ISOutdoors | June 2015

JUNE 2015

ISOutdoors enjoying the outdoors and sharing it with you

eastern backcountry

trout bonanza atlantic salmon

topwater bass are tops

where the

big black bears r oam WWW.ISOUTDOORS.COM

June 2015

CONTENT eastern backcountry trout bonanza where the big black bears roam discover the ”other” salmon

COLUMNS

topwater bass are tops

hitchhiker

trolling for post spawn crappie

bass fishing big game

high country trout

canine care destination nation featured outfitter

publisher Brock RAY art director $PMCZ 3":

The Electro Mundo Gruppe 202 1st Avenue East Oneonta, AL 35121 205-625-5473 reproduction, in whole or part, retransmission, redirection or linked display is prohibited without written permission from the publisher

The Electro Mundo Gruppe

field test firearms fly fishing collectibles what’s new

OUTDOOR DR

FIRST CHOICE AMONG SERIO BEGIN CAREERS WORKING I

Become a Whitetail Guide, a Waterfowl Guide, a Turkey Hunting guide and work at what you love. Become a Custom Rod Maker and get your Dream Job in the Outdoor Industry.

Sc

Bec Bec Gam Bec O Pro PR Sta Sta O Out

REAM JOBS

OUS PEOPLE WHO WANT TO IN THE OUTDOOR INDUSTRY

chool Programs

come A Bow Technician come A Custom Rod Builder me Processing come A Outdoor Photographer/Writer o Hunter/ Fisherman For The Outdoor Industry art Your Own Radio Show art Your Own Outdoor Television Show tdoor Videography

Contact us or register at www.universityofoutdoors.com

or 205-493-6224

University Of Outdoors Programs trades in the Outdoor industry in the USA.

Eastern Backcountry

Trout

Bonanza Thar’s trout in them thar hills.

by Buck Wilder The Appalachian Mountains, from Maine to northern Georgia, are the starting pointfor thousands of overlooked streams, where backcountry trout fishing is excellent. For example, Shenandoah National Park in northwestern Virginia boasts scores of trout-ridden streams that rarely see more than a single angler per week this time of year.

Hidden in the crannies of Appalachia is more high-quality fishing than most anglers would believe. Better still, most of these waters flow across public lands, such as national and state forests.

Interstate sportsman

Overnight stays are the best ways to enjoy a fishing trip to a backcountry eastern mountain trout stream. One of my favorite three-day trips is Deep Creek, located along the North Carolina side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Instead of starting at the bottom of the mountain and hiking to the summit, like most trail-goers do, we reverse the process. We travel downhill three miles to the first backcountry campsite.

Using it as a base, we fish nearby waters until noon the next day. Then we move another three miles downhill to the next campsite. The procedure is repeated thenext day, where by day’s end we hike downhill the remaining four miles.

With a little effort and research, most fishermen can locate their own secret collection of overlooked Appalachian backcountry trout streams, many of which may be found surprisingly close to home, if you live on the eastern side of the country. Highly detailed topographic maps produced by the United States Geological Survey (U.S.G.S.) are indispensable tools for ferreting out overlooked or remote backcountry trout streams. These maps not only reveal the smallest tributaries to large streams, but also the foot trails and railroad tracks that provide access If you are already an accomplished trout fisherman, how to get there is all you need to know. Aspiring anglers may wish to know a few more tricks of the trade, specifically how to get the most out of their efforts. Dressing right for this type of fishing does not mean you should look like you stepped out of

VIAGRA - LEVITRA - CIALIS discreet delivery /// excellent customer service

TABLETS

TABLETS

TABLETS

THE NEW $10 COMPOUNDED CAPSULE

THE FAST-ACTING SOFT TABS

US DOCTORS, US PHARMACY, MADE IN AMERICA

Tried and TRUE since 2005 888-609-0700

TRUEBLUEMEDS.COM.......an mtabs.com partner

Interstate sportsman

an L.L.Bean catalog. Since most of the streams are small and you will be fishing in close quarters, light tackle is essential.

If you spin fish, an ultra-light rod in the 4to 5-foot range is recommended. Spool your reels with 2-pound-test line.

How To Fish Mountain Streams There are two schools of thought on fly fishing. Years ago, when fishing “bush

creeks,” I used a 6-foot Orvis Flea that was engineered to cast a 3-weight fly line. It was very delicate, and worked well for casting flies up to the No. 14 size.

However, if you wanted to cast a larger hopper pattern, you sacrificed much of this dainty fly rod. And while such short rods are very castable on small trout streams, they are less functional for mending drag than longer rods. The fly rod I currently use on small streams is 9 feet in length, and designed to toss a 4- weight fly line. The added length is sometimes a problem in tight areas, but the extra reach is very handy for mending troublesome drag. And when fishing larger fly patterns, I can switch to a 6- or even an 8-weight line without adversely affecting this fly rod’s casting ability.

Medium to small-size trout streams should always be approached and fished upstream. Trout face upstream, especially when feeding. By casting

Interstate sportsman

upstream, you reduce your odds of being spotted by a trout, but also present your offering in a natural fashion. Super-small spinners, such as those made by Panther Martin or Roostertail, are ideal for smallstream fishing. The trick is presenting these offerings so trout do not see you.

On medium to large waters, this is rarely a problem; you just stand downstream and cast upstream to a 10:00 o’clock position. On smallishwaters, anglers do not have this luxury.On such streams you will raise your odds for strikes if you

stand 30 to 40 feet away from where you think a trout might be. This might mean casting from the woods along a stream, or from two pools downstream. It sounds odd, but it works.

Fly fishermen also must employ stealth in approaching trout-holding waters. Long, 9- to 10-foot leaders are recommended, as they help avoid the adverse effects of drag. On small waters, long casts are not always possible.

However, if you adapt to casting while

If You Want The Best In Hunting And Fishing, go to brockstoplodges.com

Interstate sportsman

crouching behind boulders or while leaning behind trees, it is usually possible to present flies to these fish before spooking them.

Medium to small backcountry streams in the eastern United States are rarely so rich in aquatic foods that the trout have the luxury of opting only for those morsels that tickle their taste buds.

Occasionally you might notice a dominant hatch of mayflies, caddisflies, or otherstreamborneinvertebrates.

