rock River twelve months a year. He hunts 10-pound channel cats and 50-pound-plus flatheads with incredible success.
Jim Tostrud – www.wildlifevisions.com - The talented Tostrud has a good handle on what's hot on Geneva. In my opinion, he's the best at going after Geneva's huge bluegills and mammoth crappies. Jim is the perfect guy to hit the water with for a dad and a kid or two. Book a trip with Jim and you may be lucky enough to be included on his "Wildlife Visions" television show.
Captain Bob Rossa – www.migratorfishhunt.com - 815-575-4665 – Captain Bob works out of Waukegan Harbor. He almost always sends his clients home with plenty of tasty fillets. Captain Bob's wit and charm is worth the price of a charter alone. Hey, captain Bob provides the Lake Michigan report for my column every week – you know he's got to be good.
Captain Bob Jenkins – www.challengerfishingcharters.com - 888-427-8262 – Captain Bob runs a nifty center-console craft that is absolutely perfect for perch. Captain Bob is the only charter guy on the big pond that can get you a limit of tasty golden perch while fishing in a comfy boat that is designed for perching. It's is so much better than fishing for perch from the back of a salmon boat. Jenkins also is great for salmon on his other boat.
Ron Fulks - www.midwestmuskies.com – 847-697-1951 – Noted musky factory Shabbona Lake, near DeKalb, has more muskies per acre than any body of water in the Midwest. This good gentleman is the king of the Shabbona guides. Does that say enough?
Scott Hill - [ http://www.fishingthrills.com/ ]www.fishingthrills.com - 608-921-8980 – Shh! Don't tell anyone, but the Madison Chains has been one of the hottest spots in the Midwest lately for bass, walleyes and pike and Hill is as good as they come – even during the heavily pressured dog days of summer.
Captain Mel Christensen – www.fishwithmel.com - 815-678-7051 – If you have a boat and don't make good use of your electronics, make a date with Mel. He is the best around at showing you how to more effectively use your GPS and sonar.
Dave Duwe – 608-883-2050 – www.genevaonline.com/~dduwe/ - One of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. He does Geneva, Delavan and all of the lower lakes in Southern Wisconsin. I don't know any guide who is more patient with kids and beginners.
Eric Haataja – wibigfish.com – 414-546-4627 – This young man fishes all over the state of Wisconsin and catches fish on every lake and river he hits. Green Bay, the U.P. Geneva, Lake Michigan – I don't know how he does it, but this guy has mastered more lakes and rivers than anyone I know.
Todd Gessner – www.toddgessneroutdoors - 618-513-0520 – He made it to the Fishing Hall of Fame this year so you know he's good. He guides Rend, Crab Orchard, Devil's Kitchen, Lake of Egypt and all of the rest of Southern Illinois' legendary lakes. If he's not available, his protégé, Jason Johns, is almost as good as Todd.
Dennis Radloff – www.sterlingmusky.com - 262-443-9993 – The odds are that the next world record muskie will come from Green Bay or the waters of Lake Michigan that the bay connects to. Odds are also that the fish will be caught by Radloff or one of his clients..
Carl Kaufmann – Carl Kaufmann Guide Service - 815-338-2475 – Kaufmann is equally adept at finding big bass and pike on both Lake Geneva and Lake Delavan. If one is off, the other is usually on, so Carl's knowledge of both of them gives him a big edge. Carl is great with kids and first-timers. E
He's easy to fish with and has the patience of a saint.
Captain Walt Koch – www.redrockguidingservice - 815-710-5453 – Captain Walt spends most of his time on Geneva and knows its intricacies quite well. He is also proficient on the Fox Chain and is legally licensed to guide there. He's a good bass fisherman who uses some very different presentations that he has perfected.
Steve Everetts – Finseeker's Guide Service - http://www.finseekersguideservice.com; 847-707-1827 - Steve is a licensed captain and my "go-to-guy" for Lake Delavan fishing information. He is the best on that body of water, hands down. For something unique and special, book him for some incredible January and February Lake Michigan action for huge brown trout.
Captain Ralph Steiger – www.captainsteiger.com - 219-688-3593 – He fishes out of Northern Indiana and chases lunker smallies on Lake Michigan. As far as I know, he's the only guy who captains the big pond for these bronzebacks. Even with gas pushing five-bucks-a-gallon, this trip is worth the cost of the petrol.
Nick Cammerata – www.muskysucker.com - Are you looking for a trophy or are you looking at catching a half-dozen muskies? A trip with Nick will give you both on the same trip. He's the best musky guide on the Chain. No one around catches as many ski's as Nick does.
I don't every guide in the Midwest, so if you know someone who deserves to be added to this list, please let me know.
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Northern Illinois – Dave Kranz from Dave's Bait and Tackle in Crystal Lake reports: "Cold nights and last week's rains combined with melting snow up north has made our water cold and dirty with a strong current. I think the walleye bite will get better with a day or two of warmer weather. Northern pike are being caught on large roaches along current breaks. Panfish can be caught on an ice jig and a wax worm. Call 815-455-2040 for updated reports."
For up-to-the-minute water conditions on the Fox Chain and Fox River, go to http://www.foxwaterway.state.il.us or call 847-587-8540.
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You can call Wisconsin's Lake Michigan Fishing Hotline at 414-382-7920 to hear the latest fishing information for Lake Michigan and its tributaries.
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Southwick Associates, an independent market research firm, has published its first findings on fly fishing. They say that sales of fly fishing gear continued to show impressive gains with 59.3 percent of anglers reporting they bought fly fishing tackle in 2010, an increase of 4.1 percent over the prior year. "The data we are able to collect specific to fly fishing each year continues to grow as part of our overall efforts to measure angler habits and purchases," says Rob Southwick, president of Southwick Associates
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On Wednesday, April 13, the Lake Geneva Fishing Club will be meeting at Cabela's in Hoffman Estates (just west of Route 59 and north of Route 72). The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. in the meeting rooms on the second-floor. This month's meeting will feature Hall of Famer Spence Petros as its speaker. Spence will be presenting techniques and locations for big Geneva bass. The meeting is open to guests for a charge of $5, which is deductible from your dues if you decide to join at a later date. Dues are $40 per year with $5 charge for processing new members. For further information go to www.lakegenevafishingclub.com or call Ken Abraham at 847-524- 8623.
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More than 1,800 free memberships to one the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation are waiting to be claimed by active U.S. servicemen and women with an interest in elk, hunting and conservation. The RMEF is one of America's premier wildlife organizations with over 178,000-members who paid for these memberships as a thank-you to those who are defending our nation. An RMEF membership ($35) includes a year's subscription to Bugle magazine and other benefits, with proceeds supporting the nonprofit organization's work to conserve habitat for elk and other wildlife.
To claim a membership, simply go to www.rmef.org/military and sign up. This offer from RMEF is good while supplies last.
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Ducks Unlimited has recognized U.S. Senator Dick Durbin for his contributions to wetland conservation during the North American Wildlife and Natural Resources conference in Kansas City, Missouri. They claim that Durbin "has been visionary in his support of wetland conservation and watershed management practices that provide both habitat for wildlife and improved water quality in agricultural landscapes."
"As Congress gets serious about addressing the federal deficit, we will have plenty of time to debate about our nation's priorities," Sen. Durbin said. "Conservation efforts that make wetlands and wildlife habitats available for future generations should be a part of that discussion."
• Steve Sarley is the host of "The Outdoors Experience" radio show Sunday mornings at 5 a.m. on WIND AM-560. The show can also be heard anytime at his Web site, www.oexperience.com. Contact Sarley at lcjedit@lakecountyjournal.com.