Outdoors fans mourn Portincaso

Long time outdoorsman, fishing educator, teacher and writer Tony Portincaso passed away this week.

The retired 67-year-old happy-go-lucky well known outdoors fixture apparently suffered a fatal heart attack while walking near his home in Oregon, Ill. Service will be in Huntley on Saturday.

Tony authored many columns, frequently appearing in the In-Fisherman.

Fowl weather: It's been a real mish-mash on local waterfowl hunting grounds. With the arrival of cooler weather from the north, migrating ducks are slowly making their way down in to our area. The biggest concentration is in the mallard department. By the way, the Canada goose hunting in the north zone is pretty good, with field hunting ahead of those hunting in water blinds.

Fishing report: The fall bite is excellent.

Fox Chain: Muskies on the prowl in Lake Catherine and Channel Lake. The walleye action is very good with larger fish going after minnows on light jigs. The crappie bite on Petite Lake, Marie and Channel Lake is excellent.

Lake Michigan (Illinois): There's a decent steelhead bite going on now at Waukegan.

Lake Michigan (Wis.): Look for improved brown trout activity right in Kenosha Harbor.

Beck Lake: The crappie bite is on here but fish are very small.

• Mike Jackson's radio program can be heard from 6-7 a.m. Sunday on WSBC 1240-AM.