Monday July 31, 2006  .....

Our River Picture of the Day  ----- is of (left) Chris and (right) Tony....taking a break and talking to us as they locked us through Winfield Lock and Dam last Saturday.

Last Year's River Picture of the Day ------  What the heck was the picture on RiverBills.com last year on this day ? 

   It was apicture of  Mel and the girls. That is "Mel"  of Mel's Riverdock Restaurant in Harden, IL.      Mel served us up some excellent food that fine Saturday afternoon last year. It is well worth the trip up the Illinois River.   I know the pork chop that I had for dinner was huge....And smoked to perfection.   Thanks for taking care of us Mel. 

River Explorer Is Coming to Pool 26 ------  The River Explorer , a river barge converted to a floating hotel, will be in Pool 26 of this coming week.  Watch for it at Grafton sometime between Aug 1 - 8.

Liston, Nienhaus & Crawford

6 to10 PM Show

Loading Dock

215 W. Water Street

Grafton, Illinois 62027

For more info go to ...http://scott.nienhaus.com/

Mississippi River Barge Tour Scheduled To Stop At Alton ------ The River Barge Tour is scheduled to stop at Alton, IL on Friday, August 4th.  It's an educational tour where you can experience the the connection between the river, the economy and you. Go to www.grainnet.com for more information.

Kanoeing For Katrina ------  Andrea Walker sent me an e-mail about some folks that passed through our area last week that are canoeing the entire length of the Mississippi River to raise money to buy band instruments for the kids in New Orleans.

Andrea wrote:

Hey Bill,

I just learned from my mom about these 4 people one from St. Louis who is canoeing down the Mississippi from the confluence in MN all the way to the Gulf to raise money for band instruments for the kids in New Orleans .

They are spending tonight across from Cuivre Island where the public ramp is.

They plan to make it to Alton tomorrow.

Isn’t it ironic that they are doing this a week before our Mardi Gras?

Anyway they have their own website and it is pretty cool. I am having breakfast with them tomorrow and plan to get them some perks in Alton tomorrow night.

Anyone who would like to check out there website it is as follows, kanoeingforkatrina This is a Blog site and I don’t remember the rest but if they type in that part they will find it in a search engine.

It’s some pretty clever dialogue along with some really cool pics.

I will keep you updated.

If you want to know the correlation My mom sings in the Sweet Adelines with the Aaron guy.

Andrea

click here to open the kanoeingforkatrina blogspot

River Bill says.....Thanks Andrea for the info.......good luck to the canoers....It's a good thing you are doing.....Be safe

 Weekend Edition ...Sunday July 30, 2006  .....

Our River Picture of the Day  ----- is from Captain Greg Sadowski.  Looks like he is moving another large boat, The Naples Princess,  from La Cross, Wisconsin down the Mississippi River to Naples, Florida. The text on the picture indicates that they were at UMR 515 last Saturday.  

  Keep an eye out .....maybe you will spot them as they journey down the river. 

 RiverBill says....Have a safe trip Greg....Maybe  will see you in St. Louis.

Last Year's River Picture of the Day ------  What the heck was the picture on RiverBills.com last year on this day ? 

  It was a picture of the  River Explorer moored at Grafton, IL last year..... sent in by Darryll Weil who hails out of  Woodland Harbor in the cruiser, "After You".  

Darryll wrote in his e-mail

  It consists of two giant barges that are basically plush hotels and is pushed by a regular tow boat. For more info on this vessel go to www.riverbagre.com.

Darryll.

 Weekend Edition  ..Sunday July 30, 2006  .....

Our River Pictures and E-mail of the Day  ----- is from Captain Brian Muenks, of the boat and web site named  Called In Sick .  

Brian wrote;

Bill,

My son Zack just sent me some pictures of him standing in the middle of the Mississippi!!  Thought it was pretty funny when I opened the pictures thinking about what it looks like around here.  This weekend he'll be running the waverunner in this part of the old Miss...quite a difference! 

Brian

Called In Sick

 RiverBill says....Look how clear that water is !

Last Year's River Picture of the Day ------  What the heck was the picture on RiverBills.com last year on this day ? 

  It was a picture of one of our River Girls !

