ISOutdoors | March 2015 by ISOUTDOORS

MARCH 2015

ISOutdoors enjoying the outdoors and sharing it with you

EARLY SEASON

TACTICS

FOR BAGING GOBBLERS www.isoutdoors.com

WILD TURKEY HUNTING

VIDEOGRAPHY Photo courtesty of Joe Blake/NWTF

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CONTENT

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EARLY SEASON TACTICS FOR BAGGING GOBBLERS

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COLUMNS

COYOTE HUNTING

TURKEY HUNTING FLY FISHING

TIPS FOR SPRING TROUT WILD TURKEY HUNTING VIDEOGRAPHY

FIELD TEST HOT PRODUCT

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VIDEOGRAPHY TIPS OUTFITTER

MEDIA Colby RAY

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CHOOSING A NEW FLY ROD PUBLISHER Brock RAY

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THE ELECTRO MUNDO GRUPPE 202 1ST AVENUE EAST ONEONTA, AL 35121 205-625-5473 R EPRODUCTION, IN WHOLE OR PART, RETRANSMISSION, REDIRECTION OR LINKED DISPLAY IS PROHIBITED WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM THE PUBLISHER

THE ELECTRO MUNDO GRUPPE

ATV PREVIEW OUTFITTER PREVIEW GUN PREVIEW BOW PREVIEW

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OUTDOOR DR

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Early Season Tactic For

Bagging G

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The best early season turkey takes a little effort.â&#x20AC;? by Brock Ray

urkey hunting season comes early in the southern states that have long been noted for their high quality gobbler hunting. However, opening day is only a few weeks away around the rest of the country. The tactics which work on Opening Day in Dixie are also effective from Colorado to New York. Spring hunting seasons are scheduled when breeding activity is at peak levels to give hunters an opportunity to call in an eager-to-breed gobbler. It often takes many seasons to become

a highly experienced wild turkey hunter, but every turkey hunter starts out as a novice. If you have never hunted these animals you soon discover they have incredible hearing and sight. Learning how to locate birds, setting up to call them, calling them in close enough to kill and knowing where to shoot to make a clean kill are all skills every turkey hunter must master. Set-up is a big key to bagging an early season tom. Presumably you are wearing head to toe camouflage clothing and a head net that blends with your

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Ken Moody Hunting Enterprises presents...

May 15-17, 2015 Gatlinburg Convention Center Gatlinburg, Tennessee Hunting, Fishing, Camping, Travel, Outdoor Adventures

Why Should You Attend the Great Smoky Mountains Outdoor Expo?

t All attendees may register for a free hunt giveaway! t Over 100 vendors – big game hunts, wood carvings, outdoor products, etc. t Byron Ferguson – World’s Greatest Archer – Daily exhibitions! t Daily seminars by Don Kirk, Brenda Valentine, John Sloan, and others. t 3D Archery Pop-Up Tournament provided by the good people at Bow Life®. t Special “Show Rates” for all attendees at the Edgewater Hotel.

In addition to attending a great outdoors show where you’ll meet and speak with some of the nations top outdoor exhibitors showcasing such goods and of the country’s top vacation spots. Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and the Smoky the Smokies has what you’re looking for. Come to our trade show and also enjoy

We’ll See You There!

Visit our website www.greatsmokymountainsoutdoorexpo.com or call 800-585-4868 to learn more.

iSOutdoors surroundings. A good set-up is one that breaks up your outline and preferably gives you a little concealment cover. The most common set-up is with your back to a tree with a bit of

brush in front of you. However, depending on where you are and the availability of such cover, you might have to lean against a rock or fence post or even crouch down in a weedy ditch. The objective is to blend in and not stand out where you can be easily spotted by the keen eyes of these birds. Calling is usually regarded as the most difficult to master of the skills needed to successfully hunt spring season gobblers. Contrary to what many say, calling is not difficult to master, but it can be www.isoutdoors.com

as complex as you wish to make it. In nature the hen seeks out the gobbler when she is ready to mate. Mating must occur each time a single egg is laid. This means that hens come and go during the month, laying an egg and then returning to mate again and so forth. As is the case in nature, the gobbler is always ready to mate, and if a hen will not actively seek him out, a tom will respond to seductive hen yelps in an effort to find her. If you have never called a gobbler, all you need to do is learn to make simple hen yelps on a turkey call. If you do not move and give away your human presence or make some noise like a cough or banging a shotgun barrel against a tree, the

iSOutdoors odds of a gobbler strutting within shooting range is about 50/50.

