Troubled economy hurting sponsors of outdoor events

Because the economy is on shaky ground, even some the fishing tackle companies and their affiliated "cousins", such as boat and motor manufacturers, are having to pull their horns in for next year's marketing season.

There is talk on the street that outboard motor giant Mercury has taken steps to shorten its list of major sponsorships. And there may be a change in direction with one this country's biggest retailers as to how it spends its dollars in the fishing world to promote its brand name. Stay tuned.

Fishing update

My favorite choice for the weekend for excellent bass fishing is Bangs Lake in Wauconda. A trio of Chicago-area anglers e-mailed that they "devastated" the largemouth in shallow water this week using plastic baits dragged over weed tops.

Fox Chain: The fishing here is great but there seems to be a monkey wrench in the Chain's ecology. I've received three reports of a mussel die-off on the north end. Aside from that, the walleye bite continues in current areas. Lake Catherine largemouth have been cooperative, as have the muskies on Channel Lake.

Fox River: Waders working the Geneva spillway have been taking channel and flathead catfish like there's no tomorrow.

Forest preserves: The north end-Skokie Lagoon is offering up big bluegills and decent largemouth. Busse Lake is coming alive at the main dam with walleye and crappie action. In DuPage County, Herrick Lake panfish activity is very good with a few bass tossed in.

Lake Michigan: Get ready to resume perching Aug. 1. Some hefty schools spotted right at Diversey Harbor as well as Wilmette and Waukegan. Coho and King action very good right off Fullerton, while to the far north anglers are taking kings, coho and a few trout in about 65-feet straight out from Northpoint.

Mike Jackson can be reached via e-mail at angler@mike jacksonoutdoors.com. You can catch his radio program 6-7 a.m. Sundays on WSBC 1240-AM.