June 10, 2011 - Lone Star Outdoor News - Fishing & Hunting

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Lone✯Star Outdoor News

June 10, 2011

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Trapping Mulies Legislature gives go-ahead for mule deer trapping.

Texas’ Premier Outdoor Newspaper

June 10, 2011

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Volume 7, Issue 20

Private charters to party boats

Inside

❘❚ HUNTING

Urban hogs Hog hunting near the city.

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Taster's choice Whitetail vs. axis venison.

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❘❚ CONSERVATION

Clements recalled Late governor had strong conservation legacy.

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❘❚ FISHING OPTIONS THIS SUMMER: Anglers can choose to head out on an expensive private charter or stick with less expensive, but less personal, party boats this summer. Both do well catching fish. Captains are reporting catches of ling, snapper and king mackerel. Photo by Scott Sommerlatte, for Lone Star Outdoor News.

Anglers have choices during offshore season

Snapper is on

By Conor Harrison LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS Anglers looking to head offshore this month have many options to consider when booking a trip.

From high-end charters to party

boats, most captains are headed to their honey holes during the limited red snapper season this summer.

It began June 1 and will continue through July 18 in federal waters.

“Red snapper is the main one,” said Scott Garrison, booking broker for

Capt. Kelly’s Deep Sea Headquarters in Port Aransas. “We’re also catching some ling, king mackerel, dorado and some amberjack.”

Garrison said the company runs See OPTIONS, Page 23

Season opens with a bang.

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Texas twofers Two kids hook pairs of lunkers.

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❘❚ CONTENTS Classifieds . . . . . . . .

Crossword . . . . . . . .

Fishing Report . . . . . .

For the Table. . . . . . .

Game Warden Blotter . . .

Heroes. . . . . . . . . .

Outdoor Datebook . . . .

Outfitters and Businesses .

Products . . . . . . . . .

Sun, Moon and Tide data .

Page 25 Page 24 Page 10 Page 24 Page 12 Page 7 Page 20 Page 25 Page 19 Page 24

‘Switch rods’ offer options when distance is key

Military training goes hand in hand with hunting

By Conor Harrison LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

By Nicholas Conklin LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS PASSING ON THE KNOWLEDGE: Veteran Doug “Dog” Prichard teaches 4H students correct shooting techniques on the FTW Ranch in Barksdale.

Prichard honed his outdoor skills as a Navy SEAL. Photo by FTW Ranch.

Growing up in Georgia, Matt Spicher spent a lot of his youth in the woods.

He joined the Marine Corps out of high school, and became a recon-sniper with three tours of duty in Iraq. After his military career, Spicher

became a civilian instructor for the sniper program at Camp Pendleton in California.

It’s a love for the outdoors that pushed Spicher to a career in the military and back into an outdoors career after the Marines — as a guide and

Any angler who has spent a considerable time with a fly rod understands the importance of space. Be it in front or behind, the perfect loop requires space.

See SWITCH RODS, Page 11

See OUTSIDE, Page 23

O.H. Ivie low, but catch rates still high

Time Sensitive Material • Deliver ASAP

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID PLANO, TX PERMIT 210

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A life outside

By Nicholas Conklin LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

LUNKERS STILL AVAILABLE: Despite low water levels, large bass like this one caught with artificial bait by Barbie Hagler are still available on O.H. Ivie. Photo by Tommy Hagler.

O.H. Ivie Lake is locked in the grips of a problem that has besieged many lakes around the state — low water.

With water levels at record lows since the lake was impounded in the early 1990s, the lack of rain has caused some concerns to anglers who See O.H. IVIE, Page 11

BUILDING A MARKET: Orvis Shop Manager Sean Polk casts one of the switch rods he likes to use on Texas tail waters. Polk said that because of small interest in these rods, the task of building a market is up to him. Photo By Bill Miller, LSON.

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June 10, 2011

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HUNTING

New law expected to bolster mule deer breeding industry

By Bill Miller LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS Since 1997, deer breeders in Texas have been legally trapping female whitetailed deer to pair with bucks that have outstanding genetics, and now the Texas Legislature has approved a similar program for mule deer.

The bill legalizing “deer management permits” for muleys was awaiting the governor’s signature at the close of the 82nd Legislature’s regular session.

In a DMP program, does and their fawns are released back into the wild to enhance the herd, bolstering hunting opportunities and the dollars that come along.

Breeders say this has tremendous potential to increase the size of the state’s deer breeding industry, which, according to a 2007 study by Texas A&M University, has an annual impact of about $652 million.

“We’ve been talking about this for several years, and we’ve been working diligently,” said Sheldon Grothaus, a ranch broker with two deer breeding operations — one for whitetails and a much smaller one for mule deer.

Grothaus estimated that there are about 2,000 breeders of whitetails in Texas, but only about 20 raise mule deer.

That’s expected to change with the DMP program for mule deer.

Grothaus said his whitetail operation involves 700 deer at his South Texas base in Hondo. By contrast, his mule deer operation, near Alpine in West Texas, has about 85 animals.

He said that a typical DMP operation for mule deer would involve pens no smaller than five acres.

These enclosures will be stocked temporarily with wild does and trophy-class bucks captured by several methods, the most common being nets dropped by helicopter.

Eventually, Grothaus said, DMP operations for mule deer might involve breeding wild does with special breeder bucks

TPWD prepares for $145 million in budget cuts

By Mark England LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

BIG BUCKS: A new deer management permit program for mule deer is expected to boost the size of the state's $652 million deer breeding industry. Photo by Texas Mule Deer Breeders.

raised in captivity — a common technique with DMP operations for whitetails.

Currently, however, there aren’t many mule deer breeder bucks in captivity, Grothaus said.

But, he added, DMP operations won’t involve scientific methods like artificial insemination, another common practice in many whitetail operations.

“It’s a natural breeding scenario,” Grothaus said. “Over time, it turns your deer herd around.”

But, under the law, these does and fawns are still the property of all Texans; DMP holders are considered partners who help manage the deer population on behalf of the state.

The bill authorizing DMPs for mule deer was overwhelming approved in the House and the Senate. However, two of the state’s biggest deer advocacy groups disagreed on part of it.

The Texas Wildlife Association has suggested that Texas Parks and Wildlife Department also study reproduction rates in mule deer breeding pens.

Kirby Brown, TWA’s vice president of public policy, said statistics from TPWD show that, in recent years, reproduction rates have been slipping in mule deer

breeder pens.

White-tailed deer reproduction in breeder pens averages about 150 percent, Brown said. He noted, however, that the rates in mule deer pens have steadily dropped from 35 to 15 percent.

“We were very concerned,” Brown said. “We’re wondering what’s going on in pens and how that could affect wild deer that will be trapped.”

But members of the Texas Deer Association, which represents breeders, thought the research was unnecessary.

It will be up to TPWD to decide if it will do the study, Brown said.

“It was a little ironic,” said Karl Kinsel, TDA’s executive director. “I’m a TWA member. I love the TWA. They do awesome things. But, sometimes, we disagree.”

Grothaus said that his mule deer are just as prolific as his whitetails.

The difference, he explained, is that mule deer does are not bred as often as whitetails because fewer mule deer bucks are available.

“I have about 85 deer,” he said of his West Texas program, now in its 10th year. “It has taken forever to get there, but we couldn’t have done it without fawns.”

While the state budget for the next biennium remained in limbo the first week of June, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department officials were taking steps to cope with a budget set to be slashed by almost 21 percent.

Wrangling over school financing in the special session isn’t expected to change the Legislature’s decision to chop approximately $145 million from TPWD’s budget in the 2012-2013 biennium, said Gene McCarty, deputy executive director for administration.

The cuts are part of how the state’s dealing with a budget shortfall that could reach $27 billion. Gov. Rick Perry and Republican legislative leaders have pledged not to raise taxes.

Many hunters and anglers will feel the department’s pain, McCarty said.

■ Legislature wrap: “Your average hunter Page 6 is going to have reduced hunting opportunities,” he said. “We’re not going to be able to lease as much private land for public hunting. And your average fisherman may not be able to get to his favorite fishing hole because of cutbacks to programs such as aquatic vegetable control.”

The Public Hunting Program’s $3.6 million budget will be halved. However, TPWD has the flexibility to move funds around to lessen the blow, said Clayton Wolf, director of the Wildlife Division.

“We’re looking at reducing our lease payment program 10 to 15 percent,” Wolf said.

Dove hunters are most likely to come under the gun.

“There may not be as many dove fields leased in the Dallas area, around Austin or the Waco area,” Wolf said. “We won’t have the money.”

Wolf said “opportunistic” hunts would also suffer. In the past, TPWD scheduled “short-lease” deer hunts on private lands when owners had not met harvest quotas and the price was right.

The budget cuts will require layoffs, McCarty said.

TPWD employs about 3,000 people and stands to lose 169 positions. By not filling vacancies and retirements, TPWD should hold layoffs to fewer than 100 people.

“Still, it’s not a pleasant process,” McCarty said.

Ironically, the job cuts come as the Legislature passed

SEE MORE

See BUDGET CUTS, Page 14

Taster's choice: Axis or whitetail?

By Conor Harrison LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS Both are prevalent throughout many parts of Texas.

The native white-tailed deer and the exotic axis deer both produce high-quality venison, although slight differences in the type of meat can produce big differences in taste for some people.

According to Chris Hughes, owner of Broken Arrow Ranch in Ingram, which sells axis venison, the two animal’s backgrounds produce slight differences in the meat.

“Whitetails are a temperate species that have fat stores on the surface,” Hughes said. “They don’t have any marbling and the fat should be trimmed. Axis are a tropical species with virtually no fat stores.

“A whitetail tends to have a more upfront gamey flavor, and axis have a bit more clean-tasting flavor with a kick of that gamey flavor right at the end.”

Hughes said there is no difference in how to cook the two species — either a little or a lot.

“The main difference is (all) venison in general is lean compared to beef,” he said. “The tender cuts, cook them quickly and not more than medium-rare.

After that, it gets really tough and dry.

“The braising cuts, like shoulders, shanks and stew cuts, you want to cook slowly over time. That will break down the connective tissues and help produce a very flavorful cut of meat.”

From a processing standpoint, there is almost no difference between the two animals.

“There’s not really any difference in how we process them,” said Mark Lampson, owner of Bernhard Meat Processing and Market in Kerrville. “Axis meat is a little lighter, but other than that, a novice wouldn’t recognize the difference if they walked into a cooler with both hanging.

“The key difference is the flavor.”

Readers of Lone Star Outdoor News weighed in on the topic via Facebook.

“I can say the axis tend to taste ‘beefier,’ but we enjoy the venison taste of whitetail,” wrote Monica Wheelus. “For our friends and family that aren’t keen on the thought of eating Bambi, axis steaks win them over.”

Tex Cavazos said the taste has to do with what the animal eats.

“They both have a great taste,” he said, “and the majority of the taste comes from where you killed the animal and its diet.”

Harry Babin summed it up quickly when he wrote, “axis.”

Scott Sommerlatte agreed, and said axis wins with him.

“Axis!” Sommerlatte said. “The axis is a grazer and whitetails are browsers. Take the grazer any day of the week and twice on Sunday. I still love my plain ole native venison, though.”

WHY NOT BOTH?: Texans are torn between which type of venison tastes better, axis or whitetail. Photo by Lili Sams, LSON.

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THERE THEY GO: Hogs are abundant in many areas close to major metropolitan cities. With a little research, hunters have great opportunities for year-round hunting close to home. Photo by Nicholas Conklin, LSON.

Urban hog hunting on public land available for those willing to look

By Conor Harrison LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS The group of hogs bolted from cover. Six, seven, eight and then a mess of little black piglets made a break for it.

The group of bow hunters watched as the hogs passed over a hill 60 yards in front.

After a quick run to close the gap to 30 yards, two arrows were eventually released, but both missed their marks.

After a quick laugh and rest to get heart rates back to normal, the group headed to their vehicles and to their Dallas office — 30 minutes away.

Hog hunting opportunities close to urban areas abound, especially for bow hunters.

This particular hunt described above took place near Grapevine Lake, on

property owned by the U.S. here. It’s a great opportunity for the ‘everyman.’

Army Corps of Engineers.

“I can’t afford a lease, so As of June 3, the Corps office there had given out 128 these opportunities are great. general hunting tags for hogs, I love to hunt squirrels, and I squirrels, rabbits and coyotes. might get to hunt a hog, too.”

Doves also can be hunted in The drawback could be in the fall with a general tag. the terrain. Much of the propThe office has an allotment erty around Grapevine is just of 800 general hunting tags. plain tough to hunt. Thick vegLotteries to hunt deer in the etation along the main trails fall and trap hogs this sum- makes spotting game difficult. mer are also are available at The hunters on June 3 also the Grapevine Corps office. encountered other outdoor Tags went on sale June 1. enthusiasts — a cross-counColleyville resident John try runner and a mountain Pennington received his biker, who certainly have as tags at the office that morn- much right as the hunters ing of June 1. do to enjoy nature.

“I haven’t hunted All parties were respectful of this property in years,” each other and the morning Pennington said. “It used was a success, even though no to be good hogs hit the ground. because For information, contact there wasn’t the nearest U.S. Army too many ■ Hog hunting: Page 6 Corps of Engineers office. people out

SEE MORE

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in Webb 09 on a ranch old buck in 20 ne showed fi e es th ag w im sa a t rs er KER of Elgin fi later, trail cam EL ar VO ye ld hunter N A .

TO r-o ot ea AY sh KL good time, the 12-y couldn’t get a llet on the hoods, but this bu or n hb ai County, but he ig gr ne 0d 11 ge hadn’t chan rts, delivered a be Ro 57 .2 the 10-pointer in d rifle, chambere was ready. His 7½ years old. at ed ag s wa h deer, whic

June 10, 2011

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June 10, 2011

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

Happy anniversary

Boats, hogs, reptiles affected by new bills

Couple enjoys memorable hunt

By Mark England LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

By Bill Miller LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS For Cary Scheurer, a compound bow was a romantic Valentine’s Day gift from her husband, Mark.

They love hunting together, but finding the time is challenging for this couple from Heath, east of Dallas.

Mark operates Native Outdoors, a hunting gear outlet in nearby Royse City. Cary looks after their two children; son Stone is 2 and 8-year-old daughter, Taylor, is a special needs child.

They frequently have to hunt in shifts at their Clay County lease, one going out in the morning, the other in the afternoon.

But last April, Mark arranged for childcare so that they could make a quick trip to the lease to celebrate their 11th wedding anniversary.

Cary was excited to spend time with her husband, and to test the new bow — a Hoyt Vicxen.

“We rarely get to go together,” Cary said. “But Mark had to do some work up there, so he said, ‘You can go out and do some pig hunting.’”

