Egypt sees heavy recreational use once warm weather arrives, with a nominal fee charged for launching a boat at any of the marinas. There is a free launch on the east end of the Shawnee National Forest, but the marinas are easier to get to with amenities like cold drinks, food and ice.

Bucketmouths in this fishery are well educated -- essentially every one has felt the sting of the hook many times on the way to double-digit weights. Tournaments are held almost weekly and a 4- or even 5-pound average for five fish is required to cash the first place check.

If you sincerely think you are the best basser north of Vandalia, consider entering a tournament. Smart money says you'll hear terms like "fishing lesson" and "who's your daddy" before heading north with taillights tucked behind the trailer.

Part of the clinic local anglers offer during these events is a study in finesse. They may show you a 4-inch pumpkinseed worm or a 1/16-ounce shaker head jig, but they won't reveal their techniques like shaking the worm along the deep outside weed edge near the ski area until the final tally is on the leader board.

Carterville's Fred Washburn has won more than 300 bass tournaments over the years, many of them at Lake of Egypt. He said the key to a heavy sack of fish is simple -- pay attention to the details of the details.

Sometimes good fish want a 3- inch deep blue Sweet Beaver dropped into small pockets between the weeds, fished on a No. 5 ultra-sharp straight shank hook, dropped with a toothpick-pegged 1/8-ounce rattling bullet jighead without touching weeds around the small open water pocket . . . after meticulously separating the twin "claws" of the Sweet Beaver, trimming it precisely and allowing it to soften and warm on the back of a boat seat in the sun.

Failure to follow this presentation exactly may mean a world of difference on Lake of Egypt. Put it all together and the bass may exceed 10 pounds.

For more information, call the Marion Chamber of Commerce at (618) 997-6311 or the Pyramid Acres Marina at (618) 964-1184.

EAST FORK LAKE
After a life-changing experience with furry live bait more than 30 years ago, it's hard not to speculate on the effectiveness of a white squirrel pattern lure on this lake near Olney that is renowned for its population of white squirrels.