Swiss government has different ideas
It appears we may be headed in the opposite direction from our European sporting brethren when it comes to catch-and-release fishing.
You may not believe this but starting next year the Swiss government is telling a population of anglers they will not be able to release any fish they catch. On top of that, they are telling the anglers that when they catch fish they must immediately be put out of their misery.
Fishermen also will be required to take a class on humane methods of catching fish.
Included in this recently announced Swiss legislation is a caveat prohibiting the use of barbed hooks and live bait.
Huh?
Big news: Do you remember that jumbo, 25-pound largemouth bass that made the news almost two years ago in California?
Well, this monster has gone on to the great spawning beds.
Mac Weakley and Joe Dickerson caught the fish from Dixon Lake near Escondido, Calif. Instead of hooking the fish and subsequently submitting it for the new record, Weakley foul-hooked the fish on its side.
The pair had named the bass Dottie. It weighed 25 pounds, 9 ounces, but when it turned up dead floating on the water, it only weighed 19 pounds.
Big bucks: And this for Governor Rod Blagojevich, in case he's looking to make up some budget shortfalls.
Word out of South Dakota this week comes as no surprise regarding revenues derived from hunting activities.
More than 180,000 pheasant hunters brought $219 million to that state. Those figures come from officials in the Game, Fish and Parks department.
Fishing report: Despite the chill, area fishing has been fairly good.
Fox Chain: Guide Darrell Baker continues to amaze his customers with walleye catches. He's fairly close to the 500 mark so far for the season. Reach him at (847) 337-5559. Pistakee Lake bluegill action has been tremendous. The crappie bite continues on Petite Lake.
Fox River: Smallmouth cooperating at Batavia and South Elgin. Catfish action has picked up just below the Carpentersville spillway.
Lake Michigan: Perch action out of Waukegan should improve this weekend and anglers should find those 13-15-inch fish again in 60 feet of water. Coho activity is picking up off Chicago's shorelines and has improved due east out of Northpoint Marina.