They wound up doing an afternoon hunt together.

Soon, Cary said, they came upon “a slew of pigs.” But it took a two-hour stalk to get within range, and by the time they reached the spot, the hogs had vanished.

“It was crazy,” Cary said. “We couldn’t tell where they went. So then we started to ease away, and we came upon two different ones.

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HOG HARVEST: Cary Scheurer recently celebrated her wedding anniversary with a quick trip to her family's deer lease where she harvested this feral hog. A week later she downed another boar. Photo by Mark Scheurer.

“I had about 10 seconds to get everything organized and to shoot.”

But it was a kill shot.

“He ran for 65 yards,” Cary said.

“The next week Mark said, ‘I bet you can’t do it again.’ So we go back up there again, and this time we have kids with us.”

They had to go in shifts again, but Cary did fine.

“I was 20 to 25 feet up in a stand, with my bow on my knee,” she said. “Probably a few minutes before sunset I thought, ‘OK, this isn’t going to happen,’ but then I hear him come up behind me.”

This hog was reddish brown and much bigger than the other one she shot.

“I got a really good shot that time,” Cary said of the big boar that hit the ground with a thud.

Mark was impressed.

“I took a peek at it,” he said. “I

thought … it’s big!”

It weighed in at 315 pounds.

Cary said she’s glad her husband respects her accomplishments afield.

“When I hunt by myself, I’m always wondering if I’m walking too fast, or what else I should be doing,” she said. “But it’s so much fun to hunt with him.

“There is this constant running dialogue working through his mind; so much strategy, like when he’s figuring the wind. He’s just very patient, and his brothers hunt that way as well.

“That’s how I learn.”

But Cary said she expects to miss the upcoming deer season.

The Scheurers have learned that their third child is on the way.

A haul of outdoors bills dealing with everything from requiring licenses for anglers fishing in Texas’ tidal waters to letting landowners rent out seats on helicopters for shooting feral hogs are on Gov. Rick Perry’s desk.

Perry’s already signed House Bill 1322, which requires anyone fishing in Texas’ tidal waters to have a fishing license. A quirk in the present law stipulates offshore anglers must be fishing or landing a fish before game wardens can ask them to produce a fishing license.

“If we encountered a boat, and the people onboard weren’t fishing, we could check bag limits and size limits, but we couldn’t ask for a fishing license,” said Robert Goodrich, assistant chief of Fisheries Enforcement for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

The law went into effect immediately, but TPWD won’t enforce it until Sept. 1, Goodrich said.

The Legislature passed several bills affecting boaters.

HB 25 will align boating laws with vehicle laws regarding the transportation of guns. For example, people with concealed gun permits could carry a gun on a boat, provided it’s concealed, said Jeff Parrish, TPWD’s boating law administrator.

“What applies to vehicles will apply to boats,” he said.

Another bill (HB 308) requires a wearable life preserver, “readily accessible,” for every person on a motorboat. On boats less than 26 feet in length, children under 13 years of age must wear a life pre-

server. The bill also applies to personal watercraft, kayaks and sailboats.

Boater education regulations would change under HB 1395.

Anyone born on or after Sept. 1, 1993 would need to take boater education before operating a boat with an engine greater than 15 hp or a windblown boat more than 14 feet in length.

Boat manufacturers previously fought such a bill, worried it would hurt their sales. Parrish called HB 1395 a compromise.

“This year, we’ll catch the 18-year-olds, next year, the 19-yearolds,” Parrish said. “Over time, we’ll catch up to the 40- and 50-year-olds.”

A bill aimed at cleaning up socalled “puppy mills” awaits the governor’s signature. HB 1451 requires the licensing of breeders and the annual inspection of animals. It kicks in if a breeder has 11 intact female dogs and sells 20 or more dogs a year. Sporting dogs are exempted, but the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance still opposes the bill.

“It is written confusingly and will affect a lot of hobby breeders,” said Jeremy Rine, associate director of state services. “So we’re definitely still opposed.”

The bill (HB 716) permitting landowners to rent out seats on helicopter hunts for feral hogs is intended to help landowners defray the cost of controlling feral hogs.

It has been illegal to charge hunters to hunt feral hogs by helicopter.

Interestingly, the most contention was over a bill authorizing collectors See NEW BILLS, Page 14

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June 10, 2011

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HEROES It was a busy day last November when JAKE CLARK, 15, of Paris shot a pair of bucks on the Trotter Ranch in Hall County. He was field dressing an eightpoint whitetail when an eight-point mule deer passed through the area. He followed the muley for about an hour before harvesting it.

Last holiday season was very eventful for SCARLETT WOLTER of Boerne. She became engaged on Christmas Eve, and on New Year’s Eve, she shot this 10-pointer on the Kenedy Ranch near Sarita. “This,” she exclaimed, “was the best Christmas and New Year's I have ever had!”

A jig worked on this largemouth bass caught May 14 on Lake Austin by TONY MANIS of Manchaca. It weighed 5.25 pounds and was 22 inches long.

LOGAN PONISH, 12, of Liberty Hill shot this eight-point buck last season on a ranch in South Texas. She made the shot at 175 yards with a .243-caliber rifle.

NICK CARROCCIO of Plano boated this 7.5-pound largemouth last March on Lake Bob Sandlin.

SHARE AN ADVENTURE ■ Want to share hunting and fishing photos with other Lone Star Outdoor News readers? E-mail them to us with contact

NICHOLAS CARRISA IV of San Antonio caught his first gar recently on Lake Dunlap.

TYLER BRIMAGER of San Antonio was 9 when he downed his first deer last season at the Back Porch Ranch in Kinney County. All it took was one shot at 100 yards. “He’s now ready for an Alaskan moose hunt,” said his dad, David Brimager.

and caption information to editor@lonestaroutdoornews.com.

High-resolution original jpegs only. Mail prints to Heroes, Lone Star Outdoor News, P.O. Box 551695, Dallas, TX 75355.

TAYLOR HOLLAND, 8, of Bay City inherited a .222-caliber Remington from her great-grandmother who passed away last year at age 90. Taylor, while hunting with her mom, used the rifle last season to take her first buck — an eight-point whitetail in Kimble County.

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June 10, 2011

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

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FISHING

Snapper fishing is on Big ling also reported near rigs

By Conor Harrison LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS Anglers took advantage of a break in the winds that have plagued the Gulf coast this year for the opening of red snapper season on June 1.

The winds cooperated, as did the fish.

Most reported outstanding red snapper bites, and many boats caught their limit quickly.

“We had a blast,” said Rockport Captain Alan Beck. “We caught some donkeys (big snapper). We fished a couple of offshore rigs, and the bigger snapper were not up tight to the rigs.

“We caught a lot of little snapper right at the rigs, but the bigger ones were off a little bit.”

Beck said his group of five fishermen limited out quickly on big snapper using piggy perch and squid to catch the smaller snapper, and pen perch to hook the bigger fish.

“The wind died down and there were a bunch of bay boats out there,” Beck said. “Our biggest snapper was 22 pounds.”

Several other guides in the Rockport area submitted favorable reports on snapper fishing to start the season.

In Freeport, Shelly Cameron, customer service manager for Underwater Expeditions, which operates the Big E fishing boat, said that, on a recent 36-hour tuna trip, the boat also caught its limit of red snapper.

“They caught a limit of snapper and also a limit of kingfish,” Cameron said. “They ran 100 to 200 miles offshore, but the snapper were caught much closer in than that.”

Cameron said the boat was using squid, mackerel and sardines for bait.

“They caught a couple of the biggest kingfish I’ve seen,” Cameron said.

Along with snapper, big ling have been reported near the offshore rigs.

“We had a really big one IT'S ON: Red snapper fishing around offshore rigs has been very productive during the first week of the season, with anglers easily catching their come up to the boat trail- two-fish limits of the large fish. Photo by Scott Sommerlatte, for Lone Star Outdoor News. ing a kingfish,” Beck said.

“They start to get good in big numbers,” she said. enough.” ling. about now and I will usually catch Cameron said the Big E has “I haven’t made the run yet this To contact Capt. Alan Beck, call (361) trout with clients nearshore in the year, but we can usually put two or brought in some really big ling dur563-2570. morning and then haul out to one three big ling in the boat no prob- ing the past several trips.

To contact Underwater Expedition, call of the rigs seven miles offshore for lem — if the wind dies down long “They are catching big ling and (979) 233-1811.

One in the same fish?

Angler, 6, sets hooks on back-to-back monster bass

Anglers adapt to wind to catch reds and specks

By Nicholas Conklin LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

By Bill Miller LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS Hunter Shannon’s first largemouth was a 1-pounder.

But the 6-year-old angler’s second bass — caught moments later — probably weighed more than 10 pounds.

His dad, Allen Shannon, didn’t DOUBLE LUNKERS: Hunter Shannon, 6, of Austin, hooked two have a scale when the big bass was huge bass during recent visits to his family's Llano County hooked during a visit last March to ranch. His dad, Allen, helped land the big fish and then release their Llano County ranch. them. The verdict is still out on whether they were the same But he surely brought one on fish. Photo by Shannon family. a return visit a few weeks later — when Hunter reeled in another huge “It was a lunker from the seven-acre lake. big bluegill The Shannons, who live in Austin, took pho- and it got itself ■ Another twofer: Page 18 tos of both fish and showed them to family and wrapped around friends. an old stick in “Some say it’s the same fish,” Allen said. the water. Just as I started to try to get over closer “Others don’t. We spend a lot of time arguing to get the fish unwrapped, a hog of a bass came about it. I honestly don’t know. up and tried to take the bluegill off the stick itself!”

“Either way, it's amazing!”

The Shannons held still, waiting for the bass During the first visit in March, Hunter was to hit again, and it did — repeatedly. throwing a green Senko that his dad had rigged “After four to five hits I didn't think she'd up and used a few days earlier. get the bluegill off the stick,” Allen said. “Then “He was casting and just reeling it in slowly,” BAM — she hammered it hard and took it Allen recalled. “All of a sudden he yelled, ‘I got under. My son pulled ever so cautiously. one, Dad!’ I looked over expecting another “The monster bass came pretty easily over to 1-pounder like he'd just caught, which was his us and I jumped in and grabbed her.” first bass ever.

This time Allen brought a scale, and the big “I walked over to him and looked down and fish weighed 10.7 pounds. a huge green shadow shot across the water.

“Between the fight to get that bluegill off “‘Oh my gosh! It's a monster!’ is all I could the stick and us dragging her in, she was tired,” think to say.”

Allen said. “I spent a few minutes helping her Allen said he nervously helped his son land get her energy back, pulling her forward and the lunker. backward in the water. Then she was off.”

“Unfortunately, we didn't have a scale,” he Through both adventures, Hunter kept “his said. “We ended up taking a bunch of photos cool real well,” Allen said. quickly. Then we let the monster back into the But the dad wonders if his son understands water for another day.” the rarity of catching back-to-back bass that are And that day may have been May 10.

10 pounds plus.

The Shannons decided to do some early-morn“I don’t think he gets it,” Allen said, laughing. ing fishing before going into work and school.

Speaking for himself, Hunter confirmed Hunter fished with another green Senko, that big bass are a bother. He only weighs 51 this one with pink-purple flecks in it, while his pounds, and these fish were too big for him to dad threw a white spinner bait. hoist alone.

“After a couple of minutes,” Allen said, “I “I want to catch a smaller one,” he said, heard a, ‘Dad, quick! I caught one!’ “because I want to get to hold it.”

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Redfish and speckled trout anglers expect better fishing as wind speeds are expected to drop in June.

But in recent weeks, guides from Galveston to Port Aransas noted only small changes to their presentations to overcome 25 mph winds.

Rockport guide Terry Coufal said he achieved success simply by switching locations.

On a half-day trip on June 1, Coufal said the anglers on his boat reached their limits of 20 trout by 6:30 a.m.

Coufal also was able to land a mix of reds and trout while working sheltered areas.

“We have to fish different areas obviously,” he said.

“We have to fish up a little tighter (to the shore), and we can’t fish all of the middle bay shell because it is too rough out there.”

Coufal fished that day with live croaker; he said it’s good bait this time of year when trout move into the bays to spawn. Artificial baits like soft plastics in penny and chartreuse also catch trout.

Live bait anglers should think of the high wind in terms of position, as strong currents will help expose bait on sandy bottoms. Coufal also focused on ambush points, because high winds will push bait along to slack areas where trout and reds will be waiting.

Fly-fishing guide Billy Trimble said he was forced

to use heavier flies in water 12 inches or shallower near Aransas Pass.

“You need to key on very shallow areas, 6 to 8 inches with sand or mud, and be using heavily weighted flies,” Trimble said.

He noted fair catches of trout with white and shrimp-colored fly patterns.

Trimble also said that most of the fish have been scattered, so anglers should be willing to wade farther.

Redfish action in Galveston Bay is slowly improving as wind conditions slacken into June.

Guide Robert Liebert said that the last few weeks he has been landing only five to six fish per trip. But, Liebert said that the size of the trout have remained steady in the 2- to 3-pound range, with some over 5 pounds.

“It’s been a tough (redfish) bite because of the wind,” Liebert said. “The wind has laid down to almost nothing right now, so the fishing should be great the next few days.”

Liebert fishes mostly plastics during the summer months and said that plum- and chartreuse-colored “Big Nasty” shad baits have landed him fair numbers of trout.

For those in search of redfish, Liebert suggested moving up into the marshes around East and Trinity bays. He said he has caught reds that were around 24 to 26 inches.

To contact Capt. Terry Coufal, call (713) 206-7287.

To contact Capt. Rober Liebert, call (281) 799-5728.

To contact Capt. Billy Trimble, call (361) 205-1266.

HIGH WINDS? NO PROBLEM: Anglers wading in East Matagorda Bay have recently caught trout between 3 and 6 pounds while throwing Corky lures and artificial shad baits by Big Nasty. Photo by Robert Liebert.

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Lone✯Star Outdoor News

A step back in time Bamboo fly rods connect anglers with the past

CAST TO THE PAST: Casting a bamboo fly rod prompts nostalgia. Photo by Bill Miller, LSON.

By Conor Harrison LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS Nothing harkens back to the olden days of angling quite like a bamboo fly rod to cast for rising trout or panfish.

Heavier, with a slower rhythm required to throw them, bamboo rods have been passed over in today’s market by lightweight, graphite rods.

“A connection with the past is certainly part of it,” said Robert Sherrill, a fly-fisherman and bamboo rod builder in Dallas. “Typically, people who fish bamboo prefer a slower tempo. A cane rod will make you slow down.”

Many companies began produced rods from the late 1800s to the mid-1900s, including the H.L Leonard Rod Company, which Sherrill called the innovator of the modern bamboo rods.

“Everything goes back to Leonard,” he said.

