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“In this busy, noisy, impatientworld, faster often seems better.Many of us wear stress like abadge of honor and take pridein exhaustion. Perhaps wewon’t solve these problems bygoing fishing. But I like to thinkit can’t hurt.”
Henry’s Sports & Bait3130 S. Canal St.(312) 225-8538
Jim’s Bait2322 E. 75th St.(773) 978-6596
Park Bait Company600 W. Montrose Dr.(773) 271-2838
Scottie’s Bait Shop1442 S. Pulaski Rd.(773) 277-1622
Superior Sports Store4001 W. Montrose Ave.(773) 545-4044
Vet’s Live Bait10150 S. Indianapolis Blvd.(773) 734-6720
Ace Bait Shop8116 S. Stoney Island Ave.(773) 375-5500
Action Bait Shop11526 S. Halsted St.(773) 995-9840
Fuzzie’s1528 W. Montrose Ave.(773) 271-8419
Want to know where to go?Chicago is unique among the largest cities in the United States. Open a phone book or search theInternet and you’ll find that no city has as many local bait and tackle shops as we do.We have nine,plus three fly fishing shops, all within the City limits.
Fishing is spoken there and the existence, partnership and cooperation of these bait and tackleshops is crucial to the way we fish in Chicago and to our fishing programs.They carry informationabout all of Mayor Daley’s Fishing programs, events, contests and so much more. Please give themyour support.They know local fishing, where the fish are biting, and on what. Give them a call, orbetter yet, pay them a visit.
Chicago Bait & Tackle Shops
“I fish because I love to; because, in a world where most menseem to spend their lives doing things they hate, my fishingis at once an endless source of delight and an act of smallrebellion; because fish do not lie or cheat and cannot bebought or bribed or impressed by power, but respond onlyto quietude and humility and endless patience; because Isuspect that men are going along this way for the last time,and I for one don’t want to waste the trip; because maybeone day I will catch a mermaid; and, finally, not because Iregard fishing as being so terribly important but because I
suspect that so many of the other concerns of men areequally unimportant - and not nearly so much fun.”
- Robert Traver
City of ChicagoRichard M. Daley
Mayor
Chicago Park DistrictTimothy Mitchell
General Superintendent
Mayor Daley’s Fishing Advisory CommitteeTom GrayChairman
2417 Fishing Chicago +4 pages 1/22/04 11:23 AM Page 1
Mayor Daley’s Fish`N Kids
Chicago Park District
Fishing ProgramsLet’s see, what type of fishing do we have in Chicago?
Spinning, casting, trolling, fly fishing. Live bait, artificials,tightlineing, floats. Lake Michigan, the Chicago and CalumetRivers, Park District Lagoons, our Harbors,Wolf Lake. Let’s seeabout some seasons; spring, summer, autumn and winter. Coho,Kings, Perch, Smallmouth, Largemouth, Rock Bass, Bluegill,Crappie, Channel Catfish, Carp, Steelhead, Brown Trout,Walleye(yes,Walleye!).
Did something peak your interest? Does some method orlocation or fish make you tingle? We’ve got it here: in Chicago.Whatta’ town.
Please read this brochure carefully. It’s full of information thatcan make your fishing more enjoyable and rewarding. For moreinformation about fishing programs sponsored by the ChicagoPark District and Mayor Daley’s Fishing Advisory Committee,call the Chicago Park District at (312) 742-PLAY or call BobLong, Jr., "The Fishin’ Guy!" at (312) 742-4969. For more information about your Chicago Park District and its fishingprograms visit www.chicagoparkdistrict.com or call (312) 742-PLAYor (312) 742-2001 (TTY).
2
"When you fish, you must wear a goofy hat.”
Neighborhood Fishing
BLUEGILL TIP:Waxies, spikes and butterworms are the best all-around baits for bluegill, spring through fall.
Catfish Tip: Try garlic flavored hot dogs cut into small pieces.
