Catch'em if You Can

BY JASON L. JENKINS The NIAA's fishing derby provides anglers with family fun while supporting efforts to increase stewardship on the Kankakee River. For 10 days each summer, sport fish in the Illinois portion of the Kankakee River are practically worth their weight in gold. Well okay, not all of them. But if you're lucky enough to land a fish with a tag for the Kankakee River Valley Fishing Derby, that freshwater beauty is worth a minimum of $500 in cash, merchandise or services. But catching a tagged fish is just one way that registered anglers can win at the derby sponsored by the Northern Illinois Anglers Association. As a nonprofit organization, NIAA works to preserve and improve the ecology of lakes, rivers and streams while providing recreational opportunities. The group has sponsored the derby as an annual event since 1984. "In the early 1980s, the economy of Kankakee was doing poorly," says J.R. Black, NIAA's executive director. "So the local Chamber of Commerce asked us to create some sort of event to help boost tourism in the area." What Black and NIAA devised was the derby. That first year, one fish was tagged and released into the Kankakee River. A $10,000 prize was offered to any registered angler who could catch it. "We had a great turnout,' recalls Black. "More than 350 fishermen registered for their chance to catch our fish." Unfortunately, a non-registered angler landed the fish so no prize was awarded. However, the large turnout had revealed the potential of the derby, prompting NIAA and the Kankakee River Valley Chamber of Commerce to expand the event. Since releasing that first fish in 1984, the derby has grown to become a community-wide effort. Local merchants sponsor fish, and additional prizes are donated by a number of contributors. Bait shops agree to be registration and weigh-in stations and local media provide advertisement. Last year NIAA, with the assistance of DNR Division of Fisheries personnel, tagged 105 fish for (Photo by Chas. J. Dees.)

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Many fisherman like to try their tuck in the shallow water below the dam instead of fishing from a boat or from the bank.

the derby and released them at more than 50 locations along the river. A total of $315,000 in cash, bonds and merchandise prizes was donated.

"It's a family-oriented event," says Rick Follkie, NIAA derby committee chairman. "We want people to have a good time and to

catch the fish, so we give them a number of ways to win."

Follkie explains that there are eight ways for registered anglers to win at the derby:

• An angler who catches a tagged fish from the current derby year wins a minimum $500 prize in cash, merchandise or services from a sponsoring merchant. An angler who catches a tagged fish from a previous derby year wins $50 in merchandise at the weigh station where the fish is presented.

• An angler who catches a combination of any two tagged fish from either the current year or a previous year wins an additional $100 cash bonus.

An angler who catches a fish that places first, second or third in a category on the "Big Board" wins a prize package at the end of the derby. There are eight categories—walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, rock bass and rough fish.

• During "Derby Dollar Days," the angler who catches the largest fish of the daily species wins $100 cash.

• An angler can be selected at random to win an NIAA Welcome Night prize while fishing the river.

• An angler can be selected at random for a Mystery Prize while fishing the river.

• On the last night of the derby, one angler will be drawn as the winner of the "Henkelberry Fins" boat, motor and trailer package sponsored by the Cognis Corporation.

The NIAA also will offer a $1,000 prize for a specially tagged fish.

Follkie adds that though the derby is enjoyable for all those who participate and beneficial to

Pete Gooding, former NIAA committee chairman, presents a Mystery Prize to Silvester Riojas at Kankakee's Bird Park during last years derby.

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J.R. Black, NIAA's executive director, created the fishing derby as a way to fund the organization's projects on the Kankakee River and to bolster the area economy.

the local economy, NIAA's main concern is still the health of the Kankakee River. All proceeds from the derby are placed in the Kankakee River Trust Fund, which is administered by NIAA. The trust fund is used in a variety of ways to preserve and improve the condition of the river.

"With the funds, we've been able to accomplish a number of things," says Black. "We're trying to protect the river and instill a sense of stewardship in all who use it."

Many of NIAA's activities deal with educating the public about the river. It sponsors educational programs at local schools, a children's fishing day and a children's program known as R.E.S.P.E.C.T. (Remember Educating Students Promotes Effective Conservation Tomorrow), which emphasizes conservation

The 17th annual Kankakee River Valley Pishing Derby will be held from June 23 to July 2. Prize night is scheduled for July 3. Registration for a family is $15 for the 10 days of the derby. Participants 16 years of age and older must have a DNR resident or non-resident sport fishing license. Those interested in receiving a registration form as well as the rules, regulations and other information concerning the derby can write to the Kankakee River Valley Fishing Derby, P.O. Box 188, Bourbonnais, Ill. 60914, or call the Kankakee County Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1-800-74-RIVER.

and stewardship. In addition, NIAA has created the Gordon Graves Environmental Library, which is located on the campus of Kankakee Community College. The library is open to the public and houses numerous books on the improvement, conservation and preservation of natural resources.

In addition to its educational activities, NIAA funds the annual Kankakee River clean-up and has purchased life safety boats for the Kankakee River Patrol. It also has donated funds to DNR's Division of Fisheries (Region II) for the purchase of additional equipment.

"We're very involved," says Black. "We understand that we all have a stake in the river, and we attempt to get others involved."

Because of NIAA's efforts, other environmental organizations have been formed. The group helped organize the Kankakee RiverWatch, a local extension of DNR's RiverWatch. NIAA also was responsible for the Kankakee River Basin Partnership with the Conservation 2000 program.

"What we like to do is get new organizations started, get them funded and let them go," says Black. "It creates a total river effort."

Follkie and Black both agree that while the fishing derby requires a lot of hard work and dedication, the benefits of river stewardship and recreation are well worth it.

"Prize night is the best night," says Follkie. "Seeing the reaction on the kids' faces is great."

"We want the derby to be fun for the whole family," adds Black. "Nothing makes us happier than to see Mom and Dad in lawn chairs and their three kids fishing."

And with the continued effort of the Northern Illinois Anglers Association and other environmental groups, the banks of the Kankakee River will no doubt provide such opportunities for years to come.

This young derby participant concentrates on her bobber and waits for a bite from a derby fish.

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