Sportsman Fishing Club

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Sportsman Fishing Club Enhancing the Environment and Fishing Experience at Shadow Lakes 20 Years November 2014 1994-2014 Officers President - Tom Lydon Cell (630) 776-1625 tlydon44@gmail.

1 Sportsman Fishing Club Enhancing the Environment and Fishing Experience at Shadow Lakes 20 Years November Officers President - Tom Lydon Cell (630) tlydon44@gmail.com Vice President - Fred Cowell Treasurer - Andy Kaminsky Secretary - Lisa Tullos IDNR - Fred Cowell Fund Raising - Betty Lydon The next meeting is Sunday NOVEMBER 16TH 17, 2013 Club meetings are held the third Sunday of each month Meetings begin at 9:00 am * * * * * * * * * * November 16th Free Brunch Community Center Newsletter Peg McQuarters/Tom Lydon Website/Sue Kielnik Visit Us On The Web At: Club Mailing Address: Sportsman Fishing Club Shadow Lakes II W. Amenity Ctr. Dr. Wilmington, IL OCTOBER FINANCIALS Beginning Balance $4, Income Expenses Club Ending Balance 4,373.72* Stocking Payments NIL Association Balance 11, Total Club/Association Balance 16, *October was a cash negative month by $21.13 WIN AN ON-THE-WATER GUIDED FISH SEMINAR Mike Mueller, one of SLKS best LMBass anglers, will take a resident or relative over 16 years old on a four (4) hour fishing trip. Mike will share the methods and techniques that he uses to land 100s of 20 inch LMBass every year. Tickets are $5 on sale at Club meetings or the Assoc. Office. Drawing for this Spring trip may be held at our November Brunch. UPCOMING EVENTS November 16th, Year-end Club meeting; Thank you brunch to end December- NO MEETING. MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL! The Fishing Club hopes you all have a safe, happy and holy Christmas season and healthy and prosperous New Year. January 18th will be our first 2015 meeting. Ice Derby/Chili Mixer set for Jan 31st (bad ice) then Feb 7th Chili Mixer will be held on Feb 7th, even if ice fishing is not a go.

2 FISHING ROUNDTABLE Some fish are now moving into canals and channels as they begin to feed up before the winter ice buildup. Reports of several nice sized Trout (2-3 lb) were caught. Several large (7-9 lbs) Catfish and a 21 inch Walleye were all caught in the week of October 20. Trout should be in by the time you get this newsletter. OCTOBER MEETING MINUTES- 63 MEMBERS ATTENDED - TREASURER'S REPORT: see above. It was a cash negative month by $ POAC MEETING: There were discussions on the possibility of a raffle for a residents yearly dues. POAC meetings dates were set for The real estate report said 46 homes were sold in 2015, thus far, with another 6 to 8 closings being scheduled. The Community Center is now accessible with a gate card from 9 AM to 9 PM daily and it has free wi-fi service available and can be reserved for events. - DNR: Fall fish stocking will be in early mid-nov as the water temps drop further. Forage, Trout, Walleyes Crappie and Musky are the remaining fish to be stocked. Help will be needed for the Nov stockings. Calls will be made when we are aware of dates and times. A new call list was typed up, with 16 volunteers to help. THANKS to all those who help out. We seem to be hearing that our Fall fish orders may be a little harder to fill this year because of higher demands for fish from many other clubs and pond owners. We have made several adjustments to our original plans. Also, next Spring, we will be adding fish to the trail and interior lakes. A last minute change: we will be adding redear to this fall s stocking Stocking finalized. Planning: $4,000 for Trout, $8,650 for forage, $1,000 for Crappie, $1,500 for Perch, $2,000 for breeder Bluegill, $1,250 for Redear and $250 for Muskie. An attendee, Joe Bhudetz, asked about using Grass Carp to cut down on the weeds. I will research our past history on this species, discuss it with our IDNR biologist and the Board. We agreed to add stocking to the interior nature trail lakes, next year. Early reports of Zebra Mussel problems are varied, but Hawk Lake does seem to be getting hit again. Also, boats on the Northern Lakes that were not used too much during the Summer had stronger populations of Mussels on their pontoons. We may have to further review our Redear plans based on the year end mussel reviews. We may be able to do some adjustments to the orders early next year, before they are finalized. It seems that continued Redear stocking may be necessary to control the Zebra Mussel populations in the coming years. Good news, we were able to find nice size redears for this fall stocking at the last minute. - WIN A GUIDED BASS TRIP ON SHADOW LAKES. See the box on the first page for details of Mike Mueller's offer to guide a trip next Spring. Mike boated several more inch LMBass last week. Buy a ticket for a chance to win. Tickets at the Office or at the November 16th meeting. - Our 2015 calendar of events was finalized. It will be published in December for the coming year. - Our special event in 2015 will be an ALL-RESORT potluck picnic. The Club will provide burgers and

(continued) hot dogs. Family admission will be a picnic side dish. Our guests of honor that day will be the Braidwood First Responders and their families.

