What is the responsibility of these guys? They assist the members when they can and look after the content making sure that nothing objectionable is posted and that our members are never offended or hassled.

I appreciate the job these guys do everyday, they make the site one hell of a place to hang out and meet new friends.

They are the foundation that makes this site GREAT!

Thank you gentlemen,
Marc

Cory (co-owner)
I have had a rod and reel in my hand since I was 3 and have been in love with the outdoors for as long as I can remember. Between fishing and hunting I find time to enjoy visiting here with all my friends. I mean that. We are friends here, even family with some!

I enjoy fishing and hunting in general. I would have to say that I couldn't really be pigeonholed into any particular love, but I would have to say trout, salmon and bass would be my favorite fish species and then as far as hunting, I love to pheasant and deer hunt.

I am really heavy into black powder and love to teach anyone who is willing. This site has opened up a whole new world of opportunities to me as an outdoorsman. I have learned things that I will treasure for the rest of my life and hope to pass on to others. That is what we are about here and that is why I am here. I am here to learn, to teach, to experience, and to share!

Enjoy!

Marc (co-owner)
I've been enjoying the outdoors for as long as I can remember, I think I had a fishing rod in my hand around the same time I started to walk. My grandparents were the ones that got me started fishing the Lake Michigan harbors downtown when you could still catch herring and whitefish. I miss them both but will always have them with me when I'm one the water.

I still love Lake Michigan today and spend as much time on the water as possible. Between the lake, hunting and the website I've meet a ton of really good people and great friends.

With our kids grown I get to play more then most and during the fishing season I am lucky enough to have my wife with me who is one kick ass perch fisher person.

My favorite things to do besides hunting and fishing are firing up the BBQ and having a couple cold one's with good friends.

Hope you all enjoy the site, there's a ton of real good people here.

Jay
Started fishing before I could walk, with the help of my Grandfather and Mother who loved to fish, up North trips every week to Lake Winnebago for White Bass was the norm when growing up.

I was raised in Berwyn Illinois I would ride my bike to the Des Plaines River and be like Huck Finn, really used to live there as much as I could.

Started making trips further out as I got older and never looked back, fished Lake Michigan as much as I could and fell in love with that body of water, Smelt, Perch, Trout and Salmon.

My family loves to fish and my 2 Girls really enjoy getting out with the Old Man, the little one Taylor gives me a real run for the money each time out, we now call Florida home and enjoy getting out on the Gulf, its a different ball game here, but surrounded by water is a Great place to be.

Kevin (aka Bear)
Kevin has been on or around water and boats all of his life and has fished as far back as he remember. Always had a pole in hand on weekends at his family’s summer cottage on Wonder Lake, when he wasn’t skiing, wake boarding or bare footing.

Raised on the south side of Chicago, temporarily relocated to northern burbs for a few years, a few more downtown and now back at home on the south side.

Kevin has and does fish for all major freshwater and some saltwater species but, his true love is Fishing for Steelhead. He is a purist running noodle rods and centerpins, but will do whatever it takes to land these bad boys. He tries to hit all major tribs, but his home base is the Indiana creeks and rivers.

Over the past few years Kevin has dove into upland and waterfowl hunting and during the season can be found in a blind somewhere or at Rooster Heaven Hunt club.

Most Recently he has added building custom fishing rods to his list of hobbies and spends his evening unwinding while coming up with new or unique thread designs.

Bill (aka Any Luc)
Just a guy who shares the passion for all that Mother Nature provides.

“Someone, (he says) has to keep up the interest in the Pans.” and Any would just as soon do battle with a platter shaped bull Bluegill as he would any fish in the sea. Any comes to our house to share with all, his many years of gathered skills and his tall tales of the fish that get away and of course those of which he can never find.

Any took his bride Nancy during the winter of 1971 and they are the parents of one precious daughter and one fine son, both now married and both too, enjoy the pleasures of tugging lines.

Dad and mom now often travel the states together while Any saws wood and pounds nails with the purpose of making homeowner’s dreams come true.

Vic AKA BusterA
Raised in Transylvania by a bunch of fruit (or fruity) bats the angling Prince of Darkness dooms his pray of potato chip bluegills by night or when it’s friggin rainy or cloudy and everyone else wants to stay home. Most of us have gotten to watch his blood boil during the day so we look forward to the crappiest days of the year to fish with the Prince of Darkness.