Other manufacturers included the E.F. Payne Rod Co., F.E. Thomas Rods, E.W. Edwards Rods and, later, mass-producing bamboo rod companies like South Bend and Montague.

Most bamboo rods beginning in the early 1900s were made from Tonkin Cane, a straight bamboo originally imported from China.

Sherrill said the heyday for the bamboo fly rod was between 1920 and 1955.

“During the heyday, the U.S. embargo against China killed a lot of the mass production of bamboo rods,” Sherrill said. “Then fiberglass came into play, and then graphite replaced that pretty quickly. Also, cane rod spinning tackle brought back from Europe after World War II helped its downfall.”

Sherrill said the modern bamboo fly rod market is comprised mostly of collectors and hobby builders like him.

“People like me make up the majority of the market now,” he said. “A lot of people do it now because of the craftsman aspect. I’m not going to say the people who actually fish with bamboo rods are more advanced fishermen, because there are a lot of younger people coming along that like cane.

“But it is a more relaxed stroke and it becomes a preference.”

Banning Collins, a consultant for Montana-based R.L. Winston Rod Co., which offers bamboo rods, said the current market for them is mostly unaffected by the economy.

“If somebody wants a bamboo fly rod, they will get it,” Collins said. “We have a waiting list for our bamboo rods. The craftsmanship of a bamboo fly rod is truly incredible.

“People say, ‘Once you go boo, you never go back.’ They are a classic natural fiber and great to use.”

But nostalgia has a cost.

Custom rods can run as high as $2,500.

Some of the mass-produced rods, although vintage, can be found on the Internet for around $150.

Collins said fisherman gravitate towards the traditional aspects of throwing a bamboo rod.

Sherrill agreed.

“Some people just like the simplistic rods of their fathers and grandfathers,” he said.

June 10, 2011

Page 9

New book chronicles Texas and Mexico tarpon fishing Old manuscript provides impetus for sharing stories

By Craig Nyhus LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS Hart Stilwell (1902-1975) 75) was a Texas writer from m Brownsville who was a reporter at the Brownsville lle Herald and later wrotee hundreds of articles thatt appeared in Field & Stream,, Sports Afield and others.

His passion, though, was tarpon fishing — and he fished at a time when the mighty tarpon was plentiful beyond the imagination of anglers who chase or occasionally run across them along the Texas coast.

Long after his death, an unpublished manuscript pt was discovered, entitled Glory of the Silver King: The Golden Age of Tarpon Fishing. To call it a manuscript might have been an exaggeration, though, according to Brandon Shuler, who edited the book. “…. a collection of yellowed, coffee-stained scribbles, cross-outs, and type-overs that still smelled faintly of smoke and nicotine…”

Shuler wrote in his introduction.

Shuler is a professional fishing guide from Pharr and freelance writer whose articles have appeared in Lone Star Outdoor News, among other publications.

He took on the task of sorting through the materials. Through 18 chapters of stories that could only be described as “beyond the goodold days,” Stilwell takes the reader on a journey as far south as Carmen, Mexico and as far north as Port Aransas at a time when the Port Isabel annual Fishing Roundup was called the Tarpon

Rodeo.

From trolling for giant tarpon at the Panuco River, known as ‘The King of Tarpon Rivers,” that flows into the Gulf of Mexico at Tampico, Mexico to casting to thousands of tarpon upriver from the mouth of the Rio Grande, the stories share strange techniques, broken hooks, line and equipment, and li jjourneys to places only a ttarpon addict would go.

As the reader pours through the stories, a mesth sage comes through from sa Stilwell, sometimes subtly, Sti other times not. Most of the oth shing was in the 1930s and fish 1940s, but Stilwell saw what 194 was on the horizon for the fish. Commercial shrimping had begun; manmade channels like the Brownsville Ship Channel had excellent fishing Chan at firrst but deteriorated; pollution flowed through the rivers to the Gulf and the crowds began tto follow any rumor of the tarpon’s presence. tarpon Stilwell prophesized that we are Stilwe approaching a time when a man approac might say, “I caught a big tarpon once.” But he didn’t give up his faith in his fellow humans to stop the decline, and he raised several questions for which marine biologists still don’t have answers.

One of his recommendations was to learn about the life cycle of the tarpon, a matter that continues to be studied today, noting that “tarpon experts are as scarce as tarpon.”

In his forward to the book, Larry McKinney, director of the Harte Institute and former director of Marine Fisheries with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, wrote, “We have lost a great resource and source of inspiration from the Gulf….(the book) made me long to have been there, but because I never will have that chance, I can only imagine it.”

This book is published by Texas A&M University Press and is also available at Amazon.com.

Page 10

June 10, 2011

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

LSONews.com

TEXAS FISHING REPORT Sponsored by

HOT BITES LARGEMOUTH BASS

ATHENS: Good on Texas-rigged craws, jigs and shallow crankbaits.

BUCHANAN: Good on weightless wacky-rigged green pumpkin plastics with chartreuse tails, topwaters, and Rat–L–Traps along break lines of creek bluffs in 5–15 feet.

CEDAR CREEK: Good on Texas rigs and shallow square-bill crankbaits.

GRANBURY: Good on chartreuse soft plastics, crankbaits and Rat–L–Traps.

TEXOMA: Good on crankbaits, Texas rigs and topwaters.

TRAVIS: Good on June bug worms and smoke grubs in 5–15 feet.

WHITE, HYBRID, STRIPER

CALAVERAS: Striped bass are good on spoons and striper jigs.

RAY ROBERTS: White bass are excellent and schooling early on main lake points.

SOMERVILLE: Hybrid striper are good on crawfish and minnows. White bass are good on crawfish and minnows.

TAWAKONI: White bass are excellent on SSS Slabs and Fiesta slabs in chartreuse.

CATFISH

BELTON: Channel and blue catfish are good on hot dogs, shrimp and stinkbait.

COLETO CREEK: Channel and blue catfish are good on trotlines baited with nightcrawlers, shrimp and liver.

FALCON: Channel and blue catfish are excellent on cut bait and frozen shrimp.

CRAPPIE BASTROP: Good on minnows over brush piles.

LBJ: Very good on minnows and chartreuse crappie jigs over brush piles in 10 feet.

MEREDITH: Good on jigs and minnows.

ALAN HENRY: Water lightly stained; 73–79 degrees; 3.04’ low. Largemouth bass are good on medium-running crankbaits, Texas rigs and Carolina rigs with a short leader.

Crappie are good on minnows and jigs.

Catfish are fair to good on prepared bait.

AMISTAD: Water clear; 74–77 degrees; 1.96’ low. Largemouth bass are excellent on topwaters, crankbaits and soft plastics. Striped bass are good on Red Fins, crankbaits and topwaters. White bass are fair on watermelon crankbaits and Rat–L–Traps. Catfish are good on cheesebait, shrimp, and prepared bait over baited holes.

ATHENS: Water lightly stained; 70–74 degrees; 1.37’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged craws, jigs and shallow crankbaits. Crappie are good on jigs and minnows. Catfish are good on prepared bait.

BASTROP: Water clear; 74 – 77 degrees.

Largemouth bass are good on watermelon crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Crappie are good on minnows over brush piles.

Channel and blue catfish are good on live bait and stinkbait.

are fair to good on slabs and minnows.

Catfish are good on prepared bait and chartreuse nightcrawlers. are good on Texas rigs and shallow square-bill crankbaits. White bass are good throughout the day on slabs. Hybrid striper are good on live shad. Crappie are fair to good on minnows with shallow bite improving. Catfish are fair drifting cut shad.

are fair to good on nightcrawlers and prepared baits.

CHOKE CANYON: Water clear; 72–75 degrees; 7.67’ low. Largemouth bass are good on pumpkinseed crankbaits and chartreuse Carolina-rigged soft plastic worms. Blue and yellow catfish are good on cheesebait in 5–10 feet.

LAVON: Water stained; 70–76 degrees; 2.00’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas rigs, topwaters and shallow crankbaits. White bass are good on slabs. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs around bridge columns. Catfish are good on cut shad and nightcrawlers.

COLEMAN: Water clear; 70–72 degrees;

LAKE O’ THE PINES: Water stained; 70–74 degrees; 0.10’ high. Largemouth bass are good on Texas rigs, topwaters and jigs. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on cut shad.

HOT SPOT

BELTON: Water clear; 70–72 degrees; 3.42’ low. Largemouth bass are good on spinnerbaits, crankbaits and perchcolored Rat–L–Traps in coves. White bass are good on Li’l Fishies. Crappie are good on minnows in 20–30 feet under lights at night. Channel and blue catfish are good on hot dogs, shrimp and stinkbait.

BRIDGEPORT: Water lightly stained; 70–76 degrees; 5.21’ low; Largemouth bass are good on topwaters, crankbaits and Texas-rigged Craws. Crappie are good on jigs and minnows. White bass are good on slabs and live shad. Hybrid striper are fair on live bait. Channel catfish are good on cut and prepared bait on shallow flats.

BROWNWOOD: Water clear; 11.54’ low. Largemouth bass are good on watermelon Bass Hogg spinnerbaits and craw-colored crankbaits in 4–8 feet. Hybrid striper are slow. White bass are good on shad-colored crankbaits, Li’l Fishies and small Rat–L–Traps.

Crappie are good on Li’l Fishies and tube jigs. Channel catfish are good in baited holes. Yellow catfish are good on trotlines baited with perch.

BUCHANAN: Water clear; 68–72 degrees; 12.63’ low. Largemouth bass are good on weightless wacky-rigged green pumpkin plastics with chartreuse tails, Daiquiri Skip–N–Pop topwaters, and Bleeding Shad Rat–L–Traps along break lines of creek bluffs in 5–15 feet. Striped bass are good on topwaters and Rat–L–Traps and drifting live bait. Channel catfish are good on live bait and cut bait. Yellow and blue catfish are good on juglines and trotlines baited with live bait.

East Matagorda Bay Guides around East Matagorda Bay have reported high numbers of speckled trout weighing between 3 and 6 pounds. Despite high winds recently, anglers have still caught fish on both artificial and live bait.

Photo By Capt. Robert Liebert.

12.27’ low. Largemouth bass are good on pumpkinseed soft plastic lizards, worms and crankbaits.

COLETO CREEK: Water fairly clear; 1.93’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on watermelon soft plastics and spinnerbaits in 5–15 feet. Channel and blue catfish are good on trotlines baited with nightcrawlers, shrimp and liver. Yellow catfish are good on trotlines baited with live perch.

CONROE: Water fairly clear; 73–76 degrees; 2.54’ low. Largemouth bass are good on chartreuse Carolina-rigged soft plastics and shad lipless crankbaits.

Striped bass are fair on silver striper jigs. Crappie are fair on minnows and pink/white tube jigs. Catfish are good on stinkbait, shrimp and liver.

FALCON: Water stained; 78–82 degrees.

Largemouth bass are fair on Rat–L– Traps, spinnerbaits and shallow-running crankbaits. Striped bass are slow. Crappie are good on minnows under bridges.

Channel and blue catfish are excellent on cut bait and frozen shrimp.

CADDO: Water murky; 68–74 degrees; 0.19’ high. Largemouth bass are good on Texas rigs and topwaters. White bass are fair on Road Runners and minnows.

FORK: Water fairly clear; 70–76 degrees; 3.52’ low. Largemouth bass are good on BoHonk Echo Magic bladed jigs in shallow water, Texas rigs with Jackall Sasuteki Craws and watermelon/green pumpkin jigs 8–15 feet along creek channels. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on cut shad and prepared bait.

CALAVERAS: Water clear. Largemouth bass are fair on dark soft plastic worms and crankbaits in the cove near the park store. Striped bass are good on spoons and striper jigs near the dam and the crappie wall. Channel catfish are good on shrimp and shad. Blue catfish are good on cut bait and liver near 181 Cove.

GRANBURY: Water clear; 71–74 degrees; 0.83’ low. Largemouth bass are good on chartreuse soft plastics, crankbaits and Rat–L–Traps. Striped bass are fair on white bucktail jigs. White bass are fair on minnows and Li’l Fishies. Crappie are good on minnows and white tube jigs. Catfish are good on stinkbait, liver and frozen shrimp.

CANYON LAKE: Water clear; 71–74 degrees; 3.62’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged watermelon Whacky Sticks and pumpkinseed Curb’s Erratic jigs. Striped bass are fair trolling crankbaits and vertically jigging white striper jigs. Smallmouth bass are good on root beer JDC curl tail grubs, smoke tubes, and silver flake Whacky Sticks on ball jigheads.

GRAPEVINE: Water stained; 70–74 degrees; .18’ high. Largemouth bass are good on Texas rigs, finesse jigs and medium crankbaits. Crappie are good on minnows. White bass are good on slabs.

Catfish are fair to good on nightcrawlers and cut shad.

CEDAR CREEK: Water stained; 72–76 degrees; 3.25’ low. Largemouth bass

RAY HUBBARD: Water fairly clear; 70–76 degrees; 1.21’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas rigs, jig, topwaters and swimjigs. Crappie are fair on minnows and Road Runners. White bass are fair on slabs. Catfish are good on prepared baits.

RAY ROBERTS: Water clear; 71–74 degrees; 1.00’ low. Largemouth bass are good on shallow-running crankbaits and shaky head worms around main lake points with rocks. Crappie are good on small jigs over brush piles in 20–25 feet.

White bass are excellent and schooling early on main lake points. Catfish are good around rocks on the dam.

RICHLAND CHAMBERS: Water off-color; 72–77 degrees; 3.00’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas rigs, crankbaits and topwaters. White bass are fair on slabs and live shad. Hybrid striper are fair on slabs and live shad. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Catfish are fair on prepared bait and nightcrawlers.

BOB SANDLIN: Water stained; 70–76 degrees; 4’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas rigs, jigs and shallow crankbaits. Crappie are good on live minnows. White bass are fair on slabs and Little Georges. Catfish are fair to good on trotlines or juglines.

BRAUNIG: Water clear. Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits and dark soft plastics near the dam. Striped bass are good on minnows and perch off points near the pier. Channel and blue catfish are good on shrimp, cheesebait, cut bait and liver near the dam.

POSSUM KINGDOM: Water stained; 73–80 degrees; 2.27’ low. Largemouth bass are good on drop-shot rigs with finesse baits, Texas rigs and deep-diving crankbaits.

Crappie are good on minnows and jigs.

White bass are fair to good on Road Runners and Little Georges. Striped bass are fair on live shad. Catfish are fair to good on cut shad and nightcrawlers.

JOE POOL: Water off-color; 70–72 degrees; 0.09’ high. Largemouth bass are good on Texas rigs, topwaters and crankbaits.

Crappie are good on minnows and jigs.

