Olympics and beyond: Chicago WWW

Waiting on word whether Chicago gets the 2016 Olympics tops the pile for this Wild Weekend Wanderings around Chicago outdoors. Otherwise, there is some shoreline fishing, especially with flows spiking on the Root River, and bowhunting opened Thursday.

OLYMPIC BID: I have to admit Mayor Daley sounded, well, like Mayor Daley during the Chicago presentation, and President Obama was his usual stirring self. But the superstar of the presentation was Michelle Obama, who gave quite the emotional appeal.

Nothing will impact Chicago outdoors, especially the lakefront, quite like a successful Olympic bid. Not all good impacts, but huge impacts. I am real mixed on it, in part because I think in the long term it will be beneficial, but in the short term a form of hell.

I plan to stick my head downtown this morning, and listen to the radio for the final announcement.

ROOT RIVER: There was a spike in flow on Sunday that brought fish in. And last night flow had another spike after the rains, so this may be the weekend to hit the Root for fall kings and more. To check flow, click here.

SHORELINE SALMON: There’s a few kings around Chicago harbors, and even some smaller coho at Diversey, according to Mike Repa at Park Bait. He said water had cooled to 65 finally, so maybe that is a sign of hope.

SALMON SNAGGING: On Thursday, snagging for chinook and coho salmon opened at select areas on the lakefront: inner and outer harbors at Jackson Park, Lincoln Park Lagoon from the Fullerton Avenue Bridge to the southern end of the Lagoon, Winnetka power plant discharge area and Waukegan Harbor (in North Harbor basin only). No snagging is allowed at any time within 200 feet of a moored watercraft or as posted.

Fish have been surfacing in harbors, so there’s some around.

BOWHUNTING: Bowhunting for deer and turkey opened Thursday. The statewide rain probably didn’t help. Paul Shelton said they do not expect to have opening day numbers immediately, but I am hopeful we can see opening weekend numbers early next week.

TRAPPING: The Illinois Trappers Association holds its annual Fall Convention at the fair grounds in Anna from today through Sunday. This is one of those things I really need to attend at some point. Here are details:

PADDLING: In October, the Chicago River Canoe & Kayak has its Chicago launch open on weekends and its Lagoons launch open Friday and weekends. Go to chicagoriverpaddle.com or call 773 704-2663 or (847) 414-5883.

FOX RIVER CLEANUP: There’s a Fox Rescue River Clean-up in St. Charles is 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. Contact Jay Schmid at (630) 485-5103 or Jenni Kempf (815) 356-6605.

SOMETHING DIFFERENT: Ultrarunner Diane VanDeren and Freeskier Karina Hollekim will be speaking in Chicago at Abby Pub, the North Side place, on Tuesday evening as part of The North Face Never Stop Exploring Speaker Series. “Beyond The Edge: Risk, Reward, and Reality in Adventure,” starts at 7 p.m. with a VIP reception that will benefit The Cancer Wellness Center beginning at 6 p.m.

PERSONAL PICKS: I will be downtown this morning for some of the Olympic bid rah-rah. This weekend I expect to put in some bow time with the oldest boy. My fishing this year has been slimmer than most years. Maybe I may actually squeeze some in, especially with rain kicking flow a bit.