When this happens, it is usually a good idea to attempt to match the hatch, at least in terms of fly size and pattern color. However, most of the time a buggy-looking fly--be it a dry, wet, or nymph pattern—will produce consistent action. This is not to say anglers should not watch the banks of the streams for larger than usual numbers of grasshoppers, or occasionally change flies in an effort to find the perfect pattern, but a preoccupation with amateur entomology can interfere with your enjoyment of a backcountry stream.

Liberal Fishing Policies One of the best things about many backcountry trout streams is the liberal management policies permitted there. We often keep enough trout for a streamside lunch. Bait fishing is often permitted, as well. Though bait fishing is currently out of vogue with many trout fishermen, it is how I introduced my four sons to trout fishing.

Sure, it’s a deadly way to take trout, but when you are introducing a four-year-old to snatching trout from gin-clear creeks, you need to shift the odds in their favor as often as possible.

Backcountry trout waters are one of the most valuable natural resources in the East. Many of the best trout streams we have in this half of the country are overlooked by anglers eager to enjoy this type of fishing. If you have not yet discovered the pleasure of backcountry trout fishing, give it a try soon.

RECREATIONAL LAND SPECIALIST

HALESMITH.NET LAND DEVELOPMENT | TIMBER SERVICES | WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT

Where the Big Bl

So, you’re looking to bag Poppa Bear, eh?

by Brock Ray In terms of sport hunting, going to the woods to kill a bear has never been more popular than it is these days.

Many are surprised to learn that, in a country that seems to be busting at the seams with more and more people each decade, black bear numbers are on the rise. While spring bear hunting remains the exception in the U.S., in those areas where it is permitted in this

country and Canada, this wily quarry is abundant. Some areas of North America consistently have bigger, trophy-class bears than do other areas. So, if you are a hunter seeking an opportunity for a shot at a record-book bruin, where you go hunting has a tremendous impact on your odds for being successful.

The black bear of North America has the largest population of any bear in the world.

The average weight of an adult male

lack Bears Roam

Interstate sportsman

black bear is 200to300 pounds, however, where food is abundant, individual males sometimes weigh 500 or even 600 pounds (227-272 kg). Females are, on the average, about 20 percent smaller than males.

The name black bear refers to their most common color phase, although in western parts of the continent these animals can vary among several shades of brown to a pale cinnamon.

berry patch.Their senses of smell and hearing are very good, but their eyesight is only adequate. Characteristically, black bears are intelligent, shy, and secretive.

Most black bears bagged are targets of opportunity, taken by a hunter who is after other game, such as deer. The biggest exceptions to this are the spring bear hunting seasons and when these animals are hunted with the aid of hounds.

Black bears are solitary, except when mating, or when a sow is with her cubs.

They are territorial, but will congregate at a common food source, such as a

Fall bear hunting occurs in the eastern US from Maine to Georgia, where thousands of these animals are taken each season, but few bagged in that time and place

Interstate sportsman

weigh more than 400 pounds. Much the same is true of the Rocky Mountains states, where hunters take lots of bears, but few are really big bears.

because the demand for a great opportunity to take a big bear is high, the asking price for such hunts usually carries a premium charge.

When And Where For hunters who are serious about their black bear hunting, spring is the time to go, as the animals are still in their lush, post-hibernation winter coats. A handful of destinations have earned a reputation for producing more big bears than most other locales. Generally these places are more remote, meaning they require more effort to reach. Additionally,

Looking from east to west, the first place known for its Poppa bears is Newfoundland. An incredibly large, sparsely inhabited island located off of the eastern coast of mainland North America, this Canadian province has an astonishing number of bruins totaling 500-plus pounds. The habitat is great for these animals and local hunting pressure is nil. Outfitters here know what they

Interstate sportsman

are doing and, because a really big bear might be 20 years old or older, they know the general habits of individual bears. The weather is rarely good, but the chances of taking a big boar (male bear) are not exceeded anywhere east of the Rockies.

New Brunswick is a sleeper destination, where hunters regularly take boars 400 pounds and larger, and even a few in the 500-pound range. Worth noting—the cost of a New Brunswick spring black bear hunt ranges30% to 40% less than other locations mentioned in this article, plus the costs rarely involve the need for air travel.

Quebec has lots of bears and the hunter success rate is high, but the percentage of black bears weighing much over 300 pounds is not impressive. You won’t see a significant jump in the overall size of these animals until you go as far west as the provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta.

These Prairie Province bruins have the right genetics, and access to extraordinarily good and diverse sources of food. These provinces are “Texas big” and not only have lots of really big bears, but also offer bears in a wide range of

color phases. Bag limits are liberal. A few years ago, while hunting Saskatchewan at Cree Lake, I worked hard without success to outwit a giant bear that I am sure was in excess of 600 pounds. Hoping for a crack at this gargantuan beast of a bear, I passed on a number of bruins in the 400-pound-plus range. I came home with nothing more to show for my efforts than a hundred or so pounds of lake trout and northern pike fillets.

Coastal Alaska and British Columbia are the most consistent hot spots for taking black bear in the 400- to 600-pound range. The spawning salmon in the streams and an abundance of boggrowing berries enable the bears to wax fat and grow large.The problem with these hunts is largely one of logistics. At the very least a boat is necessary and, in most cases, flying in is required. This translates to higher costs, and is why most hunts in premier areas of Alaska and British Columbia are also the most expensive. Is it worth the time, effort, and cost? If you have the time and can spare the dime, this is the ultimate hunting destination for this quarry.

OUTFITTER PROFILE

Anderso

While some things do change over the years and their expectations of quality, profession tion as a Premie ABOUT

Whether you are someone that has fished with us in the past, or you got our name from a magazine or the internet, picked up a Brochure or heard about us through a neighbor or co-worker, the burning question in your mind will be why should I fish with

Anderson’s Lodge in 2015 – for a return visit or for the first time?

Our previous guests know the numerous reasons, and that’s why they return year after year without even

on’s Lodge

s, it is always in the best interest of our guests nalism and service that have built our reputaer Fishing Resort. considering staying anywhere else! For those of you who have never been on a Canadian Fishing trip, how are you to know where to stay? What is the best way to decide? Lots of people sit at home with a pile of Brochures from different fishing resorts or spend hours on-line and wrestle with that exact question. Naturally, everyone wants to make the right choice and have the best fishing vacation their money can buy.

