NEW YORK — A woman who wasn’t a fan of R. Kelly ended up getting exposed to a sexually transmitted disease after he enticed her to join him on the road, she testified on Tuesday at the R&B entertainer’s trial.
The witness, taking the stand without using her real name, said she was 19 when her older half sister invited her to a Kelly concert in San Antonio in 2017. Her sibling was a fan of his music, she said, but “I was not.”
The sisters were invited to a backstage after-party — the beginning of a brief relationship that had elements also described by other victims alleging sexual abuse by Kelly when they were still in high school. Kelly paid for woman’s flights and hotel rooms to his concerts in cities where he demanded sex from her in hotel rooms and other locations.
New to the R. Kelly case?
Need a refresher on what’s happened so far?
Check out these links for everything you need to know about Kelly’s federal trial in Brooklyn.
A prosecutor asked whether he told her he had herpes or wore condoms. “No, he did not,” she responded. Earlier in the trial — now in its third week — the jury heard Kelly’s personal physician describe treating him for herpes for several years and from another woman who claimed he gave her herpes from unprotected sex.
Kelly, 54, has repeatedly denied accusations that he preyed on victims during a 30-year career highlighted by his 1996 smash hit “I Believe I Can Fly.” His lawyers have portrayed his accusers as groupies who are lying about their relationships with him.
Tracking the Bears’ moves as they approach Tuesday’s 3 p.m. deadline to cut the roster down to 53 players:
Tuesday
5:10 p.m.: The Bears put running back Tarik Cohenon the physically unable perform list Tuesday. By league rule, he can’t play in a game until Week 7 at the earliest. The team also put rookie tackle Teven Jenkins on the active roster. He’ll transfer to injured reserve, but will be eligible to return later in the season. He had back surgery two weeks ago and is not guaranteed to play again this year — but the move gives the Bears the option of bringing him back if he’s healthy.
4:50 p.m.: The Bears submitted their final cuts. The players not previously identified who were cut were: wide receiver Isaiah Coulter, guard Dieter Eiselen, guard Arlington Hambright, wide receiver Jon’Vea Johnson, linebacker Sam Kamara, defensive tackle LaCale London, outside linebacker Charles Snowden, safety Teez Tabor, outside linebacker James Vaughters, tackle Tyrone Wheatley Jr., cornerback Artie Burns and safety Marqui Christian.
2:40 p.m.: Veteran cornerback Desmond Trufant won’t make the team. The Bears are cutting him, ESPN reported. Trufant has been away from the team for the last 18 days because of the death of his father. Kindle Vildor figures to start in his place.
1:45 p.m.: The Bears are waving rookie receiver Dazz Newsome, a source confirmed. He seems headed for the team’s practice squad if he clears waivers.
12:45 p.m.: Running back Ryan Nall is being cut, a source confirmed. A return to Halas Hall on the practice squad seems likely unless he’s claimed by another team.
12:30 p.m.: The Bears are cutting receiver Riley Ridley, per NFL Network. Ridley was a fourth-round pick just two years ago. He caught 10 passes for 108 yards in two seasons with the Bears.
12 p.m.: The Bears will waive kicker Brian Johnson, a source said. That was obvious from the beginning with Cairo Santos returning on a three-year contract extension.
11:40 a.m.: The Bears will waive cornerback Thomas Graham, their sixth-round pick out of Oregon, a source said. Graham is an obvious target for the practice squad, but will be on many teams’ radar in waivers.
11:15 a.m.: The Bears plan to cut running back Artavis Pierce, a source said. He’s likely to join the practice squad if he clears waivers. The Oregon State alum appeared in five games for the Bears last season, running six times for 34 yards and one touchdown.
Monday
6 p.m.: The Bears have informed tight end Scooter Harrington, defensive back Dionte Ruffin, offensive lineman Adam Redmond and defensive lineman Daniel Archibong that they will be waived, sources said.
5 p.m.: The Bears are waiving receiver Chris Lacy, a source confirmed. Lacy had three catches for 26 yards in the second preseason game; he played Saturday against the Titans but did not record a receiving stat.
For the first time, NFL teams are paring down their rosters 12 days before the first Sunday regular-season games of the season. The Bears will not hold practice Tuesday or Wednesday as the team sorts through their final roster and assembles their 16-man practice squad. Practice-squad players must pass through waivers on Wednesday before joining a team. Bears general manager Ryan Pace is expected to speak to the media Wednesday.
In the search to find an eventual long-term replacement for Tom Brady in New England, a new quarterback will get his chance.
The Patriots have released veteran passer Cam Newton, clearing the way for rookie first-round selection Mac Jones to be the Week 1 starter, the Boston Globe reported Tuesday.
Newton, who started last year in his lone season in New England, had been involved in a battle with Jones over the starting job throughout training camp. Newton, 32, had been inconsistent in camp and then was eventually forced to sit out five days and three practices after he was placed in the NFL’s COVID-19 list over what the team called a “misunderstanding” of the league’s rules.
In that time, Jones shined as he played most first-team reps in practice.
The Patriots selected Jones, 22, out of Alabama with the 15th overall pick in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft in April.
Newton now becomes a free agent and will be available to sign with any team. In his one season as a starter in New England, Newton completed 65.8% of his passes for 2,657 yards with eight touchdowns and 10 interceptions, while adding 592 rushing yards and 12 rushing scores.
The Patriots went 7-9 and missed the postseason for the first time since the 2008 season.
In other cut day moves:
Houston Texans WR Keke Coutee
Despite catching 33 passes for 400 yards for Houston last season, Coutee is out amid a wider reshuffling of the Texans’ receiving corps.
Las Vegas Raiders WR John Brown
“Smokey” was expected to be a veteran presence for a young receiving corps, but he instead requested his release and received it, according to NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero. Brown signed a one-year deal with the Raiders in March after catching 33 passes for 458 yards in eight games last season for the Bills.