White bass are good on slabs. Catfish

LBJ: Water fairly clear; 70–73 degrees; 0.43’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on Bleeding Shad Rat–L–Traps and weightless green pumpkin wacky-rigged Whacky Sticks along break lines of flats early in 4–10 feet. White bass are fair trolling Shad Raps. Crappie are very good on minnows and chartreuse crappie jigs over brush piles in 10 feet. Channel catfish are good on minnows and dipbait. Yellow and blue catfish are good on trotlines baited with live perch and carp.

LEWISVILLE: Water stained; 70–76 degrees; 0.03’ high. Largemouth bass are good on crankbaits, Jackall Flick Shake worms and Texas-rigged plastics. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs but getting better. White bass are good on slabs.

Hybrid striper are fair on slabs and Sassy Shad. Catfish are good on prepared bait and chartreuse nightcrawlers.

LIVINGSTON: Water fairly clear; 71–74 degrees; 0.90’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on perch-colored Rat–L–Traps, crankbaits and buzzbaits. White bass are good on pet spoons, hellbenders and slabs. Crappie are good on minnows. Blue catfish are good on shrimp and shad.

MACKENZIE: Water stained; 74–79 degrees; 79.58’ low. Largemouth bass are fair to good on Texas rigs, spinnerbaits and Rat–L– Traps. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. White bass are good on Road Runners.

Catfish are good on nightcrawlers.

MEREDITH: Water fairly clear; 73–78 degrees; 90.01’ low. Largemouth bass are fair to good on spinnerbaits, Rat–L– Traps and shaky head jigs with a 5” Shaky Worm. Crappie are good on jigs and minnows. Channel catfish are fair on nightcrawlers.

O.H. IVIE: Water stained; 73–79 degrees; 29.32’ low. Largemouth bass are good on weightless 5” Senkos, shallow-running shad-pattern crankbaits and Texas rigs.

Crappie are fair to good on minnows and jigs. White bass are good on Rooster Tails.

Catfish are good on nightcrawlers.

PALESTINE: Water lightly stained; 70–74 degrees; 2.15’ low. Largemouth bass are good on shallow crankbaits, Texas rigs and jigs. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Hybrid striper are fair on slabs, Sassy Shad and live shad. White bass

SAM RAYBURN: Water lightly stained; 70–73 degrees; 8.39’ low. Largemouth bass are good on watermelon crankbaits and Rat–L–Traps. White bass are good on Li’l Fishies. Crappie are good on minnows and green tube jigs over brush piles. Bream are good on nightcrawlers. Catfish are good on trotlines baited with live bait.

SOMERVILLE: Water murky; 73–76 degrees; 3.56’ low. Largemouth bass are good on shad-colored Rat–L–Traps and spinnerbaits. Hybrid striper are good on crawfish and minnows. White bass are good on crawfish and minnows. Crappie are good on minnows and black/chartreuse jigs with red heads. Channel and blue catfish are good on punchbait.

TAWAKONI: Water fairly clear; main lake is 73–75 degrees; 2.47’ low.

Largemouth bass are good on creature baits and crankbaits fished around docks and timber. Crappie are fair on 1/16 curltail grubs and small minnows around bridge pilings. White bass are excellent on slabs in chartreuse. Striped bass and hybrid striper are good in shallow water where the shad are spawning.

Catfish are excellent, spawning shallow on rip rap.

TEXOMA: Water off-color; 71–74 degrees; 1.28’ low. Largemouth bass are good on crankbaits, Texas rigs and topwaters.

Crappie are fair to good on minnows and jigs. Striped bass are good on live shad and large Road Runners. Catfish are good on cut and live shad.

TOLEDO BEND: Water stained; 71–74 degrees; 8.44’ low. Largemouth bass are good on watermelon soft plastic worms, spinnerbaits and crankbaits.

Striped bass are fair on white bucktail jigs. White bass are fair on minnows and slabs. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs over baited holes in 12 feet. Bream are good on crickets and nightcrawlers. Channel and blue catfish are good on trotlines baited with live bait.

TRAVIS: Water stained; 70–72 degrees; 30.46’ low. Largemouth bass are good on June bug worms and smoke grubs in 5–15 feet. Striped bass are fair on chartreuse topwaters in 10–20 feet. White bass are good on chrome topwaters, smoke grubs and white shad raps. Crappie are fair on blue/ white tube jigs and roadrunners. Channel and blue catfish are fair on fresh cut bait and nightcrawlers.

WHITNEY: Water stained; 69–72 degrees; 10.70’ low. Largemouth bass are good on watermelon and pumpkinseed Texas- and Carolina-rigged soft plastics and lipless crankbaits. Striped bass are fair on chartreuse striper jigs. White bass are fair on minnows, Charlie slabs, pet spoons, and spinnerbaits.

Crappie are good on minnows and Li’l Fishies. Catfish are good on frozen shrimp and stinkbait.

SALTWATER SCENE NORTH SABINE: Trout are fair to good in the river on live shad. Redfish are good under rafts of shad on topwaters.

SOUTH SABINE: Trout are good at the jetty on live bait and topwaters. Sheepshead are good on live shrimp tight to the rocks.

BOLIVAR: Trout are good on the south shoreline on Bass Assassins, Trout Killers and Sand Eels. Waders tossing topwaters have scored better fish around Rollover Pass.

TRINITY BAY: Trout are fair for drifters working pods of shad and mullet on soft plastics. Trout, redfish and flounder are good at the spillway on live bait.

EAST GALVESTON BAY: Trout are fair for drifters working deep shell on limetreuse and plum plastics. Trout are good on the south shoreline on Catch 5s, MirrOlures and Catch 2000s.

WEST GALVESTON BAY: Waders have taken good trout on topwaters in the afternoon. Sheepshead, redfish and black drum are good at the jetty on shrimp and crabs.

TEXAS CITY: Trout are fair to good on the reefs and in the channel on live shrimp and croakers. Redfish and sand trout are fair to good in Moses Lake on shrimp.

FREEPORT: Trout are good at San Luis Pass on shrimp, MirrOlures and soft plastics. Trout, redfish, sand trout and sheepshead are good on live shrimp on the reefs in Christmas Bay. WEST MATAGORDA BAY: Trout are fair to good on sand and grass humps on soft plastics and topwaters.

Redfish are good on topwaterss and live shrimp in Oyster Lake. ter Lake PORT O’CONNOR: Trout and redfish are good on topwaters and live bait over sand, grass and shell in San Antonio Bay. Trout and redfish are fair for drifters working the back lakes with live shrimp.

ROCKPORT: Trout are fair to good in the guts and channels on free–lined shrimp.

Trout are fair over grass while drifting with live shrimp. Redfish are good on mullet and shrimp around Dagger Island and Mud Island.

PORT ARANSAS: Trout, redfish and sheepshead are fair to good at the jetty on shrimp and croakers. Red snapper season opened June 1.

CORPUS CHRISTI: Trout are fair to good on the edge of the spoils on plastics and live shrimp. Redfish are good in the potholes on shrimp.

BAFFIN BAY: Trout are good on topwaters around rocks cks and grass near Rocky Slough. Trout are fair at night in the Land Cut on live shrimp.

PORT MANSFIELD: Trout are good on topwaters on the edge of the channel and around sand and grass. Redfish are fair to good while drifting pot holes.

Offshore is good for red snapper and kingfish.

SOUTH PADRE: Redfish and trout are fair in South Bay. Trout are fair to good on shrimp and DOA Shrimp and the grass beds. High winds have been a problem.

PORT ISABEL: Trout and redfish are fair to good on the flats on live shrimp. Trout are fair to good on the deeper edges and flats in Laguna Vista and Airport Cove on topwaters and live shrimp.

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Lone✯Star Outdoor News

Two drown in fishing-related incidents Game wardens responded to two fishing-related deaths from May 28 to June 3 in Texas, including a 5-year-old boy at Lake Tyler.

According to news reports, the boy’s mother was fishing June 3 on the Camp Tyler pier while the child played in the water.

The mother left the dock and went to her vehicle; while she was gone, the child went missing. After a short search, a boater at the end of a pier found him.

Smith County Game Warden Chris Green said the boy’s death was preventable, and officials would meet to discuss whether charges would be filed against the mother.

In an unrelated incident, a 60-year-old Hearne man drowned during a kayak-fishing trip Memorial Day weekend on the

Switch rods Continued From Page 1

For those who don’t have the luxury of space, salvation can be found in the form of a switch rod.

Essentially a shorter version of the two-handed spey rod, switch rods can consistently and effectively reach distances up to 90 feet.

Typically used by steelhead anglers in the Northwest and Great lakes regions, Texans have begun to realize the benefits of these two-handed rods on local tail waters and lakes.

A few key differences separate the longer spey style of rods compared to the switch style. Other than length (switch rods range between 10 1/2 to 12 feet), spey rods generally have a longer upper grip and a long butt section.

The longer rod length and butt section act to help propel heavy lines with sinking tips and large streamers.

Both styles benefit anglers in delivering sink tip lines and big flies at long distances. The longer spey rods (up to 15 feet) can be uncomfortable in tight quarters, which spurred the creation of a smaller switch rod.

Jef Fair, store manager at the Orvis shop in Dallas, said that these rods could be great for catching fish in

Brazos River.

The body of Ray Nicklaus was found May 31, south of the Lake Whitney Dam, according to reports.

Nicklaus had been fishing with a group of kayakers from the Brazos Valley Fly Fishers, who reportedly headed to the dam while Nicklaus continued fishing.

When Nicklaus didn’t show up, the group of anglers set out to find him. They subsequently alerted authorities.

Hill County Sheriff Jeffrey Lyon said the search began late on Monday, May 30 after authorities located the kayak, but were unable to find Nicklaus.

Game Wardens, along with deputies from Hill and Bosque counties, participated in the search.

Authorities speculated that high winds and water released from the dam at 4 p.m. on May 30 might have contributed to Nicklaus’ kayak capsizing.

—Staff report

there, cast your fly out and get it to that 90-foot mark and cover a lot of water,” Polk said.

Terminology may slow the growth of the technique, said Fair, because discussing different types of lines may confuse many anglers.

“It’s not quite as simple as people think it is, especially when you start looking at lines,” Fair said.

ALL ABOUT THE DISTANCE: Consistent casts of up to 90 “Lines are really where peofeet is one reason why Orvis Shop Manager Sean Polk ple just get turned-off.” said switch rods can be very effective tools for many fresh That is why they have and saltwater applications. Photo By Bill Miller, LSON. taken a simplified approach to their rigs — using a modlarger bodies of water.

“The primary interest I had was on ified shooting head, usually with a the Brazos River where they have basi- 10-foot sinking poly leader. Sink tips cally blocked off access close to the range from an intermediate (slow) dam,” Fair said. “With a standard rod to Class 5 (fast) tip with a 3- to 4-foot and reel, you’re just barely able to get leader. Polk said flies like Clousers, it out far enough to get it into the deep Bass-o-matics, popping bugs and various crayfish, cast with baitfish patwater where the bigger fish reside.”

Fair said the distance and depth terns, are productive.

Rod weights can range from 3-8 achieved by his switch rod easily outperforms those using traditional weights, and Fair likes to use an 8 weight while fishing the Brazos.

9-foot rods.

Polk said that by visiting local fly Orvis Shop Manager Sean Polk said switch rods are effective on striped shops, anglers can learn as much as possible about rods and lines which bass and largemouths.

“In little stock tanks you can sit will help eliminate confusion.

June 10, 2011

Page 11

O.H. Ivie Continued From Page 1

have had to compress their fishing ranges on Ivie.

However, guide Tommy Hagler said the low levels have had little impact on an angler’s ability to catch large bass.

On a recent outing, Hagler’s wife landed a 10.01-pound largemouth. Fishing with a Hag's Tornado Bait in bluegill color, Barbie Hagler landed her first fish weighing more than 10 pounds. Hagler said because of the low water levels, fish have become more concentrated, and catching them requires careful technique.

“Before you could use a Carolina rig and drag across grass and catch fish all day,” Hagler said. “Now you’re having to do a little more finesse fishing, because you’re putting it into the trees where the fish are holding tight.”

More evidence of large bass coming out of Ivie can be traced to the six ShareLunker bass (weighing over 13 pounds) caught this year, although 11 were caught in 2010.

An angler’s depth is also crucial, according to Hagler, as fish that were once tough to attract at 40 to 50 feet, can be caught at depths of 15 to 20 feet. This change has also affected the type of vegetation that fish congregate around. Anglers have to switch their focus from grass to sunken timber.

Hagler cited bass of 11 to 13 pounds caught in the past two weeks, and he expects fish of equal weight to be landed in the coming weeks.

He suggested fluke baits in green pumpkin, redbug and green pumpkin red on Texas rigs.

Angler Bill Hunter of Sweetwater agreed with the need for lighter rigs because the concentrated fish have become very picky with so many boats on the lake.

“It just makes the fish a lot more finicky when you have that many boats and that many baits around them,” Hunter said.

After recently fishing a tournament on Ivie, Hunter said that swimbaits and jigs in various colors have been effective producers. He also said that the topwater bite should pick up in the coming weeks.

With all of the lake’s success with big bass, Hunter said that the longterm effects of the low water levels may be troubling in years to come.

“When they (water levels) start getting that low, the lakes start getting tougher and tougher to fish,” Hunter said. “You’ve had such poor spawns the last few years because the lake is down so low; the survival rate of the spawn is poor, which is going to start affecting the lake more and more.”

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department biologist Mukhtar Farooqi confirmed that low water levels affected recent spawns. He said that although catch numbers may be high, anglers have to remember the side effects of the low water.

“Lowered water levels may improve catch rate because the fish are more concentrated, but the lower the water, the more chances you get of a fishery being impacted,” Farooqi said.

Low water levels are not only an issue on Ivie. The lack of rain around the state has led to lower-than-average water levels in nearly all Texas lakes, according to reports.

To contact Capt. Tommy Hagler, call (325) 668-6989.

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GAME WARDEN BLOTTER PELICAN SHOOTER CITED A caller reported a white pelican had been shot along the Canadian River. Potter County Game Warden Shane Lewis responded with the information along with the license plate number of the suspect vehicle.

He found the individuals and cited four people. Cases and civil restitution are pending.

TWO CITED FOR HUNTING WITH .22 Potter County Game Wardens Shane Lewis and Steve Urben responded to a call about two dead deer behind a housing area. Lewis noticed several small entry holes in both deer. The wardens interviewed area residents, which led them to two suspects who had a small backyard range. The findings of the investigation revealed that the two suspects killed the two whitetailed deer illegally with the use of .22-caliber rifles. Cases are pending.

