Each excursion is a unique experience, but there are some overall general ideas that can always enhance the day. So you ask, what could make my fishing adventure on Brush and Roll Charters more enjoyable:
Do I need a license?
- Each passenger age 16 and above is responsible for obtaining their own Illinois fishing license & Salmon Stamp - 24-hour license/salmon stamp is available for purchase at the harbor or online through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Anglers that already have an Illinois season license can purchase a salmon stamp at the harbor or online as well. Upon request, Captain Joel will gladly arrange to have licenses & stamps on board for you to fill out before embarking on the charter.
How should I dress?
- Shoes and Clothing - Soft soled shoes. Tennis/running shoes or sandals are great but NO shoes or boots with a hard heel/sole. We personally recommend wearing long pants to protect against sunburn as well as biting flies that we can encounter on dead calm days. Flies literally lay their eggs on the water surface when there is no wind and there is little we can do to prevent them from coming on board to join the party as we pass them by. Dead calm days do not occur very often but when they do you will be more comfortable in pants.
- Sunglasses and sunscreen - You will be surprised how fast you can get sunburn on the lake even when it’s cloudy. The reflection of the sun on the surface of the water makes sunscreen and glasses a must. We do request rinsing your hands after applying the sunscreen. Sunscreen is known to keep fish from biting.
- Raincoat - We do fish in the rain but your safety comes first so based on the weather reports and USCG advisories will determine whether we will go out on the excursion or not.
- Jacket or Sweatshirt - Bring a sweatshirt or jacket for the morning and early evening or if a cold front should move in. The weather can change very quickly on the lake. Dress even more appropriately for spring charters which could even include a heavier jacket, long underwear, and a winter hat. Dress for the season and remember it is usually always colder on the lake.
What else can I or should I bring?
- Cooler - Brush and Roll fishing excursions do not supply food or alcohol. Water is always on board, but bring a small cooler and any sandwiches and snacks that you and your mates may want to devour on the trip. The only alcohol permitted is beer and wine. Please only bring beer in cans and wine in boxes. Safety first and glass can be dangerous during a choppy day on the lake. Hard alcohol will be left on the dock.
- Camera - This is your excursion. Make sure you make the most of it by bringing a camera to record the fun and adventure. Captain Joel also assists by usually having a camera on board so that he and his first mate can take pictures of your party and will even email them to you.
So what happens to our catch at the end of the day?
- Here is where Brush and Roll Charters sets themselves above the rest. All your excursion catches will be cleaned, filet and bagged for you upon returning to port. And this is part of the package with no additional cost. Make sure that you have a cooler to take your catch home. The onboard iced coolers will keep your catch fresh until returning at the end of the day.
A few other items:
- Please make us aware of any medical conditions that anybody in your party may have. There will be times that it could take up to an hour to return to the dock from our fishing grounds. While Captain Joel is certified for CPR/First Aid, in the interest of safety we want to be in the position to accommodate any potential emergency that could arise.
- Please leave all illegal drugs on the shore. By order of the US Coast Guard, all charter boats are required to be drug-free at all times and we are regulated and monitored as such.
- Please make sure you have made arrangements for small children and infants ahead of time. We welcome aboard children age 10 and over – as long as they don’t increase the party beyond 6 people – by way of Coast Guard regulation – but younger children and infants present unique safety concerns that we unfortunately cannot accommodate.
Even the most seasoned sailor and fisherman can get seasick. We rarely have any of our parties get sick on an excursion because we insist on the following: The night before the excursion, go to your local pharmacy and purchase an OTC medication such as Dramamine and take it before going to bed that night for full effectiveness. A better and safer option is to see your family physician and obtain a prescription for Scopolamine ear patch. We have never had anyone seasick with the ear patch.
