Notes come from around Chicago outdoors and beyond.
FISH OF THE WEEK
Adam Homa messaged one of those improbabilities of fishing, “My brother Chris Homa and I recently got back from a trip in Northwestern Ontario for fishing. On the way back we stopped in Bemidji and fished Big Lake for six hours on our way back to Chicago. I was lucky enough to catch a 47-inch musky. In 2023 we stopped at Big Lake and hired a guide [Kevin Cochran] to fish for musky and my brother Chris caught a 45-inch musky.” When looking at the two photos, Homa messaged, “I couldn’t help but notice the background in the two photos were obviously from the same spot in the lake. Same time of year. I started to look at similarities in the fish, patterns, markings. And realized this might be the SAME fish my brother caught in 2023.” He sent the photos to Cochran, who confirmed from multiple similar markings, it was the same fish.
Photo is worth seeing in full.
FOTW, the celebration of wild stories and photos around Chicago outdoors, now runs most weeks in the two-page outdoors section in the Sun-Times Sports Sunday. To make submissions, email BowmanOutside@gmail.com or contact me on Facebook (Dale Bowman), Twitter (@BowmanOutside), Instagram (@BowmanOutside). or Bluesky (@Bowmanoutside).
WILD OF THE WEEK
Forgive me, but this is one of my own. I found it easy to photograph a monarch butterfly Tuesday morning in the dense fog and chill as we started our volunteer work at Rock Creek Wildflower and Pollinator Area.
WOTW, the celebration of wild stories and photos around Chicago outdoors, runs most weeks in the special two-page outdoors section in the Sun-Times Sports Sunday. To make submissions, email BowmanOutside@gmail.com or contact me on Facebook (Dale Bowman), Twitter (@BowmanOutside), Instagram (@BowmanOutside). or Bluesky (@Bowmanoutside).
WILD TIMES
FISH GATHERINGS
Tuesday, Sept. 9: Mark Anderson from Dave’s Reel Repair, Tuesday: Chicagoland Muskie Hunters chapter of Muskies, Inc., North Branch Pizza & Burger Co., Glenview, 7:30 p.m., https://chicagolandmuskiehunters.org/meetingschedule.asp
Tuesday, Sept. 9: Capt. Matt Behning, Relentless Pursuit Sportfishing, Salmon Unlimited, Thornwood Restaurant & Lounge, Wood Dale, free, 7 p.m., https://www.salmonunlimitedinc.com/
Wednesday, September 10: Patrick “TJ” Andres, “Targeting Trophy Bass During the Fall Transition,” Lake Geneva Fishing Club, Poplar Creek Bowl, Hoffman Estates, 6 p.m.,
Thursday, Sept. 11: Mike Norris on his favorite Illinois fishing places and smallmouth in several Wisconsin lakes, Thursday: Riverside Fishing Club, Berwyn Moose Lodge 424, 6:45 p.m., RiversideFishingClub.com
SHOWTIME
Next Sunday, Sept. 14: Illinois Valley Hunting & Fishing Collectibles Show, Grizzly Jack’s Grand Bear Resort, Utica, https://www.muddywaterdecoys.com/
ILLINOIS SEASONS
Next Sunday, Sept. 14: Teal season ends
HUNTER SAFETY
Sept. 20-21: Kankakee, https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/230305
Sept. 25 & 27: Newark, https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/230851
Oct. 9 & 11: Palatine, https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/230306The full state listing is at https://www.register-ed.com/programs/illinois
WINGSHOOTING
Sept. 20 and 21 (three separate sessions): Des Plaines State Fish & Wildlife Area, Wilmington, (815) 423-5326, https://dnr2.illinois.gov/WingshootingClinics/