Lago
on
S. Racine Ave.
S. Loomis Blvd.
Wes
t G
arfie
ld B
lvd.
52nd
St.
Fiel
dho
use
�N
Sherman Park Lagoon
52nd St. & Racine Ave.
Lagoon
Casting Area
Casting Pier
Mor
gan Russel Dr.
Cottage Grove Ave.
59th St.
King Dr.
Fieldhouse
Lago
on
StockedArea
Washington Park Lagoon
Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. & 55th St.
�N
“Fishing heals a man’s heartand soothes his soul.”
- Jody Moore
19
Neighborhood Fishing Parks with lagoons and fishing programs.Areas for fishing are marked in red.
2417 Fishing Chicago +4 pages 1/22/04 11:23 AM Page 3
Fishing Programs, Derbies
and Activities for 2004Fishing is a weather-driven activity, subject to change. For up-to-date
fishing information regarding times, dates and locations of our fishing programs, please visit www.henryssports.com.
Ice Fishing Derby – Saturday, January 31 at BelmontHarbor, 7am to 11am (Alternate Derby date: February 14). IfMother Nature gives us ice (c’mon Mother Nature!) then you’llfind us in Belmont Harbor, (3600 North on Lake Shore Drive) onSaturday, January 31. Last year, 280 hardy souls joined us for ourIce fishing derby.There was camaraderie, food, prizes and fish.What is it about a warm tent, good friends and fish that canbring so many people out on a –7°F degree morning? Come seefor yourself, even if you don’t fish.
Spring Fishing – Spring Fling Coho Fishing Derby –Saturday, March 27 North Seawall, Solidarity Drive,Museum Campus, 6am – 10am Fishing for Coho Salmon inthe spring is a fantastic early-season fishing opportunity.The fishcome close to shore making them readily available to bank andboat anglers. Spoons, plugs, spinners and bait are all effectivetechniques to catch these cold-water salmon when many feelthey are at their tastiest. Look to the map section to see somegood fishing spots. Prizes awarded. Sponsored by Henry’s Sportsand Bait. For event information go to www.henryssports.com.
Smelt Fishing – April 1 through April 30 7pm to 1pmdaily. Always a favorite family pastime, smelt fishing attractsthousands to Chicago’s Lakefront each year.
Mayor Daley’s 2nd Annual Smelt Fishing Family Night,Saturday,April 24, 6pm to 11pm To be held along the northseawall between the Planetarium and Aquarium. For more information visit www.henryssports.com.
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Neighborhood Fishing
Lincoln Park West North Clark St.
Stockton Dr.
Nor
th A
ve. �N
Lincoln Park South Lagoon & South Pond
2021 N. Stockton Dr.
Lago
on
Lagoon
Skating Lagoon
Lago
on
Redfield Dr.
S. Ke
dzie
Dr.
Kan
st D
r.
S. C
alifo
rnia
Ave
.
W. 67th St.
Mann Dr.
Lagoon
Fieldhouse
Marquette Park Lagoon
California Ave. & 71st Street
�N
Casting Pier
Lagoon
Sout
h D
amen
Ave
.
W. 37th St.
Pershing Rd.39th St.
Fieldhouse
�N
McKinley Park Lagoon
37th St. & Damen Ave.
“Bragging may notbring happiness, butno man havingcaught a large fishgoes home throughan alley.”
- Author Unknown
18
“It is not difficult tolearn how to cast; butit is difficult to learnnot to throw yourminnow off the hookwith every cast.”
