Sarley: Hooked on Fishing at The Hollows proves to be a success

It could have been a few degrees cooler, but Saturday and Sunday were perfect days to spend outdoors. Father’s Day weekend looked to be the ideal time to try one’s hand at catching a fish or two. Coupled with the fact that the dates fell on Illinois’ “Free Fishing Days” weekend, when licenses were not required to fish, made it even better.

The McHenry County Conservation District could not have chosen a better time to hold its “Hooked on Fishing” family event. The event was held Saturday at Lake Atwood in the Hollows in Cary and Sunday at Rush Creek in Harvard. I attended the event at the Hollows in Cary.

McHenry County Conservation District police officer Dan Hibbeler was the district’s point man for the event. He was assisted by a number of MCCD staff members and conservation officers. Hibbeler did a wonderful job. It was obvious that this outing was a labor of love for him and not merely another workday assignment.

“It’s a great day,” he said. “We have over 170 kids and adults who have shown up for this today. We’ll have a few less at Harvard tomorrow. We start out by giving a talk to teach the kids and adults about how to fish.

“We also talk about the rules and regulations that fishermen need to follow and about fishing ethics. We think this is a really great opportunity to teach the kids what we are all about as conservation officers. We tell them what we do and why we do it. It’s a good chance to help them to learn to not be afraid of us.

“Our talk is not that long because we have to get to the real reason for being here and that is to go fishing. We have a lot of loaner equipment for people to use, but an awful lot of people bring along their own. At noon, the fishing ends, and we award the prizes for biggest fish and most fish, and we draw names for all of the many raffle prizes we have to give away. We also serve drinks and snacks.”

A lot of small kids were there with their parents to fish, some for the first time. It always amazes me to see a child catch their first fish. The smile that beams across a youngster’s face is captivating and so beautiful. It’s not staged for a photograph. They don’t smile because daddy or mommy told them to do it. They are genuinely happy to have caught a fish. Catching a fish is an accomplishment that is inherently good.

As we always mention in the report, Lake Atwood at the Hollows is a great place to take kids fishing. It is chock full of hungry bluegills that always seem willing to devour a worm. “Hooked on Fishing“ day was no exception. Kids and adults caught bluegill after bluegill with an occasional largemouth bass thrown into the mix. I may have even seen a catfish reeled in to boot.

The winners in the two biggest categories of the day were sisters. Daphne Burman, a 13-year old student at Hannah Beardsley Middle School won a new rod and reel for catching the most fish. Believe it or not, the young lady caught 83 bluegills.

Her mom told me that “she just keeps fishing and fishing. She never gets bored with catching fish.”

Daphne’s sister, Maddie King, a 17-year-old graduate of Prairie Ridge High School caught the biggest fish to win a rod and reel combo. She caught a nice 15.5-inch largemouth bass on a plastic worm under the fishing pier.

Both girls gave all of the credit for their fishing prowess to their grandfather. I asked the young ladies if they liked to watch television fishing shows, and they both said they did. When I asked them who their favorite angler was, they screamed out simultaneously, “Bill Dance!”

I guess “old school” fishing still is in style.

FISHING REPORT

Northern Illinois: Dave Kranz from Dave’s Bait, Tackle and Taxidermy in Crystal Lake reports, “The dams at McHenry, Algonquin and Carpentersville are tough because of the high water that is running at a tremendous speed. Lake Defiance is giving up some largemouth bass on plastics and northern pike on Rat-L-Traps. Crystal Lake is home to Vulcan Lakes at the Three Oaks Recreation Area, and this spot has some great bass fishing. Drop shot rigs using plastics in colors like watermelon, pumpkinseed and motor oil seem to be working.

“For more info on Northern Illinois fishing, call 815-455-2040 for an updated report.”

Fox Chain O' Lakes: Chris Taurisano of T-Bone Guide Service (www.tboneguideservice.com – 630-330-9090) sends word, "The Chain is a no-wake zone. The water is incredibly high, but that doesn't mean that fish can't be caught. Try fishing the channels and channel mouths for panfish. Fish the fronts and backs of bridges for walleyes. Muskies are holding tight to weeds."

As of Thursday, the lower Fox River is completely closed to boating. The upper Fox River and the entire Chain O' Lakes were deemed to be a "no wake" area. With our unpredictable weather, you should always get up-to-the-minute water conditions on the Fox Chain and Fox River. Spring rains can change water conditions in a matter of hours. Go to www.foxwaterway.state.il.us or call 847-587-8540.

Lake Michigan: The Lake Michigan Fishing Report is provided by Captain Caleb Weiner of Migrator Charters.

“Fishing has started to transition to a summertime fishing pattern. The water is beginning to warm up, and the fish are on the move. Our numbers have dropped in our catches, but the size has increased. The best fishing for us has been between 170 and 190 feet of water.

“The best lures for us have been the regular Moonshine Flounder Pounder fished down 55 feet on a downrigger and a little red/blue/green/gold Peanut fly on an outside Yellowbird planer board. The Magnum RV Moonshine Wonder Bread has also been good for a variety of fish on a 300 copper.

“Mixed bags of steelhead, coho and lakers have been the most active. Our kings should start showing up any day. For information about charters, give us a call at 224-234-3704 or check out our website at Migratorcharters.com.”

NEWS AND NOTES

Outdoor events: The paddling sports are the hottest things going on in the outdoors as of late, and the McHenry County Conservation District will show you how you can join in at some upcoming events.

• Family Canoe Trip: June 23 or July 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Keystone Road Landing, Nippersink Canoe Trail through Glacial Park, 6500 Keystone Road, Richmond.

• Lunch and Learn Kayak Trip: July 22 from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Keystone Road Landing, Nippersink Canoe Trail through Glacial Park, 6500 Keystone Road, Richmond.

• Full Moon Nippersink Creek Kayak Trip: July 27 from 7 to 11 p.m. at Keystone Road Landing, Nippersink Canoe Trail through Glacial Park, 6500 Keystone Road, Richmond.

Full Moon SUP: Aug. 25 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the Hollows Conservation Area, 3804 Route 14, Cary.

For more details, registration information and prices, visit the District's website at www.MCCDistrict.org

• Steve Sarley writes about the outdoors for Shaw Media. Write to him at sarfishing@yahoo.com. Steve does a weekly podcast about fishing called "WeFishASA." You can find it at www.wefishasa.com