Sportsman Fishing Club

Enhancing the Environment and Fishing Experience at Shadow Lakes

1984-2016 July 2016 24 Years

The next meeting is Sunday

July 17, 2016 17, 2013

Club meetings are held the third Sunday of each

month at the Shadow Lakes Amenity Center.

Meetings begin at 9:00 am Free coffee and donuts are

provided.

Newsletter Peg McQuarters/Tom Lydon

Website/Sue Kielnik

Visit Us On The Web At: www.sportsmanfishingclub.com

Club Mailing Address: Sportsman Fishing Club

Shadow Lakes II 24727 W. Amenity Ctr. Dr.

Wilmington, IL 60481

Officers

President - Tom Lydon Cell (630) 776-1625 tlydon44@gmail.com

Vice President and DNR Rep - Fred Cowell

Treasurer - Jane Hill Secretary - Open

IDNR - Fred Cowell Fund Raising - Betty Lydon

JUNE 2016 FINANCIAL REPORT CLUB BAL: 3,629.02 INCOME 180.00 EXPENSES 878.06 TOTAL 2,930.96 ASSOC FUNDS 9,350.60

Cash negative month by $698.06

March: $1,000 stocking deposit. $8,649.40 in Assoc. funds paid out.

UPCOMING EVENTS

AUGUST 17TH, OUR NEXT CLUB MEETING 2016 CLUB MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS IN THE ASSOC OF FICE Make checks out to:” SPORTSMAN FISHING CLUB"-THAN K YOU! AUG 13TH: ALL RESORT FISH FRY- ADMISSION-PASSING DISH

August 13th 50/50 Raffle

Tickets for Fish Fry

We support "Catch Photo & Release" for future generations. BEST FISHING DAYS FROM ILLINOIS GAME & FISH SOLUNAR TABLES JULY 17 & 18, 20, 21,22 & 23, 27, 28, 29, 30TH. AUG1-5,9-11,16-21,27-31ST.

JULY AND AUGUST OFFER LOTS OF GREAT FISHING DAYS-TA KE ADVANTAGE OF THEM

FISHING ROUNDTABLE

Reports from the end of June and early July still showed some larger bass, though fewer numbers. A two year old caught a 15-16 inch two pound plus bass on the Conservation trail lakes. He was jumping up and down. Crappies are still deeper 10 to 14 feet down. Nice gills out from shore, use slip bobbers to fish deeper. Four (4 inch) Wacky Worms with colors that are popular are: chartreuse, watermelon and green pumpkin. Albino Cats are back in our waters again. Please send pictures for our bulletin board.

MAY FISH OF THE MONTH In June, we had a large number of nice fish to consider for our fish of the month contest. Cathy Miller, FC 43 with a 20+ inch LMBass, that is around 5 pounds. Ken McClory’s grandson, 5-year-old Jaxon caught a 10 inch blue gill off his deck

FISH OF THE MONTH: Drop your pictures off at the Office for this year's contest! Our big fish winners in 2015 featured: Jan, a 20 inch Walleye through the ice. May a 23 inch, 7 lb+ Bass and an 11 pound 3 ounce Striper, and now a 42 inch Muskie. These are some of our best fish.

Fish of the Month winners get their pictures on our bulletin board, in our newsletters and on our website. They also get a Bass-Pro fishing Cap. This contest, along with EVERY event we sponsor, is open to ALL Shadow Lakes residents and their family members, whether they are a Club member or not. The Fishing Club is a Shadow Lakes social community organization.

JUNE 19th, 2016 MEETING - 32 MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE BUSINESS: TREASURER report, see above for June 2016 accounting summary. NEW MEMBERS: Welcome to Bill & Lynn Schuler FV 126. TMV 39 Bernie. BOARD: Recaps of Summer programs, building efforts and financial reports rounded out the meeting. The Board expressed it's plans to NOT use chemical weed control at this time. It also stated that "Covered Trailers" are NOT permitted according to our original Covenants and that they would have to be changed to allow for these trailers. DNR update: A discussion with the main source of bait deliveries in this area said that "Crayfish" remain almost impossible to find at this time. OLD BUSINESS: - Pumps were turned on at the pond, The main pump shorted out and is being rewired. - Memorial plaques have been ordered for Barb McClory, Jack Walsh, Frank Zabloudil and John Kopecky, to be installed before the end of the month. NEW BUSINESS: - August 13th All Resort Fish Fry. The admission will be a Pot-luck dish to go with the fish. Cash 50/50 raffle will be held that day. Tickets are on sale at our meetings and in the Association Office. - New hats and t-shirts will be available at our next meeting. - The Board election was won by Joe Hudetz, a Fishing Club member, congratulations Joe.