- Author Unknown
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2417 Fishing Chicago +4 pages 1/22/04 11:23 AM Page 5
Richard J. Daley Memorial Fishing Derby – June 1through August 31 You can compete for over $7,000 in cashprizes.All you need is a fishing license. First place wins $100,second place takes home $75, and third place winners receive$50.That ain’t bad for catching a Coho and King Salmon,Steelhead, Perch, Catfish, Carp or Panfish.These seven fish categories will produce 126 winners in all. Be one of them! Fishcaught from Lake Michigan, the Chicago River and Chicago ParkDistrict lagoons all qualify. Call Henry’s Sports and Bait Shopat (312) 225-8538, Park Bait Company at (773) 271-2838 orBob Long, Jr. at the Chicago Park District (312) 742-4969 forRichard J. Daley Derby information. For more information visitwww.henryssports.com.
Sam Romano Youth Fishing Derby – June 1 throughAugust 31 Just for the kids – all kids age 6 to 15. No licenserequired.This Derby is named in honor of Charter Boat CaptainSam Romano who loved fishing and kids. Enter any fish youcatch in the city limits, even Gobies. 50 kids, drawn at random,will each win $30 worth of new fishing equipment. For morecontest and entry information call Henry’s Sports and BaitShop (312) 225-8538, Floyd’s Bait (773) 378-6500, Jim’s BaitShop (773) 978-6596, Park Bait Company (773) 271-2838,Superior Sports Store (773) 545-4044, Vet’s Live Bait (773) 734-6720or Bob Long, Jr. at the Chicago Park District (312) 742-4969.
Tagged Fish Contest – June 1 through November 30Throughout June, July and August 500 channel catfish, taggedwith bright-pink or blue FLOY tags, are stocked in Chicago ParkDistrict lagoons by the Illinois Department of Conservation’sUrban Fishing Program. If you catch a tagged fish, save the tag,fry the fish and call Bob Long, Jr. at (312) 742-4969 to redeemyour prize: a $20 fishing equipment gift certificate. Good Luck!All ages are eligible to enter the Tagged Fish Contest.
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Neighborhood Fishing
Creek
Dam
Lagoon
Foster Ave.
Nor
th P
ulas
ki R
d.
Parking
�N
Gompers Park Lagoon
Pulaski Ave. & Foster Ave.
Lagoon
Lago
on
Humboldt Blvd.
W. D
ivis
ion
St.Marin Dr.
N. California Ave.
Nor
th A
ve.
N. Albany Ave.
Humbolt Park Lagoon
Sacramento Ave. & North Ave.
�N
East Lagoon
West Lagoon
Cornell Dr.
Mid
way
Pl.
Mid
way
Pl.
Columbus
Dr.M
useu
m o
fSc
ienc
e an
d In
dust
ry
�N
Jackson Park Lagoon
Stoney Island Ave. & Midway Plaissance
“When a man picks up a fishing rod for the first time,he may not know, but he hasbeen born again.”
- Joseph D. Farris
17
JUMBO PERCH TIP #2:Spring: Try Cotton CordellWally Divers, Rapala JointedShad Raps, Shad Rap Rs, StormThundercranks, or Rapala TailDancers.
Neighborhood Fishing Parks with lagoons and fishing programs.Areas for fishing are marked in red.
2417 Fishing Chicago +4 pages 1/22/04 11:23 AM Page 7
“FISHIN’ BUDDIES!” Free Kids Fishing FestSaturday, June 5 at Montrose Harbor You’re going to likethis. It’s an all day, no cost, Outdoors Expo featuring boat rides,fishing and insightful seminars on everything outdoors. It’s freeand open to the public by pre-registration. Sponsored by TheChicago Park District, "Fishin’ Buddies!" Inc.,The IllinoisDepartment of Natural Resources, the Illinois ConservationFoundation and Mayor Daley’s Fishing Advisory Committee.Call John Kidd, Jr. at "Fishin’ Buddies!", (773) 233-3250. You canalso register online at www.fishinbuddies.org.
