OUTDOOR
GUIDE
July-August 2022
MAGAZINE
The Tennessee cap.... Page 6
Vance inducted........Page 10
Bull Shoals area......Page 18
Hibdon’s lures.........Page 22
All-terrain chairs......Page 29
HUNTING • FISHING • CAMPING • BOATING • SHOOTING • TRAVEL Missouri, Illinois and other exciting outdoor destinations!
Outdoor Guide
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Photo and Text By BRENT FRAZEE I just finished reading another “expose’ ” on how Lake of the Ozarks has become such a dangerous and out-of-control place. The Kansas City Star, my employer for 36 years, decided
July-August 2022
Lake of the Ozarks getting a bad rap
it was time to call out the giant for its rising crime rate, party atmosphere and crowded streets and water. I couldn’t ascertain a news peg as to the timing of this article other than that Memorial Day weekend was approaching. It was like the writer and editors were saying, “You’d
better watch out if you plan to go to Lake of the Ozarks this summer!” For me, the timing of the article couldn’t have been more striking. I had just spent three days at a peaceful resort on the Bagnell Dam end of the lake, and I didn’t see the wild side of the lake. I saw the mild side. Point Randall Resort is a mom-and-pop resort that is a
throwback to the “good old days.” It reminds me of the days when the family would pile into the station wagon for a summer vacation at the lake. ABOUT FAMILY FUN I could tell this was a place built on family fun. Fishing, swimming, boating, grilling out, relaxing on a deck overlooking the lake, visiting with
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It’s all serenity and beauty in this photo of Lake of the Ozarks at dusk.
the friendly owners – it’s a place that promotes family values. I didn’t see the out-of-control party scene here. Nor did I feel unsafe. Nor did I sit in huge traffic jams on the roads. I am not sticking my head in the sand and denying that those problems exist. On major holidays and summer weekends, Lake of the Ozarks can get downright busy. Sometimes uncomfortably busy. But to characterize the lake based only on one snapshot is irresponsible. A WALK ON THE MILD SIDE I have been visiting Lake of the Ozarks for almost 40 years, and I don’t think of the night life, traffic and crowded water when I look back on my experiences. I think of the lake’s mild side. I think of the great bass fishing in spring, when we travel to the back of coves to find large fish cruising around their beds. I think of the lake’s crappie fishing on beautiful spring days, when flowering dogwood trees bring color to the otherwise drab hillsides. I think of fall days when the lake breathes a big sigh of relief after the Labor Day crowds leave and the fish come out of hiding. I think of days of hiking to a vista at Ha Ha Tonka State Park and looking down on the beauty of the Ozarks. I could go on and on, but you get the idea. ONE SIDE OF THE STORY Lake of the Ozarks has two faces, but I often see only one represented in the mainstream media. And that bothers me. I guess nature doesn’t sell when you’re trying to build
an article on how crowded, wild and dangerous a place has gotten. A media that curses stereotypes in other walks of life is an offender in this case. An example was the video of a busy swim-up bar crowded with young adults during the pandemic. It came at a time when social distancing and even quarantining were being encouraged. That video went viral, and Lake of the Ozarks was portrayed as this out-of-control party. The media awaited the aftermath of that scene, almost certain that it would cause a big outbreak of COVID. But it never happened. There were a few reported cases, but nothing earth-shattering. Meanwhile, Lake of the Ozarks became the face of COVID, with that video replayed time and time again. THE OTHER SIDE A responsible journalist investigated the other side of the story and contacted me for my views. I told her about the serene side of the lake, complete with some sections that have unspoiled shorelines, plenty of wildlife and a peaceful backdrop for fishing trips. Please understand, I’m not employed by tourism at the lake. But I have always been one of its biggest supporters, and I am tired of the way the media always takes shots at the big lake. Yes, visitation has grown in the past few years and problems have surfaced. But is it really that bad? During my recent visit to the lake, residents, resort owners and fishing guides that I know certainly weren’t wringing their hands. I thought it was time that you heard the other side of the story.
July-August 2022
Outdoor Guide
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Interested in exploring the outdoors, but unsure where to start? It’s as easy as stepping out your door! Join host Jill Pritchard from the Missouri Department of Conservation as she explores everything nature has to offer – from health benefits and wildlife viewing, to outdoor recreation and unbelievable conservation stories. Subscribe and get your own Nature Boost! Download the podcast at mdc.mo.gov/natureboost
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July and August are the busiest times for float trips on the spectacular streams of the Ozarks region. In the heat of summer, the cool clear water attracts hoards of happy campers and day trippers enjoying a near perfect natural respite. Those wild weekends – when the rivers and creeks are crowded with canoes, tubes, rafts, kayaks and assorted other flotilla – provide levels of fun that few manufactured experiences can match. On the other hand, the onslaught is not the best case scenario for the fish and other species that call the outdoor jewel their home.