   We have some of the best women in the world boating on Alton Lake and here is our very own  Kelly T.....  posing for you and me right after taking a dip in the mighty Mississippi.   

  Photography by Marty Henderson of www.fotou.net  

Alton Block Party is Today ------  4PM to 10:30PM Third Street between Piasa and State.    The Phins Band will sing a full song list of Buffet favorites. 
For more information call 618-465-6676.

Two Rivers Boat Club ------  I added a link with an e-mail address to the Two Rivers Boat Club in the left hand column under "Boating and Social Clubs". This is a boat club from the Louisiana, Mo area of the Mississippi River.  

    Cindy Blaylock, TRBC Secretary, and I are working on a possible St. Louis / Two Rivers Boat Club outing.   I suggested we set up a party in pool 25 of the Mississippi River.....that will be an equal distance trip for the boaters from Louisiana and from the St. Louis area. 

   Keep your anchor right here for more information if this works out..

 Friday... July 28,   2006  .....

Our River Picture of the Day  ----- is of a New "Captain in Training" .........Introducing "Hayden Bicknese" to the entire River Crowd ! ....Welcome Aboard ! 

Hello Bill,

 I though I would send you this picture of our first child and captain-in-training, Hayden.  The picture was taken on our way to the sand bar on the Illinois side of Two Branch.  Diane was trying to show Hayden how to navigate the Lady Di through the dikes in Bolter, but as you can see he was sleeping on the job at the time.  We’ll have to work on that. 

Hayden was born on July 13, 2006.  Since it finally cooled down last Saturday, July 22, we took him for his first boat ride on the Lady Di, at nine days old.  He really seemed to like the boat and is sure to become a true river rat.  Hayden’s arrival also makes my dad, Little John of Little John’s Marine Service, a proud grandpa.

Please welcome Hayden to the river community.  See you on the river,

Proud new parents Randy and Diane Bicknese

“Lady Di”

River Bill says....Congrats to proud parents.....Randy and Diane !

Last Year's River Picture of the Day ------  What the heck was the picture on RiverBills.com last year on this day ? 

  It was a picture of a  tug below Clarksville Dam on the Missouri side of the river that was sent in by John Thomas, who is in the U.S. Air Force.  

 John wrote in his e-mail; 

" I was recently back home on leave (Pleasant Hill, IL , which is near the Clarksville Dam) and I took these pictures.  It was good to get back on the river for a little while ! ".........John also sent a pic of him fishing in a slough below the dam and a pic of the lower side of the dam, probably looking towards Clarksville.. 

Capt'n Jack's Breakfast ------  Capt'n Jacks will no longer be serving breakfast on Sunday mornings !  

   They will open for business at 11 AM. 

Missouri State Water Patrol Gives T-shirts Away ------  Kids...get caught wearing your life jacket and yuo could get a free T-shirt from the Missouir State Water Patrol !

Click here to read the Missouri State Water Patrol News Release N07060107  

Fish Passage at Melvin Price Lock and Dam ------  According to an article in the on-line Post Dispatch..... the US Army Corps of Engineers sponsored a meeting at the National Great Rivers Museum that outlined plans on fish passage past the lock and dam on the Mississippi River at Alton, IL. 

  Click here to read the story in the on-line STLtoday.com

US Senate Passes Bill To Modernize  River Transportation System ------  According to an article in the on-line Illinois Farm Bureau....the US Senate has passed a bill to modernize our nation's river transportation system.  It includes almost $2 billion for the construction of new locks.

 Click here to read the article from the Illinois Farm Bureau.

 Thursday... July 27,   2006  .....

The 2006 Jamaica Daze Planning Committee

Pick on picture to enlarge

Our hosts....Bob, Pat, Bernie and John of Eagles Landing Marina

Pick on picture to enlarge

Our River Pictures of the Day  ----- are from the Jamaica Daze 2006 planning party yesterday evening.  Carl cooked up some jerk chicken and corn on the cob for everyone.  We took care of business, enjoyed our meal and shared a few refreshments..... Yah Mon. 

   A big thanks goes out to the owners of Eagles Landing Marina ....who hosted the party at the marina clubhouse.

River Bill and Laura thank the entire Planning Committee for their effort.