He’s a big fan of people and does not pray on human blood. He enjoys fishing for all species and can stretch 11 minnows further then any ghoul in Chitown, well that because were never really sure if he knows what a dozen means.

Tom AKA TMarkham
My dad and grandfather got me out fishing when I was just 2 years old, and I was on my first long weekend fishing trip by age 7. Over the years, my father and grandfather remained my two best fishing buddies. After I lost both of them to cancer, I decided to seek out folks who are as passionate about fishing as I am.

I was born and raised on the south side of Chicago (10 years in the Bridgeport neighborhood, and 18 years around the 79th and Pulaski area). I now reside in Plainfield with my wife and daughter.

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a multi-species, equal opportunity fisherman... if it swims, it is a potential target. But, the fish I am most passionate about are bass. Whether it is smallmouth or largemouth, wading in rivers, fishing local ponds, or flipping the timber of Lake El Salto in Mexico, I will target bass as much as possible. Though, I have to admit... the might musky is climbing the charts pretty quick.

As far as hobbies, in my spare time, I build custom fishing rods. And, although I haven't had any formal training, I do consider myself to be a damn good cook.

Bob (DANCES WITH FISH)
When you talk to Bob he’ll tell you “I've been fishing as long as I can remember”.

He grew up on the North side and relocated to the South side of the city about 15 years ago. He now resides in Bridgeview with his forgiving wife and wonderful son.

As a child, his grandparents would take me for day trips to Lake Geneva, Pierce Lake, and his Grandma's favorite, the Kish, to name a few. His Dad would take him perch'n down at the lakefront and quick trips to the local forest preserves.

In his teen years, he discovered Minnesota, heaven on earth, “Here is where I would later discover my passion for the mighty Muskie”. Throughout his teen years he fished the heavily pressured, local forest preserves and fine-tuned his finesse style of fishing trying to adapt it everywhere.

In his early 20's he purchased his first boat. It opened whole new angling opportunities. Heidecke, LaSalle, Illinois River, and the Calumet River all were added to his list of places to fish.

Now, heading into his early 30's he’ll tell you “I find that the camaraderie fishing brings with it, far outweighs any fish on the line”.

Val AKA Valleye
I recently have been reintroduced to the sport of fishing. In the summer of 2003 my wife Susanna and I spent a week in Maine at a family cabin. After complaining about the lack of Golf courses my wife had advised me to buy something to fish with and fish. Being on the water in a beautiful location as well as catching Smallmouth Bass I decided that this would be a relaxing hobby for me. I am glad she gave me that advice because not long after I sold my golf clubs and ventured into the sport of freshwater angling.

As with all endeavors I undertake I go ahead “full speed”. The hardest thing in trying to understand the sport of fishing is learning the techniques, tools of the trade, and finding accessible waters for shore fishing. With that in mind most of my “reeducation” has been solely from the Internet and fishing with anglers met on the Internet.

Since that trip to Maine and many dollars spent on gear and tackle I have learned so much. But as each day goes by I learn more and more trying different methods to catch fish. On my first guided fishing trip I caught two Muskies and have been addicted ever since. However I still have yet to catch the third one.

I typically fish for all freshwater species with most of my time being spent fishing the ponds in the Chicagoland area. Also, I have been bit by the Ice fishing bug and look forward to hitting the hardwater each winter. This past winter I entered my first Ice Fishing Tournament with another Chitown Angler and look forward to more this coming winter. Although there may be times that catching fish is nonexistent I don’t get discouraged. What it is all about is enjoying the sport with others who are as enthusiastic as I am and finding solace on a boat or shore trying to catch fish.

Personal Bio

I have been married to Susanna since 2002 and have a baby son named Chaz. He will be my fishing partner in the next few years. Right now he just watches from his stroller. We live in Lake County. I am a dentist currently practicing in Southeast Wisconsin and Lake County, IL.

Jason (jmpruet) ~ Culinary Consultant and Chef

jmpruet is 31 yrs old, chicago transplant, raised in west-central IL, bachelor's degree in broadcast communications, he is currently a student at Kendall College in the accelerated students program for the culinary arts, set to graduate Dec '05. His plan is going into the personal chef/in-home cooking lessons aspect of the culinary field.

He has been trained in the classic French methods, but doesn't necessarily have one favorite cuisine...like most of us he like's them all.

He tell's us "It really depends on my mood and what's available. One of my loves is BBQ'ing...low and slow...mesquite smoked brisket is my favorite...but I like to experiment...especially with Caribbean and Asian flavors for pork and chicken.