Outdoors notes
Don't fret over the lack of area color in our beautiful trees.
The Morton Arboretum's Gina Tedesco said the pallet of wonderful fall color is about ready to entertain visitors to this great viewing place.
Fishing report: Is there something going on that we are not aware of on the Mississippi River?
What appears to be large numbers of smallmouth bass -- somewhat of a rarity -- have shown up in the big river south of LaCrosse, Wis. I've had two phone calls from Chicago-area anglers report to me they were able to cat-and-release several dozen fish in a two-hour period.
On Lake Michigan: Yellow perch seem to be in a cooperative mood for the time being with some large schools hovering at the 50-foot level right in the Lake Forest area. Steelhead action right outside Waukegan Harbor is starting to attract more anglers.
Fox Chain: Look to the northern lakes for greatly improved crappie and big bluegill activity. Muskies are very "hot" now on Channel Lake.
Fox River: Smallmouth action getting better north of Aurora and south of the Kimball St. bridge in Elgin
Bangs Lake: A few anglers have discovered the night walleye bite on this lake in 18-feet of water.
Skokie Lagoon: Excellent bluegill fishing here on spikes and worms.