Box 1058 Sioux Lookout, Ontario Canada 1-800-465-1098

www.andersonslodge.com

ATV PROFILE

Four

Foreman Ru

rTrax

ubicon 4x4

Nobody likes to get beat up. And we’re not talking about some playground bully—we’re talking about how some ATVs treat you on a tough trail. Not the Honda FourTrax Foreman Rubicon, though—it’s a premium ATV that places a premium on rider comfort. All-day comfort. And in 2016, we have Rubicon models with a wide range of features so you can pick the one that’s perfect for you.

Every Rubicon uses the same 500-class engine-tough, proven and efficient. You get to choose between two transmission choices: a rugged conventional-type ATV gearbox that makes the Rubicon the only manual-shift ATV with Independent Rear Suspension on the market and our revolutionary automatic dual-clutch transmission that’s fast-shifting and features strong steel-gear internals.

And about that IRS—the Rubicon’s superior suspension engineering gives you the confidence you need to tackle tough trails, while providing day-long ride comfort and excellent traction on uneven ground.

Other features include electric power steering on our EPS models, comfortable seating, an easy-to-use reverse lever, strong steel racks with plenty of cargo capacity, an inboard rear disc brake and some great color choices including our new Honda Phantom

Camo®. There’s even a deluxe model that features red A-arms, springs and black-machined, cast aluminum wheels.

Important Safety Information: Recommended for riders 16 years of age and older. Honda recommends that all ATV riders take a training course and read their owner’s manual thoroughly.

Engineered For Comfort And Confidence—All Day Long.

GUN PROFILE

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Approved.

A beautiful level of finish.

We could not place the RMEF name on this Browning X-Bolt if it was not the real deal. You can be sure it is! Every aspect is perfectly configured and ready to go -- just add your choice of a quality scope and a quality sling. We realize that you may not be interested in this rifle if you are not a member of the RMEF. On the other hand, if you are new to elk hunting and buy this rifle you will instantly have the confidence that it is a perfectly configured setup. One that you can have total confidence in.

The Special Hunter features a fine low-luster bluing on the barrel and receiver with a satin-finished Walnut stock. It also bears the logo of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation on the grip cap. This is a tribute to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation -- and a percentage of sales from this rifle goes to help support habitat, range, health and studies of elk throughout the United States. This is a worthy cause, supported by worthy firearms and true hunters.

Excellent dimensions all around.

The RMEF X-Bolt Special Hunter features a raised cheekpiece comb which you can see in the profile above. Why a raised comb? This helps to direct recoil into the shoulder area and gets the shooter’s line-ofsight lined quickly with the scope. It is a feature that seasoned hunters look for in a high-powered rifle.

All the best X-Bolt features too.

Top tang safety, detachable Rotary magazine, X-Lock scope mounting, Bolt Unlock Button, Infex Technology Recoil Pad, target type recessed muzzle Crown . . . this rifle has everything that has made the X-Bolt famous and more.

X-Bolt Feather Trigger™ For precise shooting in the field or off the bench, there’s absolutely no substitute for a good, predictable trigger. The X-Bolt’s new three-lever Feather Trigger provides a clean, crisp pull with no take-up or creep and minimal overtravel. The trigger is screw adjustable from 3 to 5 lbs. and factory pre-set at approximately

3 1/2 lbs. An alloy trigger housing contains the hard chromed steel components that are highly polished on all critical contact surfaces. Precise engagement angles mean the X-Bolt Feather Trigger feels light and right and stays that way through many thousands of rounds. Unlike competitors’ triggers with secondary fingerpiece levers, the Feather Trigger is designed right, from the very start.

discover the “other” salmon—

the atlant

tic salmon Move over Cohos and Silvers, this easterner is still the King.

Interstate sportsman

by Don Kirk Odds are if you talk to 20 people who have ever landed a salmon on hook and line, 19 of them have never caught an Atlantic salmon. While the west coast rivers are the spawning grounds of more than a half dozen species of salmon, on the other side of the world the only salmonid is the Atlantic salmon. Closely related in most ways, yet separated by more than a continental land mass, those who have pursued them know there is fishing, and then there is salmon fishing.

During colonial times every river from the Chesapeake Bay northward entertained a massive spawning run of Atlantic salmon.

These fish were so plentiful that indentured servants from England had clauses added to their contracts stating that they would not be fed salmon more than three times a week. In the succeeding decades the construction of dams, pollution, and overfishing combined to decimate these annual runs to the point that, save for limited runs in the rivers of Maine, all midAtlantic and New England rivers were void of these fish.

Rivers in Quebec and the Maritime Provinces remained the last self-sustaining Atlantic salmon fishing on this side of the Atlantic.By the late 1960s, many of the most famous salmon fishing rivers, such as St. Johns in New Brunswick and the rivers draining the Gaspe Peninsula, were showing steady year- to-year declines in the numbers of fish, leaving the ocean for headwater spawning areas.

Over-harvesting by commercial fishermen was the culprit, but managing the need for their livelihood and the survival of individual fisheries took decades to reconcile.

Bringing The Numbers Back Today commercial fishing for Atlantic salmon is closely regulated and kept in line with existing stocks of the fish. Habitat restoration in the form of fish lad

OVER 60 PREDESIGNED FLOOR PLANS! OR CUSTOM DESIGN YOUR HOME.

1·866·LOG·HOME (1-866-564-4663)

RIPLEY, WV |

info@mail.applog.com

www.applog.com

LOG HOME PACKAGES · PRECUT OR LINEAR FOOT LOG HOME MATERIALS · LOG SIDING & CORNERS LOG RAILING & POSTS · LOG HOME HARDWARE · TIMBER FRAME MATERIALS · WOOD CARE PRODUCTS

Interstate sportsman

ders at dams and reduction of effluents from paper mills along the river have combined to enable a growing number of fisheries to rebound. Included is the re-emergence of the Atlantic salmon in the rivers of New England.n Maine these fish are now increasing in numbers in the rivers Dennys, East Machias, Machias, Pleasant, Narraguagus, Ducktrap, Sheepscot, Penobscot, Kennebec, and Androscoggin, and in Cove Brook.

