As the title suggest, we'll have the third annual Garvana trip to the Vermilion river in LaSalle county Illinois. We plan on the 18th and 19th as the primary dates but we might just start the trip a day early and stay a day late so keep your eyes peeled on this thread to see how it develops. Last year we sampled 47+ species and had a great time. You should expect lots of attention to the large population of shortnose gar in the Vermilion and some Illinois river sampling as well. To see some of the fishes we found last year click here.
Third Annual Garvana Trip
Started by
Guest_teleost_*
, May 10 2007 04:13 PM
18 replies to this topic
#4
Guest_Brooklamprey_*
Guest_Brooklamprey_*
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Posted 10 May 2007 - 06:21 PM
I'll do my best to make it, if my wife doesn't make me take her to the beach that weekend
Funny story here that just somehow relates...
On our first trip to the Vermilion in search of the not so elusive Shortnosed gar (Here at least..they are all over this place) we ran into a couple fishing on the bank for mostly catfish..Never thought about and they really said nothing to us as we seined out some 40 Shortys that day. On the way back up the cliffs in the parking lot I ran into the same couple. The Guy asked me what we where doing and if we where doing some sort of Survey. I responded "sort of doing a Gar survey just on our own"..He then told me this whole story of how he found the place and now he goes there every year on the same day with his wife...His anniversary!!! (Got to like a man that goes fishing on his wedding anniversary)
He then told me the line that has stuck forever "You know we call this place Garvana...there are so many of them, it must just be like heaven in there for them"
Yep heaven for the gars and heaven for those seeking them also
#6
Guest_teleost_*
Guest_teleost_*
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Posted 17 May 2007 - 01:18 PM
We'll have many hotels to access but the rooms will be all booked by that time. Last minute hotel stays will either place you very far from the sampling site or cost you an arm and a leg. We can either bunk up and make reservations at a nearby hotel or try Hickory hollow campground. We'll need reservations for the campground and or cabins here as well. http://www.hickoryhollowcg.com/
If we can get a list of antendee's, I can make reservations.
If we can get a list of antendee's, I can make reservations.
#7
Guest_teleost_*
Guest_teleost_*
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Posted 18 May 2007 - 10:49 AM
Last year we almost couldn't get a room since they were booked. We'll need to make sure and get accommodations squared away with some advance notice.
I talked to the campground and most cabins don't have showers.....I need a shower after handling hundreds of giant shad, sucker and gar! If we have lots of tent campers coming then we'll just have to figure out how to make the cabins work. If you want to camp with tent or RV please let us know so we can coordinate.
I'm leaning towards the Days Inn on I-39 in Oglesby
Days Inn Oglesby/ Starved Rock
120 North Lewis Ave
I-39 & Oglesby Exit 54
Oglesby, IL, 61348 US
Phone:815-883-9600
Fax:815-883-9660
E-Mail:daysinnoglesby1@aol.com
Either way we must book soon since rooms/site fill up fast.
I talked to the campground and most cabins don't have showers.....I need a shower after handling hundreds of giant shad, sucker and gar! If we have lots of tent campers coming then we'll just have to figure out how to make the cabins work. If you want to camp with tent or RV please let us know so we can coordinate.
I'm leaning towards the Days Inn on I-39 in Oglesby
Days Inn Oglesby/ Starved Rock
120 North Lewis Ave
I-39 & Oglesby Exit 54
Oglesby, IL, 61348 US
Phone:815-883-9600
Fax:815-883-9660
E-Mail:daysinnoglesby1@aol.com
Either way we must book soon since rooms/site fill up fast.
#8
Guest_teleost_*
Guest_teleost_*
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Posted 18 May 2007 - 12:30 PM
Looks like we'll add Friday and Monday to the trip since many Michigan members want to stay that long 
Also seems we'll squeeze in the Kankakee river on the last day or two since we'll have that much time. If we do this right, we can hit both the main river as well as the old grand marsh.
Also seems we'll squeeze in the Kankakee river on the last day or two since we'll have that much time. If we do this right, we can hit both the main river as well as the old grand marsh.
#9
Guest_Histrix_*
Guest_Histrix_*
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Posted 22 May 2007 - 01:03 PM
Last year we almost couldn't get a room since they were booked. We'll need to make sure and get accommodations squared away with some advance notice.
I talked to the campground and most cabins don't have showers.....I need a shower after handling hundreds of giant shad, sucker and gar! If we have lots of tent campers coming then we'll just have to figure out how to make the cabins work. If you want to camp with tent or RV please let us know so we can coordinate.
I'm leaning towards the Days Inn on I-39 in Oglesby
Days Inn Oglesby/ Starved Rock
120 North Lewis Ave
I-39 & Oglesby Exit 54
Oglesby, IL, 61348 US
Phone:815-883-9600
Fax:815-883-9660
E-Mail:daysinnoglesby1@aol.com
Either way we must book soon since rooms/site fill up fast.
Do we need to book our rooms individually, or will one person reserve them all like last year?
#11
Guest_teleost_*
Guest_teleost_*
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Posted 17 July 2007 - 04:43 PM
On Friday August 17th, the trip will start. We'll meet below the Starved Rock dam near Utica Illinois. Since most will be traveling via I-80, I've provided a map to the Friday meeting location below. If you intend to come a different route and require additional maps, just let me know.
Once you near "Starved Rock State Park" please use below map to guide you to the general meeting location.
Don't feel obligated to arrive on Friday since this day will be dedicated to sampling the Illinois river and nearby tributaries (the main attraction to the trip will be the following day Saturday).