New Orleans Saints QB Trevor Siemian
The Saints are parting with former Northwestern QB Siemian, but only for the time being, as NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported that the team plans to re-sign him once rosters settle after cutdown day. Siemian would serve as the primary backup to starter Jameis Winston with Taysom Hill playing a hybrid role.
Cincinnati Bengals DT Mike Daniels
The former Packers standout started 11 games for Cincinnati last season as he tried to reboot his career. But the Bengals are now poised to look a little younger along the interior line after the team acquired B.J. Hill from the Giants.
Philadelphia Eagles WR Travis Fulgham
Fulgham finished as the Eagles’ leading receiver last year in a breakout season, recording 38 catches for 539 yards for a passing attack that was in desperate need of reliable targets. With first-round pick DeVonta Smith coming aboard and Quez Watkins breakout in training camp and preseason, however, Fulgham didn’t fit into the Eagles’ plans.
Tennessee Titans WR Dez Fitzpatrick
The Titans are cutting ties with Fitzpatrick approximately four months after trading up to select him in the fourth round of the NFL draft. The Louisville product struggled to make his mark on the receiving corps in training camp and preseason.
New York Jets QB Josh Johnson
The veteran journeyman’s stay with Gang Green was a short one, with the team releasing him less than a month after he was signed. The job backing up rookie Zach Wilson now is set to go to Mike White.
Jacksonville Jaguars WR Collin Johnson
A fifth-round pick in 2020, the 6-6, 222-pound Johnson had 18 catches as a rookie. The Texas product could be an option for the team’s practice squad if he goes unclaimed.
Green Bay Packers WR Equanimeous St. Brown
There will be no NFC North rivalry between St. Brown and his brother, Lions rookie wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, after the elder of the two was waived by the team Tuesday. St. Brown caught seven passes in 12 games last year.
Los Angeles Chargers K Michael Badgley
Nicknamed “Money Badger,” Badgley saw his field goal percentage tumble from 93.8% in 2019 to 72.7% last year. Tristan Vizcaino is now poised to take over kicking duties for the Chargers.
Washington Football Team RB Peyton Barber
Barber tallied four touchdowns last season as a backup to Antonio Gibson, but the sixth-year veteran appears to have been leapfrogged by undrafted free agent Jaret Patterson, who was one of the preseason’s biggest standouts. Washington also cut 2020 fourth-round pick Antonio Gandy-Golden.
Detroit Lions LB Jahlani Tavai
A second-round pick out of Hawaii in 2019, Tavai was taken ahead of the likes of Tennessee Titans wide receiver A.J. Brown and Seattle Seahawks wide receiver, among others. He started 10 games for Detroit last year and received a positive review from linebackers coach Mark DeLeone, who said the third-year player was in “a really good position right now” to make the roster. Ultimately, however, Tavai couldn’t latch on with the new regime of first-year general manager Brad Holmes and coach Dan Campbell.
Miami Dolphins C Matt Skura
Despite signing the veteran blocker to a one-year deal in March, Miami is already moving on from Skura as it reshuffles its offensive line. The Dolphins also parted with linebacker Benardrick McKinney, whom the team acquired in a trade with the Houston Texans this offseason.
Dallas Cowboys QBs Garrett Gilbert, Ben DiNucci
The Cowboys appear to have settled their backup quarterback battle, keeping Cooper Rush while parting with Gilbert and DiNucci, who each started a game last year when Dak Prescott was injured.
New Orleans Saints RB Devonta Freeman
The former Atlanta Falcons standout won’t get a chance to jumpstart his career with an old NFC South rival, as Freeman didn’t make the cut in New Orleans after signing with the Saints earlier in August.
Green Bay Packers tackle David Bakhtiari
The Green Bay Packers won’t have David Bakhtiari for the start of the season as the All-Pro left tackle continues his recovery from a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Bakhtiari’s agent, Mark Humenik, confirmed Tuesday that Bakhtiari will begin the season on the physically unable to perform list. The designation means Bakhtiari won’t be available for at least the first six weeks.
Delores Lindsay, 60, was struck multiple times and pronounced dead at Mount Sinai Hospital, officials said. The other woman, 24, was shot in the back.
Hoard was struck in the head and leg. He was taken to Mount Sinai in critical condition at the time, officials said.
An autopsy found he died of complications from his gunshot wounds and ruled his death a homicide, the medical examiner’s office said. He lived in South Shore.
Chicago Bears general manager, Ryan Pace, had a great offseason in free agency and the draft this summer… right? Maybe not so much anymore. Pace’s most recent draft and free agency class is falling apart, and conversations about finding a new general manager might rise again due to the setbacks.
Pace’s offseason started off with a bang. In the draft, Pace made an in-draft adjustment to move up to the 11th raft, giving the Bears and its fans what they all wanted — Justin Fields.
Side note — I don’t believe the rumors that the deal between the Bears and the New York Giants for the 11th pick was done the morning of the draft. The Eagles traded up to snag DeVonta Smith, leaving the Giants in wide receiver limbo. That’s where the Bears swooped in.
The fun didn’t stop there for Pace. In the second round, Pace & Co. traded up again to take first-round offensive line talent, Teven Jenkins.
Pace rounded out the draft going back to the o-line with Larry Borom, rounding out offensive skill players with Khalil Herbert and Dazz Newsome, and spicing up the defense with Thomas Graham and Khyiris Tonga.
By the looks of it, the Bears front office made out incredible from the draft. They got their quarterback, improved one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL, and rounded out the rest of their roster with solid late-round talent.
Fast forward to today, on NFL’s cut day, the Bears’ roster moves are not looking so well anymore.
Part I: Teven Jenkins
Things started to take a bearish (no pun intended) turn for the worst a couple of weeks ago after multiple reports accounted for the fact that Teven Jenkins will need back surgery after suffering a back injury at practice back in May.