Equally accessible, affordable and offering fishing that’s equally good, in the opinion of many, are the rivers of Nova Scotia

Further south,there has been restoration of the species in the Connecticut River in New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, and in the Merrimack River in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Also in the region, Atlantic salmon numbers are slowly rebounding in the Pawcatuck River and Saco River. Currently fishing for sea-run Atlantic salmon is prohibited in

most of these states. If you want to experience the thrill of battling a fresh from the sea, mature salmon, then your options are Greenland, Iceland, and Canada, the latter being the closest for most fishermen in the USA.

Rating The Provinces Many regard New Brunswick as having the best, more affordable modern era angling for Atlantic salmon, and having sampled salmon fishing there, as well as in other places, I believe this to be correct. About the size of the state of South Carolina, the province is drained by no fewer than dozen major rivers with names etched in fishing history, such as the Nepisiguit, Restigouchi, and Dungarvon. However, the legendary

Interstate sportsman

Miramichi and Saint Johns hold court as perhaps the world’s two finest Atlantic salmon fisheries. My fondest memory of fly fishing on the Miramichi was during the late 1980s, when I was invited to fish a stretch of river near Doaktown with fabled baseball great Ted Williams. He was the most talented fly rod magician I have ever watched, and the worst conversationalist every to spew forth syllables in the English language.

It is one of the most popular rivers there, so it can be crowded. If you want to beat the crowds, nearby rivers like the Gold, Clyde, Mushamush, Petite, Medway, East, Jordan, and Mersey have good early runs of salmon.

The rivers of the eastern shore of the province heat up during this time of year. The big river along this section of the Atlantic coast is the world famous St. Mary’s, where Babe Ruth used to come to fish and occasionally to fall out of a boat. The legendary fishing guide Dan MacIntosh invented and popularized one of the early classics of salmon dry flies named, appropriately, the MacIntosh. It is still

Great, but overlooked fishing for sea-run Atlantic salmon is widely available in Quebec

Equally accessible, affordable and offering fishing that’s equally good, in the opinion of many, are the rivers of Nova Scotia.This province has Canada’s longest Atlantic salmon season, from early Mayto the end of October.Most Nova Scotia salmon rivers are not large. One of largest and best-known early season flows is the LaHave River.

Interstate sportsman

in use today and still as deadly as ever.

Other killer flies along the Eastern Shore include the Jock Scott, Orange Blossom, Black Bear Green Butt, Green Machine, and orange hackled Bombers.

All of the streams draining Newfoundland offer very good to excellent fishing for Atlantic salmon. I have gone there by car, taking the ten-hour ferry ride from Nova Scotia. It’s a great trip if you love gripping the steering wheel for days.

Shaped like a hitchhiker’s extended thumb, Quebec’s Peninsula offers a smorgasbord of nice-size rivers that are easily accessible. If you can tolerate the attitude of the local French-speaking population, it is a fine, very affordable destination for a do-it-yourself salmon fishing trip. My personal favorites are the Matane and Saint Anne along the Saint Lawrence Seaway side of the peninsula, but the expert insist that better fishing is available along the southern portion of the region at the Bonaventure, Dartmouth, Grand Cascapedia, Matapedia, and Restigouche rivers. I can personally vouch for the Matapedia, a big water flow that has always been very kind to me.

Great, but overlooked fishing for searun Atlantic salmon is widely available in Quebec on all of the rivers flowing into the northern portion of the Saint Lawrence. Considerably more difficult to reach then the waters of the Gaspe, these rivers are still accessible by automobile for the budget conscious. That is hardly the case with the George River, which drains the heartland of New Quebec in the roadless tundra of the northern tier of the province. It and smaller, but highly productive rivers such as the Leaf, offer incredible fishing for Atlantic salmon. There are a few fish camps that can be reached via bush plane, but for the most part fishing for the king of gamefish in this area is a side diversion for hunters who trek there to tag caribou.

For the most part, salmon fishing in these waters (with the exception of far north Quebec) is limited to fly fishing.

While it may be aptly named as the sport of kings, for those living in North America salmon fishing is surprisingly affordable and available.

Everyone remembers the first time they saw a big bass explode from nowhere to engulf a topwater lure. The aerial antics of the hard-fighting fish when struggling against the tug of your fishing line can be heart-stopping. A slowly fished plastic worm might be more productive and the skill needed to deftly work a jig along the bottom can cause envy, but nothing compares to the fun of a big bass blasting skyward under a surface-worked plug. It is visual fishing where you see everything from cast to blast.

Topwater Bass

Are Tops This month is tops for bass fishing on top.

by Don Kirk

June is the peak time for topwater bass. Bedding is over for the bass, and baitfish such as shad currently crowd the shoreline in their annual spawning frenzy. A Zara Spook cast near the edge of a shallow weed bed is a heady inducement that naturally aggressive bass find impossible to resist. When you cast with the favor of the “Water Goddess,� a morning on productive bass water can net lots of action for even novice bass fishermen. It is also perfect for professionals who must budget their fishing time.

Interstate sportsman

What You Need For Topwater Action Tackle needs are simple.Both a 6.5-foot medium action rod and a 7-foot medium/heavy action rod are ideal for top water bassin’. Spin and bait-casting setups are equally effective. Because of the voraciousness of the fish and because of cover, like stumps and stick-ups, a 10to 14-pound-test fishing line is recommended.

When you are topwater lurefishing, setting the hook is a little different than it is when you use most other baits. When fishing topwater baits, the line is usually very tight. If you react to a visible strike too quickly, there is a good chance that the lure will be yanked out of your catch’s mouth. Difficult as it can be, wait until the bass sets the hook for you.

Many times, bass strike late for topwater baits.

Early bass plug makers who worked in wood understood the principles of topwater fishing. James Heddon’s 1880’s hand-carved frogs proved so effective and popular that he was able to found his pioneering tackle manufacturing

business. A hundred years ago there were hundreds of wooden topwater bass plugs available to those hooked on the budding recreational fishing fad. Unlike the hula-hoop though, the early summer topwater fishing fad has not lost energy and is still booming today.

Heddon Zara Spook A true topwater plug, the Zara Spook’s legendary walk-the-dog action has been written about more than any other fishing lure. To entice bass with the cigarshaped Zara Spook, you should set a rhythmic, slack-line retrieve that makes the 4 ½-inch plug “walk” left and right as it bobs forward. When cast near heavy cover, the Zara Spook is a legendary bait.

