WWW Chicago outdoors: Decoys, morels & more

Some things arrive on time for their Wild Weekend Wandering around Chicago outdoors, say the decoy show, while other things, say the perch bite off Waukegan, arrive when good and ready.

The National Antique Decoy & Sporting Collectibles Show is today and Saturday at Pheasant Run in St. Charles.

On many levels, this is a fascinating gathering of art and history.

PERCH: Finally, the bite is beginning for Waukegan perch. And just in time as Waukegan launches are open. In Indiana, when boats can get out, they have been finding perch in 48 feet north of Gary Light.

MORELS: Norm Minas said some of the guys reported finding some along the Kankakee this week. I looked three different days in my best spot, and nothing. It is time.

WILD ASPARAGUS: Now that the weather is settling, I may try looking again this weekend.

LAKEFRONT COHO: The good spring for coho is spreading north. It continues to be good in Indiana spots, but now they are being caught well as far north as North Point. Capt. Bob Poteshman of Confusion Charters said the coho are good out of North Point from “the beach to `The Hill.’ ”

HUNTING: Today is the deadline for the first lottery for resident deer hunters in Illinois. . . . Turkey hunting is in the final week in the south zone, but hitting a peak in the north zone.

NO-WAKE FISHING: The entire Chain O’Lakes and the Fox River from the Algonquin Dam to the Wisconsin line is under no-wake restrictions. That can be just a wonderful time for fishermen. Click here for updates.

PADDLING: On Sunday, the Chicago River Canoe & Kayak opens its Chicago (Clark Park) and Winnetka (Tower Road Lagoons). Click here or call (773) 704-2663

FLAPJACKS FOR FISH: The third annual Flapjacks for Fisheries Charity Benefit by the Gary Borger Chapter of Trout Unlimited will be at the Sheridan Shore Yacht Club from 8 a.m.-noon Saturday.

FLY-FISHING FILMS: The 2011 Fly Fishing Film Tour is at Wilmette Theater, beginning at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

SMELTING: Smelting ends Saturday night. But it was an unexpectedly good April.

PERSONAL PICKS: Today I think I am out at Braidwood Lake for a unique story with a guy. . . . I am trying to figure out how to hit the decoy show on Saturday around kids’ activities. . . . I hope to look for both morels with more success this weekend, and for asparagus. . . . As always, a fair amount of my spare time is spent working on “Outside,” the radio show Joel Greenberg and I are doing at 4:30 p.m. Mondays on WKCC-FM (91.1).