So much more than a snake story

I've heard about and have seen a lot of unusual things happening in the fishing and hunting world.

I've also witnessed some strange things connected to those people who deal with exotic animals.

The following story takes the grand prize:

Thirty-six-year-old Freddy Stone of Frankfort, Ky., wound up having some of his fingers amputated after being bitten by one of his poisonous snakes, a snake that he imported.

Stone was slapped with 25 counts of illegal importation and transportation. Kentucky Wildlife officers wound up seizing a gaboon viper, a king cobra, six western diamondback rattlesnakes, two alligators, a boa constrictor and other various potentially dangerous creatures.

Fishing report: Open water season is here, but with cautionary flags flying high.

Fox Chain: It's another no-wake warning for the Chain because of the heavy rain storms and flooding in that area. The good news is that walleye activity on Lake Marie and Channel Lake is very good. The crappie bite on Petite Lake is excellent as well.

Lake Michigan: It's smelt time on Chicago's lakefront. But don't expect miracles. The usual, early crop of young coho have been cooperating with anglers working Belmont and Montrose areas South side action near calumet Harbor is a tad better.

Cooling Lakes: Heidecke Lake hybrid stripers in a cooperative mood. LaSalle Lake smallmouth and largemouth bass decent.

Forest Preserves: With the 2008 spring trout season opening Saturday on a number of Cook, Lake and McHenry County lakes and ponds, you are reminded to get your inland trout stamp.