Rebel Pop-R Dubbed the perfect topwater bass plug, The Rebel Pop-R has been ruining the lives of bass for more than 30 years. How effective is it, you ask? According to bass

REDEFINING THE FOOD CHAIN. Assert YourÊ > ViÊ>ÌÊ > Ã Þ°V ÊUÊ716-877-7511 for FREE catalog

UNIVERSAL

Bowsharp™ Bowhunting Tool

Standard Sharpening System

Double-Sided Folding Diamond Paddle

COARSE/FINE TACTICAL

Blademedic™

Interstate sportsman

pro Zell Rowland, the Rebel Pop-R is “The Secret Bait of the Pros.” Easy to fish, and irresistible to bass, the Pop-R easily rates as America’s No. 1 popping lure.

Fred Arbogast Jitterbug The Fred Arbogast Jitterbug has been the unchallenged Numero Uno for nighttime topwater bass fishing. The original design remained unchanged, except during WWII, when plastic lips were used due to metal shortages. This lure’s “plop plop” surface action is the bane of bass on moonless nights.

Heddon Pop’n Image Jr. Excitement in molded plastic aptly describes Heddon’s Pop’n Image Jr. This

topwater killer seduces bass with two top actions: “popping” and “walking-thedog.” The Pop’n Image Jr. is designed for easy casting, and can simply present a lifelike surface presentation. Pop’n Image Jr.’s feature a realistic finish that even the wiliest ole bass cannot resist.

Cotton Cordell Boy Howdy The Cotton Cordell Boy Howdy’s slender torpedo-like profile submarines surface feeding bass with the efficiency of a naval gunboat. Featuring a surface churning front and rear spinning propellers, this lure is the latest in a long line of twin-spin topwater baits that have proven their effectiveness for more than100 years.

Hot Shot

SEE more at tinks.com

• 100% PURE LURE

• ZERO CONTAMINATION

• 100% DISPERSAL

• ZERO WASTE INTERNAL BLADDER SEPARATES LURE

CONSISTENT SPRAY NO NOISY SPITTING

Pure Lure, Pure Attraction

Trolling For

Post Spawn

r

Ah, but a few short weeks ago when the dogwoods were clad in white petals and the crappie were schooled up in wads over shallow structure— ah yes, easy limits of spawning days gone past. Whoopee time is over for the delicious tasting sunfish, and now catching enough crappie for a decent fish fry is not so easy—but not so tough either, if you know a thing or two about what these fish are doing now and some expert tips on trolling.

Post-spawn crappie do pretty much the same thing from Mississippi to Minnesota, and trolling is the perhaps

It’s time to take off the gloves for serious slabside slaying.

n Crappie

by Ed Rivers

www.interstatesportman.com

Interstate sportsman

the best way to catch lip-smacking-good paper mouths from Florida to Fargo. If you think you are too good to troll, then stop reading now and head for Captain D’s. That’s your only other “best shot” for a hot fried fish meal.

Where Crappie Hide In most lakes and large ponds following the spring spawn, crappie generally prefer to congregate on the main portion of the lake, moving out into deeper water.

Often these fish can be located along the first significant drop off from their nesting areas, but the validity of this ad-

vice varies from lake to lake. During the spawn, if you were catching them along the banks in your favorite lake, then look for the first major break-away from the bank. Often this will be in the 12- to 20-foot range. Crappie typically suspend over such structure, especially if there is a brush pile or stump bed nearby.

Many impoundments have several large feeder creek embayments that are long and wide. A lot of anglers mistakenly believe that the crappie they found in the headwaters of these creeks in April are now out in the main body of the

Southern Trout “Distilling Southern Trout fishing since 1959”

“I

f you like online magazines that are more like their paper counterparts, then the new issue of Southern Trout is for you!”

— Phil Monohan, Orvis

Don Says: “We do ‘how-to’ better than any other publication.”

Don Kirk

Publisher / Southern Trout

Subscribe to our Newsletter for FREE! Click Here! w w w . s o u t h e r n t r o u t . c o m Don Kirk - Publisher / don@southerntrout.com

Jeff Kirk - Editor / jeff@southerntrout.com

Photo credit: Mountain River with Sunlight by Mihai Tamasila

Interstate sportsman

lake. Some of them are, but most of the crappie you fished for in a five-mile-long creek meander have not movedvery far.

These fish are quite at home in shallower water than you might suspect, but they still prefer drop-offs. In this case, the deepest part of a creek embayment is the old feeder channel. Find it and a bit of standing timber or rock cuts, and you will find crappie.

It’s Not Boring If You’re Catching Fish While trolling may be considered to be one of the more “boring” ways of fishing for crappie, at this time of year it offers a number of advantages, not the least of which is superior odds for catching the fish. By now it’s hot weather, so you might also want to note that during the summer trolling is the easiest way of finding where the crappie are bunched up. Six weeks ago,when the water was warming up, these fish moved closer to shore,into two- to five-foot-deep nesting areas. Although now they are deeper, these fish usually still congregate in large schools. It’s just a matter of finding them.

Start by pointing your boat upwind

about 50 feet from the shore, presuming, of course, that there is at least six feet of water below you at this distance. Toss out three lines baited with jigs, grubs, or jigs tipped with minnows, then allow the wind to slowly push your boat along. Use your trolling motor to keep your boat headed in the chosen direction and, if you are dragging the bottom too much, put a float above your bait.Experiment with different types, sizes, and colors of jigs until you find the combination that works that day on that body of water.

While not known for being picky, sometimes crappie will strike one jig today as opposed to another next week. It’s a real hit-and-quit approach—if you are not catching crappie with one type of rig, then change it. Good colors to start with include chartreuse, green, white, black/ green, blue/white, blue, and yellow.

Many old-timers swear by the use of live minnows. Little baitfish, such as tuffy or

Interstate sportsman

Baltimore minnows work best, but are quite delicate. If you lip hook them a crappie has a decent chance of snatching the bait cleanly from the hook. Spiking the skull of the minnow kills the bait fish on the spot, but for trolling it does not appear to diminish its appeal to hungry crappie.