According to Kevin Patra of NFL.com, “The Bears cut Charles Leno Jr. earlier this offseason, with the thought being that Jenkins could step right in and start at left tackle. It seemed a head-scratching move at the time, given Jenkins was a rookie with injury concerns. It looks even more oddball, given the ‘new’ symptoms that led to Jenkins surgery.”
There is plenty of skepticism around the way Matt Nagy and Pace conveyed the severity of Jenkins’s injury. For weeks, Nagy confronted the media with hardly anything to say, and if anything, saying that Jenkins was trending in the right direction instead of the opposite.
Even more, criticism drew after fans put the pieces together of how the Bears were able to acquire the first-round talent in the second round of the draft. Considering the Bears sent three picks to the Panthers to trade up for Jenkins, Pace received plenty of negativity after Jenkins’s injury.
Because of that move, the Bears had to scramble to sign Jason Peters, 39, to cover up the holes of the offensive line (another no pun intended).
Starting at cut day, the Bears have made some profound and surprising moves that caught Bears fans off guard in terms of the cornerback room.
The Bears cut Desmond Trufant and Thomas Graham from the team, two cornerbacks that were signed and drafted, respectively, this offseason.
Trufant has not been around the team since Aug. 13 to be with his family since his father’s passing a couple of days after he left the team.
However, Trufant was the first corner taken off the market for the team since the release of Kyle Fuller. It seemed that Trufant was the filler for the gap that Fuller’s absence is bound to leave in the team.
NBC Chicago reported that his salary with the Bears contained zero guranteed money and he is still owed around $3.5 million from the Lions. Financially, this move does not hurt the Bears.
Now, without Trufant around, Kindle Vildor will most certainly be the starting corner opposite Jaylon Johnson. But, the depth of the cornerback room is shot.
Carrying off of that, Thomas Graham, most recently drafted in the sixth-round of the most recent draft out of Oregon, was released too. Graham, like Trufant and the rest of the cornerback room, had high expectations of having a large role in the lineup due to the lack of depth.
Reverting back to my main thesis, both Trufant and Graham were moves made by Pace to clean up the mess he made by releasing Fuller. Now what?
ESPN reports the Bears have released veteran CB Desmond Trufant, whom they signed March 20 after cutting Kyle Fuller.
Part III: More draft picks thrown away in the wide receiver room
On top of the cornerback room being shot to the ground, a few more draft picks have seen their final days on the Bears squad.
The most impactful name to fall under the list is Dazz Newsome, another sixth-round pick out of the last draft from North Carolina. Newsome suffered a broken collarbone early on in practice, which Bears fans have alluded to being a reason that Newsome was cut.
Newsome seemed to be an excellent addition to an already improved wide receiver core, but Bears fans will never know, unless he somehow sticks around on the practice squad.
Bears WRs drafted by Ryan Pace:
2015 – 1R Kevin White 2016 – 7R Daniel Braverman 2018 – 2R Anthony Miller 7R Javon Wims 2019 – 4R Riley Ridley 2020 – 5R Darnell Mooney 2021 – 6R Dazz Newsome
Going back to the receiver room, fourth-round draft pick in 2019, Riley Ridley, was released on cut day too.
The stigma around Ridley is that he never saw enough time on the field to give a true analysis. Bears fans like to speculate he could have been a bigger piece of the puzzle given his size (6-foot-1 and 200 pounds) and his brother’s (Calvin) success in the league.
The point of this evidence is for Bears fans to understand the direction of the season has been misleading based on the moves Pace and Nagy have made this offseason.
After the draft and free agency, things looked up for the Bears. With key additions of Fields, Marquise Goodwin, Damiere Byrd, Teven Jenkins, Larry Borom, and the return of Eddie Goldman, the Bears’ trajectory for the season looked surprisingly positive.
Even though most of the moves made are still intact for the upcoming season, the Bears have cut a shocking amount of the rookies and veterans they brought in, and the trajectory doesn’t feel so positive anymore.
What’s the answer for a cornerback? Should we have kept Fuller and maybe let go of Hicks? Why was Jenkins’s situation so unclear? The questions go on and on.
Pace seemed to have his job on lockdown for the future after draft night and the opening of free agency. Can we say the same now?
The first kings come for shore anglers in Chicago, hook-and-line sturgeon season opens Saturday in Wisconsin and the outlook is more stable for the holiday weekend in this sprawling raw-file Midwest Fishing Report.
LAKEFRONT KINGS
The fall return of Chinook is on around southern Lake Michigan, even in Chicago.
Jason “Special One” Le texted the photo at the top and this on Saturday:
First king in Chicago
My boi Dong [Ho] today at Montrose
Le also posted this video on his YouTube channel
On Monday, he followed up with this from Montrose:
Fresh kings are in
On Monday, Stacey Greene at Park Bait at Montrose Harbor texted:
yay we got a start4 that I know of this morning
Late Tuesday morning, she added:
I’m at the shop and the update is there was a couple more caught this morning for sure
Dan Leslie at the Salmon Stop in Waukegan said kings are in and they are overnight bite right now on a plethora of spoons, especially glow; seeing a couple steelhead, too. “What I would tell them to do is use a spoon, then have aa night crawler or a minnow about 3 feet down under a bobber for steelhead,” Leslie said.
Things are more waiting or anticipating on the South Side, as Steve Palmisano at Henry’s Sports and Bait said people are getting their rods and nets ready for the salmon.
STURGEON IN WISCONSIN
Hook-and-line sturgeon season in Wisconsin opens Saturday, Sept. 4, and runs through Sept. 30. Click here for the details.
Season opens Saturday, Sept. 4, and runs through Sept. 30. If harvesting a sturgeon, a valid fishing license and a sturgeon harvest tag are required. Watch for tags on the dorsal fin of lake sturgeon. If a tag is located, anglers should submit the date of catch, location and tag number, color and material composition (i.e. metal or plastic).