A FEW TOO MANY SPECKLED TROUT Cameron County Game Wardens Hector Leandro and Dan Waddell stopped a vessel on the Arroyo Colorado and discovered the occupants to be in possession of more than 100 spotted sea trout. Earlier, Leandro received information about the suspect vessel. He alerted Waddell, and both wardens were on the lookout for the vessel. The wardens gave chase and stopped the vessel before Waddell boarded and inspected the bow compartment for PFDs. The compartment, in addition to PFDs, contained two garbage bags with 100 trout fillets each, many of them appearing undersized. The vessel was also found to be unregistered and displaying a validation decal from another ves-

RANCH EMPLOYEE SQUATS ON LEASE, TAKES DEER Eastland County Game Warden Lee Dycus received information from Palo Pinto Game Warden Cliff Swofford about a nonresident landowner whose ranch house was burglarized and some-

one had found fresh deer carcasses on the ranch.

A ranch employee was arrested by a deputy when he was found asleep in the owner's bed. He did not have permission to be in the house. A buck and doe

sel. The "owner" had purchased the vessel almost a year before and failed to transfer ownership.

Numerous cases and civil restitution are pending.

LANDOWNER CAUGHT SHOOTING PURPLE PEA-EATING DEER Polk County Game Warden Ryan Hall received a call from the Polk County Sheriff's Office regarding shots fired from a residence. Hall patrolled to the location, met with the homeowner, and discovered that he was an avid gardener and was having trouble with deer eating his purple hull peas. The homeowner led Hall to a freshly killed antlerless white-tailed deer that he had killed with a .22 Magnum rifle and a spotlight. Citations for taking whitetailed deer in closed season and by illegal means were issued, and the deer was seized. Cases and restitution pending.

WARDENS NAB MIGRATORY BIRD SELLERS Harris County Game Wardens Kelly Newman and John Rao investigated a complaint that a man was offering hooded merganser mounts for sale on Craigslist. Citations were filed on the individual for illegal sale of migratory bird/parts. The wardens

had recently been cleaned in the barn and then dumped with the guts in a food plot. The wardens proceeded to the jail to interview the suspect, who confessed to night hunting after they explained

all the fingerprints, footprints and DNA that they had collected. At least four other people were present when the deer was killed. Multiple charges are pending completion of the investigation.

also followed up on a complaint of a pawn shop that was selling migratory birds. They found a mallard drake and hen and a blue-winged teal for sale. Cases pending for the illegal sale of migratory bird parts.

and found several carp and a large catfish, which had been caught with a cast net. The men were issued citations and educated on trespass laws and rules and regulations regarding freshwater fishing.

“DOUBLE-DIPPING” LEADS TO CHARGES Game Warden Jake Cawthon received a phone call stating that there was a group of people staying on Falcon Lake who were exceeding their limit of largemouth bass.

A short time later, Game Wardens Stevan Ramos, Carlos Maldonado and Cawthon made contact with a group of four fishermen. After a short investigation, the wardens determined that the four fishermen had been “double-dipping” on their daily bag limit of largemouth bass for four days. Citations were issued, and 20 whole fish as well as 62 pairs of fillets were seized. Charges pending.

BLOODY TAILGATE LEADS TO HOST OF CHARGES After delivering an OGT program to students, Harrison County Game Warden Todd Long and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Game Warden Jason Roesner responded to a DPS trooper's call about a truck parked nearby with a bloody bumper. The owner was located and admitted he shot a doe a few nights prior. The subject's firearm was seized and multiple citations were issued including hunting deer without valid license, failure to retrieve/keep in edible condition, hunting from public roadway, hunting during closed season, illegal means and methods, discharge of firearm from public roadway and no hunter ed. Cases pending.

TRESPASSERS CAUGHT ON PEDERNALES Gillespie County Game Warden Scott Krueger received a call from a local rancher regarding five subjects fishing and trespassing on his property along the Pedernales River.

Krueger located the five individuals

NET FISHERMAN ASKS FOR WARNING, TO NO AVAIL Milam County Game Warden Charlie Mayer received a call from a landowner that he had found a hoop net. This was the second net found by this landowner in this stretch

of the river. Mayer called Game Wardens Justin Valchar and Brandt Bernstein for assistance. The wardens’ plan was to find the net and wait until someone ran it, but first they noticed a man getting ready to launch a boat just downriver from the hoop net. The look on the man's face when he saw the wardens was one of disbelief, and the wardens decided to make contact. The man confessed to fishing the net. He also confessed to fishing three other nets in that stretch of river for the last two years. During the interview, the subject asked if he could get a verbal warning and keep the hoop net.

The net was seized and citations filed. Cases pending.

MORE THAN HIS LICENSE IN HIS TRUCK Nacogdoches County Game Warden Randy Stovall made contact with a man fishing along the bank of the Angelina River. The man quickly went to his truck claiming he was going to retrieve his identification.

At the vehicle, Stovall found an alligator tail crammed into a cooler. The head and hide were hidden under the man's toolbox. Cases and restitution pending.

OH, YOU WERE WATCHING ME? Along the Rio Grande River, Game Wardens Calvin Christian and Mark Nelson were checking bank fishermen and noticed two men fishing.

While waiting to observe the second of the two men, the first fisherman landed a catfish and placed it on a stringer. Neither fisherman noticed the wardens standing behind them. When asked for their fishing licenses, the second man produced a license while the first claimed that he wasn’t fishing and hadn’t caught anything. Cases pending.

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New bills Continued From Page 6

to “hunt” reptiles and amphibians along roads. Some socalled “herpers” are upset HB 1788 bars collecting the creatures on roads.

“It’s legal to drive down the road and kill a snake, but we can’t pick one up alive from the road,” said Roy Engeldorf, who owns the Outback Oasis Motel in Sanderson. “They say it’s a safety issue, but in this area of the state there’s very little traffic. It’s not downtown Dallas. If we get two or three cars a night, it’s something.”

State Herpetologist Andy Gluesenkamp said safety concerns are genuine.

“There are also nights where you can be road cruising and a truck will go through at 85 miles an hour,” he said.

“I have no idea what they’re hauling, but I know the public safety concerns are real.”

Collectors would have to buy a stamp from TPWD, as well as a hunting license, and wear reflective clothing since most collectors hunt at night.

Although road hunting is out, Gluesenkamp expects the bill to revive road cruising since road cuts — where hillsides are shaved to make roads — are a major hunting ground for reptiles and amphibians.

Despite his qualms, Engeldorf hopes the bill brings collectors back to West Texas.

“Before 2007, our motel was full numerous times,” he said. “There are other motels here and there were reptile collectors in all of them. We haven’t had a year like that since.”

Budget cuts Continued From Page 4

a bill letting TPWD market its slogan — “Life’s Better Outside” — to companies in an attempt to “brand” the department and raise funds.

“It is very dependent on our marketing and promotions staff,” McCarty said. “And that’s where we took some of our most significant cuts during the budget process. It’s a great idea, but we’re not going to be able to capitalize on it for a while.”

TPWD’s Communications Division will lose 25 percent of its budget.

The Legislature is only allowing TPWD to appropriate 50 percent of the revenue raised from the sale of its four conservation license plates. (TPWD acts as a conduit for two conservation license plates sold by Ducks Unlimited.)

The license plates cost $30, in addition to the annual registration fee, with $22 going to conservation efforts.

Sales of the license plates annually raised an average $554,000 for TPWD, as of 2010.

The budget cuts come as TPWD has $25 million in Fund 9, which consists of federal excise taxes from the sale of hunting and fishing equipment and revenue from such things as the sale of hunting and fishing licenses and stamps.

Texas legislators aren’t letting TPWD tap much of the fund, though. Instead, the surplus will be used to build up the plus side of the state budget.

“It’s not anywhere near fully appropriated,” McCarty said. “We estimate at the end of the biennium, it will be at $65 million.”

Included in Fund 9 is revenue from the Freshwater Fishing Stamp, about $6 million annually. The stamp’s expiration date was 2014, but a bill, HB 790, would make the stamp permanent. It passed both houses of the Legislature and was waiting the governor’s signature the first week of June.

“Texas Parks and Wildlife doesn’t have a big infrastructure budget,” said Gary Saul, Inland Fisheries director.

“This will permit us to make needed improvements along the way.”

The Legislature created the stamp in 2003 to raise funds to repair state fish hatcheries and build a new Jasper hatchery. It should open later this year, but costs soared from less than $20 million to more than $30 million. Saul said the state’s hatcheries are expensive to maintain as well.

For example, the installation of plastic pond liners at the A.E. Wood Fish Hatchery in San Marcos cost $4 million.

Academy sold to investment firm Texas-based Academy Sports + Outdoors is expected to be acquired by a multibillion investment firm known for its participation in some of the largest buyouts in the history of corporate America.

Academy, headquartered in Katy, has entered into a “definitive purchase agreement” with the firm, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co L.P., according to a joint statement that was released May 31.

KKR is known for the buyout of RJR Nabisco in the 1980s, and for participating in the acquisition of Toys “R” Us, Dollar General, Duracell and Safeway, to name a few.

In Texas, the firm participated in the buyout of Dallas-based TXU Energy in 2007.

Academy Sports + Outdoors was started in 1938 as a tire shop in San Antonio. Founder by Max Gochman later began selling military surplus. The business eventually became the chain of sporting goods stores that it is today.

It currently operates 131 stores throughout the southeastern U.S. and Texas.

—Bill Miller

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ADVERTISMENT

Captain Carl and Judy Wentrcek’s floating cabins For couples looking to get away for a romantic weekend, families wanting to fish from their own dock or a group of friends wanting to get on the water and enjoy a guys-gals weekend, look no further then Captain Carl and Judy Wentrcek’s floating cabins.

Captain Carl and Judy have four different floating cabins in the Corpus Christ area available for single-night or weekend rentals. Two are located in the Laguna Madre, one is in Baffin Bay and the other is in the Land Cut. People have the times of their lives fishing from these cabins, especially at night when the surrounding waters come alive with baitfish attracted to the cabins’ lights.

Below is a sample of what happy clients had to say after spending a night or two on the water.

Capt. Carl and Judy, We had a great time!

We all caught plenty of fish while we were there. The trout were unbelievable under the lights — I have never in my life seen so many trout. The shrimp were jumping onto the deck of the cabin to escape being eaten by the trout. It was truly epic!

Also one of the guys caught and released their personal best trout (8 pounds, 28 inches). We will be back again next year for sure. Thanks Again!

— Gabe Capt Carl and Judy, The fishing was great! The cabin was excellent. We all had a great time and will be back again. I am already trying to plan another trip with my father and brothers.

Thanks! — Faris Abuzeid Judy and Capt. Carl, We had a great time on Laguna Madre #1! The trout were very active at night and we caught many keepers. Thanks for sharing your floating cabin with us. I will be in touch for our next fishing trip. — Rene For more information on floating cabins and guided fishing trips, contact Carl and Judy at 1-800-368-8175, or www.captaincarl.com.

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TEXAS BIG BITES

WHAT A DAY: Nick Silvester (middle) holds an 11-pound, 4-ounce largemouth caught recently on Lake Fork. He also caught a 9-pounder the same day while fishing with his father, Tim, (left) on a trip guided by Eddie Garrett (right). Photo By Eddie Garrett.

New angler boats double lunkers

By Nicholas Conklin LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS Some anglers will fish their entire lives without ever catching a fish larger than a few pounds.

But 13-year-old Nick Silvester of McKinney recently caught “once-in-a-lifetime” fish not once, but twice in a single day on Lake Fork.

On a fishing trip with his dad, Tim, Nick caught an 11-pound, 4-ounce bass and another one weighing 9 pounds, 3 ounces while fishing with guide Eddie Garrett.

Tim had flown in from Lynchburg, Va., on May 21 to take his son on a fishing trip. Four and a half years ago, Tim separated from Nick’s mother and stayed in Virginia when the two moved to Texas. This limited Tim’s time with Nick to only two or three visits per year.

On this visit, Tim wanted to do something different with his son.

“When I would usually come into town we would go to a movie or play putt-putt golf, so I was trying to find something a little different to do,” Tim said.

Having only fished stocked ponds before, Nick had little experience when it came to the big-lake style fishing that Fork offers. And, according to Garrett, Nick’s accomplishment

was something most skilled anglers on Fork have never done.

“I had done a little bit of fishing, but I had never gone bass fishing with a guide before,” Tim said. “But a friend I work with — who is a serious fisherman — he had given me a brochure about Lake Fork.”

The day on the water started out slowly, with Tim catching a few smaller bass in the 3- to 4-pound range.

He said his son became frustrated with the slow pace of the morning and wanted to get in on the action. Within minutes, Nick had hooked into the 11-pound largemouth, and his mood quickly changed.

“It was like night and day, when he yanked that thing up on the boat and his eyes were as wide as saucers,” Tim said.

Nick would go on to catch two more large bass that day, one at 6 pounds and his final fish weighing 9 pounds. All three were caught on Carolina-rigged artificial baits.

By the next morning, news of Nick’s two bass had made him somewhat of a local hero, according to his dad.

There is no concrete plan to head back soon.

After a day like that, though, father and son will be very excited to get back on Lake Fork, Tim said.

BIG BLUE: The scale only went up to 40 pounds, and the big blue catfish weighed every bit of that and probably more. It was brought to the surface May 29 at a 1-acre pond at Colleyville’s Kimzey Park. Angler Brett Curran, 14, was using a rod and reel when the big fish swallowed the live bait. It fought for about 10 minutes before Brett could get a good look at it. His buddy Trey Jones helped weigh and measure it — 42 inches long, 32 inches around. The pond is catchand-release, so the big fish was put back. How it originally got there is a mystery because there is no record of stocking blue cats in the pond. Photo by Curran family.

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PRODUCTS PROSPORT BINOCULARS: Simmons has added five new models to its ProSport line. With an ergonomic design for added comfort during extended periods of viewing, the binoculars feature multicoated, high-quality optical glass with BAK-4 prisms that produce bright, sharp images. The five new models all feature twist-up eyecups and the roof prism system, and are available in an 8x 42mm, 10x 42mm, 10x 50m and 12x 50mm model. The waterproof and fog-proof binoculars are encased in durable rubber armor and are designed to withstand rugged conditions and inclement weather. The 10 x50 mm binos, shown, sell for about $132.

>>

LATERAL PERCH: Power Tackle’s realistic jig is designed to sink on its side like a wounded bream.

Try it on a slack line and the Lateral Perch sinks in a dying spiral. On a slightly tight line, its specially designed head glides back and forth, drawing those predatory bass. The lure's plastic tail trailer with thin, lifelike fins result in subtle added action. The Lateral Perch features a 6/0 Owner hook as well as an innovative weighting system in its head. Available in various sizes ranging from a ¼-ounce to a 1 ¾-ounce model, the lure comes in various hues and sells for about $14. All Naturals models are offered in both flipping and casting versions. Replacement bodies also are available.

