Chicago Sun-times Outdoor Columnist Dale Bowman joins Ray to discuss the best fishing tips going into the holiday weekend and a guide on where to go for the best fishing locations in your area.  Dale knows all the tricks on where to spot the most populated parts of a lake or pond to have the best luck with getting a bite as well as some hidden gems that most people don't know is a great fishing location.

Chicago Sun-times Outdoor Columnist Dale Bowman joins Ray to discuss the best fishing tips going into the holiday weekend and a guide on where to go for the best fishing locations in your area.  Dale knows all the tricks on where to spot the most populated parts of a lake or pond to have the best luck with getting a bite as well as some hidden gems that most people don't know is a great fishing location.

When our regular hosts are away, the fill-in hosts will play. Enjoy the content of the pinch hitters from Garry Meier to Ray Stevens to Rob Johnson and more.

When our regular hosts are away, the fill-in hosts will play. Enjoy the content of the pinch hitters from Garry Meier to Ray Stevens to Rob Johnson and more.

PINCH HITTERS

Fishing tips for the 4th of July weekend

IF YOU'RE FEELING THIRSTY: Check out Chicago 2026 Rum Fest! The 10th Chicago Rum Festival is happening this SATURDAY ONLY at the iconic Logan Square Auditorium.  This event is ideal for rum connoisseurs, casual consumers, and industry professionals eager to explore and learn about rum, with over 40+ distinct award-winning premium rum brands. Indeed, there are around 200 distinct rum expressions available for sampling either NEAT or in a TWISTED DAIQUIRI. For tix and more info: https://chicagorumfest.com/

IF YOU WANT TO GET OUTDOORS:  Check out Water Fest!  Join the City of Hobart for a day at Robinson Lake, connecting residents with water, wildlife, and the natural resources that make their community unique. This family-friendly event features interactive exhibits, hands-on activities, and opportunities to engage directly with local and regional environmental organizations. For more info: @alongthesouthshore 

IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR THRILLS: Check out Six Flags Great America! Its opening weekend at Six Flags Great America, a 300-acre theme park located between Chicago and Milwaukee. The “Thrill Capital of the Midwest” offers endless excitement for the entire family with 17 heart-pounding roller coasters, spectacular shows featuring world-class entertainers, and three children’s themed areas. For more info: https://www.sixflags.com/greatamerica

IF YOU'RE FEELING THIRSTY: Check out Chicago 2026 Rum Fest! The 10th Chicago Rum Festival is happening this SATURDAY ONLY at the iconic Logan Square Auditorium.&nbsp; This event is ideal for rum connoisseurs, casual consumers, and industry professionals eager to explore and learn about rum, with over 40+ distinct award-winning premium rum brands. Indeed, there are around 200 distinct rum expressions available for sampling either NEAT or in a TWISTED DAIQUIRI. For tix and more info:&nbsp;<a href="https://chicagorumfest.com/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0">https://chicagorumfest.com/</a>
IF YOU WANT TO GET OUTDOORS:&nbsp; Check out Water Fest!&nbsp; Join the City of Hobart for a day at Robinson Lake, connecting residents with water, wildlife, and the natural resources that make their community unique. This family-friendly event features interactive exhibits, hands-on activities, and opportunities to engage directly with local and regional environmental organizations. For more info: @alongthesouthshore&nbsp;
IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR THRILLS: Check out Six Flags Great America! Its opening weekend at Six Flags Great America, a 300-acre theme park located between Chicago and Milwaukee. The &ldquo;Thrill Capital of the Midwest&rdquo; offers endless excitement for the entire family with 17 heart-pounding roller coasters, spectacular shows featuring world-class entertainers, and three children&rsquo;s themed areas. For more info: <a href="https://www.sixflags.com/greatamerica" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="1">https://www.sixflags.com/greatamerica</a>

SOCIAL STEPH - 04/24/2026 - Chicago is warming up for Spring so get out there and enjoy our city with these activities!

IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY: Check out Chicago’s iconic First Lady cruises! They kick off their full lineup of Sightseeing Cruises TODAY- Friday, April 17. Beloved cruise offerings like the Canine Cruise, 3D Fireworks Cruise and Sightseeing River & Lake Cruise are returning, in addition to the Creepy Cruise, already underway.  For tix and more info: https://firstlady.com/

IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A PAW-TY: Check out Paws and Claws Cat Rescue first-ever CANDLELIGHT YOGA this Saturday, April 18 at 7pm! Spots will go quickly so register now! For tix and more info: https://www.pawsandclawscatrescue.org/

IF YOU'RE FEELING NOSTALGIC: Celebrate National Record Store Day this Saturday, April 18th at Antique Vault Records in Crown Point, Indiana. They will be hosting a Record Store Day Weekend Sale Extravaganza.  The event will prioritize in-store shopping with all in-stock LPs, cassettes, and CDs on sale!  For more info: https://www.antiquevaultandrecords.com/

IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY: Check out Chicago&rsquo;s iconic First Lady cruises! They kick off their full lineup of Sightseeing Cruises TODAY- Friday, April 17. Beloved cruise offerings like the Canine Cruise, 3D Fireworks Cruise and Sightseeing River &amp; Lake Cruise are returning, in addition to the Creepy Cruise, already underway.&nbsp; For tix and more info:&nbsp;<a href="https://firstlady.com/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0">https://firstlady.com/</a>
IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A PAW-TY: Check out Paws and Claws Cat Rescue first-ever CANDLELIGHT YOGA this Saturday, April 18 at 7pm! Spots will go quickly so register now! For tix and more info: <a href="https://www.pawsandclawscatrescue.org/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="1">https://www.pawsandclawscatrescue.org/</a>
IF YOU'RE FEELING NOSTALGIC: Celebrate National Record Store Day this Saturday, April 18th at Antique Vault Records in Crown Point, Indiana. They will be hosting a Record Store Day Weekend Sale Extravaganza. &nbsp;The event will prioritize in-store shopping with all in-stock LPs, cassettes, and CDs on sale!&nbsp; For more info: <a href="https://www.antiquevaultandrecords.com/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2">https://www.antiquevaultandrecords.com/</a>

SOCIAL STEPH - 04/16/2026 - Chicago is springing into action this weekend, with all types of activities:

IF YOU'RE FEELING WEIRD: Check out The World Oddities Expo in Rosemont! The World Oddities Expo is a traveling oddities festival- a peculiar paradise where weird thrives! They pride themselves on being an all-inclusive artisan and small business fueled mega-convention. They feature artists, vendors, performers, educators, and guest speakers to create a macabre and magical experience for all! Kids 12 and under are FREE! For tix and more info: https://worldodditiesexpo.com/chicago-il/

IF YOU'RE FEELING FLOWERY: Check out the Cherry Blossom Trees in Jackson Park. The area surrounding the Columbian Basin in Jackson Park is home to about 200 pink and white cherry blossom trees that typically bloom each Spring. The trees are located just south of the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry (GMSI), on either side of the South Portico and surrounding the Columbia Basin (pond). The trees are also found on the north end of the Wooded Island and in the Osaka Garden, all a short walk south of the Columbian Basin. The bloom is a spectacular sight to see, with peak bloom typically happening now that lasts anywhere from 6 to 14 days, depending on the weather. For more info: https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/jackson-park-cherry-blossoms

IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR FAMILY FUN: Check out the Morton Arboretum Discovery Day and Touch-a-Truck: from 9am- 4pm on Sat 4/11. Celebrate Arbor Month with an all-ages, behind-the-scenes look at tree care and the green industry. Connect with Arboretum staff and certified arborists, explore careers in tree care and horticulture, and get practical tree and soil care tips. See some of the Arboretum’s largest trucks and municipal vehicles. Ask arborist specialists questions about tree care in the Firefly Pavilion. Plus, food trucks, beverages and an Arboretum Store pop-up. Included with Arboretum admission. For the event schedule, visit mortonarb.org.

IF YOU'RE FEELING WEIRD: Check out The World Oddities Expo in Rosemont! The World Oddities Expo is a traveling oddities festival- a peculiar paradise where weird thrives! They pride themselves on being an all-inclusive artisan and small business fueled mega-convention. They feature artists, vendors, performers, educators, and guest speakers to create a macabre and magical experience for all! Kids 12 and under are FREE! For tix and more info: <a href="https://worldodditiesexpo.com/chicago-il/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0">https://worldodditiesexpo.com/chicago-il/</a>
IF YOU'RE FEELING FLOWERY: Check out the Cherry Blossom Trees in Jackson Park. The area surrounding the Columbian Basin in Jackson Park is home to about 200 pink and white cherry blossom trees that typically bloom each Spring. The trees are located just south of the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry (GMSI), on either side of the South Portico and surrounding the Columbia Basin (pond). The trees are also found on the north end of the Wooded Island and in the Osaka Garden, all a short walk south of the Columbian Basin. The bloom is a spectacular sight to see, with peak bloom typically happening now that lasts anywhere from 6 to 14 days, depending on the weather. For more info: <a href="https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/jackson-park-cherry-blossoms" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="1">https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/jackson-park-cherry-blossoms</a>
IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR FAMILY FUN: Check out the Morton Arboretum Discovery Day and Touch-a-Truck: from 9am- 4pm on Sat 4/11. Celebrate Arbor Month with an all-ages, behind-the-scenes look at tree care and the green industry. Connect with Arboretum staff and certified arborists, explore careers in tree care and horticulture, and get practical tree and soil care tips. See some of the Arboretum&rsquo;s largest trucks and municipal vehicles. Ask arborist specialists questions about tree care in the Firefly Pavilion. Plus, food trucks, beverages and an Arboretum Store pop-up. Included with Arboretum admission. For the event schedule, visit mortonarb.org.

Fishing tips for the 4th of July weekend

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