Illinois’ bullfrog (only) season runs through Oct. 15. A fishing license is required. “Bullfrogs may be taken by hook and line, gig, pitchfork, spear, bow and arrow, hand, or landing net.” Daily bag limits eight, possession limit 16.
LAKEFRONT PARKING
Chicago Park District’s parking passes for the fisherman’s parking lots at DuSable and Burnham harbors are on sale at Henry’s Sports and Bait in Bridgeport and Park Bait at Montrose Harbor.
Readers suggest SpotHero app downtown. Otherwise, here are some basics: Foster (free street parking or pay lot); Montrose (now a mix of metered and free street parking); Belmont (pay lots on north and south sides); Diversey (pay lot or street parking); DuSable Harbor (pay lot or fisherman’s lot); Northerly Island/Burnham Harbor (meters, pay lot or fisherman’s lot); 31st/Burnham (meter parking between McCormick Place and 31st Street Harbor); Oakwood/39th (meters); 63rd Street/Casino Pier (pay lot); Steelworkers Park (free street parking at east end of 87th); Cal Park (free parking).
AREA LAKES
Ken “Husker” O’Malley and a local largemouth bass.Provided
Ken “Husker” O’Malley emailed the photos above and below, and this:
Hey Dale,
Here is a recap of this past weeks fishing.
Area lakes-fishing has been very good despite the hot temps. Early morning hours and last hour of light are the best times.
Bass are excellent working a BPS wacky stik-o along the outside weedlines. June bug has seen the best color. Evening work a Storm chug bug over the top of weeds for some exciting top water action.
Bluegill have moved away from the shorelines. They can be found along the outside weedlines adjacent to deeper water. A variety of plastics under a slip float will entice the active biters.
Here is the nature pics of the week. Another day coming to an end.
TTYL
—
Ken “Husker” O’Malley
Husker Outdoors Waterwerks fishing team
Ken “Husker” O’Malley’s weekly nature photo.Provided
BRAIDWOOD LAKE
Open daily 6 a.m. to sunset.
CHAIN O’LAKES AREA
Art Frisell at Triangle Sports and Marine in Antioch said catfish are really good on crawlers, stinkbait and large roaches, all over; bluegill are excellent on chartreuse ice-fishing jigs with spikes or waxies; walleye are around bridges and main lake points, try a split shot and a hook, floating jighead or slip-bobber rig with crawlers or leeches; crappie fair early morning; muskie are slow.
NOTE: Check updates on water conditions at foxwaterway.com or (847) 587-8540.
NOTE 2: The Stratton Lock and Dam is open 8 a.m. to midnight through Sept. 30.
DELAVAN LAKE, WISCONSIN
Dave Duwe emailed:
Delavan Lake 8/30/21 through 9/6/21
Largemouth bass are still on the rocky points. When you find a school, it’s possible to catch 15-20 fish. They can either be caught drop shotting small 4 inch worms or fishing nightcrawlers on a split shot rig. Look for the fish in 15-20 ft of water. The best location is by Del Mar or by the Yacht Club.
Northern Pike fishing has been very slow. I’ve been dragging suckers around all week and didn’t catch one fish. I still believe that the bluegills are so thick on the weedlines that the pike simply aren’t hungry for anything else. I’ve tried both lindy rigs and slip bobbers without success.
Bluegills for most of the week have been just outside the weed edge in 15-20 ft. However, on Sunday 8/29/10 they were very difficult to catch. I don’t know if it was the time of day or if the fish have moved. I was fishing anywhere between 14 and 27 ft without much success. Leaf worms or red worms have been producing and the best approach has been fishing straight beneath the boat or using slip bobbers. Try for them 1 ft above the weeds.
Crappies continue to be very active. They are on the weedline in 14-16 ft of water. They can be caught on small plastics. Chartreuse or purple have been producing most of the action. Look for the fish by Browns Channel or Willow Point. For live bait fishermen, if you find a nice school, a small fathead minnow fished on a Thill bobber will produce a lot of action as well.
Walleye fishing has been kind of slow. I’ve been catching them here or there but not in any great numbers with any consistency. Most of the time, I’ve been fishing in 15-17 ft of water. I think that the walleyes are a little deeper in 22-24 ft of water on the outside of the weedline. The best approach to catch them is chrome and blue jigging Rapalas.
Good luck and I hope to see you on the weedline. For guide parties, please call Dave Duwe at 608-883-2050
Dicky’s Bait Shop in Montgomery reported relatively slow overall, but the Monsters on the Fox Tournament Series had quite the overnight tournament over weekend with top two spots catching 78-10 and 77-9 for a five-fish limit. Biggest flathead went 36 1/2 pounds. Dicky’s has some suckers and muskie suckers now.
Pete Lamar emailed:
Hi Dale,
With the weather we had last week-unpleasant for me; dangerous for the fish-I spent much of the time catching up on tying flies. Best to be prepared for what’s coming: six more weeks of trout season in Wisconsin; salmon, steelhead and Lake Michigan browns running soon; bass, bluegills and eventually crappies on local waters until ice-up.
I did get out for a couple of hours yesterday when the heat and humidity finally broke. A lot of active smallmouths on the Fox tribs, but most were small. Some big bass were spotted, but unfortunately they spotted me first in the low clear water. One big smallmouth chased a frog up onto the bank only a couple of feet from where I was standing. That gives me a good idea what fly pattern to use on my next outing. the Fox itself continues to be as low and clear as I’ve ever seen it.
Pete
I am going to ask to see the frog fly.