>>

(830) 774-5222 www1.powertackle.com

FLEX PHANTOM: Strike Pro’s new generation joint lure can be described as art meeting technology. Made from environmentally friendly material, the lure offers realistic swim action. The design of the joints makes the hard body lure strong and reliable. It is available in three sizes: a 3 ½-inch slow-sinking model (about $16), a 4 ¾-inch suspending model that dives up to 8 feet (about $19), and a 6 ¾-inch suspending model that dives up to 8 feet (about $21). The lures are available in 14 color combinations, including the new Sensuous Shad and Natural Perch.

(409) 938-7400 www.strikeprolures.com

MOA SHOOTING STICKS: Browning’s newest shooting sticks are constructed of lightweight, extremely strong g (336) 992-0082 6061-T6 aircraft aluminum num www.roperatchet.com www.roperatche that minimizes flex while hile providing a stable rest for more accurate rate rifle shots.

Features include a durable powder coat finish to reduce glare; long-wearing carbide steel tips for better footing; and textured rubber sleeves to protect the firearm. rm The shooting sticks, which can be easily repositioned to change shooting oting positions, will be available in collapsible bipod and tripod models as welll as fixed leg bipod and tripod models. The collapsible models will extend to 40 inches in length for sitting or kneeling shooting positions. Extension legs (about $15, sold separately) allow hunters to extend the MOA Shooting Sticks for standing shots. The shooting sticks sell for about $40 to $50.

>>

>>

For information, visit: www.terramarsports.com.

HANG ‘EM HIGH HOIST: Carolina North MFG has introduced its newest innovation to ease the hunter’s burden. Its hoist, which is designed for lifting loads under 250 pounds, has a “rope ratchet” at its center point. The pulley S-hook is secured while the object to be hoisted is secured to the ratchet hook. Once in place, a pull of the ratchet rope raises the game (or whatever is being hoisted) without having to tie off because the ratchet locks in place as the rope is pulled. The hoist offers a 2:1 pulling ratio and comes with 20 feet of 3/8-inch solid braid camouflage rope. It sells for about $22.

>>

>> GEO GRID FLEECE CREW AND PANTS: Terramar Sports’ versatile pieces can be worn alone or layered in cooler weather.

The fleece features a dual surface knitting system that incorporates high-loft grid channels for enhanced breathability and moisture transport. Hunters also will appreciate the fabric’s odor control and UPF protection. The crews ($65) and pants ($60) are available in Mossy Oak Break-Up Infinity pattern.

(800) 423-3537 www.simmonsoptics.com

(800) 322-4626 • www.browning.com

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June 10, 2011

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DATEBOOK Executive Editor Craig Nyhus Editor Bill Miller

June 10-11

June 24

Fourth Annual Texas Trio Classic Fishing Tournament Matagorda www.Texastrioclassic.com

Texas Deer Association San Angelo Chapter, Sportsmen’s Banquet (210) 767-8300 www.texasdeerassociation.com

Associate Editor Conor Harrison Associate Editor Mark England Graphics Editor Amy Moore Business/Products Editor Mary Helen Aguirre Operations Manager Mike Hughs Accounting Ginger Hoolan Web site Bruce Soileau

National Advertising Mike Nelson Accounts Manager Classified/Outfitters Blazing Paths Media Advertising Intern Nicholas Conklin Founder & CEO David J. Sams

June 11 Lone Star Bowhunters Association 37th Annual Awards Banquet and Expo Pedrotti’s North Wind Ranch Helotes www.lonestarbowhunter.com National Wild Turkey Federation Hopkins County Longbeards Banquet (903) 885-6237 www.nwtf.org/texas

Contributors Kyle Carter Alan Clemons David Draper Wilbur Lundeen Aaron Reed Erich Schlegel David Sikes Scott Sommerlatte Chuck Uzzle Ralph Winingham

Advertising Call (214) 361-2276 or e-mail editor@lone staroutdoornews.com to request a media kit.

For home delivery subscriptions www.LSONews.com (214) 361-2276

Lone Star Outdoor News, a publication of Lone Star Outdoor News, LLC, publishes twice a month. A mailed subscription is $30 for 24 issues. Newsstand copies are free, one per person. Copyright 2011 with all rights reserved. Reproduction and/or use of any photographic or written material without written permission by the publisher is prohibited. Subscribers may send address changes to: Lone Star Outdoor News, P.O. Box 551695, Dallas, TX 75355 or e-mail them to editor@lonestaroutdoornews.com.

Ducks Unlimited Madison County crawfish boil (979) 255-1124 www.ducks.org

June 25 Texas Boater Education Course Cabela’s Conference Center Fort Worth (817) 923-3547 americassouthsea@yahoo.com Texas State Championship Duck Calling Contest Bass Pro Shops, Katy (713) 385-3622 www.texasstateduckcallingcontest.com

July 7-10 TWA Wildlife Convention JW Marriott, San Antonio www.texas-wildlife.org

July 8

Ultimate Summer Boat and Outdoors Show Dallas Market Hall (469) 549-0673 www.letsgetoutdoorstexas.com

July 16-17 Texas Gun and Knife Association Amarillo Show, Amarillo Civic Center (830) 285-0575 www.texasgunandknifeshows.com

July 17-23 Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society Wildlife Conservation Camp Welder Wildlife Refuge, Sinton www.tctws.org

July 22-24 Ultimate Summer Boat and Outdoors Show Dallas Market Hall (469) 549-0673 www.letsgetoutdoorstexas.com

July 28-31 37th Annual Port Mansfield Fishing Tournament (956) 944-2354 www.portmansfieldchamber.org

Slam and Jam Fishing Tournament Port O’Connor (361) 212-0012 www.slamandjam.net

Dallas Safari Club Wine Pairing Dinner Chamberlain's Steak and Chop House Addison www.biggame.org (972) 980-9800

June 18

July 14

Mako Boats Owners Tournament Aransas Pass www.mako-boats.com/owners

Dallas Woods and Water Club Monthly meeting and dinner Sheraton North Dallas Hotel www.dwwcc.org (214) 570-8700

July 30

July 15-17

July 30-31

Texas Trophy Hunters Association 2011 Hunter’s Extravaganza Alamodome, San Antonio www.ttha.com

Lake Fork Sportsmen’s Association 3rd Annual Yantis Catfish Classic Lake Fork (903) 763-2191

June 17-18

Dallas Safari Club Summer Fun Shoot Elm Fork Shooting Range Dallas (469) 484-6774 www.biggame.org

July 29-30 Deer Breeder Co-Op 4th Annual DBC Convention Montgomery

Deer Fest Wichita Falls (940) 704-2984 www.deerfestwichitafalls.com

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CONSERVATION

Clements’ conservation legacy remembered

By Bill Miller LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS Former Texas governor William Clements, who died May 29, was eulogized last week for his political prowess, but the state’s conservation-minded citizenry remembered his contributions to wildlife habitat.

Clements, a Depression-era oil patch roughneck turned millionaire oilman, was 94 when he passed away at a Dallas-area hospital. Obituary writers roundly noted that he was the first Republican elected governor in Texas since Reconstruction.

But Clements presided over a slate of conservation milestones when he served as governor from 1979-1983 and 1987-1991.

That list was recounted in 2009 when Clements was inducted into the Texas Conservation Hall of Fame.

Clements oversaw the passage the of the Wildlife Conservation Act, which gave the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission authority to manage all fish and game in

CONSERVATIONIST: Bill Clements (left), presided over numerous conservation milestones when he served as governor from 1979-1983 and 1987-1991. He is shown here in 1968, hunting on the Hapgood Ranch in Clay County with his son, Gill (right), and the late Ray Hale of Wichita Falls. Gill Clements was murdered last year by a neighbor in Henderson County. Photo by Clements family.

all Texas counties; passage of the Redfish Bill, designating red drum and spotted sea trout as game fish; and passage of the Saltwater Stamp Bill, providing an accurate annual count of coastal anglers and revenue to improve coastal fisheries management and protection.

While Clements was governor, the Texas Artificial Reef Program was established; Operation Game Thief was implemented, providing rewards for tips about game and fish violations; and the state’s waterfowl stamp legislation was passed.

In addition, the state waterfowl habitat acquisition and development program was started; the Type II Wildlife Management Area Program was launched, providing more public recreation land for Texans; and gill nets were banned in Texas bays.

The Texas Saltwater Fish Hatchery also became operational.

In recent years, Clements raised cattle and studied Texas history, but he maintained ties to conservation by becoming a major financial backer of the new Texas Game Warden Training Center near Hamilton.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, the nonprofit partner of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, inducted Clements into the Conservation Hall of Fame, which was established in 2007.

Other members are the late conservation philanthropist Perry R. Bass, wildlife artist Jack Cowan, the Texas Bighorn Society, corporate champion Anheuser-Busch and educator Dr. Jim Teer.

Temple Ranch given 2011 ‘Leopold’ award

By Bill Miller LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS Transforming an overgrazed, overhunted South Texas ranch into a haven for wildlife and a valuable research venue is no easy task, but Arthur “Buddy” Temple and his wife, Ellen, accomplished that in Duval County.

And for their efforts, the Temples have been presented the 2011 Leopold Conservation Award for Texas.

The Sand County Foundation and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, as part of its Lone Star Land Steward Awards program, confer the prestigious recognition each year.

The Temples received a $10,000 check along with a crystal trophy at the annual Lone Star Land Steward Awards banquet May 25 in Austin.

“I believe that their actions and circle of influence will loom large over South Texas as other landowners seek to emulate their successes,” said Carter Smith, TPWD executive director.

Located 11 miles north of Freer, the 11,300-acre ranch has been owned by the

Temples for 19 years.

Robert and Jenny Sanders are the ranch managers.

Originally known as El Rancho La Gloria, the ranch was founded by Edward Nixon Gray and his wife, Rosa GarzaGarcia Gray in 1868. It played an important role in the development HAVEN: The Duval County ranch of Buddy and Ellen Temple has implemented proof Duval County. grams to help deer, turkey and bobwhite quail. Their efforts have been recognized with The Temples have the 2011 Texas Leopold Conservation Award. Photo by Chase A. Fountain, TPWD. implemented programs aimed at helping mulconsidered the father of wildlife ecology. His tiple species, including deer, quail and turkey. collection of essays, A Sand County Almanac, The techniques included brush manage- remains one of the world’s best-selling natument, prescribed burning, improved water ral history books. distribution, supplemental feeding, artificial “The Temple family and their ranch operroosts and the use of level 3 Managed Land ators, the Sanders, took a worn-out South Deer Permits.

Texas ranch and turned it into a model operThey have also hosted educational pro- ation,” said Brent Haglund, Sand County grams like the Buckskin Brigades and worked Foundation president. “Their work in revivwith archaeologists to restore historic ranch ing this ranch and restoring its historic structures. ranch house and other sites is truly worthy The Leopold Conservation Award hon- of being honored with an award named for ors the legacy of Aldo Leopold (1887-1948), Aldo Leopold.”

LSONews.com

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

Outside Continued From Page 1

instructor at the Fallon Trophy Whitetail Ranch and the SAAM (Sportsmans All-weather All-terrain Marksmanship) shooting school in Barksdale.

“I love teaching,” Spicher said. “I teach the Marine sniper program as a civilian and the SAAM course at FTW. I enjoy it to death. Being outside relaxes me.”

Spicher said the skills acquired in the woods of Georgia helped his military training, and his military training helped him become a much better hunter and guide.

“Those skills increase a lot with military training,” he said. “Just being aware of what is around you is a big thing. Being a sniper made me much more aware of my environment and aware of my abilities as a shooter.”

Spicher said the closest thing he has felt to his experiences in Iraq have come while hunting big game.

“It’s not the same adrenaline rush because the deer aren’t shooting back,” he said. “But the stalking aspect and setting up and taking your time with the shot has direct correlations.

Options Continued From Page 1

10 boats on eight-hour trips up to 45 miles offshore in search of fish.

Baits include Spanish sardines, cut bait and squid.

“Snapper season will be great,” he said. “With what we’ve seen so far, the fish are big, healthy and plentiful. We’ve been catching and releasing a lot of them. I fully expect a great season.”

Garrison said the company operates the fastest boats in the Gulf, which means clients don’t have to waste a lot of time running to the fishing grounds. He said the captains are “all about fishing through and through, all of the time.”

Capt. Ron Pierson with Private Deep Sea Charters in Port Aransas said the weather has been very windy offshore, but the fish are there.

“The sailfish are close in,” he said. “There are no inshore wahoo, but there are some mahimahi. The ling are hot and heavy and the kingfish are in.”

Pierson said red snapper fishing was good past the 100-foot depth in clearer water.

“The slot and bull reds have been continuous and solid near the jetty this spring and into summer,” he said. “The Bonnetheads and Blacktip sharks are also abundant.”

Pierson captains the Marlin Babe, a 28-foot Bertram, and caters to private charters.

For those not wanting to spend the money on a private charter, some good options might be the party boats departing every day from multiple ports.

Prices generally are less than a private charter — normally $75 to $100 per person — and anglers ride on larger boats with up to 50 people to the fishing grounds. In comparison, prices for private charters can run as high as $4,000 per day.

“We take 12-hour trips for all of the main species,” said Dorothy McCullin, office manager for William’s Party Boats in Galveston. “Our boats run up to 80 miles offshore. We also do overnight, 24-hour and 36-hour trips for tuna.”

McCullin said the company had its best tuna trip of the year several weeks ago, with both blackfin and yellowfin tuna caught.

“We also catch a lot of Atlantic spadefish and sharks,” she said.

To contact Capt. Kelly’s Deep Sea Headquarters, call (361) 749-5597.

To contact Capt. Ron Pierson, call (361) 749-7311.

To contact William’s Party Boats, call (409) 762-8808.

HELPING OUT: Doug ‘Dog’ Prichard (center) and Matt Spicher (far right) teach a class of 4H students the basics of shooting and stalking. Photo by FTW Ranch.

“It’s not the same, but getting excited when you’ve got a big deer in front of you is an adrenaline rush. I also love the camaraderie and type of people that hunt.”

Spicher works alongside another military veteran at FTW Ranch, Doug “Dog” Prichard — a former Navy SEAL. “Absolutely, there is a correlation (between hunting and the military),” Prichard said. “I was raised as a military brat, so we traveled to a num-

ber of bases. There wasn’t always woods, but my grandfather had a farm in Tennessee.

“I’d always try and find a woodline — always wanted to play in the woods.”

Prichard said that love of the woods impacted him to pursue a military career that would place him in the outdoors.

“Back in those days, after BUDS (Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL) training, you had two choices: the field side or underwa-

June 10, 2011

Page 23

ter demolitions,” Prichard said. “I wanted to go towards land-based type of training. I was always drawn to the woodlines, and (after the military) was fortunate to be at FTW living it.

