Grandt household lines up accolades

There’s a lot to celebrate in the household of custom rod maker Jim Grandt.

Not only does Jim earn awards for his custom work, but now wife Jacqueline Grandt has received the 2012 Joseph Jefferson Award for principle actress in the play “Bug” at Redtwist Theater in Chicago.

Fish trauma: Yes, we have lots of trouble with those fearless and jumping silver carp in the Illinois River. But elsewhere, one single fish created a medical emergency for one woman.

Brianne H. Megargel, 31, of Chiefland, Fla., suffered two broken arms, a broken collarbone, multiple broken ribs, a lacerated liver, facial trauma and four missing teeth when she was knocked out of her boat Saturday on the Suwanee River by a leaping, 70-pound sturgeon, according to reports.

“She is a tough cookie, that’s for sure,” her father, Michael Hart, told the Gainesville Sun. “She’s always been an active person. Now she’s in bed with two broken arms and realizing she isn’t going to be able to do anything for herself.”

Freebie: Enjoy your time on the water now — the time is right. We celebrate Free Fishing Days in Illinois, Thursday through Monday. No fishing license is required during that time period.

Fishing report:Fox Chain: Bluegill action is excellent on Channel and Pistakee Lakes. There is some walleye action on Petite and Lake Marie, especially during evening hours. Muskie activity appears to be slow.Fox River: Smallmouth action picking up at South Elgin and Elgin. Flathead catfish being taken from slack water pools in Batavia.Lake Michigan: Montrose perching is very good, and so is the bite at 77th Street. The usual spots around Lake Forest seem to be a bit hot and not such a good choice for perch. Coho salmon off Waukegan starting to be more consistent. Delavan Lake, Wis.: Largemouth bass on inside weed edges.ŸContact Mike Jackson at angler88@comcast.net, and catch his radio show 6-7 a.m. Sundays on WSBC 1240-AM and live-streamed at www.mikejacksonoutdoors.com.