GENEVA LAKE, WISCONSIN
Dave Duwe emailed:
Lake Geneva 8/30/21 through 9/6/21
Northern pike fishing has been all right but nothing like it normally is this time of year. The pike are in 30-38 ft of water. They are being caught on lindy rigged medium suckers. Look for the fish by Fontana Beach, the north shore in the Narrows or by Linn Pier. You really have to fish for them this year, a good day on the water would be 10 fish in 6 hours, last year I was averaging 10 fish in 4 hours. Keep moving to find the active fish.
With the cooler water, the perch are starting to move into the shallows. The best location is by Knollwood or by Belvidere Park in Fontana. They are in 10-12 ft of water and can be caught on leaf worms or small fat head minnows fished on a slip bobber. The average size is kind of small so you need to sort through a lot of fish to get a limit.
Some smallmouth bass are being caught between 27 and 33 ft of water. They are not as abundant as recent years so patience is a virtue. I’ve caught some lindy rigging nightcrawlers or lindy rigging yellow perch that I’ve caught in the lake. Remember, the smaller the weight, the better. The wind will dictate my weight size. As a rule, I will use a 1/4 oz walking sinker, if there is no wind, you can get by with 1/8 oz. Look for the fish by Fontana Beach or by Elgin Club by the big slide.
Some lake trout are being caught in the main lake basin. They are being caught at first light in 115 ft of water, 70-90 ft down. Nickle/Blue or Nickle/green spoons are always the best bait.
Largemouth bass are being caught on the weedline. The best approach is Carolina rigging green pumpkin lizards or drop shotting Gulp finesse worms, also in green pumpkin. Good locations are Trinkes or by Belvidere Park. I like working a depth of 20-25 ft of water. Some of the fish caught last week were the 3-4 lb fish that we like to see.
Good luck and I hope to see you on the water. Have a great Labor Day. For guide parties, please call Dave Duwe at 608-883-2050
GREEN LAKE AREA, WISCONSIN
Guide Mike Norris emailed:
Fishing Report – 8/29/2021
Mike Norris
Big Green Lake – Both largemouth and smallmouth bass remain active, and I am finding them just outside the weeds in Dartmouth Bay, Quimby Bay, and Sugar Loaf. Move slowly along the deep weed line while paying close attention to your fishing electronics. Anchor or go to spot lock on your trolling motor when bluegills light up the screen. The bass will not be too far behind. Speaking of bluegills, fishing for them remains excellent. Try drop shot rigs to catch the bass and bluegills. Red worms threaded on a small jig which is suspended beneath a float is also common method I and others use for catching hand-sized gills which can be found in 20 – 30 feet of water. Lake trout fishing is fair right now. Anglers are trolling spoons for them in deep water. Look for lake trout to move shallower in September and becoming easier to target.
To book a guide trip reach out to me via my Facebook page at mike.norris.7773 or email me through my website at www.comecatchsmallmouth.com
Busy or not, Heidecke Lake continues to produce, such as this smallmouth bass over the weekend.Provided by Bob Johnson
Bob Johnson emailed the photo above and this;
Hi Dale -Heidecke Lake was a full house Sunday morning with the usual local crowd and a tournament involving Minooka High School.Smallmouth were active despite added pressure and summer heat. I had success staying with jigs and crawfish trailer. Top water bite was inactive.
Open 6 a.m. (6:30 bank fishing) to sunset.
ILLINOIS RIVER
Bill “Garman” Meyer with his PB northern pike from an Illinois River backwater.Provided
Bill “Garman” Meyer emailed the photo above and this:
Dale,
No, not gar yet, but another toothy predator. The northerns were fierce today on jumbo plastics in a weedy Illinois River backwater. Landed two 30″s, a 33″, and my PB 38″ pike. Had at least 8 bite-offs (including a 40″+) even though I was using 20# braid. Going after ’em tomorrow with a steel leader. Ran into some nice bowfin and bass last time out there too.
ReGARds,
garman
I love when “Garman” sends reports, even when it is for more than gar.
KANKAKEE RIVER
George Peters with a good smallmouth bass from the Kankakee River.Provided
George Peters emailed the photo above and this:
Hi Dale, fished the kkk way up above Momence this week. Bass are up here too like this 18″. Water still high from storms but this week should be better. G. Peters
Capt. Bob Poteshman of Confusion Charters said that out of Chicago it’s lots of lakers with the occasional steelhead and coho, mornings are best, afternoons tougher, in 110-180 feet. Out of North Point, there’s quite a few steelhead and lake trout with the occasional coho and king from 120 on out.
Fishing was great this week for lake trout, steelhead and coho and good for chinook. Anywhere from 55 feet of water out there are fish. The thermocline was 50-55 feet. Lots of mature coho getting ready to spawn, lots of steelhead and lake trout are there with them. The best area for coho and an occasional king turning dark was 70 to 90 feet. The best area for lake trout with good numbers of steelhead and smaller 3 and 2 year old kings was 120-150. The mature kings are really turning and will be in the harbor any day. For rigging, 4 to 10 color lead cores and 2 colors of lead off downriggers 30 to 40 down are best for the coho, steelhead and small kings. Spoons with patters like Warrior Green Menace, Frostbite, Voodoo and UV Hey Babe. The spoons colors seem to change daily, even hourly, so experiment. For the Lake trout, Jimmy Fly Mo Rigs in white and Little Boy Blue behind big 12″ flashers were best run a few feet off the bottom. 300 coppers with magnum Warrior Voodoo, Frostbite and Green Menace took some too.
In the harbor no luck for kings yet, but they are poking in and exploring there. I personally haven’t seen any but guys on my dock saw some rolling this week. A couple of guys bass fishing reported doing really well this week. The bass and northerns seem to really feed heavily just before the kings move in and then hunker down and became hard to catch for about a month when the kings arrive.
Attached is me with a 15# steelhead caught Saturday on my boat on a Warrior Riverside Striper spoon. The biggest steelhead I’ve taken in about 3 years and one of the longest I’ve ever caught. There are some real bruisers there right now.