The easiest beginner calls for making hen yelps is a push button box call or a swing arm call. Many companies make these, and they all work well. Get an audio cassette on the different calls to make. If you are adventurous, try using a mouth diaphragm call or a slate call. These take longer to learn to master, but they are more effective, especially on call shy toms. Learning to call and when not to call takes practice, but like a great pick-up line, when it works, it works really well. For obvious safety reasons, only use www.isoutdoors.com

hen calls, and never male. Making a tom’s gobblers might make another hunter think you are a gobbler ready for him to kill. Safety is a huge issue when turkey hunting. Because you are dressed in camouflage to blend in with your environment to avoid detection by wild turkeys, it is often very difficult to see other hunters that might be nearby or be seen by them. Never wear red or blue, two colors closely associated with a gobbler. When traveling in the woods, wear hunter orange, removing it when you set-up (where it is legal.) If you have not added spring season wild turkey to your “to do” list, or if you think you are on the road too much of the time to get your share of hunting time, think again. Most of us drive through great wild turkey hunting country all season long from February until June. It’s a matter of making the time and effort to take advantage of some great opportunities.

Ken Moody Hunting Enterprises presents...

May 15-17, 2015 Gatlinburg Convention Center Gatlinburg, Tennessee Hunting, Fishing, Camping, Travel, Outdoor Adventures

Why Should You Attend the Great Smoky Mountains Outdoor Expo?

We’ll See You There!

Visit our website www.greatsmokymountainsoutdoorexpo.com or call 800-585-4868 to learn more.

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iSOutdoors outline along ridges. It is not a bad idea to tip toe,” says Brad “Carefully choose your setup. Make sure you are well concealed in a natural break. Be sure the wind is in your favor and that you have an open shooting lane. Wind direction is critical when calling to coyotes.

Coyotes are now found in great numbers from the Atlantic to the Pacific. These highly intelligent predators are the greatest of all late winter hunting challenges. Here’s what the experts have to say about how to fool these wary, keen-eyed animals. Brad Harris’s Do’s and Don’ts Missouri native Brad Harris is regarded as one of the world’s top hunters. He is often televised on such programs as Bill Jordan’s Realtree Outdoors. Coyotes are abundant within minutes of his home, allowing him to easily experiment with new calls and calling techniques. “Your approach requires stealth. Avoid making any noise and do not skylight your www.isoutdoors.com

“Train your eyes to spot the slightest movements in brush and tall grass and avoid getting stuck on one sound when calling. Be as versatile as you would be when turkey hunting. Like turkey hunting, you don’t have to be a champion caller to coax in predators,” says Brad. Gary Roberson’s Do’s and Don’ts Texas-based Gary Roberson is a legend in the varmint hunting world. He considers the setup the key element to successfully hunting these animals. “At least 80 to 85 percent of the success in coyote hunting is how you locate yourself before calling. If you are well concealed in natural surroundings by wearing a great camouflage pattern such as Mossy Oak Break-Up, then the rest is pretty easy.

“A good setup is more than just hiding from a predator’s eyes. It also means getting downwind from where you anticipate a coyote or fox to approach. It also means positioning yourself so that when a chance comes to shoot the animal, you are ready and able,” says Gary. “It is difficult to come up with a strategy that tops two hunters working as a team. You can use this approach to negate the effects of unfavorable wind, and to ensure no predator sneaks up on you. Also, unlike experts who advocate lots of calling, I recommend using only as much calling as you feel is necessary.” Calls Predators Can’t Resist Lohman’s Model 2000 Wildlife Calling System put calling predators at your fingertips. Compact and battery powered, this rugged built cassette tape player comes with a clear sounding 15-Watt loud-range speaker, carrying straps, and a camouflage carrying case. Its 30-foot cord enables speaker placement away from your setup. Lohman also offers a selection of provocative predator calling cassettes. Another offer by Lohman is a complete