Perch Fishing If you’ve never tasted Perch, caught freshfrom Lake Michigan and deep-fried in beer-batter, then brother,you haven’t lived! Hey! Hey! Perch are making their way back inLake Michigan and the daily limit is 15. Fish along breakwalls andpiers that drop off into deep (12’-20’) water. Softshell crayfish,spikes, minnows, spinners and jigs are all great baits to use. Mayand June are prime times. Perch fishing is closed from July 1 –July 31. Join us for our 2nd Mayor Daley’s Northerly IslandPerch Fishing Derby, Saturday, June 19, 5am – 10am in BurnhamHarbor. Prizes, a fish fry and Perch. Oh yeah! Visit www.henryssports.com for up-to-date contest and local fishinginformation.
Mayor Daley’s Fish`N Kids – June 28 - August 13,Monday through Friday, from 10am - 4pm We supply therods, reels, bait and instruction.You? Well, you supply the kids.There are four daily, 45-minute fishing sessions conducted byour Fishing Instructors for up to 30 kids per session or 120children per day. Fishing takes place at all Chicago Park District
lagoons and at four lakefront locations. It’sfree and open to the public.To reserve adate, time and place for your summer camp,family, church or community group ororganization with 10 kids or more call BobLong, Jr., "The Fishin’ Guy!" (312) 742-4969.
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Neighborhood Fishing
Lagoon
Jensen Dr.
South Central A
ve.
W. Jackson Blvd.
�N
Columbus Park Lagoon
South Central Ave. & Jackson Blvd.
Boat Launching
Swimming Lagoon
Ogden Ave.
Farrar Dr.
Lagoon
Thompson Dr.
Farra
r Dr.
.
Douglas Park Lagoon
California Ave. & Roosevelt Rd.
�N
W. Lake St.
West Washington Blvd.
LagoonLagoon
Central Park A
ve.
Fieldhouse
�N
Garfield Park Lagoon
Washington Blvd. & Central Park Ave.
BAIT TIP:Best bait for everything that swims fromJune through August: Softshells
“After 54 years on thisearth, and thousands offish, I’m beginning tobelieve that few of usever really master anything to do withfishing.”
– Bob Long, Jr.
16
“Fishing simply sent meout of my mind. I couldneither think nor talkof anything else, somuch so that motherwas angry and said thatshe would not let mefish again because Imight fall ill from suchexcitement.”
– Sergei Aksarov1791-1859
2417 Fishing Chicago +4 pages 1/22/04 11:24 AM Page 9
Urban Fishing Program The Illinois Department ofNatural Resources’ Urban Fishing Program offers no-cost,instructed fishing at our City lagoons. In addition they offer no-cost informative and fun fishing lessons and seminars that can be conducted at a fishing site in Chicago or at yourlocation. Call Brenda McKinney, Urban Fishing ProgramDirector (847) 294-4132 for more information.
Personal and Charter Boat Fishing As the summer progresses, salmon and trout move farther out into LakeMichigan. Boats can be launched from Calumet Park, JacksonPark, and Burnham Harbor, Diversey Harbor, and 95th Street atCalumet Park.You can also go out with a professional charterboat captain on one of the many fully equipped charter boats.Call the Chicago Sportfishing Association, (312) 922-1100 orCapt.Al "The Fisherman’s Pal" Skaleche, in Burnham Harborat (312) 565-0104. Westrec Marinas has info on launch fees inthe Harbors, call (312) 742-8520.
Chicagoland Bass Fishing Tournament Are you a bassman? Do you talk spinnerbaits, crankbaits, tubes and CarolinaRigs in your sleep? Think you’re good? Then this is for you.Chicagoland Bass is sponsoring a six event Bass fishingTournament on Lake Michigan. Running through the spring andsummer of 2004 it’s bass boats on parade. It’s awesome and it’sopen to the public.You got game? Come show it! For moreinformation call Chicagoland Bass, Michael Nega at (708) 403-3220. Sponsored by the Chicago Park District andMayor Daley’s Special Events. Go to www.chicagolandbass.comfor more information.
