single in kind of the guys on the sports desk took his girlfriend to Starved strength State Park this weekend.

single in kind of the guys on the sports desk took his girlfriend to Starved strength State Park this weekend. He asked where he should make progress paddling.

My snap replication was either the Vermilion or Fox rivers, each a short drive from the park.

A bond days later, I thought of an smooth snappier response: Canoe the lower Fox if the weekend is to work upon the relationship; raft the Vermilion if it is for the outdoor workout.

Afterward, I realized I've knocked around enough to state together a list of what makes 10 Illinois paddling destinations unique to the casual paddler.

Kankakee River, Momence to Aroma Park: My favorite. It's united of the best-known stretches for weekend paddlers. I've done it with a son as young as 5 and in succession fishing trips with friends. In cheap water, there's lots of pulling canoes within rapids. On holidays, dozens of canoes and kayaks dot the put forth (1 hour, 30 minutes from the Loop)

Vermilion River, Lowell to Oglesby: greatest in number challenging. The Class III rapid in Wildcat Rapids and the dam at the bond of union plant usually make this a soaking ride, if it be not that it's manageable enough for families. The wild float is minutes from Starved defence When the Illinois River is at inundate stage, paddlers can float inside Matthiessen State Park to descry the dells and waterfall, individual of state's most stunning views. It's chiefly dangerous at low water flushs (1 hour, 45 minutes.)

Fox River, Yorkville in succession downstream: Best river fishing via a float. Between the retreats around Yorkville and the cavity between the jawss of two very good rivulets this stretch has top-notch fishing for smallmouth bass, catfish and muskie. (1 hour, 15 minutes.)

Kankakee River, state line to Momence: greatest in number Cajun-esque. The eerie disorientation of the bayous and ditches coupl with a brawny current make this one of the more dangerous floats. The reward is feeling like you're in a Louisiana bayou. (1 hour, 30 minutes.)

Lake Calumet: greatest in quantity industrial. But it also might be single of the top paddles for unique birding in the area. Without question, it's the most numerous foul-smelling float on the vicious day. No real access; must improvise. (30 minutes.)

Fox River, way 52 to Wedron: Most romantic. nevertheless only minutes from cities, it's a real remote float through bluffs. The easily handled float allows paddlers to concentrate onward other things. Not suggested for reasonable water levels.

(1 hour, 45 minutes.)

Mazonia lakes: Best fishing. With more than 200 lakes, you can fish for bass, bluegill, catfish, northern, staff or crappie. Aside from the serviceable fishing, it's a wonderful place to go on foot to simply disappear: a not many strokes and you can be away from it all behind aged mining piles. (1 hour, 15 minutes.)

Middle Fork River: Illinois' first National Scenic River. Five major canoe accesses allow same short or long floats. It's a true kid-friendly float, just east of Champaign. (2 hours, 45 minutes.)

Lake Michigan: Oddest Not assured this is for the casual paddler, however sea kayaking the big lake is undivided of the wildest experiences I've had forward the water around Chicago. To paddle below Lake Shore Drive from Diversey Harbor, then to knock up and down on 3-foot waves and have the John Hancock suddenly in and out of view well, you need to do it at least one time

Cache River: in the greatest degree otherworldly. Nowhere else in Illinois can you similarly paddle from one side a tupelo-cypress swamp. Like sea kayaking onward Lake Michigan, it's something you must do one time in your life. (6 hours, 30 minutes.)

And I'm glad I did.

"Bowman's Outdoor Line" is heard forward "Outdoors with Mike Norris" (3-4 pm Thursdays, 1280-AM).

dbowman@suntimes.com

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