Quite a number of fishermen rig up their boats so that they can troll using a large number of poles. Regulations vary from state to state, with most limiting the number of poles per angler to three. This is also logical if trolling for crappie gets hot, as overloading the boat with a lot of rods can be overwhelming. On the other hand, in the canals of Florida some crappie fishing experts spider rig troll witha dozen or more cane poles at once. Once you find these fish and the offerings they are biting on, be prepared, as several of those poles may get hit at once. No matter how manyfishing lines you are trolling, when strikes occur, keep your boat moving and in action. There is little likelihood of these fish tangling up the lines, so take your time with each fish you reel in.

Summer trolling is the top way to catch crappie, and one of the most fun ways to relax and enjoy the water.

www.isoutdoors.com

Interstate sportsman

B I G

G A M E

2007 Alaska Brown Bear

by Bob Foulkrod The last bear hunt of my Obsession Quest (OQ) was for the legendary brown bear. Arguably the most fearless quarry faced during this five-year hunting odyssey, brown bears are the mightiest bruins on the planet. It is difficult for humans to comprehend the power and strength possessed by these kings of the north. While several of my OQ hunts were for quarries I had never hunted before, such was hardly the case with the brown bears. I had successfully bowhunted Alaskan brown bear on two previous occasions. The first encounter almost went bad when the arrowed brown raced blindly at me, passing within reaching distance without realizing I was the source of its mortal wound. It left me with an incredibly long three-second memory of the speed of a charging brown bear.

Alaska remains one of the last true strongholds for Alaska brown bears worldwide. The vast untamed wilderness of America’s Last Frontier supports both inland grizzly bears and coastal brown bears.

Grizzly bears are smaller than their coastal cousins and are found mostly in Alaska’s interior region, where there are no salmon. The brown bear is sometimes called the Kodiak bear, but this name is somewhat misleading, because Kodiak Island is only a small part of its range. However, Kodiak Island is an incredible Alaska brown bear stronghold where they have been isolated from other bears since the last ice age, about 12,000 years ago. The bone structure of the Kodiak Island brown bear is much larger than that of other coastal brown bears. Additionally, they have a more diverse social structure than other bears, due to the close proximity in which they live.

The Brown Difference With the possible exception of the occasional oversized polar bear, the Alaska brown bear is the planet’s largest terrestrial predator. The coastal dwelling brown bear is considerably larger than the nearly genetically identical grizzly bear of North America, as

Interstate sportsman

B I G

G A M E

well as the Europe/Asian brown bears.

Eons of easy access to an enormous food source, in the form of spawning salmon, is credited with these coastal bears morphing into a distinct subspecies. For thousands of years, couple the abundant food with the milder coastal winter weather, which enables shorter periods of hibernation, and the coastal Alaska brown bears blossomed into the hulking bundles of fur-clad muscle found there today.

Although it is a common sight to see dozens of Alaska brown bears feeding on a single short stretch of river during a salmon run, actually these animals are solitary beasts. Prime fishing spots along these salmon rivers are jealously guarded. Challenging a big boar for the spot it has had for several seasons is a pretty ballsy move on the part of another bear, and is the exception rather than the rule along these waterways, where gorging on salmon dominates the expenditure of energy and effort. Otherwise these coastal bears have few conflicts in their lives. Man is the only creature capable of killing an Alaska brown bear. Boars exceeding 1,500pounds are still taken.

When standing on their hind feet, such bears often tower tenfeet high. The largest skull ever scored was 17.9inches. Full grown at 10 years old, these animalstypically live 25tomore than 30 years.

In terms of temperament, a brown bear’s behavior is completely unpredictable.

Regarded by most as being less aggressive and prone to unprovoked attacks on humans than is the grizzly bear, the often docile behavior of the Alaska brown bear is terribly misleading. While I would agree that the Alaska brown bear is a bit more easygoing than the interior bears, these beach bears certainly are highly dangerous. They are armed with long claws designed to enable them to efficiently dig roots and excavate ground animals. They also sport large canines, and their powerful jaws can snap human bones with a single bite. As with other bruins, the Alaska brown hear is incredibly agile and capable of remarkably fast bursts of speed that far exceed that of the fastest human.

Alaska brown bears occur in coastal Alaska from the Yukon River delta southward and eastward to the British Colum

U LT R A L I G H T H U N T I N G

AVA I L A B L E O N LY AT W W W . K U I U . C O M SERVICE@KUIU.COM | 855-367-5848

Interstate sportsman

B I G

G A M E

bia border, plus on the offshore islands, notably Kodiak, Afognak, Montague, Baranof, Chicagof, and Admiralty. Most importantly, they are found along a relatively narrow strip of the land where spawning salmon runs from the seas progress inland. While most bears are seen during the salmon runs, prior to the arrival of this abundant food source Alaska brown bears are commonly observed anywhere within this area, from saltwater beaches and coastal swamps, to forested and rocky mountainsides above the tree line. My hunt occurred before the salmon runs, meaning we were looking for a big Alaska brown bear that was out looking for anything it could eat. In other words, my bear could be virtually anywhere we looked.

Hunting In Luxury During my OQ I developed very strong friendships and bonds with a number of the world’s elite outfitters. In early May of the previous year I had made the trip to Sitka, Alaska, to hunt black bear with Dale Adams. By the conclusion of that delightful hunting “vacation,” we had cooked up plans for a brown bear

hunt the following year. Adam’s bear hunts operate from a floating base camp named the Surveyor. This 64-foot boat has all of the luxury and amenities of a cruise ship. Every night you sleep in a comfortable dry bed, and each meal is a dining experience that almost makes me blush when I recall how much great food I consumed. No cruise ship anywhere can match the meals served by his lovely wife, who cooked everything to perfection. A typical breakfast before hunting was oatmeal that tasted like dessert, served with toasted English muffins dripping with crab meat, or cooked-toorder omelets. Suppers included prime steaks, and freshly caught halibut and Alaska Dungeness crab and half-pound prawns (these were too big to be called “shrimp”). You could quickly and easily become spoiled.If Adams ever has need of an assistant, I am applying for the job.

In terms of weather and the progression of spring, the environment of this coastal hunt was considerably different than it had been for the black bear hunt.

I arrived for my brown bear hunt in midMay, finding snow patches still atop the

Adam Vinatieri, Indianapolis Colts Kicker

I am a Sentry, Are You?

and trapping rights. Sign up FREE at www.ussportsmen.org/BeASentry.