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Neighborhood Fishing
Lagoon
S. N
orm
al A
ve.
S. Eg
gles
ton
Parkway
S. St
ewar
t Ave
.
W.Winneconna Pkwy.
S. Fi
eldi
ng A
ve. �N
Auburn Park Lagoon
7800 S. Fielding Ave. & Winnecona Pkwy.
Lake Michigan
Coast Guard Station
Avenue “G”
Walton Dr.
Walton Dr. 100th Dr.
Ave. “G”
98th St.
Crilly Dr.
Foreman D
r.
BeachHouse
Calumet Park
9500 S. Lake Shore Drive
�N
“Poets talk about ‘moments of time’, but it is really the fishermenwho experience eternity compressed into a moment. No one cantell what a spot of time is until suddenly the whole world is a fishand the fish is gone. I shall remember that son of a gun forever.”
- Norman Maclean
15
Neighborhood Fishing Parks with lagoons and fishing programs.Areas for fishing are marked in red.
2417 Fishing Chicago +4 pages 1/22/04 11:24 AM Page 11
U.S.Angler’s Choice 2004 Southern Lake MichiganBass Tournament The smallmouth bass fishery in the southern Lake Michigan basin continues to grow. New for 2004,U.S.Angler’s Choice of Brentwood, CA is sponsoring a summer bass fishing derby in Chicago. Call Ed Bohn, ProgramDirector, for info at (708) 597-8698 or contact him at [email protected]’s Choice may be visited atwww.anglerschoice.com.
Shore Fishing In addition to harbors and lagoons, manyenjoy fishing along the Chicago River and from the many seawalls, piers and revetments along the lakefront. Perch, RockBass, Largemouth Bass, Carp and Panfish can be caught fromspring until fall when Salmon return. Popular locations includethe area along Solidarity Drive, between the Shedd Aquariumand the Planetarium; 31st Street Pier; Casino Pier located at63rd Street Beach and Calumet Park on East 95th Street.
Snagging Season Snagging for Chinook and Coho Salmonis permitted in the Lincoln Park Lagoon from the FullertonAvenue Bridge to the southern end of the lagoon and in theJackson Park Inner and Outer Harbors. Snagging is not allowedat any time within 200 feet of a moored watercraft. Snagging forspecies other than Salmon is illegal. Snagging season runs fromOctober 1 to December 31. A fishing license with a Salmonstamp is required.
Mayor Daley’s Fishing Program Awards CeremonyThe Richard J. Daley Memorial Fishing Derby and the SamRomano Youth Fishing Derby Awards Ceremony will be held onSaturday, September 18, at the Burnham Harbor Yacht Club onthe east side of Burnham Harbor from 8am to 9am.Attendanceis free. Did you win this year? If so, then come pick up yourmoney and some prizes! For more information visit www.henryssports.com.
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Lakefront/Harbor Fishing
Coast Guard Dr.
Mar
quet
te A
ve.
Richards Dr.
Hayes D
r.
Lake Shore DriveBoat
Launch Area
�N
Jackson Inner Harbor
6400 S. Lake Shore Drive
LakeMichigan
US Coast Guard Station
Coast Guard Dr.
Lake Shore Drive
Mar
quet
te R
d.Yach
t Club
Jackson Outer Harbor
6400 S. Lake Shore Drive
�N
“If you ever wondered why fishing is probably themost popular sport in this country, watch thatboy beside the water and you will learn. If youare really perceptive you will. For he alreadyknows that fishing is only one part fish.”
- Hal Borland14
“Instead of the fishing trip of a lifetime,I’d rather have a lifetime of fishing trips.”
– John Geirach
2417 Fishing Chicago +4 pages 1/22/04 11:24 AM Page 13
Fish Species
Available in ChicagoOur fishing season never closes.
And, best of all, except for the cost of a fishing license; it’s free.