Below map will guide you to and from the hotel for Friday meeting location.
I will arrive early to meet the group as they arrive. Once the group has assembled (and seen enough emerald shiners) we can slip off to nearby locations or continue to sample the Illinois river. Please feel free to private message or email me and I'll give you my cell phone number. Please also let me know what day you'll arrive so we don't leave you behind.
For those that plan on arriving Saturday: Meet at the Days Inn hotel at exit # 54 on Interstate 39 in the morning. It's important we know who is arriving since the footpath to the sampling location is very difficult to navigate (we need to travel as a group to Garvana). If for some reason you can't make it to the hotel in the morning, please let me know in advance and I'll email a map with best possible directions to the sampling site.
We intend to sample the Illinois River and nearby tributaries on Friday, Garvana (Vermilion River) all day Saturday, Fox River & Illinois valley tributaries (LaSalle county) on Sunday and the Kankakee river on Monday. Both Sunday and Monday trips are flexible at this time due to water conditions and attendee's desires. I have sampling sites arranged but there's plenty of water to see in the area.
If you have not booked your room yet, do so quickly as they tend to fill up early.
Once you near "Starved Rock State Park" please use below map to guide you to the general meeting location.
Don't feel obligated to arrive on Friday since this day will be dedicated to sampling the Illinois river and nearby tributaries (the main attraction to the trip will be the following day Saturday).
Below map will guide you to and from the hotel for Friday meeting location.
I will arrive early to meet the group as they arrive. Once the group has assembled (and seen enough emerald shiners) we can slip off to nearby locations or continue to sample the Illinois river. Please feel free to private message or email me and I'll give you my cell phone number. Please also let me know what day you'll arrive so we don't leave you behind.
For those that plan on arriving Saturday: Meet at the Days Inn hotel at exit # 54 on Interstate 39 in the morning. It's important we know who is arriving since the footpath to the sampling location is very difficult to navigate (we need to travel as a group to Garvana). If for some reason you can't make it to the hotel in the morning, please let me know in advance and I'll email a map with best possible directions to the sampling site.
We intend to sample the Illinois River and nearby tributaries on Friday, Garvana (Vermilion River) all day Saturday, Fox River & Illinois valley tributaries (LaSalle county) on Sunday and the Kankakee river on Monday. Both Sunday and Monday trips are flexible at this time due to water conditions and attendee's desires. I have sampling sites arranged but there's plenty of water to see in the area.
If you have not booked your room yet, do so quickly as they tend to fill up early.
#12
Guest_teleost_*
Guest_teleost_*
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Posted 13 August 2007 - 05:23 PM
Bump for a gentle reminder that I'll be downstream of the starved rock lock and dam on Friday morning.
I know that many of you will travel great distances and will "get there when you get there". I have plenty of stuff to do to keep me busy.
If you plan on coming and don't yet have my cell phone number, just PM me.
For those attending Saturday, meet at the Days inn of Oglesby sometime in the morning. I don't think we'll be up all that early since we hope to night seine the river on Friday is possible. Again , give me a call on the cell to coordinate.
Thanks
Uland
I know that many of you will travel great distances and will "get there when you get there". I have plenty of stuff to do to keep me busy.
If you plan on coming and don't yet have my cell phone number, just PM me.
For those attending Saturday, meet at the Days inn of Oglesby sometime in the morning. I don't think we'll be up all that early since we hope to night seine the river on Friday is possible. Again , give me a call on the cell to coordinate.
Thanks
Uland
#14
Guest_Brooklamprey_*
Guest_Brooklamprey_*
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Posted 14 August 2007 - 06:47 PM
My guess is I'll be there around that time as well, Maybe a bit later around 12 or 1pm..I need to make a few stops on the way in...You both have my Cell number so just give me a call if need be.I should be joining you between 9 and 11. Ready to get all up in there, and net some fish!
#15
Guest_Brooklamprey_*
Guest_Brooklamprey_*
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Posted 15 August 2007 - 08:10 AM
Arrgh... 
Now chant this 50 times:
Please make it go north....please make it go north....
The water level was just starting to drop
USGS Vermilion
it is still way too high though but was dropping steady...
BUT...as long as nothing hits here we should be good...
Now chant this 50 times:
Please make it go north....please make it go north....
The water level was just starting to drop
USGS Vermilion
it is still way too high though but was dropping steady...
BUT...as long as nothing hits here we should be good...
#16
Guest_teleost_*
Guest_teleost_*
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Posted 15 August 2007 - 09:30 AM
I've had my eye on this system as well.
I see a ray of hope here. There is a slot where our water might be spared and additionally I've noticed that much of the rainfall has dissipated near our main sampling site. I'm a bit nervous about the large magenta blob off to the west though
I'm chanting along with you Richard.
I see a ray of hope here. There is a slot where our water might be spared and additionally I've noticed that much of the rainfall has dissipated near our main sampling site. I'm a bit nervous about the large magenta blob off to the west though
I'm chanting along with you Richard.
#19
Guest_Fishwhisperer_*
Guest_Fishwhisperer_*
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Posted 17 August 2007 - 06:28 AM
Uland, I'm jumping in late (as usual) on this one hope to catch you before you are in the creeks. Laptop? Hope to meet up with you guys Saturday. If someone could call me at (563) 570-0561 and give me a cell number to reach one of the party I'd certainly appreciate it. Otherwise, what time Saturday morning at the Days Inn?
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