I was testing out a kayak with our youngest son last week and, even in the heat of the day, I made about 30 casts while he was paddling far out and caught about eight fish, a mix of big bluegill and small largemouth bass.
Bill Lanham emailed, first I’ve heard from him in a while:
Hello sir,
Mother Nature has certainly been defining the Dog Days of August for us and it takes a few adjustment to fill our creels during this scorching heat. Any mid-day fishing should be done indoors, under the cool breezes, which only air conditioning can provide, not on any reclaimed strip pit; it’s just too darn hot for man and fish both. Early morning and late into the evening are the periods to escape the swelter and hunt out those bluegills, redears and crappies in more reasonable temperatures. Each of these species are actively feeding during the lowered light levels, chasing plankton as they rise from bottom and fill the upper water levels of the lakes. Once the plankton settles back to bottom, the fish can be found suspended in their comfort zone, which looks to be between 20 and 24 foot down in most areas of the lakes and particularly up against the falling breaklines of offshore structure. Now is the time to use live bait to put the odds in the favor of the angler looking to fill his basket for dinner. Go early or go late to find those willing biters.
Bill Lanham
Both units are open for fishing.
MENOMINEE RIVER, WISCONSIN
Smallmouth bass on the Menominee River.Mike Mladenik
The topwater bite continued on the Menominee River in August. We had only 4 days this summer that we did not catch smallmouth on topwater! This great topwater bite should continue through mid-September. Lots of quality smallmouth were also caught on Case Magic Stiks rigged with Spearpoint hooks.
The fall bite should be awesome on the river. I still have some prime late September and October dates open so if interested let me know ASAP.
The Lakeland area is still in the throes of a warm spell! (Pretty dramatic, eh?)
Actually, the further north you go you’ll see signs of the coming season, but around here, lake surface temps are still in the mid 70’s and only a very few trees have shown any color.
Some submergent plants are dying off, putting certain weed beds into no-swim zones it seems. Best bets are coontail (doesn’t die) offshore humps of sandgrass or rock/gravel or drowned wood. Many of these areas showing fish, yet tough to get bites at times.
Smallmouth Bass: Good-Fair – Fish aforementioned gravel humps or coontail edges using drop-shot 3″ minnow imitations, 3″ Wacky Worms or live crawlers. On lakes, depth ranging 14-24′, on flowages 6-14′.
Largemouth Bass: Good-Fair – Have to move away from dying weeds to entice fish to bite along edges. Wacky worming and drop-shotting effective along 12-16′ edges. A few reports of top-water action on evenings.
Yellow Perch: Good-Fair – Deep sandgrass using 1/2 crawlers on Lindy or drop-shot rigs. Flowage Perch in the wood of 12-14′.
Northern Pike: Fair – With weed beds in flux, Pike very scattered. Some along deep coontail, others in green narrow leaf cabbage taking jig/chub combos. When water temps drop below 70’s, look for Pike to get more active and chase spinner baits, Mepps and chatter baits with a little more resolve!
Walleye: Fair – Catches vary day to day, sometimes with small windows of opportunity while biting on large fatheads, medium redtails or crawlers. If you can find a cabbage bed without dying weeds, fish it! Otherwise work deep humps, wood.
Crappies: Fair – Also very spotty! Some deep wood fish, but many reports of sitting over tight-lipped fish. Some big slabs to 14+” this past week, but not a lot of catching.
Bluegills: Fair – The one bright spot was the flying ant hatch that happens every year about the 3rd-4th week of August. If you happen to be on the water and it’s relatively calm, you can have a blast with small dry flys or poppers. Other than that, Gills have been somewhat slower than usual.
Musky: Poor – Not getting many reports of anglers moving fish. Many smaller lakes have algae blooms making sighting tough on follows. Best on surface lures or bucktails with large fluted blades.
The slightly warmer than usual late August temps, algae blooms and dying weeds have made for below typical late August fishing (which is typically tough anyway). Friday’s forecasted dip in temp for a high may trigger some interest, but it looks as if temps will remain in the mid 70’s for the rest of the weekend.
Kurt Justice
Kurt’s Island Sport Shop Like us on Facebook
NORTHWEST INDIANA
Lake Michigan success on Triplecatch Charters.Provided by Capt. Rich Sleziak
Capt. Rich Sleziak at Slez’s Bait in Lake Station texted:
Kings outside burns ditch in 40ft of water caught aboard Triplecatch.
Some action out of burns ditch mainly a morning bite mag spoons and plugs doing best.
Perch action was really good but slowed down some last couple days 20 to 35ft of water from dune state park and east all the way to Michigan city
Slezs bait shop will be open 5am to 7pm all weekend and on Labor Day
Hi, Dale! Finally…some cooler weather to encourage anglers to make use of those last relaxing, pleasant fishing days of summer. Here’s what’s been going on the past week:
Fishing continues to stay steady for trollers fishing out of Hot Spot areas like New Buffalo, Portage, & Hammond Marinas, & St. Joseph, with a good number of Trout & Coho fishing in waters 130-180 FOW.
Perch fishing really picked up last week, with good numbers of perch being caught from The eastern portion of the slips on Lake Shore Drive (the Indiana section) to Michigan city and further East to St. Joseph; the best action is 30-50 FOW. Beemoths, crickets, & red worms have been going like crazy.
The river anglers are still catching Walleye and Catfish. Nightcrawlers are working well for both; leeches & doughbait/stinkbait hitting nicely respectively. Wolf Lake has been having moderate success with Northern Pike and Walleye; other inland lake catches remain just OK.
ROOT RIVER, WISCONSIN
Click here for the Wisconsin DNR’s report, usually on Tuesday or Wednesday.
SHABBONA LAKE
Staff at Boondocks reported fishing was slow with the heat, should pick up with cooler weather, but catfish were busy on chicken livers, primarily, with a few panfish around the weeds.