“My desire to be in the woods enhanced my military ability and my military training enhanced my hunting ability, no doubt about it.”

Prichard said the main aspect that carries over from military to training is the awareness of your surroundings.

“Learning navigation and opening your eyes to the environment around you really help as a hunting guide,” he said. “Because the training puts an emphasis on being tuned into the environment, my power of observation is much better.

“The military training definitely enhanced that.”

Both guides said they enjoy the challenge of stalking white-tailed deer more than any other animal.

“I love to hunt whitetails,” Spicher said. “It’s most convenient, and they are a challenge.”

Prichard agreed.

“As a young kid, I loved the summers,” he said. “Now, I love the fall in the woods.

Whitetails are incredible animals to watch.

I’m still learning, but the fall in the whitetails world is a remarkable time.”

Page 24

June 10, 2011

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

Sun | Moon | Tides

First

Time 9:56 a.m.

5:49 a.m.

7:40 a.m.

7:39 p.m.

8:25 p.m.

9:11 p.m.

9:56 p.m.

11:49 a.m.

11:21 p.m.

Height 2.1 H 2.0 L 2.1 L -1.1 L -1.3 L -1.1 L -1.1 L 2.1 L -0.4 L

8:17 a.m.

8:41 a.m.

9:01 a.m.

9:16 a.m.

5:34 p.m.

2.3 H 2.1 H 2.0 H 2.0 H 0.2 L

Time Height 5:23 p.m. 0.0 L 10:13 a.m. 2.3 H 10:33 a.m. 2.3 H

Time

Height

6:08 p.m. -0.5 L 6:53 p.m. -0.9 L

1:56 p.m.

2.3 H

10:39 p.m. -0.7 L

4:16 p.m.

4:43 p.m.

5:08 p.m.

1.3 L 0.9 L 0.5 L

7:48 p.m. 1.4 H 10:15 p.m. .4 H

Time 10:43 a.m.

11:00 a.m.

11:20 a.m.

Height 1.7 H 1.9 H 1.9 H

Full

June 10

Date Jun 10 Jun 11 Jun 12 Jun 13 Jun 14 Jun 15 Jun 16 Jun 17 Jun 18 Jun 19 Jun 20 Jun 21 Jun 22 Jun 23 Jun 24

Time 4:17 a.m.

6:15 a.m.

8:06 a.m.

8:05 p.m.

8:51 p.m.

9:37 p.m.

10:22 p.m.

12:15 p.m.

11:47 p.m.

Height 1.3 L 1.6 L 1.7 L -0.9 L -1.0 L -0.9 L -0.9 L 1.7 L -0.3 L

9:04 a.m.

9:28 a.m.

9:48 a.m.

10:03 a.m.

6:00 p.m.

1.9 H 1.7 H 1.6 H 1.6 H 0.1 L

Time 5:13 a.m.

7:11 a.m.

9:02 a.m.

9:01 p.m.

9:47 p.m.

10:33 p.m.

11:18 p.m.

1:11 p.m.

8:27 a.m.

9:03 a.m.

9:34 a.m.

9:58 a.m.

10:18 a.m.

10:33 a.m.

6:56 p.m.

Height 0.8 L 0.9 L 1.0 L -0.5 L -0.6 L -0.5 L -0.5 L 1.0 L 1.2 H 1.1 H 1.1 H 1.0 H 0.9 H 0.9 H 0.1 L

Time 11:13 a.m.

11:30 a.m.

11:50 a.m.

Time 10:05 a.m.

6:12 a.m.

8:03 a.m.

8:02 p.m.

8:48 p.m.

9:34 p.m.

10:19 p.m.

12:12 p.m.

11:44 p.m.

Height .5 H 1.0 L 1.1 L -0.5 L -0.6 L -0.5 L -0.5 L 1.1 L -0.2 L

Time Height 5:46 p.m. 0.0 L 10:22 a.m. 1.6 H 10:42 a.m. 1.6 H

8:26 a.m.

8:50 a.m.

9:10 a.m.

9:25 a.m.

5:57 p.m.

1.6 H 1.5 H 1.4 H 1.4 H 0.1 L

Time 5:49 p.m.

6:34 p.m.

7:19 p.m.

Height 0.0 L -0.4 L -0.7 L

2:43 p.m. 1.9 H

11:05 p.m. -0.6 L

4:42 p.m. 1.0 L 5:09 p.m. 0.7 L 5:34 p.m. 0.4 L

8:35 p.m. 1.1 H 11:02 p.m. 1.1 H

Date Jun 10 Jun 11 Jun 12 Jun 13 Jun 14 Jun 15 Jun 16 Jun 17 Jun 18 Jun 19 Jun 20 Jun 21 Jun 22 Jun 23 Jun 24

Height 1.0 H 1.1 H 1.1 H

Time 6:45 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

8:15 p.m.

Date Jun 10 Jun 11 Jun 12 Jun 13 Jun 14 Jun 15 Jun 16 Jun 17 Jun 18 Jun 19 Jun 20 Jun 21 Jun 22 Jun 23 Jun 24

Height 0.0 L -0.3 L -0.4 L

3:13 p.m. 1.1 H

5:38 p.m. 0.6 L 6:05 p.m. 0.4 L 6:30 p.m. 0.3 L

9:05 p.m. 0.7 H 11:32 p.m. 0.7 H

Time 10:40 a.m.

10:13 a.m.

10:23 a.m.

10:55 a.m.

11:40 a.m.

12:33 p.m.

12:44 a.m.

1:31 a.m.

2:16 a.m.

2:58 a.m.

3:36 a.m.

4:09 a.m.

4:30 a.m.

3:48 a.m.

9:56 a.m.

Houston Height 0.5 H 0.6 H 0.8 H 0.8 H 0.9 H 0.9 H -0.6 L -0.6 L -0.5 L -0.4 L -0.3 L -0.2 L 0.0 L 0.1 L 0.3 H

Time 8:50 p.m.

9:30 p.m.

10:17 p.m.

11:06 p.m.

11:55 p.m.

Height -0.1 L -0.3 L -0.5 L -0.6 L -0.6 L

Height 0.34 H 0.38 H 0.41 H 0.43 H 0.43 H -0.05 L -0.05 L -0.04 L -0.02 L 0.01 L 0.04 L 0.07 L 0.10 L 0.14 H 0.24 H

Time Height 9:16 p.m. 0.08 L 10:01 p.m. 0.02 L 10:49 p.m. -0.02 L 11:39 p.m. -0.05 L

1:29 p.m. 0.8 H 2:22 p.m. 0.7 H 3:04 p.m. 0.7 H 3:18 p.m. 0.5 H 2:34 p.m. 0.4 H 1:45 p.m. 0.3 H 12:57 p.m. 0.3 H 11:50 a.m. 0.3 H 8:55 p.m. -0.1 L

Time

8:36 p.m.

Height

Time

Height

Time

Height

0.0 L

Time 1:46 a.m.

11:42 a.m.

12:02 p.m.

12:39 p.m.

1:28 p.m.

12:31 a.m.

1:24 a.m.

2:15 a.m.

3:01 a.m.

3:40 a.m.

4:09 a.m.

4:27 a.m.

4:27 a.m.

12:14 a.m.

11:20 a.m.

2:25 p.m.

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4:24 p.m.

5:21 p.m.

6:17 p.m.

7:21 p.m.

12:27 p.m.

11:39 a.m.

3:45 a.m.

8:41 p.m.

0.42 H 0.40 H 0.37 H 0.33 H 0.29 H 0.23 H 0.19 H 0.20 H 0.13 L 0.01 L

Time

Height

Time Height 12:20 a.m. 1.3 H 1:57 a.m. 1.5 H 3:08 a.m. 1.7 H 4:04 a.m. 1.8 H 4:54 a.m. 2.0 H 5:41 a.m. 2.0 H 6:26 a.m. 1.8 H 7:09 a.m. 1.7 H 7:50 a.m. 1.6 H 8:26 a.m. 1.5 H 12:05 a.m. 0.0 L 12:41 a.m. 0.2 L 1:14 a.m. 0.4 L 1:45 a.m. 0.5 L 10:07 a.m. 1.3 H

Time 3:56 a.m.

5:54 a.m.

7:45 a.m.

7:44 p.m.

8:30 p.m.

9:16 p.m.

10:01 p.m.

11:54 a.m.

11:26 p.m.

Height 0.7 L 0.8 L 0.9 L -0.5 L -0.5 L -0.5 L -0.5 L 0.9 L -0.2 L

8:57 a.m.

9:21 a.m.

9:41 a.m.

9:56 a.m.

5:39 p.m.

1.5 H 1.4 H 1.3 H 1.3 H 0.1 L

Time

Height

6:31 p.m. -0.3 L 7:16 p.m. -0.5 L

2:05 p.m.

1.6 H

11:02 p.m. -0.4 L

4:39 p.m.

5:06 p.m.

5:31 p.m.

0.6 L 0.5 L 0.3 L

7:57 p.m. .0 H 10:24 p.m. 1.0 H

Date Time Height Jun 10 12:14 a.m. 0.9 H Jun 11 2:19 a.m. 1.1 H Jun 12 3:39 a.m. 1.4 H Jun 13 4:41 a.m. 1.5 H Jun 14 5:36 a.m. 1.6 H Jun 15 6:28 a.m. 1.6 H Jun 16 7:16 a.m. 1.6 H Jun 17 7:56 a.m. 1.5 H Jun 18 8:28 a.m. 1.4 H Jun 19 8:49 a.m. 1.3 H Jun 20 12:20 a.m. -0.2 L Jun 21 12:58 a.m. 0.1 L Jun 22 1:33 a.m. 0.4 L Jun 23 2:00 a.m. 0.6 L Jun 24 8:26 a.m. 1.0 H

Time 4:06 a.m.

6:30 a.m.

6:56 p.m.

7:44 p.m.

8:33 p.m.

9:22 p.m.

10:10 p.m.

10:56 p.m.

11:39 p.m.

Height 0.8 L 1.0 L -0.9 L -1.1 L -1.2 L -1.1 L -1.0 L -0.8 L -0.5 L

9:01 a.m.

9:05 a.m.

9:01 a.m.

8:49 a.m.

5:21 p.m.

1.2 H 1.2 H 1.1 H 1.0 H 0.0 L

Texas’ Premier Outdoor Newspaper

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5:15 p.m.

6:59 p.m.

11:21 a.m.

0.17 L 0.11 L 0.22 H

09:03 p.m. 0.18 H 07:56 p.m. 0.06 L

Time Height 10:36 a.m. 1.4 H 10:53 a.m. 1.5 H 11:13 a.m. 1.5 H

Time 5:28 p.m.

6:13 p.m.

6:58 p.m.

Height 0.0 L -0.2 L -0.4 L

2:36 p.m.

1.5 H

10:44 p.m. -0.3 L

4:21 p.m.

4:48 p.m.

5:13 p.m.

0.5 L 0.4 L 0.2 L

8:28 p.m. 0.9 H 10:55 p.m. 0.9 H

Time Height 9:17 a.m. 1.0 H 8:33 a.m. 1.1 H

Time Height 5:28 p.m. -0.2 L 6:10 p.m. -0.6 L

3:56 p.m.

4:18 p.m.

4:49 p.m.

0.7 L 0.5 L 0.3 L

6:49 p.m. 0.8 H 10:06 p.m. 0.7 H

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OUTDOOR PUZZLER | By Wilbur “Wib” Lundeen

38. From the sunfish family 39. A trapper's job DOWN 1. The eagle claw

A.M. Minor Major 3:48 10:02 4:41 10:55 5:38 11:54 6:40 12:25 7:45 1:30 8:48 2:34 9:50 3:37 10:47 4:35 11:40 5:28 12:06 6:18 12:52 7:04 1:37 7:50 2:23 8:36 3:10 9:23 3:59 10:13 4:50 11:03 5:42 11:55 6:35 12:22 7:27 1:15 8:17 2:06

P.M. Minor 4:16 5:10 6:09 7:11 8:14 9:17 10:16 11:12 ----12:30 1:17 2:03 2:49 3:37 4:26 5:17 6:08 7:00 7:50 8:39

Major 10:30 11:25 12:24 12:56 1:59 3:03 4:03 5:00 5:52 6:42 7:29 8:15 9:02 9:50 10:40 11:30 ----12:47 1:39 2:28

SUN Rises Sets 06:20 08:20 06:20 08:21 06:20 08:21 06:20 08:21 06:20 08:22 06:20 08:22 06:20 08:22 06:20 08:23 06:20 08:23 06:20 08:23 06:21 08:23 06:21 08:24 06:21 08:24 06:21 08:24 06:21 08:24 06:22 08:24 06:22 08:24 06:22 08:24 06:23 08:24 06:23 08:25

MOON Rises Sets 4:31a 6:55p 5:22a 7:57p 6:20a 8:57p 7:24a 9:51p 8:32a 10:40p 9:41a 11:22p 10:49a NoMoon 11:55a NoMoon 12:59p 12:36a 2:02p 1:10a 3:05p 1:45a 4:09p 2:21a 5:12p 3:01a 6:13p 3:46a 7:10p 4:35a 8:03p 5:28a 8:50p 6:23a 9:32p 7:21a 10:09p 8:18a 10:41p 9:14a

2011 June 10 Thu > 11 Fri N 12 Sat N 13 Sun > 14 Mon > 15 Tue 16 Wed 17 Thu 18 Fri 19 Sat Q 20 Sun 21 Mon 22 Tue 23 Wed 24 Thu 25 Fri > 26 Sat > 27 Sun F 28 Mon > 29 Tue >

A.M. Minor Major 3:54 10:08 4:46 11:01 5:44 11:59 6:46 12:31 7:50 1:35 8:54 2:40 9:55 3:42 10:53 4:40 11:46 5:34 12:11 6:23 12:57 7:10 1:43 7:55 2:28 8:41 3:15 9:29 4:04 10:18 4:55 11:09 5:48 ----6:40 12:28 7:32 1:21 8:23 2:12

P.M. Minor Major 4:22 10:35 5:16 11:30 6:14 12:29 7:16 1:01 8:20 2:05 9:22 3:08 10:22 4:09 11:18 5:05 ----- 5:58 12:35 6:47 1:22 7:34 2:08 8:21 2:55 9:08 3:42 9:56 4:32 10:45 5:22 11:36 6:14 12:01 7:05 12:53 7:56 1:44 8:45 2:34

SUN Rises Sets 06:18 08:33 06:18 08:34 06:18 08:34 06:18 08:34 06:18 08:35 06:18 08:35 06:18 08:35 06:18 08:36 06:18 08:36 06:18 08:36 06:18 08:37 06:19 08:37 06:19 08:37 06:19 08:37 06:19 08:37 06:19 08:37 06:20 08:38 06:20 08:38 06:20 08:38 06:21 08:38