Outdoor Guide
Love for smallies spawns group to protect them
This is not an indictment of the party crowds or a call for regulation on the proprietors who provide access through businesses that are tough to operate in the good years. Mother Nature has quiet weekdays, cold months and complete seasons to undo the damage, and she does a remarkable job of healing her wounds. People need to police themselves, and even if there is little hope for that, the rest of us must do our
parts to learn for ourselves and educate others about the ways we can assist the plants and animals that rely on us to keep this pristine habitat as pure as possible. FREE THE FIGHTER! Occasionally in those crowds of canoes, a rod and reel will be packed along. Because of all the river ruckus, the success rates of those trying their angling luck is limited at best. Occasionally they may hook a fish, and if they catch a smallmouth bass, they probably don’t realize what they have landed. “They’re a gift, passed along from one forward thinking angler to another. Pay it forward! Free the fighter!” is the consistent refrain from Ozarks Smallmouth Alliance founder Ryan Walker. A full-time guide who focuses his efforts on the flowing waters of southwest Missouri, Walker pours his passion into pro-
tecting smallmouth bass on every level. He was spurred to action by a chance encounter with a pair of anglers and a notice that explained the slow growth rates for black bass in streams. “It’s funny how it got started,” he said. “I was on a little creek, and I had just seen a sign about how long it takes for a smallmouth to grow to keeper size. A 12-inch smallmouth bass on these waters is 6 or 7 years old. “I came upon a couple that were fishing, and they each had two or three 14-inch smallmouths on a stringer. I just looked at that and thought, that’s three fish at 8 years old apiece. That’s 24 years of aggregate growth on each stringer. Forty-eight years of growth that is just gone!” THE PREMIER GAMEFISH In swift-moving streams, that growth does not come easy. It’s not like the big lakes that have schools of baitfish for predators to gorge themselves on. Smallmouth bass are getting by on crawfish they can catch,
Ozarks Smallmouth Alliance founder Ryan Walker holds a big bass before he sets the fighter free.
July-August 2022
After an ultralight tackle tussle, I was proud to release this Big Piney River smallmouth bass for the next angler to come along.
aquatic bugs, and wayward, wounded little fish that drift into their vicinity. Walker has a remedy to offer. “Ozarks Smallmouth Alliance is a grassroots organization,” he said. “We have dedicated ourselves to what we consider to be the premier gamefish in the Ozarks, which is the smallmouth bass obviously.” There are no registration forms or dues to be a part of the alliance. The movement centers on a blog and social media efforts, with a few educational events to preserve, protect and promote smallmouth bass and their habitat in the Ozarks of Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma. “The more we promote it means more people are doing it, but without letting people know how special the resource is, you are not going to be able to preserve and protect,” he said. “Protecting means raising awareness and telling people how long it takes for them to get that big, and teaching proper handling techniques for catch and release. “This resource deserves to be moved along from generation to generation.”
PERFECT FOR THEIR RIVERS Preservation recognizes the fragility of the habitat and the native smallmouth’s ability to adapt. “They live in beautiful places. They are perfectly suited to the rivers they live in. They change colors with the bottom and water clarity,” Walker said. “There need to be changes to creel limits and length limits. More needs to be done to protect these fish. We live in one of the most beautiful and wild places on the planet. One of my goals is to keep it that way.” While the crowds will continue to descend on the rivers each summer, those of us with a passion for smallmouth bass can learn more and share our perspective with others to protect and preserve. To learn more, go online to @Ozarkssmallmouth on Facebook, @Ozarkssmallmouthalliance on Instagram, or email osasmallmouth@ gmail.com. John Winkelman is associate editor for Outdoor Guide Magazine. If you have story ideas, e-mail ogmjohnw@aol.com, and find more outdoor news and updates at johnjwink.com.
