Grand Prix of Cycling Comes to Evanston

Evanston and other nearby residents, along with professional bikers, competed in the Grand Prix of Cycling July 20. The event was one leg of the Point Premium International Cycling Classic, the largest multi-category race in the United States. Streets in downtown Evanston were closed off for the day to create the loop that served as a track. Eight separate races wre held, beginning at 9 a.m. and ending in the late evening, and ranging from 15 to 25 mile races between local residents to 100 kilometer races for pros. The midday intermission included kids' races for bikers aged 3 to 9.

Photos by Evanston Photographic Studios

Evanston Cricket Club

The Evanston Cricket Club lost their match to a team from Mossville, Ill., at James Park on July 20, to bring its record for the season to 4 wins, 2 losses and one rain-out. The Evanston team competes against 42 other teams in the Midwest Cricket League and plays matches throughout the state, with their home field at James Park. "We have been playing at James Park for 20 years," said manager Magnus Huggins.

In cricket, each team has 11 players who play on a grass field, oval in shape. In the center of the field there is a flat strip of ground, 22 yards in length, with wickets at each end. A bowler (pitcher) throws the cricket ball from the proximity of one wicket (the bowler's wicket) towards the wicket at the other end. A batsman from the opposing team attempts to hit the ball with a wooden bat. If the batsman hits the ball, he may run to the bowler's wicket, and his teammate (who is positioned at the bowler's wicket) must then run to the batsman's wicket. A run is scored each time teammates exchange wickets. Runs are also scored if the batsman hits the ball to the boundary of the playing field.

Mr. Huggins told the RoundTable the Evanston Cricket Club will be playing at James Park, just north of Mount Trashmore, every Sunday through the end of August. Games generally start around 10 a.m. and last until about 4 p.m., he said. The public is invited to watch and cheer on the Evanston team. After August, the team will have some additional travel games.

HOOKED ON FISHING

Panfishing

By Dick Peach

Great panfishing is available in our local-area lakes and ponds. This article is about how to set up a fishing rod for bluegill -- and also about the single mistake most fisherman make when panfishing.

Panfish (bluegills, sunfish, redear and crappie) are some of the most popular fish of all, probably because they are available almost everywhere in the United States and because they make for enjoyable fishing without a lot of expensive gear.

The most basic setup is a 5- to 7-foot-long stick, 7 to 10 feet of line, a hook and a bobber (float). Most people will replace the stick with a fishing rod: For panfishing, a 5- to 5½-foot-long fishing rod is great. Any type of reel will work -- I prefer an open-face spinning reel.

The line is important, as too often people use too big a line for these little fighters. The best would be 2 lb. to 4 lb. test line, nothing larger. The hooks are very important as well. At first experiment with a #10 hook, then try small ice-fishing jigs or 1/32 oz. jigs designed for panfish.

The most overlooked and misjudged item of all is the bobber. Most people use a bobber that is probably the wrong shape and is too big for the fish they are trying to catch. The average fisherman at the local-area ponds is probably using a round, red-and-white bobber about the size of a good walnut or larger.

For a small bluegill, pulling that bobber under water to signal a bite is like asking that fish to pull a beach ball under water. The bobber should be as small as can be used depending on the bait and the direction of the wind at the pond or lake. The bobber should preferably be shaped to allow it to be pulled under with little or no effort. Experienced fisherman use small thin bobbers and watch for movement up as well as down to signal a strike.

With the correct setup, one can be much more successful catching those great-eating panfish, and certainly have more fun doing it.

Keep a tight line...

Visit Dick at Hookedonfishing@comcast.net.