.....See ya at Jamaica Daze !

Last Year's River Picture of the Day ------  What the heck was the picture on RiverBills.com last year on this day ? 

  It was a couple of pictures of two "Real River Dawgs" ( Dawg1, Dawg2 ) sent in by Murphy, of the houseboat "MURPHY II."   These pics were taken at the top of the  "Isle of  Two Branch."    Looks like these Dawgs are really at home in the water and the boxer must be having some friends over for a swim party...........

     Thanks for the pictures Murphy !

Capt'n Jack's Breakfast ------  Capt'n Jacks will no longer be serving breakfast on Sunday mornings !  

   They will open for business at 11 AM. 

 Wednesday... July 26,   2006  .....

Our River Picture of the Day  ----- was sent in by Scott Clark.......It's a picture of River Dawg name Gilli  looking cool with those shades on....while floating in the water  behind Two Branch Island !

Last Year's River Picture of the Day ------  What the heck was the picture on RiverBills.com last year on this day ? 

1st picture 

  It was sent in by Mike Lubiewski,......It's a "Future River Rat" doing some tubing on the Quiver River Slough.

2nd Picture

  It was a picture of a real river dog named "River Splash" that is owned by Pam and Robert Gundlach.   

Pam wrote;

  " Here at Horseshoe Island even "River Splash" enjoys the dog days of summer.  She just chills out on the river just like her owners.  Splash is a river dog since day one and can't get enough.  She says see you on the water.

The real river dog named "River Splash" is owned by Pam and Robert Gundlach.  

Quincy Considering Hydroelectric Power Plants on Mississippi River ------  

According to an article in the on-line Quincy Herald Whig, the Quincy City Council is considering three hydroelectric power plants on the Mississippi River at Lock and Dam 22.    To read the complete story go to www.whig.com. 

Capt'n Jack's Breakfast ------  Capt'n Jacks will no longer be serving breakfast on Sunday mornings !  

   They will open for business at 11 AM. 

The "I Fish Illinois" ....Weekly Fishing Report ------  is out !

Mississippi River Report (Dated July 22, 2006)

FISHING AREA: Mississippi river - Pool 25 to Pool 26

FISHING AREA: Mississippi River - Lower Pool 25 - Upper Pool 26 - Grafton Area

FISHING AREA: Mississippi River - Lower Pool 26 - Alton

To read the complete report for the Mississippi River click here and scroll down to the area you are interested in.

Illinois River

     Click here  to read the report for the Illinois River 

 Tuesday... July 25,   2006  .....

Our River Picture of the Day  ----- is from Marty Henderson of www.fotou.net.  It's a picture of some eerie looking reddish colored clouds from the storm that rolled through the area last Wednesday evening.

RiverBill says...Hope everyone has their electricity back on !

www.AnglersLegacy.org ------  Added a link to www.AnglersLegacy.org in the left hand column.....

Take the Anglers' Legacy Pledge:

Count me in! By taking the Anglers' Legacy pledge, I promise to do my part to give what I was given and Take Someone Fishing!

Last Year's River Picture On Sunday ------  What the heck was the picture on RiverBills.com last year on this day ? 

 It was a shot looking through Mason Chute across the Illinois River at Grafton that was sent in by Captain Darryll Weil out of Woodland Marina.   To check out more of his weekend pictures click here.

Aquapalooza, Storm Damage at Woodland, Moonlight Cruise ------ Captain Darryll Weil, who hails out of Woodland Marina, sent us an e-mail about his weekend and updates to his website.......www.captainweil.com.

Darryll wrote:

Had another fun weekend on the river.  Saturday Craig, Connie, Bob and Janet joined us for a little cruise down to Portage Des Sioux, Grafton, Mason Chute and then on to Island 521 for the Sea Ray / Marine Max / Port Arrowhead customer appreciation party.  We took the little Sea Ray because I thought that would look better at a Sea Ray party than the Mariah!  Check out those pics and damage to some of the docks at Woodland Marina from the Friday storm at:

www.captainweil.com/Aquapalooza

The Con Trios Yacht Club had their annual "Moonlight Cruise" on the Grafton Ferry Saturday night.  We boarded the ferry about 10 PM and cruised up and down the rivers while enjoying the sounds of "The Rail" and food catered by "Sharkys Cove".  Weather was fabulous and we had a great time.  Check out those pics at:

www.captainweil.com/CTYCMoonlightCruise_2006

Enjoy, Darryll

RiverBill says...Thanks for the River updates Darryll

Banana Wind Band  ------  Was playing on the deck at Capt'n Jack's a few Sunday's ago.  Matt, one of the bartenders at Jack's, sent us the picture above and the following e-mail.

