Hooked on Fishing

Spring Has Sprung

By Dick Peach

Spring is beginning, and depending on a person's particular inclination, there are a number of indicators. For my wife, who gardens, the signs are the crocuses, tulips and daffodils emerging from their winter rest. For me, it is the opening of the shipping channels to the Great Lakes' big ships that signals fishing season is just around the corner.

One season opens April 12 -- trout season on the Forest Preserve lakes in Cook County. We are very fortunate to have two of the lakes Cook County stocks each year right in our backyard -- Axehead Lake at Touhy Avenue and River Road and Belleau Lake, just west of I-294 off Busse Highway. Both of these lakes provide outstanding fishing access around the entire lake. With the County restocking each year, there are always trout available.

Getting gear ready for trout fishing does not have to entail a trip to L.L.Bean for fancy waders or a split bamboo fly rod. While it is possible to fly fish for trout at these lakes, a basic fishing rod and light line will work fine. A light action rod and four-pound test line are the only things really necessary. Tie on a small hook (say #10 or #12) and small bobber (and I mean small). Rather than using an artificial fly for bait, it is a lot easier to bring a small can of yellow corn. String a couple kernels on the hook, set the bobber 20" to 24" up the line to start, and cast it out.

I would recommend fishing the north end of the lakes, going in the later morning when the sun has had a chance to warm the water a little.  Be very watchful. These young trout will pop that corn off so fast a fisherman has to be quick -- very quick. Once they are hooked, these little fighters are a lot of fun.

So those who are looking for an early start to fishing do not have far to go.

Hookedonfishing@comcast.net

Wildkit Baseball Team Begins First Season Under New Skipper

By MichaelO'Sullivan

Warmer weather and signs of spring mean the baseball season has arrived. This year the Wildkits will be led by first-year head coach Frank Consiglio, who was an assistant varsity coach at Morton High School before coming to Evanston this year.

"I am really happy that I will be having my first head coaching job here at Evanston. I feel like everything that I could want as a head coach is right here, so it is a great situation for me," Consiglio said.

Many of the players seemed excited about having a new coach in the program to help Evanston baseball reach its full potential. "We're very excited about having Coach Consiglio here at Evanston," said senior first baseman Nick Boyer. "We had a great summer working with him, and we got used to his style of coaching, which gave us good chemistry coming into this season."

One of the keys to Evanston's success this year will be the play of the senior class. Consiglio said he feels his seniors have the ability to make this team a special one. "We have a very strong senior class -- not just strong in talent but strong in character as well. No matter what sport you play, you have to have a strong bunch of seniors if you want to succeed, and we have that," said Consiglio.

"A lot of us seniors have been playing baseball together since we were 7 years old," said Boyer. "We know we have to be the leaders on and off the field and I think we have the talent and chemistry to do that."

The Wildkits expect to rely heavily on their five-man pitching rotation, led by senior hurlers Chris Metz and Northwestern University commit Zachary Morton.  The Kits will also look to seniors David Baskin, John Wagner and Colin Salee for help at the plate and in the field.

Consiglio said he expects to win a fair share of games in his first season as a head coach.  "The bar is always set high coming into any season," Consiglio said. "Every year that we compete we want to win a championship, so I do have high expectations for this team. I think the kids feel the same way as the coaching staff; we all have high goals for this team, and the players are ready to work hard and meet those expectations."

Consiglio and the Wildkits won their March 26 season-opener at Glenbard South by a score of 9-6.  Matt Rupert started for the Kits and earned the victory with four strong innings of work.  Evanston then traveled to Hersey on March 29 and picked up another road victory by beating the Huskies 4-1. Noah Lieberman pitched five innings for the Wildkits, striking out seven and only giving up three hits and one earned run.

On Monday, the Wildkits headed to Lake Worth, Fla. to compete in the National Grand Slam Tournament. For the first time in the ETHS program's history, the Kits traveled out of state to compete in a tournament.

Regardless of their performance in the prestigious event, Evanston will return on April 4 with a record of 2-0.  They will look to remain undefeated as they travel to take on Mundelein High School on April 5, where first pitch is set for noon.

Girls Soccer Team Expects Success This Season

By Michael O'Sullivan

The Evanston Township High School girls varsity soccer team enters their 2008 season with high hopes and expectations. The Wildkits are coming off one of their better years, but last season, because of injuries and a heartbreaking loss to Glenbrook South in the playoffs, the team fell short of their goal to reach the state tournament. This year, however, the team is healthy and ready to take their game to another level.

"We have a lot of talent and potential this year," said senior defender and captain Linnea Carlson. "We have very high expectations, and our goal is to win a state championship."

To reach that goal, the Wildkits will have to play well in a tough conference with strong teams such as New Trier, Glenbrook South and Maine South.  It appears they welcome the competition. "We would not have it any other way," said Carlson, regarding the strength of the conference.  "When you play easy teams the whole year, it does not get you ready for the good team you will face in the playoffs. We not only welcome the strong competition, we want it."

The Wildkits are a senior-dominated team, led by co-captains Kristine Horwitz, Anna Kennedy and Carlson.  "As seniors, this is our last shot to win a state championship," said Carlson. "That is all we want, and we are willing to work hard for it. I think we all know this team has the opportunity to be a very special team and hopefully bring back a state championship for girls soccer."

The girls are off to a slow start this season, dropping their first two contests. The first loss was to Hinsdale South and the next defeat was at the hands of New Trier. The team looked to get their first win yesterday against Stevenson at home.  The Kits' next game is tomorrow at 4:45 p.m. against conference foe Highland Park at Lazier Field at Memorial Stadium.

ETHS Boosters Raise Over $75,000 at Wildkit Karnivale

Over 300 Evanston Township High School Booster supporters paraded into the Unitarian Church on March 8 for the Wildkit Karnivale. They helped to raise over $75,000 for extracurricular activities at ETHS and set records for money raised and attendance at the annual benefit. 

Guests were entertained throughout the evening by the talented ETHS jazz combos, under the direction of Dr. Dave Fodor.  A Cajun feast from the Davis Street Fishmarket put partygoers in the mood to bid on a wide array of auction items, both during the silent auction portion of the evening and during the live auction.  ETHS parents Kurt Murray and Pat Navin acted as auctioneers, prodding lucky winners to bid on a barbecue steak dinner from District 202 Superintendent Eric Witherspoon, on vacation homes in Michigan and Florida, and on a beagle puppy.  The evening ended with the drawing of the winning ticket for the smart car/cash raffle.  Andy and Joyce Capron, parents of twin sophomore members of the ETHS girls swim team, bought the winning ticket and opted for the $15,000 in cash.

Kiwanis Honors ETHS Student Athletes

The Kiwanis Club of Evanston has initiated a monthly program recognizing student athletes at Evanston Township High School. Under the direction of Kiwanis member Frank Kaminski, director of safety at ETHS, the club invites three academic/athletic standouts to a monthly meeting.   In addition to a certificate that highlights the reasons for their selection, each student receives a $75 gift certificate to Barnes & Noble.  

"This has become a very meaningful occasion for the members of the club", said Mr. Kaminski.   "We are all inspired by the achievements of these young people and they, in turn, learn about service to the community through organizations like Kiwanis, as well as meeting others outside their peer group."

Student athletes at ETHS were recognized by the Kiwanis Club. Pictured here from left to right are Ben McBratley, swimming; Kim Davis, basketball; Amy Wheeler, basketball, and Director of Safety Frank Kaminski.