January to FebruaryLakefront and Harbors: Perch, Panfish and Trout
March to AprilLakefront and Harbors: Coho, Salmon and Smelt
Lagoons: Early season Bluegill and CrappieMay to AugustLakefront and Harbors: Perch (except for closed season
July 1 – 30), Panfish, Carp,Smallmouth Bass
Lagoons: Bluegill, Channel Catfish andLargemouth Bass. (The IllinoisDepartment of Natural Resourcesstocks the lagoons with 33,000Bluegill in May, and 30,000 poundsof Catfish [approximately 12,500individual fish] in June, July andAugust)
September to DecemberLakefront and Harbors: King and Coho Salmon, Brown
Trout, Steelhead and PerchLagoons: Bluegill and Channel Catfish (mainly
in September and October)
8
Lakefront/Harbor FishingHarbor fishing is allowed in designated areas of the following harbors (marked in red).No casting allowed within 100 feet of a moored vessel or a vessel underway.
North Basin South Basin
Lake Shore DriveMcF
etri
dge
Dr.
Linn White Dr.
Handicap Fishing Pier
Handicap Parking Lot
Fisherman's Parking Lot
Solid
arity
Dr.
Soldier Field
McCormickPlace
Lake Michigan
Northerly Island
Lakefront
Burnham Harbor
Visitor's Center(Old Terminal)
Endof
Meigs
�N
Burnham Harbor
1200 S. Lake Shore Drive
59th St.
57th
Dr.
Columbia Dr.
Lake Shore Drive
Highway Turnoff
to 57th St.
Yacht Club
Boat House
59th Street Harbor
5900 S. Lake Shore Drive
�N
13
NOTICE: Northerly Island around old Meigs Fieldmay or may not be open in 2004, due to construction.Please check with Bob Long, Jr. at the Chicago ParkDistrict (312) 742-4969 or visit www.henryssports.combefore fishing that part of Burnham Harbor.
2417 Fishing Chicago +4 pages 1/22/04 11:24 AM Page 15
Lake Shore Drive
Cannon Dr.
Div
erse
y A
ve.
�N
Diversey Harbor
2800 N. Lake Shore DriveLo
wer
Wac
ker
Dr.
Ran
dolp
h St
.
Chi
cago
Riv
er
Lake Shore Drive
Fisherman'sParking Area
�N
DuSable Harbor
300 N. Lake Shore Drive
Inner Breakwater
Nor
th S
ectio
n
Chicago Yacht Club
Yach
t C
lub
Lake Shore Drive
Randolph St.
Monroe Harbor
100 N. Lake Shore Drive
�N
Lakefront/Harbor Fishing
COHO BAIT TIPS:• When fishing with a nightcrawler
for Coho, put the main hookthrough the tip of the`crawlersnose and add a small, #10 stingerhook through the tail.
• Use a slip float with a Night-crawler or a strip of squid on a#4 or #2 beak or baitholderhook. Don’t use a long shank forCoho.
“I once gave up fishing.
It was the most terrifying weekend
of my life.”
12
Fishing LicensesA fishing license is required and available for purchase atChicago Park District fieldhouses (for those parks that havelagoons), and at most local bait shops.
• Resident sport fishing $13.00
• Resident sport fishing 65 years and over $ 6.75
• Resident and non-resident under 16 years of age FREE
• Resident sport fishing disabled, blind FREE
• Salmon Stamp $ 6.50
• Fishermen’s Parking Pass Program Parking is available forfishermen by purchasing a parking pass good at special parkinglots at Burnham and DuSable Harbors.The passes cost $12.50for six months: January 1 – June 30 and July 1 – December 31,2004.The Passes are available at Henry’s Sports & Bait only,(312) 225-8538. Revenues raised go to Westrec Marinas to payfor porta-potties and other fisherman programs.