Matt wrote:

Hi Bill

We had fun with the Parrot heads last Sunday at Captain Jack's.  Here are some pictures of the purveyors of fine trop rock, the band Banana Wind.  

  Please remind everyone to check the website for who's playing on the new deck at Captain Jack's under the sun on Sundays!

Matt

 Monday... July 24,   2006  .....

Our River Picture of the Day  ----- is from Robert Cope.  It's a panoramic of the sunset at the confluence of the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers on Saturday night.

RiverBill says...Nice sunset shot Robert !

(see if you can say the sentence above fast 5 times )

Last Year's River Picture On Sunday ------  What the heck was the picture on RiverBills.com last year on this day ? 

 It was a picture of the some of the party goers  gathering in the parking lot at the Grafton Ferry..... getting ready for the Con Trios Yacht Club   "Full Moon Cruise"  last year.   We boarded the ferry where there was plenty of food, of course a raffle and live music.    

Two Rivers Marina ...Annual Cardboard Boat Races ------  Cindy Blaylock, secretary of the Two Rivers Boat Club, sent us the following e-mail.... inviting us all to their annual cardboard boat races on Labor Day !  

Bill,

The Two Rivers Boat club out of Two Rivers Marina (We are at Upper Mississippi Rivers Mile 283.3 on the Illinois bank, 50 feet north of the Louisiana, Missouri Highway Bridge.) are planning our Annual Labor Day Weekend Cardboard Boat Race.

Rules and Dates are posted at www.tworiversmarina.com under the Events Tab.  Here is a photo from a couple of years ago….some may recognize the crew of the "Off Brothers".

I appreciate and enjoy your sight! Thanks for allowing us the opportunity to share this news!

Cindy Blaylock, TRBC Secretary 

RiverBill says...Take a look at the "Marina Facilities" page of the Two Rivers website.  Scroll down and you will see some familiar faces from St. Louis !

Anglers Rallied As Guardians of Sport ------  Recreational Boating And Fishing Foundation News Release dated July 13:

The gift of fishing is something special that those who don't fish might never get, or even know what they have missed, unless those who fish decide to share it. 

Of today's 50 million anglers in the United States, 99 percent say they fish because someone once took the time to introduce them to the sport. But the changing American lifestyle seems to be changing the face of who that someone is, and is also being blamed for much of the angler fallout that has occurred over recent decades.

That is why the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF), a non-profit organization charged by congressional action to address declining participation, is rallying the country's most avid anglers, the sport's strongest guardians, to become part of a new program called Anglers' Legacy and take someone fishing....... Click here to continue reading 

I appreciate and enjoy your sight! Thanks for allowing us the opportunity to share this news!

Cindy Blaylock, TRBC Secretary 

 Weekend Edition... July 22 & 23,   2006  .....

CLICK ON PICTURE TO ENLARGE

Rail

Joe, Bobby, Lionel and Marvin 

RiverBill says....Rail knows how to rock the river...Good job guys !

RiverBill says...Nice meeting you folks....Hope to see ya soon.

Last Year's River Picture On Sunday ------  What the heck was the picture on RiverBills.com last year on this day ? 

 It was a picture of 6 River Girls !   

 We have the best women in the world boating Alton Lake.  Here are 6  Rivermaids ~ soaking up some of that summer sun and making the boys smile at the same time.  

Last Year's River Picture On Saturday ------  What the heck was the picture on RiverBills.com last year on this day ? 

 It was an action shot taken by Steve Schulte of a jet ski doing some serious air time.    Check out Steve's website by clicking on his link on the right hand side of this web page. 

Con Trios Yacht Club's Moon Light Cruise..... is Saturday evening, July 22.  10:30 PM  - 1:30 AM on the Grafton Ferry.  Music provided by the band..... Rail

 Click here for more information or go to the Con Trios website.

