Better angling opportunities remain a hot holiday topic

Steaming coffee is the liquid that fuels serious conversations in my group of make-believe politicians.

Of course not one of these cronies comes close to the fat cats who spread the real wealth in the way of political jobs and cash benefits.

"Dang it, that stuff is boiling hot," yelled Eddy as he chugged a glass of ice water down his gullet to cool the scalding java we were sharing at our monthly gatherings.

Ralph, meanwhile, loved his brew as if it was the lost treasure of the Sierra Madre. And I sensed we were about to witness Ralph's expertise in guiding the conversation to a place where we've been many times.

"What would you like to see under your tree next month?" he asked.

Ralph knew what my answer would be, and I quickly jumped up on my high horse.

"Downstate anglers and hunters don't seem to care much for us northerners," I answered. "I've experienced a negative attitude about 'us Chicago folks' during the hundreds of times I've been down to the phenomenal resources showing up as 'jewels of this state.' " 

Ron jumped in and went ahead and offered a bit more than his proverbial 2 cents.

"We have everything here we can avail ourselves of in the way of excellent fishing, great deer hunting and tremendous camping opportunities. We have been spoiled by our frequent trips to northern Wisconsin and Canada. The sad thing about this conversation is I am the only person at this table who appreciates what we have instead of what we don't have."

I then spoke up and made my case in defense of what I just heard.

Because I have been scolded because of my intent to publicize the great fishing on Bangs Lake, I'm now careful not to give that honey hole too much attention.

I have been scolded about promoting the good muskie hunting on Lake Catherine on the Fox Chain. The chap who got right in my face was a selfish clown - all I wanted was for readers to catch and release jumbo fish without having to drive to northern Wisconsin.

I shared with the table group that I truly enjoyed the annual walleye excursion to the face of the McHenry Dam. And I added my tales of the extreme excitement in finding and catching nice smallmouth bass from the Fox River.

I now openly admit that those dedicated biologists in the Lake County (Illinois) Forest Preserve District have accomplished much in the way of providing good fishing and park resources for anyone who wants to avail themselves of a great outdoor experience.

On the Cook County side, we have yet to see many of the preserve's ponds and lakes perform as they did 15 years ago. Much of the blame for the slight decline involves poachers and gang activity.

And yet some waterways in the Cook County matrix continue to sparkle - Skokie Lagoon, Busse Lake and Maple Lake. These are true jewels, allowing fishermen a good shot at catching big largemouth bass (Busse), giant bluegills (Maple Lake), and wonderful panfish and bass (Skokie).

My table collaborators agreed on the one major angling deficit in Illinois. We have to travel northward for rainbow and brown trout in Wisconsin's glaciated streams.

So, in answer to the original question of what I'd like to find under my tree: I neither need nor want gear and lures, but I'd love a written promise from the governor and the top state lawmakers that they will make fishing and hunting a primary revenue source and attraction in this state.

• Contact Mike Jackson at angler88@comcast.net, catch his radio show 7-9 a.m. Sundays on WGCO 1590-AM (live-streamed at www.1590WCGO.com) and get more content at mikejacksonoutdoors.com.