Concessions are going. Site hours through Oct. 31 are 6 a.m.-10 p.m. daily
SOUTHEAST WISCONSIN LAKEFRONT
Click here for the southern Lake Michigan reports from the Wisconsin DNR.
SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN
Staff at Tackle Haven in Benton Harbor said there’s perch in 42-50 feet off “The Chalets;” for silver fish, it is better south of St. Joseph in 110-150, down 70-90; nothing off the piers.
Hook-and-line sturgeon season opens Saturday, Sept. 4. Details are at the top. Check with River’s Edge.
WOLF RIVER, WISCONSIN
Guide Bill Stoeger in Fremont texted:
Not good this week. Had 5 to 8″ of rain throughout the area, the river is still rising and should crest Thursday. This will bring fish into the river, but it’s very slow now
In the search to find an eventual long-term replacement for Tom Brady in New England, a new quarterback will get his chance.
The Patriots have released veteran passer Cam Newton, clearing the way for rookie first-round selection Mac Jones to be the Week 1 starter, the Boston Globe reported Tuesday.
Newton, who started last year in his lone season in New England, had been involved in a battle with Jones over the starting job throughout training camp. Newton, 32, had been inconsistent in camp and then was eventually forced to sit out five days and three practices after he was placed in the NFL’s COVID-19 list over what the team called a “misunderstanding” of the league’s rules.
In that time, Jones shined as he played most first-team reps in practice.
The Patriots selected Jones, 22, out of Alabama with the 15th overall pick in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft in April.
Newton now becomes a free agent and will be available to sign with any team. In his one season as a starter in New England, Newton completed 65.8% of his passes for 2,657 yards with eight touchdowns and 10 interceptions, while adding 592 rushing yards and 12 rushing scores.
The Patriots went 7-9 and missed the postseason for the first time since the 2008 season.
In other cut day moves:
Las Vegas Raiders WR John Brown
“Smokey” was expected to be a veteran presence for a young receiving corps, but he instead requested his release and received it, according to NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero. Brown signed a one-year deal with the Raiders in March after catching 33 passes for 458 yards in eight games last season for the Bills.
New Orleans Saints QB Trevor Siemian
The Saints are parting with former Northwestern QB Siemian, but only for the time being, as NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported that the team plans to re-sign him once rosters settle after cutdown day. Siemian would serve as the primary backup to starter Jameis Winston with Taysom Hill playing a hybrid role.
Cincinnati Bengals DT Mike Daniels
The former Packers standout started 11 games for Cincinnati last season as he tried to reboot his career. But the Bengals are now poised to look a little younger along the interior line after the team acquired B.J. Hill from the Giants.
Philadelphia Eagles WR Travis Fulgham
Fulgham finished as the Eagles’ leading receiver last year in a breakout season, recording 38 catches for 539 yards for a passing attack that was in desperate need of reliable targets. With first-round pick DeVonta Smith coming aboard and Quez Watkins breakout in training camp and preseason, however, Fulgham didn’t fit into the Eagles’ plans.
Tennessee Titans WR Dez Fitzpatrick
The Titans are cutting ties with Fitzpatrick approximately four months after trading up to select him in the fourth round of the NFL draft. The Louisville product struggled to make his mark on the receiving corps in training camp and preseason.
New York Jets QB Josh Johnson
The veteran journeyman’s stay with Gang Green was a short one, with the team releasing him less than a month after he was signed. The job backing up rookie Zach Wilson now is set to go to Mike White.
Jacksonville Jaguars WR Collin Johnson
A fifth-round pick in 2020, the 6-6, 222-pound Johnson had 18 catches as a rookie. The Texas product could be an option for the team’s practice squad if he goes unclaimed.
Green Bay Packers WR Equanimeous St. Brown
There will be no NFC North rivalry between St. Brown and his brother, Lions rookie wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, after the elder of the two was waived by the team Tuesday. St. Brown caught seven passes in 12 games last year.
Los Angeles Chargers K Michael Badgley
Nicknamed “Money Badger,” Badgley saw his field goal percentage tumble from 93.8% in 2019 to 72.7% last year. Tristan Vizcaino is now poised to take over kicking duties for the Chargers.
Washington Football Team RB Peyton Barber
Barber tallied four touchdowns last season as a backup to Antonio Gibson, but the sixth-year veteran appears to have been leapfrogged by undrafted free agent Jaret Patterson, who was one of the preseason’s biggest standouts. Washington also cut 2020 fourth-round pick Antonio Gandy-Golden.
Detroit Lions LB Jahlani Tavai
A second-round pick out of Hawaii in 2019, Tavai was taken ahead of the likes of Tennessee Titans wide receiver A.J. Brown and Seattle Seahawks wide receiver, among others. He started 10 games for Detroit last year and received a positive review from linebackers coach Mark DeLeone, who said the third-year player was in “a really good position right now” to make the roster. Ultimately, however, Tavai couldn’t latch on with the new regime of first-year general manager Brad Holmes and coach Dan Campbell.
Miami Dolphins C Matt Skura
Despite signing the veteran blocker to a one-year deal in March, Miami is already moving on from Skura as it reshuffles its offensive line. The Dolphins also parted with linebacker Benardrick McKinney, whom the team acquired in a trade with the Houston Texans this offseason.
Dallas Cowboys QBs Garrett Gilbert, Ben DiNucci
The Cowboys appear to have settled their backup quarterback battle, keeping Cooper Rush while parting with Gilbert and DiNucci, who each started a game last year when Dak Prescott was injured.
New Orleans Saints RB Devonta Freeman
The former Atlanta Falcons standout won’t get a chance to jumpstart his career with an old NFC South rival, as Freeman didn’t make the cut in New Orleans after signing with the Saints earlier in August.