selection of mouth-blown predator calls. Their Model 285 Mega Coyote Howler lets you imitate coyote howls, a great way for locating these canines. Their Model 210 Deluxe Long Range and Model 220 Medium Range calls are a great one-totwo combo that imitates dying rabbits. The Model 240 Mouse Squeaker is a hand-held call perfect for the last few seconds of a predator hunt. Burnham Brother’s Compucaller is a highly realistic sounding, totally computerized predator call. Super lightweight, this 1.5-pound electronic unit (which includes the battery pack), will operate for over 30 hours on a single charge regardless of the temperature. The speaker has tremendous range. Standard calls can be programmed as well as customized sounds. www.isoutdoors.com

CHOOSING A NEW

FlyRod “Now more than ever the perfect fly rod for you is out there without going to a custom rod maker.” by Don Kirk www.isoutdoors.com

ly rod making has changed a lot over the last 125 years. In the beginning there were only split cane bamboo rods, which fell from favor after the fall of China in 1949 when supplies of Tonkin bamboo disappeared. Next came a generation of willowy fiber glass fly rods which didn’t seem able to make anyone very happy. Graphite and boron fly rods came on the scene in the late 1970s. In successive generations, these composite rods have utterly dominated the world modern fly rods; although it is interesting that there are probably more makers of custom bamboo rods now than ever before. When contemplating the purchase of a fly rod, cost and application largely determine what you end up

d buying. With so many choices in every aspect of design and capabilities, it can be confusing. There are no fewer than two dozen makers of high quality rods. Most of these companies offer scores of options on their rods. Locating the right rod for you is under the three basic principles of fly rod construction. These are the rodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s weight, length, flex, and number of pieces. Type of water you fly fish largely determines the rod weight which is suited for you. A standard measurement used by fly rod manufacturers for noting the backbone of a rod. The smaller waters where creel size trout are caught require

lighter rod weights. Bigger waters and bigger fish require progressively heavier fly rods. If fly fishing trickles and rivulets or the step-across tributaries are larger streams waters, choose a rod somewhere between a 1 to 3 weight. If much of your fly fishing for small and largemouth bass, big trout, or salmon, 8 to 12 weights rods are recommended. Wide rivers and tailwaters where large trout lurk is best fly fished with a. 6 to 8 weight rod. Unless you are highly specialized, an all round fly rod may be your best choice. This would be a 6 to 8 weight fly rod.

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iSOutdoors Length of cast is another consideration when fly rod shopping. The farther you need to cast to catch fish, the more line your rods needs to be able to handle. Longer rods enable longer casts. If you are like me, most of my fly fishing is for trout in small to mid-size creeks. At such waters casts of 10 to 20 feet. Some people still recommend short, 6 to 7.5feet fly rods for short range casting. I do not. I recommend an 8.5 to 9-feet 3 to 4 weight rod. These same rods are perfect for use a spring creeks and streams with long stretches of smooth water such as tailwater rivers. If you are primarily a bass bugger, make sure you have at least 9 to 10 weight fly rod for streams and lakes. Your casting skill level is the third key component of making a great purchase. Beginning fly casters benefit from rods

that flex throughout most of their length because such fly rods are forgiving of most common mistakes made by neophytes. The greater the flex of a fly rod, the larger and smoother the casting loops it makes. Under favorable conditions these fly rods work well, but if you need distance or wind troublesome, high flex rods are impractical. Stiffer, or so-called “fast rods” enable tight loops which make longer casts possible while also cutting through the wind. These typically are more costly and are engineered for casters who have mastered throwing far more line out on the water. Casting skills dictates the flex of the fly rod which is appropriate for you.

www.isoutdoors.com

Charter Boats Where You Can’t Go Wrong by Don Kirk

It’s fishing time in many coastal waters surrounding the country. Like most landlubbers, I rely on charter boats to get out on the big water. Here are four charter boats that give you the best and you still get a bargain.