FAMILY PANFISH ROUND-UP JUNE 25TH

Our Family Panfish Derby was a great event. Fifteen families signed up to fish with almost 50 anglers, mostly children. 271 panfish were caught, and 106 were cleaned and sent home with the families. The biggest gill was 9.25 inches. The best family average was 32.66 fish by the Pawelski family, slightly beating out Justin Rhodes and Logan with an average of 32.0 fish and the Zamet family with a 30.5 fish average. Rich Kielnik and partner brought in a 1.5 fish average. REALLY! Young angler Lukas Phillips said as he got his trophy for the biggest fish--" I have just started my fishing career." A 50/50 raffle covered most of the food costs. See pictures below and on next page.

Great Fishing Day!

Pawelski Family

Justin & Logan Lukas Phillips

SUMMER CRAPPIE FISHING

There is no better way to learn than to spend time fishing. Experience teaches us what works and what doesn’t. The following tips are from some of our Crappie anglers. Some times in the Summer, you may want to try checking out our emerging shallow Lilly Pads.

Fish a straight jig, no scent and no minnow. Favorite colors are red/chartreuse and black/green with flake. Water lily pads can be a key summer spot. Fish three feet deep, straight off bottom and don’t bounce the jig. Try putting a jig into some tight spots. The thicker the pads the better. Give it a quick try before you go deeper for Crappie.

Try more jigs in the summer as the fish are sluggish and they may hit a brightly colored jig. When fish go shallow in the summer casting in from a distance as the fish are easily spooked.

Normally, you can catch fish deep all summer in our lakes, they suspend in the water near the thermocline about 12 to 14 foot deep. You can look on the depth finder to see where the fish are suspended. Fish on a hump or breakline are the most active. Drift or troll with one of these two baits combinations. Jigs tipped with minnows will catch fish grouped in an area or crankbaits such as Storm's Wiggle Warts.

Fast trolling in the summer or try tightlining. Try to find structure that’s holding fish, humps, weed beds or downed wood off shore. Determine where, how and the depth you fish during the summer, but in general, go deep. The clearer the water the deeper you need to fish, especially in SLKS waters. Drop-offs are a key in the summer. It's not uncommon to catch crappie at a variety of depths. You can fish for fun with Crappie Nibbles or Gulp Alive minnow imitations. For best colors, try chartreuse and orange.

In the summer keep deep weed beds in mind. A jig fished on top of the weeds is good. Use a jig tipped with a minnow. Use a small weight about 16 inches above the jig to get it down fast and keep it there.

Summer fishing is often an early morning or late afternoon event because of heat. Night fishing with deep water lights can also be fun and cooler. Boat lights on and don't forget the repellant. Our Crappie are a great fish and loads of fun.

GOLF CART SCAVENGER FISH HUNT

On July 9th, 23 golf carts signed up for this event, with close to almost 60 players. The group had a great time collecting the game fish and tracking down the scavenger items. Folks did favors for strangers, met people they did not know, new folks to SLKS found their way around the community. A sloppy joe lunch and 15 great door prizes and seven loaded baskets were raffled off. Over $500 was raised for the Club. The only problem was that the challenges were a little too easy. Eighteen teams came in first. We have to make it a little more difficult next year. See pictures below.

2016 CLUB SUMMER EVENT REMINDERS

ALL-RESORT FISH FRY - AUGUST 13TH We are bringing back this very popular event. A 50/50 raffle will cover the costs of the fish fry and add the additional funds raised to our stocking in hope of having a record fish stocking year in 2016. Door

prizes. At the pavilion from 12 noon to 2 pm. Family admission is a “Pot Luck” passing or dessert.