3 (continued) hot dogs. Family admission will be a picnic side dish. Our guests of honor that day will be the Braidwood First Responders and their families. Details will be announced in the first meetings next year. - The Club members offered inputs on the Board's plan to hold a raffle for a years free dues. - We recently took numerous photos of major erosion areas around our lakes, we are working with Terry Hintzel to prepare a report for the Board in January that will prioritize these locations and work with the Board on addressing the erosion issues in the coming years. - Mike Mueller made a 30 minute presentation on LMBass fishing. He demonstrated the four basic baits he uses and the tackle associated with each. Mike gave several great tips on LMBass fishing on SLKS. One tip was to never use your reel handle to close the bail after you cast an open faced spinning rod, Close the bail by hand and pull out a short piece of line. This will reduce the line twist that we often see on this type of tackle. A second tip was to always keep your rod tip and line aimed at your bait. Don t allow the line to bow out - much harder to set the hook. ANNUAL "THANK YOU" BRUNCH AND FINAL MEETING FOR 2014 On November 16th at 9 AM in the New Community Center, we will hold our year-end event, a "Thank You Brunch" for all of our volunteers and members. This event has become a great way to end a great year. The menu currently includes: Egg Strada dishes, breakfast potatoe dishes, ham, sausage, biscuits and gravy, fruit tray, pastries, coffee and OJ. We will also have a variety of surprise dishes from the ladies and cooking gents, who bring some of their favorites. So bring the wives and enjoy this fun get-together.

AN 8 TO 80 YEAR... 2014 was the Club's 20th anniversary one of our most successful angling years for our residents from ages 8 to 80. Many reports of great LMBass and just about every other species.

4 AN 8 TO 80 YEAR was the Club's 20th anniversary one of our most successful angling years for our residents from ages 8 to 80. Many reports of great LMBass and just about every other species. The great news was the increase of anglers who won fish of the month that were youngsters. Many were 8 years old or even as young as 5 years old. Here are just a few names: Quinn Hansen, Danny Gervase, Eric Lopez, Jaden Vargas, Zay Gonzalez and Hayden Zamet. And our success stories went all the way up to our more senior anglers like Victor Ruikis, and some great catches by a few members who are pushing 80...one such catch was made by Bill Coyle. Bill caught his biggest bass ever on Hawk Lake, about 22 inches and a very healthy fish. The bigger highlight for Bill was beating his long-time angling partner Mike Green. Mike is our DNR rep for the past few years and he prides himself on his knowledge of our waters. Bill put him to shame with "his best fish ever on Shadow Lakes". A really great day for a really great angler and long-time Club Member - Bill Coyle. FISHING CLUB HISTORY We recently wrote a history of our Club for Braidwood to use as part of their upcoming anniversary celebration in We hope our history will be included in a book that is being developed for their activities next year. FALL TROUT STOCKING AND ANGLING By the time you are reading this, I HOPE, our Trout have been stocked for the fall. Trout fishing off shore is a surefire way to hook one of our stocked fish or Trout that have survived from previous years in some of our 40 foot deep holes. Our biggest Trout in recent years was a 5 and a 1/2 pound Rainbow. An added bonus is that farm-raised trout are healthy and strong fish. My wife's first Rainbow at SLKS jumped 6 or 7 times, up to 3 or 4 feet out of the water. What a show that was. Please remember, our Trout limit is two fish and a License and Trout Stamp is required if you keep Trout. Bring the proper equipment, lures or bait and patience. Pond reared Trout are used to circling their ponds as they need moving water through their gills. They also circle to find the pellet food as it is thrown into the pond. If you catch one and it goes quiet, relax. They will be around again in a while. Things You'll Need: net, bucket, basic bottom rig (egg sinker-small barrel swivel-hook), bait for trout, and a light to medium action rod and reel with 6 to 8 lb test lines. Or some folks just bobber fish with your bait 18 to 24 inches below the bobber. Trout may be moving just under the surface if the water is very cold or on the bottom if that is where the coldest layer of water is. You may see a fast-moving V mark on the surface, if they are cruising just under the surface.