Gulf Shore Fishing Charters For 8 years Gulf Shore Fishing Charter at Orange Beach, Alabama has been the Gulf’s leader in family, deep-sea and inshore fishing Charters in Gulf Shores. The culture which Captain Todd Frady has created is one that is admired by families from across the world. Trips usually surpass all expectations when it comes to service and www.isoutdoors.com

catching fish. They only offer private fishing trips for groups of 1 to 6 people. The specialty here is making saltwater fishing trips fun and entertaining. For more email Captain Todd

Fishing the Keys for ferocious fighters like dolphin, sailfish, marlin, kingfish and wahoo or anchor off the reefs for grouper and snapper Based out of Tarpon Creek Marina - Mile Marker 53.5 Marathon, FL 4hr, 6hr, 8hr trips available

Our offshore fishing guides are USCG licensed and are dedicated to providing you with an offshore angling experience of a lifetime. Our fleet of deepsea sihing boats can accomodate groups of up to six people.

Trips Include Rods, tackle, bait & ice Bottled water provided Bring your lunch Custom dive trips Sunset Cruises www.livinthedreamcharters.com USCG & TPW Licensed Guide

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Frady at captain@gulfshoresfishing.com, or you can visit his web site at www.gulfshoresfishing.com.

Westwind Tugboat Adventures Westwind Tugboat Adventures is North America’s most unique fishing floating resort. Guests aboard their restored 1941 built tugboats spend a week cruising and fishing some of the most remote areas of British Columbia’s coast including Langara Island, Prince Rupert and Bella Bella. Aboard the Westwind, you have access to the most spectacular scenery and wildlife viewing and the northwest’s best salmon and halibut fishing. All catches are cleaned, stored in blast freezers and packaged to take home at no charge. For more information, visit www.gordonsguide.com.

Hatteras Harbor Marina Charter Fleet When conversation turns to charter boat fishing, it does not take long

for someone to mention the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The heart of the action at this world class fishing sport is the village of Hatteras. Number one there is the Hatteras Harbor Marina Charter Fleet. What we like best is the variety of this area and this company’s ability to offer great offshore or inshore fishing. Their boats provide a fast run to the Gulf Stream where marlin, sailfish, tuna, dolphin and wahoo are offshore. Inshore fishing is great for speckled trout, flounder, striped bass and red drum inshore. They do it all and do it well. For more info visit www.hatterasharbor.com

Ocean Odyssey Sportfishing The Ocean Odyssey out of San Diego, California is your ticket to fishing excitement. With Captain Rick Scott and his experienced crew, you get the best fishing experience in Southern California! The Ocean Odyssey is 85 feet long by 25 feet in beam, which makes her the most spacious sport fishing vessel in her class. This also ensures a comfortable trip wherever they go for skipjack and yellowfin tuna, albacore, dorado, and California yellowtail. For more info visit www.oceanodysseyfishing.com www.isoutdoors.com

iSOutdoors V I D E O G R A P H Y

WILD TURKEY

Videography HUNTING

“Great wild turkey hunting footage is worth the effort.” by Brock Ray

sing a video camera to get quality real time hunting footage is one of the toughest undertakings any videographer can undertake. I am not talking about getting footage of a South Dakota ringneck pheasant hunt or a rabbit hunt where all the camera man has to do is be alert for flushes or when the beagles bring a bunny back within shotgun range. I am talking about hunting where hunters must set-up to either call in an animal, or wait to ambush it. This type of hunting typifies most spring bear hunting, whitetail hunting, predator hunting, and even most elk hunting. If these animals spot or wind you or the hunter, they will exit your location so fast you might even question yourself that they were ever there. As tough as these sharp eyed, keen nosed, wary mammals are get on video them being successfully hunted, they usually are not nearly as challenging as getting great wild turkey hunting footage. During the spring mating season when hunting occurs in most areas, a longbearded gobblers transcends from the status of village idiot in the woods, to temporarily become some sort of super