Green Bay Packers tackle David Bakhtiari
The Green Bay Packers won’t have David Bakhtiari for the start of the season as the All-Pro left tackle continues his recovery from a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Bakhtiari’s agent, Mark Humenik, confirmed Tuesday that Bakhtiari will begin the season on the physically unable to perform list. The designation means Bakhtiari won’t be available for at least the first six weeks.
Authorities have released the name of a 31-year-old man killed in a triple shooting Monday night in Roseland on the Far South Side.
Rahyil Lee and two other men were shot by a gunman who opened fire from a car at 8:50 p.m. in the 400 block of East 111th Street, Chicago police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office said.
Lee was shot in the back and was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he was pronounced dead, police said.
Another man, 54, was struck in the wrist and went to Roseland Hospital in good condition, police said. A third man, 30, was shot in the foot and was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn.
In the search to find an eventual long-term replacement for Tom Brady in New England, a new quarterback will get his chance.
The Patriots have released veteran passer Cam Newton, clearing the way for rookie first-round selection Mac Jones to be the Week 1 starter, the Boston Globe reported Tuesday.
Newton, who started last year in his lone season in New England, had been involved in a battle with Jones over the starting job throughout training camp. Newton, 32, had been inconsistent in camp and then was eventually forced to sit out five days and three practices after he was placed in the NFL’s COVID-19 list over what the team called a “misunderstanding” of the league’s rules.
In that time, Jones shined as he played most first-team reps in practice.
The Patriots selected Jones, 22, out of Alabama with the 15th overall pick in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft in April.
Newton now becomes a free agent and will be available to sign with any team. In his one season as a starter in New England, Newton completed 65.8% of his passes for 2,657 yards with eight touchdowns and 10 interceptions, while adding 592 rushing yards and 12 rushing scores.
The Patriots went 7-9 and missed the postseason for the first time since the 2008 season.
In other cut day moves:
New Orleans Saints QB Trevor Siemian
The Saints are parting with former Northwestern QB Siemian, but only for the time being, as NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported that the team plans to re-sign him once rosters settle after cutdown day. Siemian would serve as the primary backup to starter Jameis Winston with Taysom Hill playing a hybrid role.
Cincinnati Bengals DT Mike Daniels
The former Packers standout started 11 games for Cincinnati last season as he tried to reboot his career. But the Bengals are now poised to look a little younger along the interior line after the team acquired B.J. Hill from the Giants.
Philadelphia Eagles WR Travis Fulgham
Fulgham finished as the Eagles’ leading receiver last year in a breakout season, recording 38 catches for 539 yards for a passing attack that was in desperate need of reliable targets. With first-round pick DeVonta Smith coming aboard and Quez Watkins breakout in training camp and preseason, however, Fulgham didn’t fit into the Eagles’ plans.
Tennessee Titans WR Dez Fitzpatrick
The Titans are cutting ties with Fitzpatrick approximately four months after trading up to select him in the fourth round of the NFL draft. The Louisville product struggled to make his mark on the receiving corps in training camp and preseason.
New York Jets QB Josh Johnson
The veteran journeyman’s stay with Gang Green was a short one, with the team releasing him less than a month after he was signed. The job backing up rookie Zach Wilson now is set to go to Mike White.
Jacksonville Jaguars WR Collin Johnson
A fifth-round pick in 2020, the 6-6, 222-pound Johnson had 18 catches as a rookie. The Texas product could be an option for the team’s practice squad if he goes unclaimed.
Green Bay Packers WR Equanimeous St. Brown
There will be no NFC North rivalry between St. Brown and his brother, Lions rookie wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, after the elder of the two was waived by the team Tuesday. St. Brown caught seven passes in 12 games last year.
Los Angeles Chargers K Michael Badgley
Nicknamed “Money Badger,” Badgley saw his field goal percentage tumble from 93.8% in 2019 to 72.7% last year. Tristan Vizcaino is now poised to take over kicking duties for the Chargers.
Washington Football Team RB Peyton Barber
Barber tallied four touchdowns last season as a backup to Antonio Gibson, but the sixth-year veteran appears to have been leapfrogged by undrafted free agent Jaret Patterson, who was one of the preseason’s biggest standouts. Washington also cut 2020 fourth-round pick Antonio Gandy-Golden.
Detroit Lions LB Jahlani Tavai
A second-round pick out of Hawaii in 2019, Tavai was taken ahead of the likes of Tennessee Titans wide receiver A.J. Brown and Seattle Seahawks wide receiver, among others. He started 10 games for Detroit last year and received a positive review from linebackers coach Mark DeLeone, who said the third-year player was in “a really good position right now” to make the roster. Ultimately, however, Tavai couldn’t latch on with the new regime of first-year general manager Brad Holmes and coach Dan Campbell.
Miami Dolphins C Matt Skura
Despite signing the veteran blocker to a one-year deal in March, Miami is already moving on from Skura as it reshuffles its offensive line. The Dolphins also parted with linebacker Benardrick McKinney, whom the team acquired in a trade with the Houston Texans this offseason.
Dallas Cowboys QBs Garrett Gilbert, Ben DiNucci
The Cowboys appear to have settled their backup quarterback battle, keeping Cooper Rush while parting with Gilbert and DiNucci, who each started a game last year when Dak Prescott was injured.
New Orleans Saints RB Devonta Freeman
The former Atlanta Falcons standout won’t get a chance to jumpstart his career with an old NFC South rival, as Freeman didn’t make the cut in New Orleans after signing with the Saints earlier in August.
Green Bay Packers tackle David Bakhtiari
The Green Bay Packers won’t have David Bakhtiari for the start of the season as the All-Pro left tackle continues his recovery from a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Bakhtiari’s agent, Mark Humenik, confirmed Tuesday that Bakhtiari will begin the season on the physically unable to perform list. The designation means Bakhtiari won’t be available for at least the first six weeks.