801 Kingsmill Parkway, Columbus, Ohio 43229 Phone- 614-888-4868 Fax- 614-888-0326 Website- www.ussportsmen.org Email- info@ussportsmen.org

Interstate sportsman

B I G

G A M E

shoreline ridges. Nothing growing anywhere showed any sign of greening up, like it would in a couple of weeks. The weather was consistent though. When it was not raining, the low-hanging gray sky looked like it might rain at the blink of an eye.

We hunted several days in what can only be described as perfect weather.

Our daily routine began with a memorable breakfast (did I mention the food was wonderful?), then a ride out from the Surveyor to put out crab and prawn traps, which we would collect on our way back to the boat at the end of the day. Once ashore we remained close to the channel flows. This gave us good opportunities to glass the inland highlands and marshes without leaving scent trails the bears might come across. The coast where we hunted was silly with brown bears. Before seeing the big boar I wanted to kill, we observed over 20 of these animals. We made practice stalks on three of the bears, just to see if we could get within killing range of them.

Taking The Big Bruin Down When we spotted the brown bear we

had been looking for, we began a cautious stalk on the animal. Even at a considerable distance the bear looking huge. He was busy foraging for anything his stomach could digest, which made getting within 100 yards easier than I had anticipated it would be. I knew that my Browning A-Bolt .375 H&H chambered with 300-grain bullets was enough to subdue this bear, but I also knew that brown bears have a well-deserved reputation for absorbing a lot of punishment.

They are also fearless, and do not hesitate to charge headlong at anything or anyone they perceive to be the source of their agony.

When the big bear gave me a broadside shot, I put a round right into his shoulder blade. Down he went, then just as quickly he was on his feet again. Already having chambered a second cartridge, I squeezed of a second round, which also hit the shoulder of the animal. Again the bruin went down, and again he sprang to his feet. I buried a third bullet into the beast, which then bolted perhaps ten yards before collapsing, dead. I was feeling lucky.

P

R

E

M T

I R

E O

R P

P H

Y

R

I

V

H

U

A N

T T

E I

L N

A

N

D

G

o n 45,000 a cre s

PRIVATE LANDOWNER TAGS, NO DRAW All inclusive hunt packages offered for: Elk, Bison, Mule Deer, Antelope, Mountain Lion, Bear and Turkey We have just a few spots left for the 2013 season. Please call to book your next New Mexico Trophy Hunt!

Let us take the guess work out of planning your next hunt.

Each hunt includes all necessary licenses, tags, tax, meals, lodging and guide.

w w w. n e w m e x i c o t r o p h y h u n t . c o m

419 Purvines Rd. Des Moines New Mexico • Mobile : 303-717-9767 • Land Line : 575-278-2833 •

www.isoutdoors.com

Interstate sportsman

CANINE CARE

Removing Ticks From Your Dog’s Environment Provided courtesy of Drs. Smith & Foster Tick control is not unlike the process used to control fleas, in that there are no shortcuts, no sure cures, and the battle must be ongoing. Tick control is a twostep process, in that measures must be implemented to treat both the environment and the pet. Ticks, despite all their legs and ugliness, are not hard to kill.

Reduce Ticks in the Environment Tick control in the environment generally involves removing tick habitat. Removing leaves and clearing brush and tall grass from around the house and kennel areas can help reduce the number of

ticks. Because rodents, deer, and other animals can harbor ticks, it is important to control these animals as well.

Remember that cold, frosty fall weather does not kill ticks and, in fact, that is when the deer tick numbers are at their peak. In northern Wisconsin, the most likely time to contract Lyme Disease is during September, October, and November, since the deer tick is the primary car

TIMBER LAND -‐ INVESTMENT LAND

RECREATIONAL LAND -‐ FARMS

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY BLACKBELTLANDLLC.COM -‐ 205-‐343-‐2110

Interstate sportsman

CANINE CARE

rier. The point here is that environmental control needs to continue into the fall and early winter.

The Brown Dog Tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus is the most troublesome tick in kennels and yards, and is found almost everywhere. It can complete its life cycle in about two months and, although uncommon, it can become established indoors. If you do encounter an indoor tick problem, use a flea and tick fogger, using it just as you would for fleas. In the house, ticks tend to crawl to a higher area (like they do in grass). They may be found in cracks around windows and doors. Because of this tendency and the fact that ticks crawl, and do not jump or fly, another option is to apply a one-foot barrier of insecticide, such as a flea and tick powder, where the carpet meets the wall around the entire room. As a result, ticks moving to the walls to climb higher will come in contact with the insecticide and be killed. And, finally, remember to wash the pet’s bedding regularly.

Keeping pets out of grasses and woods helps to reduce their exposure to ticks,

but any animal outside can quite easily have a tick crawl on board. Perform a “tick check” on yourself and your pets after returning from the outdoors. Products that kill and repel ticks are often needed. Products for pets are many and varied, and include once-a-month topical products, sprays, powders, dips, shampoos, and collars.

Once-a-Month Topicals Once-a-month topical insecticides are applied to a small area on the back of the pet, are probably the easiest product to use, and generally last the longest. Some kill fleas and ticks, while others kill only fleas, so check the label carefully. Ingredients generally include permethrin, pyrethrin, imidacloprid, or fipronil. Examples of these products include Bio Spot-Spot On for Cats, Bio Spot-Spot On for Dogs, K9 Advantix for Dogs, and Frontline Top

Interstate sportsman

CANINE CARE

Spot.Revolution, which contains selamectin, is a monthly topical product that controls American Dog Ticks (Dermacentor variabilis) only.

Sprays Flea and tick control sprays can come as aerosols or pump bottles. When using a spray, you do not have to soak the pet with the spray, but be sure to spray all parts of the animal.As you do not want to get the product in the animal’s eyes, do not spray near the eyes. Instead, spray a small amount on a cotton ball and used that to apply the product around the eyes and ears. Follow your veterinarian’s and the manufacturer’s directions on how often to spray, and spray in a well-ventilated area. Sprays often contain permethrin (use on dogs only, not on cats) or pyrethrin.

NOTE: Most cats prefer the pump bottles, since the hiss from the aerosols may sound too much like the hiss of another cat. If you are going to use an aerosol spray on a cat, it may be helpful to spray a cloth with the product (away from the cat), and then rub the cat with the cloth.

Powders Powders are generally easy to apply, but can create a mess. If you or your pet has asthma, powders may not be the best choice of product, since the powder could be inhaled. Be sure to use powders in well-ventilated areas. Powders often contain pyrethrin.