genius wizard. Wild turkey have the best eyes of any game animal found on the continent and are constantly suspicious of their surroundings during the mating season when they are hunted. The biggest keys to consistently getting good wild turkey video footage are being prepared and good plans. When outdoors in conditions where exposing your camera to the weather, it is not a problem keep you video recorder near you with plenty of fresh tape and fully charged batteries. When taping wild turkey or the hunt itself, do so on with your camera mounted atop a tripod whenever it is possible. However, because of the incidental way many wild turkey hunting taping opportunities occur, it is often necessary to shoulder and shoot at a momentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s notice. Generally, you have to take lighting as it comes rather than positioning for optimal exposure. If lighting conditions are not what you wish they were, such as early morning in dimly lighted woods, expose to what is most pleasing or interesting to you at the moment. For example, you see a gobbler along a ridge that is back lit by the rising or setting sun. Rather than set the aperture of the video recorder to put the bird in correct exposure, accept a silhouette www.isoutdoors.com

iSOutdoors V I D E O G R A P H Y

that can be quite dramatic and pleasing to view. If you are shoulder shooting with your video recorder, when and wherever it is possible for you to do so, lean against a tree or something to help you steady your efforts. One of the biggest mistakes many people make when video recording wild turkey hunting is zooming too quickly and in a jerking fashion. Fortunately, most modern video recorders have wide

angle to telephoto capabilities that make them well suited for wild turkey hunting photography. Remember, when a video recorder is at its maximum focal length (or telephoto setting) it is most likely to show the telltale effects of shaking than when at other time. Also, when video recording wildlife, strive to avoid creating fast zoomin and zoom-out footage. Take your time. Lightly feather the zoom button for a slow, subtle zoom sequence. Much the same is true of panning on wildlife. Do so slowly. If you want to learn more about outdoor videography or how to make a living at this craft, I operate a outdoor videography school, and also offer a home study version of the weeklong â&#x20AC;&#x153;Brock Ray Videography School Home Study Course for $49.99 (plus a shipping and handling cost of $10.00). To see more visit my website www.bbwoo.com. To order contact me you call reach me at (205)-625-5473; or by mail at Brock Rayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Home Study Course; PO Box 64; Oneonta, AL 35121 42031

www.isoutdoors.com

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Outfitter Profile

Linehan Outfitting Co. “It’s never been our ambition to be one of the biggest outfitting companies in the west, just one of the best.”

In 1992 we incorporated Linehan Outfitting Company with the full realization that this business is ultimately about customer service. Sure we’re nuts for fly fishing, upland bird hunting and chasing trophy whitetails and elk. But we also know that flannel sheets are extraordinarily comfortable and that fresh, locally grown foods inherently taste better. We also know that impatient, cranky guides are intolerable and that you should never, ever have to deal with one on your vacation. Period. After all these years we’re confident with our day to day operations, always appreciate suggestions, and promise to give you 100%. So, welcome. Have a look around our site, contact us anytime, and thanks for the opportunity to earn your business.

And here are some personal notes about us in case you’re wondering

Tim grew up in New Hampshire and when he’s not on the river pulling hard on the oars and getting guests into fish or in the woods hunting, he’s watching a Red Sox game, listening to a Red Sox game, or pouring over the Boston Red Sox website. You can take the boy out of New England, but you can’t take New England out of the boy. And from time to time he forgets that words like car and farther actually have r’s in them. Joanne hails from Florida and is an accomplished angler in her own right. Many years ago when we were kids she thought she would be a guide too. But she loves to cook way more than she likes to guide and feeding people simply makes her happy. And it makes our guests very happy too. She’s a studied chef, well versed, and inherently believes in preparing fresh, locally grown food when it’s available. She’s definitely not afraid to butcher an elk either. It’s all about good food for her and she maintains there’s nothing like good food to keep people healthy and happy. Oh

yeah, and she basically runs the day to day operations too. We’re some of the most fortunate people we know. We still love what we do every day because ultimately it makes people smile. What could be better than that?

