This week’s field notes
OUTDOORS May 21, 2011 1:26AM
Dale’s mailbag
I enjoyed your article [last] Sunday about public transportation to the area lakes. I hope to retire one day, and the thought had been running across my mind when I read your article. I would like to add one more idea: using a combination of a bicycle with public transportation. Most buses, CTA and Metra allow a bike on the bus or train, making it enjoyable to extend your fishing reach once near the lake. I use the bicycle now but will add the public transportation later. —Larry Emerson
Emerson and others had many suggestions on the public transportation to nearby fishing spots. Two of note, both of which offer the option of adding a bike, are taking Amtrak to
Kankakee and Plano. The Kankakee stop is only a good block from the Kankakee dam and within a bike ride of the state park on the Kankakee River. The Plano stop is walking distance to Big Rock Creek and within a bike ride of the state park on the Fox River.
Updated: June 23, 2011 12:30AM
MOREL OF THE WEEK
Tim Williams sent this photo of a yellow morel found Friday the 13th in McHenry County. He found 40 that day, 34 the next, 24 last Sunday and 12 on Monday. His report was one of many that arrived in the last week. His earns MOTW honors because I find the photo wonderful, both visually and for information about where to look. E-mail nominations to straycasts@sbcglobal.net.
WILD TIMES
HUNTER SAFETY
June 11-12: Gurnee.
Registration begins at 9 a.m. Monday at (847) 856-1229.
June 24-25: Geneva. For more information, call (630) 845-0505.
FISH GATHERING
Wednesday: Dave Kranz on fishing the Madison (Wis.) Chain of Lakes, Walleyes Unlimited, 7 p.m., Gurnee American Legion, walleyesunlimitedusa.org.
PADDLING/BIKING
Saturday: ‘‘Peddle & Paddle,’’ North Branch, Chicago River Canoe & Kayak, chicagoriverpaddle.com.
BIG NUMBER: 1,509-15
Pounds-ounces of 84 carp caught by Chicagoans Mihai Aciu and Bogdan Bucur last week to win the 50-hour catch-and-release Wild Carp Classic on the Seneca River in New York, according to the Post-Standard.
THE LAST WORD
“We’re thrilled to be working with Leinenkugel’s toward our goal of building awareness and enthusiasm for a healthy Chicago River. The support of Leinenkugel’s gets us that much closer to making a real change here in the heart of Chicago.’’
Margaret Frisbie, executive director of Friends of the Chicago River, on a partnership with Leinenkugel’s (leinie.com/canoesforacause), which combines two of my favorite things