KIDS’ DERBY & “STAR WARS” EVENT - SEPTEMBER 4 TH This year’s Kids Derby will have a “STAR WARS” theme. We will be visited by several

“STORMTROOPERS” and possible “DARTH VADER.” Watch f or more details.

CAT/CARP DERBY AND OKTOBERFEST - OCTOBER 1 ST 5-10 pm at TMV point on Big Shadow

Big Fish, Trophies, Brats, Sauerkraut and Much More. Cash 50/50 Raffle, Free Admission, Bring a Dish

REVISITING CATCH & RELEASE

� Catch & Release began in 1952; here are some key points that are being revisited......

� Avoid fishing during the hottest portion of the day, this puts high levels of stress on a fish. � Try to keep the fish in the water as you release them. Use circle hooks, barbs pinched down. � Never tear a hook out. Play your fish in quick with a slow and steady retrieve, not jerky. � Fish should be returned to the water in at least 5 minutes, unless you are keeping the fish. � Try to revive the fish as you release it in the water. Bleeding fish should be kept. Some cases are being made that Catch & Release is not always the safest for proper handling of fish. In some cases improperly released fish die later. Our Club does respond to ALL fish kills and we feel that other than some smaller panfish and an occasional Perch, we do NOT see major fish kills. We did see several Muskies 3 years ago that died after apparently being hooked and not safely released. Our Club has always supported Catch, Photo & Release as we are a "put and take" lake system. That is a smaller body of water with heavy fishing pressure. If we did not keep stocking a variety of forage and game-fish we would be seeing fish shortages and stunting. So practice CATCH, PHOTO AND RELEASE! Be sure to send us your fish pics.

TIPS AND TIDBITS

WAYNE WALSH SCHOLARSHIP: The Club is sponsoring a $500 Scholarship in the name of Wayne Walsh, a former Club President, who passed at an early age. This award is for any Senior who has graduated this Summer and is going on to a 2 or 4 year college. Applications may be picked up at the Association Office or ask any Club member. Members, please mention this offer to your new neighbors with teens.

COMPACTOR RULES: Our compactors have new signs indicating what may or may not be deposited in the compactor and surrounding area.

WILD CARROTS/QUEEN ANNE'S LACE: That tall wildflower along side the road or in the common areas with a pretty white small flower grouping at the top o the stem- beware. This plant can cause severe burns and blisters if handled. NEW HANDICAP POOL ACCESS CHAIR : Recently a hydraulic chair was installed in the pool area for handicapped folks to be able to access our swimming pool. COOKBOOK UPDATE: SLKS ladies have collected recipes to publish a local cook book. The Summer folks can add the final recipes needed to go to press. Drop your recipes in the box in the Office by July 18th. Last date for submissions. NEW KUBOTA TRACTOR: A new tractor has been purchased to help us maintain the property. It will be able to help us keep the Conservation trail rocks in place. It will help us begin to address our shoreline erosion problems and may possibly be able to do some limited dredging as well as making the fire pit burning easier.

OPEN HOUSE: This Summer. Be here to show your property on August 21st, Noon to 4 PM. ASSOCIATION DUES RAFFLE: The Association is holding another raffle for dues. Tickets are on sale in the Office. Last year the Kopeckys won the $1,800 prize of free dues for a year. SHORELINE WEED CONTROL BLANKETS: These blankets can be bought and used by homeowners to control weeds. Order one at: lakebottomblanket.com

WILMINGTON VFW FIRE: a major fire damaged a portion of the VFW hall, repairs will be under way after insurance issues are resolved, but the Club is closed for now. WEED BOAT TRAILER NEEDED: The Association is still looking to buy or borrow a pontoon trailer for the new pontoon weed cutter. It costs $50 every time that boat has to be moved. The larger boat also costs to be moved from lake to lake. They want a center mount trailer. Contact the office if you want to discuss this further or have a trailer available.

The Sportsman Fishing Club 24727 W. Amenity Center Drive Wilmington IL 60481

Sportsman Fishing Club

Membership Application for 2016 $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: (_____)___________________

E-Mail address (only needed if you wish to receive the Club Newsletter by e-mail)

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, 24727 W. Amenity Center Drive, Wilmington, IL 60481

� Drop off the application and payment in the Association office