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HOT PRODUCT

SE45 KFI Stealth Series Winch

the cable. Once in place it is great, no need his 4500lb ATV Stealth Series winch to tether the winch hook to your bumper and comes equipped with everything you leave cable exposed. This winch has a great sound need to get yourself out of serious under load, it is quiet, powerful and looks like it jams. Stocked with a 38â&#x20AC;&#x2122; smoke gray synthetic cawill last the lifetime of our rig. The power out is a ble, cable hook stopper as well as a dynamic and nice option when the cable is wound in a bind, if mechanical braking system. It also comes with not bound up you both a handcan just switch the held 14â&#x20AC;&#x2122; corded clutch into freeremote and a wheel and drag mini-rocker the cable where switch control. necessary. The remote I really like the plugs into a prolook of the stealth tected outlet and series. It is blacked can be stored out and includes in the glovebox the gray synthetic when not in use. cable. If you are The mini-rocker not familiar with switch can be synthetic cable, mounted to any you will be very atv handle bar impressed with it, to allow control no more leather while still holdgloves or metal wire stuck in your hands from ing the handlebars. The winch is constructed with frayed steel cable. The synthetic also resists the water resistant seals and an all metal turn clutch. This is a quality product, noticeable right out of twists and memory that steel cable takes on over many uses. the box. Ours came with an available model speThe Suggested retail on the SE45 KFI cific mount. Everything fit without modification. Stealth Winch is: $ 399.95 The included heavy duty electric contact switch and includes everything mentioned. is easily mounted to your preferred location with KFI also has available model specific plenty of length in the supplied cables. The Cable hook stopper was the toughest part of the install. mounts available for an additional cost. It was not bad but a very tight fit to get it onto You can check out all the specifics of this product as well as others here: www.kfiproducts.com

TAC-510XL

Xtreme Lumens™ Polymer Multi-Function Tactical Flashlight - Rechargeable

his compact rechargeable tactical flashlight is one of my favorite Nightstick products that I have tried yet. In the past I have steered away from polymer because I assumed that metal would be tougher. This glass-filled nylon polymer housing appears to be just as durable as any metal light that I own. I really like the polymer housing, it does not transfer heat or cold in the way that a metal housing does. Some metal lights will almost stick to your hand because they have gotten so cold.

his light has multiple use modes all activated by the tail switch. It is capable of, momentary or constant-on plus 3 different brightness levels as well as a strobe function. It boasts a CREE® LED rated at 800 lumens creating a beam useable out to 205 meters.

long with the polymer housing I like the rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which I have had great luck with. The included charger is powered be either an AC or DC input. The charging cradle holds the light snug and has found a home mounted in my favorite hunting rig. I like the idea of having the charger in the vehicle and a light that is ready when needed. The light also comes with a CR-123 battery carrier. The carrier holds 2 batteries and can swap out with the lithium-ion for extended run time.

You can check out this light along with other Nightstick products here: www.mynightstick.com

HOT PRODUCT

YETI coolers

Nathan Green | Product Editor

Hopper 20

his is another near bomb proof creation from my favorite always cold beverage company. YETI has done it yet again with their Hopper Series soft sided coolers. I really like the versatility of this cooler. While I love my tundra and roadie, there are just so many places that you can fit them. When the canoe is packed for the river and you have just one spot left for readily accessible frosty beverages, the Hopper is what you need. It can be jammed stuffed or strapped down with one of the many heavy duty tie-down points on the cooler. It measures roughly 20x13x10 inches and will keep 12 drinks cold for days.

he Hopper, unlike every other soft sided cooler that I have ever owned will keep the ice and water in the cooler not on the floor of the truck soaking your gear. If the Hopper happens to get turned upside down, have no wor-

ries. The HydroLok zipper is fantastic, if you have it zipped completely not even a drop will escape. It is quite impressive.

ere are the specs: The Hopper 20 has a 4.6-gallon capacity, it is constructed of 840-denier DryHide™ fabric, very close to the material used in whitewater rafts. It sports a HydroLok™ Zipper, the ultimate in waterproof, airtight zippers. The technology is borrowed from survival suits and HazMat protective gear. The “20” comes equipped with one inch of ColdCell™ Insulation in the sides and 1.5 inches on the bottom of the Hopper. The heavy-duty EVA foam bottom and RF-welded seams provide waterproof construction and unmatched durability. The exterior is covered with heavy duty tie down rings and loops for attaching whatever you can think of. It also comes ready to tote with multiple durable handles and a removable padded shoulder strap.