5 (continued) Another really great way to catch Trout is using a spinning rod and minnow imitation lure on a swivel. These include Mepps, Rooster tails, Vibrax, Rapala Spinners or any flashy lure with a small spinner blade. Cast it out and retrieve slow or fast--sometimes--a faster retrieve is a real winner. Also you could try a fly and spinner blade combo on a bobber float, and finally fly fishing is the ultimate test. Several of our residents have become experts over the years at catching our Trout on fly equipment. It is a super treat just watching them fish. We will plan on another fly-fishing demo next year. Many baits can catch trout. Stocked trout go for corn, cheese, Power baits, live worms, marshmallows and dough baits. For bottom fishing, rig your small egg sinker onto your line, attach a small barrel swivel onto the line, allow about 2 feet of line to tie on after the swivel, then add your hook. A Tru-turn number 8 size should work, add the hook to the end of the leader then add your bait to the hook. Find a good place to relax on the shore to fish. Keep a bucket of the lake water next to you for a place to put trout that you catch. The fish stay alive until you clean them. Or you can throw them back in the lake if you prefer. That fish, if carefully released, will be caught numerous times by different folks. Cast the rig out and let it sink to the bottom. Pick up the slack until the line is taut. Feel for a tug on the line and quickly set the hook and reel up your rig. Use a net so you don't loose the fish, they are slippery. Dress warm, relax, be patient and have some fun. ICE FISHING AT SHADOW LAKES If the weather cooperates there will be some great ice fishing opportunities. Winter anglers on Shadow Lakes can catch a wide variety of fish; primarily bluegills, crappie, perch, redear, walleye, bass and musky. In addition, our waters hold some very large trout. If you catch and keep trout(2), you need a trout stamp on your license. Our best Trout through the ice was over 5 LBS. Our walleye are still catch and release this winter. Fishing through the ice requires a little skill and knowledge as does open water angling. But, anyone can ice fish successfully if he/she does their homework. Learning about the water to be fished, the equipment and its capabilities, proper clothing and safety precautions are all part of a successful, enjoyable winter fishing experience. Perhaps the best way to get started is to accompany a friend or neighbor on a half-day ice fishing outing. Club members are always willing to help you get started. Our Club's ice fishing contest will be on January 31st or Feb 7th, depending on ice conditions. Come out that morning and see how it is done. Our ice fishermen are a highly social group, eager to share tips, techniques and stories. Then join us for a chili mixer afterward. Just bring some of your favorite chili. For a first trip, try to pick an opportune weather day -- remember those blustery January days will soon fade into mild February and spring-like March days which often provide some of the most productive ice fishing of the season. Early ice and late ice offer some of the best fishing, but be sure to check the ice for safety.

(continued) Clothing... For safe ice fishing outings, anglers need to be well prepared. Proper clothing is critical because most people do not move around much while ice fishing.