• Chicago Harbor Dock Fishing Passes Passes are availablefor fishermen to access a variety of docks in Montrose,Diversey, Belmont, DuSable and Burnham Harbors when theboating season is over and the Harbors are closed.The passes cost $5.50 and are good from November 15, 2003 –March 31, 2004. Sponsored by Westrec Marinas, the passes areavailable from Henry’s Sports & Bait at (312) 225-8538.Revenues go to Westrec to cover potential damage and winter porta-potty rentals at fishing locations.
9
2417 Fishing Chicago +4 pages 1/22/04 11:24 AM Page 17
Lakefront/Harbor Fishing
Belmont H
arbor D
r.
Boat HouseYachtClub
�N
Red lines mark areas designated for fishing.
Belmont Harbor
3200 N. Lake Shore Drive
LakeMichigan
Harbor Dr.
Montrose Dr.
Entr
ance
Gat
e
Lake Shore Drive
YachtClub
Montrose Harbor
4400 N. Lake Shore Drive
�N
Harbor fishing is allowed in designated areas of the following harbors (marked in red).No casting allowed within 100 feet of a moored vessel or a vessel underway.
11
“My wife wonders why all women do notseek anglers for husbands. She has come incontact with many in her life with me andshe claims that they all have a sweetness intheir nature which others lack.”
— Ray Bergman
MAPS NOTE: These maps are approximations.When in doubt, call Bob Long, Jr.(312) 742-4969 or Westrec (312) 742-8520 to report conflicts or to ask questions.
“Some fishermencatch fish.Most just
feed them.”
Memories and Moments"I did it! I did it! I caught a fish!" - Joshua, age 6.His smile was a mile-wide; his eyes sparkled like cut, polished diamonds.Adults
should show their joy so unashamedly.We were at Burnham Harbor, near SoldierField. It was August 2003 and Joshua had just caught his first fish, a plump, six-inch,orange-throated male Bluegill with a sparkling strip of aqua-blue coloration alongthe edge of his gills. He admired his catch, but he wouldn’t touch it.They all startthat way.At the beginning of a fishing session, most of the kids won’t touch anything. By the end of the session, they’re touching everything.Adults should losetheir fears so quickly.
Fish`N Kids. That’s the name of Mayor Daley’s Fishing Program at the ChicagoPark District.That’s what we do: put Fish and Kids together and create some memories.
Philosopher Cesare Pavese said, "We do not remember days, we remembermoments."
Moments and memories: memories and moments.They’re formed for a lifetimewhen kids go fishing. Perhaps a lifetime’s passion is formed too. Mine was.
What will this child remember: the brightness of the sun at noon upon thewater; the deep heat of summer warming the soles of the their shoes; the intenseorange of a male bluegill’s throat; the coolness of the shade under an Oak orMulberry tree along a lagoon bank; the wiggle of a fish hanging from the end of arod; the sound of wind in the trees or water against the pier; the high-pitchedscreams and giggles of friends as a fish flops on land; the heart-stopping excitementof a red-and-yellow stick bobber slipping beneath the surface; white-hulled sailboatsin the harbor bobbing on the waves; the feel of beemoth and redworms wrigglingin the hand; the warm voice of a Fishing Instructor saying "Great Job! GoodFish!"; the bounce of gym shoes running hurriedly down a wooden pier; the cawof birds awaiting a donated meal of soft goby; the feel of scales and slime in theirhands as they hold a crappie; the slipperiness of a fathead as your try to put it onthe hook; the scent of fish on their fingers; the clap of thunder and rush of wind asyou sit under a tree awaiting the passage of a summer storm; the lazy motion ofthe fins on a Rock Bass as he swims captive in a five-gallon bucket; the gap-toothed,wide-eyed, confident smile of success and wonder on a young face?
Oh, those are some of my moments, my memories, from the summer of 2003and all summers before. I’m sure they will be some of theirs too.What about yours?
– Bob Long, Jr.
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2417 Fishing Chicago +4 pages 1/22/04 11:24 AM Page 19