YETI expects these to be available by March 2015. They will retail at $299.99. Like all things YETI I give it two thumbs up. Check them out or order one here: www.yeticoolers.com

ATV PREVIEW

XUV825i MIDNIGHT BLACK SPECIAL EDITION Same versatile vehicle with a one-of-a-kind look. With its electronic fuel injection, independent four-wheel suspension, best-in-class stability, and on-demand true four-wheel drive system, the Gator XUV825i Special Edition is able to perform in any environment, and can turn heads doing it. RSX850i Midnight Black Special Edition includes: • Custom Matte Black Paint Scheme and Grey Decals • Black and Silver Alloy Rims w/ Maxxis® 2.0 Bighorn Tires • Sport Steering Wheel • RSX Branded Sport seats Special Edition Trail-Sport Package: • Special Edition door closeout panel with GATORTM image • PreRunner bumper • WARN® 3500 lb. winch • 2 inch front receiver hitch • Cargo box rails • Full Aluminum Skid Plate • Nerf Bars • HELLA® HID Sport Lights • FOX® 2.0 Performance Series Shocks XUV825i Midnight Black Special Edition includes: • Custom Matte Black Paint Scheme and Grey Decals • Power Steering • Sport Steering Wheel • High Performance Exhaust • Long Range Light Kit • Matte Black Alloy Rims w/ Maxxis® 2.0 Bighorn Tires • John Deere Branded Sport Bucket or Bench Seating • Deluxe Cargo Box with Spray-on Liner • Custom Black Half Doors Power and Front Protection Package: • Power Lift • Heavy Duty Front Brushguard • Heavy DutyFront Fender Guard • Floor Mats

BOW PREVIEW

HOYT TRIBUTE

WHEN YOU WANT YOUR FINGER ON THE PULSE. THE HOYT TRIBUTE IS THE GO-TO BOW FOR FINGER SHOOTERS WORLDWIDE. Here’s a TRIBUTE to all you finger shooters out there. Only Hoyt, with our timeless commitment to every style of shooting, can offer a bow like the Tribute. Along with a full 8 inch brace height and 45 inch axle-to-axle, Tribute offers unmatched stability, forgiveness, comfort and consistency for both release and, especially, finger shooters. Smooth drawing Accuwheels. 65% let-off. Long, deflex geometry riser. Limb

ZR 200

Cam

Accuwheel

Draw Length Options for Each Cam Size

FPS (ATA)

2425.5”, 26-28”, 28-30” 274 FPS

Brace Height

8”

Mass Weight

4.8 LBS.

Axle-to-Axle Draw Weight Ranges

45” 30-40#, 40-50#, 50-60#, 60-70#

GUN PREVIEW

A400 XTREME UN TOD

How would you like a semiauto shotgun that shoots any type of 12-ga shell? And that can fire 4 shots in less than one second? And that is soft-recoiling and leaves your shoulder feeling perfectly comfortable even after a marathon duck-hunting session in the marshes or a long day at the clay range? The A400 Xtreme Unico Camo Max4 does this and much more. Add its superior resistance to salt spray, flawless fit and finish and the best materials in the world-and see why this shotgun is the definitive choice for the serious waterfowl hunter.

VERSATILE, FAST, LOW-PROFILE ACTION The A400 action is truly revolutionary in the history of the semiautomatic shotgun. Thanks to the proprietary Blink technology, it shoots 36% faster than any other system, meaning that your follow-up shots will always be faster than any high-flying duck, goose or clay target. It is low-profile and light weight (while being super-durable), giving you superior natural pointability. It has built-in rails, so that you can easily equip it with the optics of your choice for turkey season. And its reliable

feeding of any type of 12-gauge shell—lead or steel, mild 2 ¾” to hard-hitting 3 ½” magnums— gives the A400 the versatility of a do-it-all shotgun.