Dips Dips and rinses are applied to the entire animal. They generally have some residual activity. They should be applied in a well-ventilated area according to your veterinarian’s and the manufacturer’s directions. It is helpful to put cotton balls in the pet’s ears and ophthalmic ointment

Interstate sportsman

CANINE CARE

in the pet’s eyes. Even with these precautions, be very careful not to get any of the product in the pet’s ears or eyes. Dips and rinses usually contain permethrin (use on dogs only, not on cats) or pyrethrin.

Shampoos Shampoos primarily help rid the pet of the ticks it already has on it, although some have residual activity. To properly use a flea & tick shampoo, you must be sure to work the shampoo in over the entire body and then leave it on at least 10 minutes before you rinse it off. This is true of almost any medicated shampoo. Again, remember to protect the eyes and ears of the pet. Shampoos often contain pyrethrin.

HINT: Cats often do not like running water. It is often better to pour water over a cat with a large pitcher.

Collars Collars can be effective, but must be applied properly. To get the right degree of snugness, you should just be able to get two fingers between the collar and the neck of your pet. Be sure to cut off any excess portion of the collar after you have properly applied it. Otherwise, that

animal or another pet may try to chew on the end. Check the package for information on duration of effectiveness, since many collars lose effectiveness when they get wet (e.g.; if a dog swims a lot.)Watch carefully for any irritation under the collar. If this occurs, you may need to use a different product. Do NOT use collars containing amitraz, permethrin, or organophosphates on cats.

In severely tick-infested areas, or for dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors and in the woods, we have found a Preventic Tick Collar in addition to a topical one-amonth product is going to give your dog the best protection. This collar contains Amitraz, which is approved to use in conjunction with most other flea and tick products. With the Preventic Collar, 95% of the ticks will detach and die within 24 hours.

If You Want The Best In Hunting And Fishing, go to brockstoplodges.com

Interstate sportsman

DESTINATION NATION

Cherokee, North Carolina,

Trout Fishing

by Don Kirk

mountain trout.

Located in western North Carolina snug up against the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Qualla Cherokee Indian Reservation has been a favorite summer getaway destination for generations.

The first thing you see when you arrive is a bevy of 1950s-style tourist traps and souvenir emporiums, which are now in the shadow of a sparkling new Harrah casino operated by the tribe. However, if you are an outdoorsman, it is not gaming or trinkets that lure you to this large reservation—it is world-class fishing for

The public trout-fishing streams of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indian Nation rate among the most intensely managed waters in the United States. A total of 30 stream miles designated as “Enterprise Waters” by tribal leaders flow through the Qualla Reservation, and annually provide thousands of fishermen with fun and trout.

Enterprise Waters are stocked twice weekly during the regular season (April through October) and weekly during

RECREATIONAL LAND SPECIALIST

HALESMITH.NET LAND DEVELOPMENT | TIMBER SERVICES | WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT

Interstate sportsman

DESTINATION NATION

the winter season (November through February). Creel-size (8- to 12-inch) rainbow, brook, and brown trout constitute the bulk of the Cherokee’s regular stocking efforts. However, just to keep things interesting, each week trophy-class 3- to 12-pound trout are released, as well.

The present North Carolina state record brook trout, a 7-pound, 7-ounce beauty, was taken in 1980 from the Enterprise Waters portion of Raven Creek.

In addition to offering excellent flyfishing for all three species of trout, the waters of Qualla Reservation also hold a bevy of large smallmouth and tons of hand-size rock bass. These fish are exceedingly common in the lower reaches of the Oconaluftee River, as well as downstream from its mouth at the Tuckasegee River.

Paying For The Privilege Trout fishing at the Qualla Reservation gets very high ratings. Summer creel limits are liberal: 10 trout per day. Bait restrictions during this popular time slot are also virtually nonexistent. Naturally, the creation of such a worm-dunk

paradise bears a price tag. Visitors are charged daily or seasonal user fees, but presently anglers fishing here are exempt from needing a state fishing or trout license. All things considered, the cost of fishing at Qualla is a red-hot bargain, whether you’re fishing for the frying pan or a trophy trout.

Streams presently under the Qualla Reservation’s Enterprise Waters designation include: Raven Fork downstream from its confluence with Straight Fork; Bunches Creek downstream from where it passes under the gravel road; the Oconaluftee River from its entrance into the Qualla Reservation, downstream to its boundary at Birdstown; and Soco Creek downstream from its confluence with Hornbuckle Creek, to its mouth at the Oconaluftee River. All of these flows are tributaries of the Oconaluftee River and, with the exception of Soco Creek, all begin within the pristine confines of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The tribe’s three ponds account for six surface acres, and are located beside Big Cove Road, approximately 5 miles up

Interstate sportsman

DESTINATION NATION

stream from the town of Cherokee. They are encircled by well-manicured fescue grass, and are heavily stocked twice weekly. The three ponds are both productive and popular.

Fly-fishing is remarkably good here.

Higher fertility results in better hatches of aquatic insects than in the national park. The presence of the sometimes pesky “stockers” does not adversely affect the resident population of trout, which is in surprisingly good condition according to tribal fishery experts. Fly patterns and techniques outlined for fly-fishing national park waters work extremely well on these tribal waters.

And If You Don’t Fish?

So what does the family do while you fish? The Oconaluftee Indian Village is one of the country’s great Native American living museums. A visit here transports you back to 1760, a time when Cherokee life was undergoing rapid cultural change. It is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with tours every 15 minutes except between 11:30 to 12:30 and 2:30 to 3:30. The last tour is taken at 5:00. Visitors can experience traditional medicine and interact with villagers

as they hull canoes, make pottery and masks, weave baskets and beadwork, and participate in their daily activities.

The village also hosts live reenactments, interactive demonstrations, as well as “Hands-On Cherokee” arts and crafts classes for the children.

“Unto These Hills”is one of the country’s longest running outdoor dramas, having sold six million tickets over the years.

Today it is also very different from the drama of days past, now providing a better portrayal of the Cherokee’s unique story.The new play traces the Cherokee people through the ages, through the zenith of their power, through the heartbreak of the Trail of Tears, finally ending in the present day.

For more information on making a vacation trip to Cherokee, North Carolina, visit www.cherokee-nc.com.