Outdoor Guide
July-August 2022
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July-August 2022
Tips, Tricks and Thoughts for the Great Outdoors
That man in the Tennessee cap
By LARRY L. WHITELEY
You can’t see a white-paneled, orange-brimmed University of Tennessee “Trucker Cap” without thinking of Bill Dance. Back in the late 1960s, the football coach at Tennessee asked Bill to help him recruit a player who loved to fish. It worked, and the grateful coach sent Bill a Tennessee cap in appreciation. He has worn it ever since. Bill Dance planned to be a doctor like other generations of Dances. Driving home from medical school one day, he came upon a horrific accident and at that moment he knew he didn’t want to be a doctor anymore. He loved to fish, and fish
he did. He began competing – and winning – in bass tournaments. The lifelong Tennessean has been named B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year three times and has 23 national bass titles. He has been inducted into every Fishing Hall of Fame in America. THE TV PIONEER He is a pioneer in outdoor television programming – Bill Dance Outdoors premiered in 1968 and continues to have a nationwide following among anglers and non-anglers. Bill Dance’s greatest ac-
complishment may be the life advice he provides through his fishing shows and videos. Even if it’s by accident. Bill doesn’t rely solely on words to get his message across. Sometimes it’s showing you what to do and sometimes what not to do. When Bill makes mistakes, he doesn’t hide them. He puts them on display for everyone to see, learn, reflect, and laugh about. But mostly laugh. Today he oversees a fishing empire that includes his TV show, tackleendorsements, how-to seminars, and a series of popular “blooper” videos. Bill has a special knack for connecting with his fans. People love him, and that, folks, is the key to the success of the man in the Tennessee cap.
OUTDOOR
GUIDE
July-August 2022
MAGAZINE
HUNTING • FISHING • CAMPING • BOATING • SHOOTING • TRAVEL
Volume 30, No. 4 • Published six times a year Office: 505 S. Ewing, St. Louis, MO 63103 News department — 618-972-3744
www.outdoorguidemagazine.com e-mail: news@outdoor-guide.com COVER created by Kathy Crowe, graphic designer.
Carl Green, editor – carl@labortribune.com John Winkelman, associate editor — ogmjohnw@aol.com Bob Whitehead, editor emeritis – ogmbobw@aol.com Lynn Fowler, circulation manager Kathy Crowe, graphic designer — Account executives — Dan Braun, marketing director 314-256-4136 Lauren Marshall 314-614-5175 — Regional and specialty editors — Darrell Taylor Ray Eye Brent Frazee Brandon Butler
Bill Cooper Thayne Smith Steve Jones
Bill Seibel John Neporadny Jr. T. J. Mullin
BILL DANCE QUOTES
• “You can’t dwell on the past. Keep your eyes on the
future. And maybe the trailer hitch.” • “Surround yourself with friends who love and support you. Or, at the very least,
warn you when a giant bird is about to attack.”
• “It takes two to tango.
Coincidentally, it also takes two to get your boat stuck on a log.” GOD BLESS AMERICA Independence Day is celebrated on the 4th of July. When you are out on the water fishing or playing, having family cookouts or picnics, and watching or setting off fireworks, I want you to think about this – think about why we celebrate this day. Think about those who died on the beaches of Normandy, the fields of Korea and Vietnam, the deserts of Iraq, the mountains of Afghanistan, the buildings in New York and Washington D.C. and so many other places around the world. Our flag still waves because of their sacrifices. As a fellow veteran, I salute and thank all of you men and women who served and are serving our country and for the sacrifices you made. I ask God to please bless America! SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT “Here is your country. Cherish these natural wonders, cherish the natural resources, cherish the history and romance as a sacred heritage, for your children and your children’s children. Do not let selfish men or greedy interests skin your country of its beauty, its riches or its romance.”
Tennessee’s football coach sent Bill Dance his first Tennessee cap, and he’s worn them ever since. – OutdoorChannel,com photo
– Theodore Roosevelt THE MAGIC OF FIREFLIES The sun slowly sinks, gathering shadows in its journey. A whippoorwill calls from a tangle of blackberries. Tall fluffy clouds gather on the horizon. The bottom layer lights up salmon pink and honey melon orange as heat lightning pulsates in its depths. Slowly the darkness unmasks the first tiny twinkling orb. An age-old mysterious performance is about to be unveiled. Suddenly the summer night is bombarded by a myriad of twinkling lights. How many of you, as a child with glass jar in hand, ran to capture these jewel green sparks piercing the dark. It was a magical time, racing about filling your jar. Your eyes twinkled as much as the stars, your laughter pierced the silent night.