Low Recoil (70% Recoil Reduction) Low-Recoil The A400 Xtreme Unico features not one, but several of today’s most advanced recoil reduction systems right out of the box. All these systems work together to minimize not only the recoil from the cartridge ignition and firing, but also from the backward-movement of the bolt. Also, the A400 Xtreme Unico is designed to recoil parallel to the cheek mount, which also reduces felt kick while giving you faster follow-up shots. Altogether, these recoil-reduction devices decrease felt recoil by 70%, meaning that you can enjoy a longer day at water’s edge or at the range without any discomfort.

Flawless, Durable, Corrosion-Resistant Finish

Something else that won’t fail to impress you about the A400 Xtreme Unico Camo is its finish. The camo pattern is flawless and covers even the corners and recesses that would be left out in a lesser shotgun. But what’s even more impressive is that, thanks to Aqua technology, the steel parts of the A400 Xtreme are highly resistant to corrosion, water and saltspray, which make this shotgun a champion of durability even in the most extreme hunting conditions.

For a complete list of features, please visit the Hotspots Tab. Also check out the A400 Xplor Unico, a shotgun offering similar features as the A400 Xplor Camo Max4, but without the camo finish and sporting instead an updated classic look.

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rains, and cold snaps can turn off trout activity in the blink of an eye. On the other hand, balmy, warm days, especially three such days in succession, can trigger fishing fun that matches the best one can hope for during May and June. March is the awakening time for trout from Southern Appalachia through the Ozarks, and in lower elevation streams in the Rockies. Caddis, stone, and mayflies all emerge in good to great numbers this month, often rivaling the more writtenabout hatches of May and June. Most emergences peak between late morning

and mid-afternoon. Generally speaking, the milder and brighter the weather, the heavier the hatch and the more active the trout will be. March has long been my favorite time to fish the Little River in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The largest stream in that 500,000-acre federal holding, Little River is a dashing mix of rock shoals that empty into slow, deep pools. Where the river continues to exit, these pools are shallow, relatively slow glides of water. Insofar as the streamside

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trees have yet to leaf up, when the sun is overhead the tails of these pools bask in sunny warmth.This is where you are likely to see trout dimpling the surface to suck down emerging Yellow Sally caddis flies and March Brown mays. Fishing these pools often requires fairly technical fly fishing, as such placid flows telegraph every mistake an angler makes. Choosing a Pattern Many anglers are surprised to learn that dry fly action is very productive in many streams in the East. Trout seem to enjoy taking surface-riding duns and skittering sledges, but in truth they rely on subsurface nymphs and pupa for most of their nutritional needs. Like a number of oldtime fly fishermen, at this time of year I really like fishing subsurface patterns, such as a Beadhead Hare’s Ear under a #12 Hendrickson dry. It allows me to cover all of the bases at one time. Some days the dry attracts the most strikes, while on other days in March it serves merely as a feathery bobber. Flow volumes at many streams and rivers is never higher than during March, and often are so high that it is unproductive

to fish using any technique, much less drifting a dry fly. Under such circumstances, activelyfeeding trout lurk in runs behind current-breaking rocks and logs. If you can get a nymph or wet fly pattern close and deep enough to where the trout are stationed, lightning-fast strikes will quicken your heart. Plumbing the depths of even a modestly fast, deep run requires lead-weighted fly patterns and sinking tip fly lines with short tippets. This is also a great time to fish streamer patterns, such as a Mickey Finn or Sculpin. Worked deep in all types of water, streamer patterns are lethal on large trout. There is a lot of truth in the old adage. “to catch big fish, you need to use big bait.”It took me a long time to develop an interest in fishing streamers. After a trip to the Leaf River in northern Quebec, where streamers were most effective on the three- to five-pounder brook trout there, I gave streamer fishing a serious second look. Since then, when traditional flies do not produce, I do not hesitate to ply the currents with thumbsized streamers.

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