Friday... July 21,   2006  .....

CLICK ON PICTURE TO ENLARGE

Bill,

We were out testing driving a 26.6 Crownline (which we bought) and is a few steps up from out 19.6 Wellcraft when a huge storm blew in from down river.     We raced back to Riverside harbor, but not before the winds came thru.   We have never seen winds like that before, thought the readers might  want to see a few pics from the Harbor

See everyone on the river

Brian and Lisa Koester

RiverBill says...Congrats to Brian and Lisa on the new boat.......And... thanks for the storm pictures !

Last Year's River Picture On This Day ------  What the heck was the picture on RiverBills.com last year on this day ? 

 It was pictures of a few of the boats that participated in last year's  Annual Boat Parade and Blessing Of The Fleet.   There was a Viking in a sailboat plus some other well decorated boats.  One boat picture even has a good view of the bluffs in the background.     Thanks for sharing your pictures Robert Cope.

Con Trios Yacht Club's Moon Light Cruise..... is Saturday evening, July 22.  10:30 PM  - 1:30 AM on the Grafton Ferry.  Music provided by the band..... Rail

 Click here for more information or go to the Con Trios website.

Racing Update ------ Little John of Little John's Marine Service sent us an update about last weekend's racing. 

John wrote:

Bill

We had a great weekend in Okalahoma City last weekend.

• Right at 200 boats entered.

• KWITCHYABITCHEN took 5th in its class.

• Ashly with DADDYS LITTLE GIRL took 5th in her class.

• We just keep climbing on the points ladder !

  The boats will be on display this Sat.  7/22 from 11.00 to 4.00 at

Chiropractic Center Of St. Peters (Midrivers Mall Drive)

Dr. John Spraul is doing School Physicals for  $25.00 pr person.

Stop by and get your physical out of the way and see our boats.

We will start them up a few times so you can get a real grip of raw power !

                                                 Thanks

                                                    Little John

Fishing Report  ------ The Missouri Department of Conservation has issued this week's Fishing Report.  

Mississippi River (above St. Louis):

82 degrees, low, dingy; channel catfish fair on prepared baits; all other species slow. (Report made on 7/20/2006)

Missouri River (below New Haven)

80 degrees, low, muddy; catfish good on trotlines,  jug lines, and pole & line using shad or goldfish; all other species fair. (Report made on 7/20/2006)

Check out the report for the entire state of Missouri

.................go to  http://www.mdc.mo.gov/fish/fishrt/

Winner of Grafton Ferry Picture Contest

Winner of Grafton Ferry Picture Contest -----  Is Robert Cope for his picture of the ferry with the neat looking clouds above it.....Almost looks like the heavens are opening up and shinning down on the Grafton Ferry.

Thursday... July 20,   2006  .....

Last Year's River Picture On This Day ------  What the heck was the picture on RiverBills.com last year on this day ? 

 It was a picture taken behind the Isle of Two Branch of a true River-Rat cooking up some Mississippi River Cuisine.   Table, cooler, grill, umbrella and everything else needed, right at your fingertips.  Staying cool and cooking up a storm.   

All I can say is that you had to be there !   

Low Mississippi Water Worries Tow Operators-----  According a news article in the on-line Alton Telegraph the low water levels on the Mississippi River are causing much concern .  A low water advisory was issued last week for the Upper Mississippi River and officials with the US Army Corps of Engineers expect the water levels to drop even further this week. 

Click here to read the story  in the on-line Alton Telegraph.

Low Water Advisory for UMR 0.0 - 185.0......... The US Coast Guard Sector Upper Mississippi River issued a low water advisory on 7-11-06 for the  UMR 0.0 - UMR 185.0.

  Click here to read ITCS Memo # 2407

Con Trios Yacht Club's Moon Light Cruise..... is Saturday evening, July 22.  10:30 PM  - 1:30 AM on the Grafton Ferry.  Music provided by the band..... Rail

 Click here for more information or go to the Con Trios website.

Con Trios Latest Newsletter Is Out........ 

Click here to go to the Con Trios website and read it.

Wednesday... July 19,   2006  .....