6 (continued) Clothing... For safe ice fishing outings, anglers need to be well prepared. Proper clothing is critical because most people do not move around much while ice fishing. Dress warmly, paying extra attention to your head, feet and hands - dressing in layers is essential. A piece of carpet under your boots will keep your feet warm a little longer. A hot beverage can be great, and have your back into the wind. The Lakes... All of our lakes and channels offer ice fishing potential. Many folks catch fish just a few steps off their docks. Our deeper water lakes need to be fished more selectively to get good catches of pan fish, walleye or trout. We have even had anglers who have caught muskies through the ice. Our trout are frequently caught while cruising just a few feet under the ice. At our local tackle shops (Angelo's-Wilmington and T&C-Braidwood) you can purchase your bait and they will also be able to sell you the basic tackle needed, or you can always borrow an ice rig from me ( ). Regardless of the fish species that you are seeking, look for other anglers on the ice, or the presence of many old holes to provide an indication of areas where good catches have recently occurred. Cutting through the Ice... Getting through the ice is not as hard as it might seem. There are a variety of tools available that make this "essential task" fairly simple. Perhaps the simplest is an oldfashioned "spud" bar which your grandfather may have used on his ice fishing trips. Hand-powered augers, which are slightly more expensive than spud bars, are easy to operate and offer the best all-around compromise for moderate ice conditions. Anglers who fish for pan fish frequently favor ice augers 4", 5" or 6" in diameter because of their light weight and the speed that they bore through the ice. Anglers who fish for larger fish, such as trout or musky, frequently prefer an ice auger which will make a larger hole. For the avid ice angler or for thicker, more extreme ice conditions, more expensive, gas or electric-powered augers provide the ultimate in speed and convenience. If you are just starting out and want to avoid the cost of an auger, you could ask to use one from an ice angler or have them drill a hole for you. Most folks out here will be happy to help you get an ice fishing start. Ice Fishing Methods... Ice fishing methods include "jigging" with short, light fishing rods and using tip-ups. There are many different kinds of jigging poles and tip-ups. This involves the use of a jigging rod and a small spoon or lure which is often "sweetened" with a piece of bait. The jig is designed to dart around in different directions when it is jerked up and down by the angler. The tip-up is basically a spool holding a baited line suspended through a hole in the ice. When the bait - usually a minnow - is taken by a fish, the pull on the line releases a red flag signal, that tells you have a bite.

7 Ice safety... Safe ice is the number one consideration. A minimum of four to five inches of solid ice is the general rule for safety. Ice thickness, however, is not uniform on any body of water. The guidelines presented here are based on clear, blue, hard ice on non-running waters. Remember, caution is essential! Always test the ice depths first as you move out from shore. Use good judgment before going out on any ice. Avoid areas of moving water, including where streams enter the lake, and around docks and the Novy Road outflow on Dinosaur Lake. Many, many years ago, I attended my first Lion's Club Fishery at Green Lake Wisconsin. I had ice fished the smaller lakes and forest preserves in our area, where 5 or 6 guys were on the ice. As I came over a hill at Green Lake, I saw several THOUSAND large shanties, 100's of trucks and a plane landing on the ice. It was about 15 inches thick that year. Our SLKS ice last year was anywhere form 18 to 24 inches thick. I am always amazed at this chart showing the strength at various ice thickness. Ice Thickness Permissible Load Ice Thickness Permissible Load 2 inches one person on foot 10 inches truck (3.5 tons) 3 inches group in single file 12 inches heavy truck (7-8 tons) 4 inches group 15 inches 10 tons 7.5 inches one car (2 tons) 20 inches 25 tons 8 inches light truck (2.5 tons) Slush ice is about 50 percent weaker. Clear, blue ice over running water is about 20 percent weaker. Many ice anglers do not like to fish on less than five inches of ice. Be safe. Be especially alert in areas near shore, over moving water and where streams enter or exit. Remember, use the buddy system while ice fishing - it saves lives. THANKSGIVING RECIPE- PUMPKIN CRUNCH CAKE 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree, 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk, 3 eggs, 1 1/2 cups sugar, 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 box yellow cake mix, 1 cup pecans, chopped (roasted or candied optional), 1 cup melted butter. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, whisk together pumpkin, evaporated milk, eggs, sugar, cinnamon and salt. Pour into greased 13x9 baking dish. Layer DRY cake mix evenly on top of pumpkin mixture. Sprinkle pecans on top of cake mix. Drizzle melted butter/margarine over the top. Bake for 50-55minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm. A Happy Thanksgiving to all!

8 Sportsman Fishing Club W. Amenity Center Drive Wilmington IL Sportsman Fishing Club Membership Application for 2015 $35.00 for Individual or Family Household Please provide the following information for Club records and newsletter mailing purposes: Date: Renew: New Member : Name(s): Lot #:: Home Address: City: State: Zip: Home Phone: ( ) Shadow Lakes Phone: ( ) address (only needed if you wish to receive the Club Newsletter by ) I will view Newsletter on Web Site Please mail newsletter Membership dues cover the calendar year 2015 Bring this form to the next meeting and make check payable to: The Sportsman Fishing Club Mail to: Sportsman Fishing Club, W. Amenity Center Drive, Wilmington, IL Drop off the application and payment in the Association office

Sportsman Fishing Club

Sportsman Fishing Club Enhancing the Environment and Fishing Experience at Shadow Lakes 20 YEARS January 2014 1994-2014 Officers President - Tom Lydon Cell (630) 776-1625 tlydon44@gmail.com Vice President