MOON Rises Sets 4:29a 7:09p 5:19a 8:12p 6:17a 9:11p 7:21a 10:05p 8:31a 10:51p 9:42a 11:32p 10:51a NoMoon 11:59a 12:09a 1:05p 12:42a 2:10p 1:14a 3:15p 1:47a 4:20p 2:22a 5:25p 3:01a 6:27p 3:44a 7:25p 4:32a 8:17p 5:24a 9:04p 6:21a 9:44p 7:19a 10:20p 8:17a 10:51p 9:15a

P.M. Minor Major 4:29 10:42 5:23 11:37 6:21 12:36 7:23 1:08 8:27 2:12 9:29 3:15 10:29 4:16 11:25 5:12 ----- 6:05 12:42 6:54 1:29 7:41 2:15 8:28 3:02 9:15 3:49 10:03 4:39 10:52 5:29 11:43 6:21 12:08 7:12 1:00 8:03 1:51 8:52 2:41

SUN Rises Sets 06:33 08:32 06:33 08:32 06:33 08:33 06:33 08:33 06:33 08:33 06:33 08:34 06:33 08:34 06:33 08:34 06:34 08:35 06:34 08:35 06:34 08:35 06:34 08:35 06:34 08:35 06:34 08:36 06:35 08:36 06:35 08:36 06:35 08:36 06:36 08:36 06:36 08:36 06:36 08:36

MOON Rises 4:44a 5:35a 6:34a 7:38a 8:46a 9:55a 11:03a 12:08p 1:12p 2:15p 3:18p 4:21p 5:24p 6:25p 7:22p 8:15p 9:02p 9:44p 10:21p 10:54p

Sets 7:07p 8:09p 9:09p 10:03p 10:52p 11:35p NoMoon 12:13a 12:49a 1:23a 1:58a 2:35a 3:15a 3:59a 4:48a 5:41a 6:37a 7:35a 8:32a 9:27a

P.M. Minor 4:42 5:36 6:35 7:37 8:40 9:42 10:42 11:38 12:06 12:56 1:43 2:29 3:15 4:03 4:52 5:43 6:34 7:26 8:16 9:05

SUN Rises 06:32 06:32 06:32 06:32 06:32 06:32 06:32 06:32 06:32 06:33 06:33 06:33 06:33 06:33 06:34 06:34 06:34 06:34 06:35 06:35

MOON Rises 4:44a 5:33a 6:31a 7:36a 8:47a 9:59a 11:10a 12:19p 1:26p 2:33p 3:39p 4:46p 5:52p 6:55p 7:53p 8:45p 9:31p 10:10p 10:45p 11:15p

Sets 7:36p 8:40p 9:39p 10:32p 11:17p 11:57p NoMoon 12:31a 1:03a 1:34a 2:06a 2:39a 3:16a 3:59a 4:46a 5:39a 6:35a 7:34a 8:34a 9:32a

San Antonio 2011 A.M. June Minor Major 10 Thu > 4:01 10:15 11 Fri N 4:53 11:08 12 Sat N 5:51 ----13 Sun > 6:53 12:38 14 Mon > 7:57 1:42 15 Tue 9:01 2:47 16 Wed 10:02 3:49 17 Thu 11:00 4:47 18 Fri 11:53 5:41 19 Sat Q 12:18 6:30 20 Sun 1:04 7:17 21 Mon 1:50 8:02 22 Tue 2:35 8:48 23 Wed 3:22 9:36 24 Thu 4:11 10:25 25 Fri > 5:02 11:16 26 Sat > 5:55 ----27 Sun F 6:47 12:35 28 Mon > 7:39 1:28 29 Tue > 8:30 2:19

Amarillo

JOIN US TODAY

ACROSS 1. Name for the wild boar 4. Style or design of a gun or bow 9. A brand of arrow 10. A lake bird 11. Treating a hide 13. A small game 14. A certain trout species 16. A very good gundog 18. Analyzes freshness of a game track 20. An area some anglers like to fish in 22. Fish egg 24. To scare game from the area 26. A hunter's concealment 27. Name for an appendage on a wild turkey 28. A good pheasant gun, duck ____ 31. Arrows and shells 32. An action on a repeating shotgun 33. Home to some trout 36. A species of deer 37. Large on the muley

2011 June 10 Thu > 11 Fri N 12 Sat N 13 Sun > 14 Mon > 15 Tue 16 Wed 17 Thu 18 Fri 19 Sat Q 20 Sun 21 Mon 22 Tue 23 Wed 24 Thu 25 Fri > 26 Sat > 27 Sun F 28 Mon > 29 Tue >

Dallas

South Padre Island

Freeport Harbor Date Time Height Jun 10 4:14 a.m. 0.8 L Jun 1 1:26 a.m. 1.6 H Jun 12 2:37 a.m. 1.8 H Jun 13 3:33 a.m. 2.0 H Jun 14 4:23 a.m. 2.1 H Jun 15 5:10 a.m. 2.1 H Jun 16 5:55 a.m. 2.0 H Jun 17 6:38 a.m. 1.8 H Jun 18 7:19 a.m. 1.7 H Jun 19 7:55 a.m. 1.6 H Jun 20 12:23 a.m. 0.0 L Jun 21 12:59 a.m. 0.2 L Jun 22 1:32 a.m. 0.5 L Jun 23 2:03 a.m. 0.6 L Jun 24 9:36 a.m. 1.4 H

July 1

Port Aransas, H. Caldwell Pier

San Luis Pass Time Height 12:57 a.m. 0.9 H 2:34 a.m. 1.1 H 3:45 a.m. 1.3 H 4:41 a.m. 1.4 H 5:31 a.m. 1.5 H 6:18 a.m. 1.5 H 7:03 a.m. 1.4 H 7:46 a.m. 1.3 H 12:01 a.m. -0.3 L 12:43 a.m. -0.2 L 1:22 a.m. 0.0 L 1:58 a.m. 0.2 L 2:31 a.m. 0.4 L 3:02 a.m. 0.6 L 10:44 a.m. 0.9 H

New

June 24

June 17

Legend: Major=2 hours. Minor=1 hour. Times centered on the major-minor window. F=Full Moon, N=New Moon, Q=Quarter > = Peak Activity. For other locations, subtract 1 minute per 12 miles east of a location, and add 1 minute per 12 miles west of a location.

Rockport

Galveston Bay entrance, south jetty

Date Jun 10 Jun 11 Jun 12 Jun 13 Jun 14 Jun 15 Jun 16 Jun 17 Jun 18 Jun 19 Jun 20 Jun 21 Jun 22 Jun 23 Jun 24

Last

Port O’Connor

Sabine Pass, jetty

Date Time Height Jun 10 12:27 a.m. 1.6 H Jun 11 2:04 a.m. 1.9 H Jun 12 3:15 a.m. 2.1 H Jun 13 4:11 a.m. 2.3 H Jun 14 5:01 a.m. 2.4 H Jun 15 5:48 a.m. 2.4 H Jun 16 6:33 a.m. 2.3 H Jun 17 7:16 a.m. 2.1 H Jun 18 7:57 a.m. 2.0 H Jun 19 8:33 a.m. 1.9 H Jun 20 12:26 a.m. 0.0 L Jun 21 1:02 a.m. 0.3 L Jun 22 1:35 a.m. 0.7 L Jun 23 2:06 a.m. 1.0 L Jun 24 10:14 a.m. 1.6 H

Solunar | Sun times | Moon times

Moon Phases

Texas Coast Tides Date Time Height Jun 10 3:51 a.m. 1.6 L Jun 11 1:17 a.m. 2.3 H Jun 12 2:28 a.m. 2.7 H Jun 13 3:24 a.m. 2.9 H Jun 14 4:14 a.m. 3.0 H Jun 15 5:01 a.m. 3.0 H Jun 16 5:46 a.m. 2.9 H Jun 17 6:29 a.m. 2.7 H Jun 18 7:10 a.m. 2.5 H Jun 19 7:46 a.m. 2.3 H Jun 20 12:00 a.m. 0.0 L Jun 21 12:36 a.m. 0.4 L Jun 22 1:09 a.m. 0.9 L Jun 23 1:40 a.m. 1.3 L Jun 24 9:27 a.m. 2.0 H

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A flatbottom fishing boat A buck's mating ritual A very good bait Movement of an arrow in flight

Solution on Page 26 6. A brand of bow 7. Hunters must have this quality 8. The camper's enemy 12. A game bird 13. A female elk 15. Part of a gun mechanism 17. Bowhunter's quarry in Hawaii 18. A prey of eagles and hawks 19. A game bird 20. A large game of the plains 21. A code for a type bullet 23. A very large fisheating bird 25. A small versatile boat 29. Chinook and king 30. Anything that attracts game, fish, birds 33. Inside size of a gun barrel 34. Describes vision of the wild turkey 35. Recoil buffer, ____ pad

2011 A.M. June Minor 10 Thu > 4:14 11 Fri N 5:07 12 Sat N 6:04 13 Sun > 7:06 14 Mon > 8:11 15 Tue 9:14 16 Wed 10:16 17 Thu 11:13 18 Fri ----19 Sat Q 12:32 20 Sun 1:18 21 Mon 2:03 22 Tue 2:49 23 Wed 3:36 24 Thu 4:25 25 Fri > 5:16 26 Sat > 6:08 27 Sun F 7:01 28 Mon > 7:53 29 Tue > 8:43

Major 10:28 11:21 ----12:51 1:56 3:00 4:03 5:01 5:54 6:43 7:30 8:16 9:02 9:49 10:38 11:29 ----12:48 1:41 2:32

Major 10:56 11:51 12:50 1:22 2:25 3:28 4:29 5:26 6:18 7:08 7:55 8:41 9:28 10:16 11:06 11:56 12:21 1:13 2:04 2:54

Sets 08:59 09:00 09:00 09:01 09:01 09:01 09:02 09:02 09:02 09:03 09:03 09:03 09:03 09:04 09:04 09:04 09:04 09:04 09:04 09:04

FOR THE TABLE Squirrel mulligan stew 3 squirrels, skinned and quartered Water 2 tbsp. onion flakes Bell pepper, diced Pepper to taste 1 tsp. garlic powder 1-15 oz. can tomato sauce 1 can cream of mushroom soup 2 cups Minute Rice Tabasco sauce — optional to taste

Place squirrels in enough water to cover. Add onion, bell pepper and garlic powder. Cook over medium heat until squirrel is tender. Remove meat from bones and return meat to broth. Add tomato sauce, soup and rice. Simmer, stirring occasionally until rice is done.

— Oklahoma Dept. of Wildlife Conservation

BBQ javelina 5 lbs. boned javelina shoulder or ham 2-3 lbs. white onions 20-30 whole cloves 1 qt. favorite BBQ sauce 1 qt. water Slice and quarter the onions; reserve half the onions in a covered bowl and refrigerate. With a paring knife, make 20-30 small slices in the meat and push a clove into each opening. Arrange half of the remaining sliced onions on the bottom of a crockpot and add meat with the remaining onions on the top. Add water to cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours. Remove meat to cutting board, reserve cooked onions, discard remaining juices. Shred and cut up the meat, being sure to keep visible cooked cloves. Add meat, the cooked onions, the reserved uncooked onions and the BBQ sauce to crockpot. Cook on low heat stirring occasionally for 4-6 hours. Serve on large hamburger buns.

— Arizona Game and Fish Department

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TOURNAMENT BRIEFS

Two Texans in top 15 at Potomac River Lance Vick of Mineola and Shinichi Fukae of Palestine paced all Texans on June 4 in the FLW Tournament on the Potomac River, Md. Vick finished eighth with 54 pounds, 14 ounces while Fukae finished 15th with a three-day weight of 41 pounds, 7 ounces.

Takahiri Omori of Emory got the big bass award on Day 1 of the tournament with a 5-pound, 10-ounce bass. Fukae claimed the award on Day 2, with a 6-pound, 3-ounce fish.

Anglers reported most success while fishing finesse worms in and around grass. Because of the Potomac’s tidal nature, anglers had to move on to hard targets like laydowns and docks.

Eight Texans competed in the four-day tournament, with notable anglers Keith Combs (24 pounds, 4 ounces) and Gary Yamamoto (22 pounds, 1 ounce).

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

had anglers Paul Spinks of San Antonio (8 pounds, 5 ounces) and Michael Rattan of Blanket (8 pounds, 4 П⁄З ounce) finish in the top two spots.

The top three anglers in the guided stringer division finished with over 20 pounds. Mike Shrader of Tomball lead the pack with 23 pounds, 7 Р⁄З ounces.

Ernst again was on the leader board with a second-place finish behind a stringer of 22 pounds, 7 ounces.

The non-guided division saw an equally large fish caught with Bert Mazac of Adkins taking first place with a trout of 4 pounds, 7 ounces. The redfish section would see the top three anglers with fish over 7 pounds. Rodney Schott, Helotes, took first place with a 7-pound, 5-ounce fish. The stringer portion had three anglers end the day with more than 24 pounds, but Lance Berdoll of Bastrop won that section with a total of 26 pounds, 7 ounces.

Boats capsize in college event on TDA's holds first 'Brush to Bay' event Lewisville High winds and rough conditions The Texas Deer Association’s first annual Brush to Bay tournament June 3-4 drew more than 600 anglers to the two-day event in Corpus Christi. Launching from Bluff’s Landing Marina and Lodge, the tournament consisted of two divisions, with 42 teams of guided anglers and 73 teams of nonguided. Within those divisions were individual categories for trout, redfish and total stringers.

David Ernst of Floresville took first place in the guided trout division with a 4-pound, 9-ounce fish. Sherri Kitchen of Bulverde (4 pounds, 8 Р⁄З ounce) and Chase Clark of Three Rivers (4 pounds, 8 ounces) finished in second and third places.

The guided redfish section

greeted more than 300 anglers May 26-27 during the BoatUS Collegiate Bass fishing tournament on Lake Lewisville.

Teams from Hazard Community and Technical College (Ky.) and the University of Missouri were rescued from capsized boats. Most of their gear was salvaged.

Miles Burghoff and Casey O’Donnell of the University of Central Florida took first place with a total weight of 27 pounds, 9 ounces.

Thirty-four Texas teams competed. Leading them was the Tarleton State team of Matt Carr and Cody Morrison, who caught 20 pounds for a seventh-place finish.

—Compiled by Nicholas Conklin

June 10, 2011

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June 10, 2011

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LONE STAR MARKET

Puzzle solution from Page 24

To advertise in this section, call Mike Hughs at (214) 361-2276 or e-mail him at mhughs@lonestaroutdoornews.com.

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Lone✯Star Outdoor News

June 10, 2011

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June 10, 2011

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