Larry Whiteley Ted Nugent Ron Bice
– In Memoriam —
Joel Vance • Ron Henry Strait • Jared Billings • Charlie Farmer • Richard Engelke • Mark Hubbard • Spence Turner • Hank Reifeiss Kay Hively • Bill Harmon • Barbara Perry Lawton • Danny Hicks • Ron Kruger • TJ Stallings • John Sloan
zine
Ma y - June 2018
OOr aga OutdG uide M
TRAVEL SHOOTING • • BOATING • G • CAMPING HUNTING • FISHIN
Claudette Roper Gerald Scott Bill Keaton Charlie Slovensky Jerry Pabst Ryan Miloshewski
Kenneth Kieser Terry Wilson Bob Holzhei Jeannie Farmer Jo Schaper Jed Nadler
— Staff writers —
Don Gasaway Mike Roux Craig Alderman Randall Davis Larry Potterfield Tom Watson
Daylight Savings ................Page
Tim Huffman Russell Hively Roxanne Wilson Michael Wardlaw Tyler Mahoney Richard Aites
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White Perch ......................Pag
Strange Seeds ..................Page
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Albino Catfish ................Page
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Hobo Meal .......................Pag
Scrapes Tales ...................Page
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Asian Carp ......................Page
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MISSOU RI
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ILLINOI S
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at Back Issues of Outdoor Guide Magazine by Visiting outdoorguidemagazine.com
And then, as if saying goodnight, the tiny sparks blinked off one by one. Who can step outside on an early summer night, gazing at these slowly pulsating lights, and not feel the stirring pleasures of childhood? Fireflies are not just for kids. They can spark the excitement of the kid living inside each and every one of us. PLAYING ‘BRIDGE’ If you want to catch summer crappie, just learn to play bridge. Summer crappie like to hang around bridge pilings and the deep riprap often found around bridges. Use your fish finder to spot any fish concentrations and their depth. When you mark fish, back away. Cast beyond them, letting your jig or minnow fall to the correct depth. Keep your bait very close to the pilings. If you fish riprap, under the bridge will be best because of the shade of the bridge. The deepest edge will be the best of the best. Work a jig, small spinner bait or minnow, and prepare for some real fun. Larry L. Whiteley has been an award-winning magazine and newspaper writer, radio host and blogger for more than 40 years. His book, “Seasons: Stories of Family, God and the Great Outdoors,” is on Amazon and Amazon Kindle.
Outdoor Guide
July-August 2022
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Outdoor Guide
Page 8
Snakes a part of life, so let them live!
Photo and Text By KENNETH L. KIESER
Fishing on the Missouri River can be wild. You might see any number of wildlife species, including some you could do without. A few years ago, we were anchored off a shallow area of this ancient river. The day was warm and fish bites almost non-existent. I was studying the bank and saw a big snake slid into the river, disappearing under the surface. I mentioned seeing the reptile and it was forgotten – until the moment it crawled up into our boat from the big outboard motor. The girth of the snake was surprisingly thick, a tribute to plenty of forage in its river paradise. The snake started to slide forward, flicking its tongue and feeling for any vibration that might determine danger. I told my companions of my sincere lack of desire for snake companionship, and would they please ask it to leave. GENTLY WON’T DO IT One of the guys took a boat paddle and tried to gently flip it back into the river. This made the snake angry and it coiled up and started striking the invading wooden object. Then, for whatever reason, the snake decided there was no rest on this floating sanctuary and slid back in the water. Spend enough time outdoors and you will find snakes – although they won’t purposely find you. Snakes are mostly shy of humans and happy to slide away. Some of you seem to love snakes and like to catch them to cuddle or whatever you do. I’ll never know why. Years ago on the Platte River, I leaned over to check a baited limb line and grabbed the line high. A violent splash of dirty river water soaked my face. I flipped on my flashlight and looked down at a huge Northern Water Snake, non-venomous but very aggressive. That snake would have taken a generous bite of my hand had I grabbed the line a foot lower. We decided to check another line. I pointed my flashlight on the water as Cousin Ronnie rowed and noted, “The damned snake is following us.” UNANIMOUS DECISION TO DEPART We could see his flashlight beam reflecting off red eyes in the water. Ronnie took a paddle and slammed the water, trying to scare off the determined reptile, but just making it mad. The angered reptile started striking the boat. Its strikes sounded like softballs hitting the aluminum side. The decision to leave was unanimous. Ronnie flipped on his ignition switch, kicked off the 20-horsepower motor, and we quickly left the snake behind. We motored down river a half-mile where my best trotline was uncoiled in a river bend with current. I had purposely loaded this line with crawfish and goldfish in hopes of
Editorial
catching big flathead. We gently pulled up with big flashlights shining across the area after the snake incident. The welcome sights of floats slipping under the surface meant “fish on.” Ronnie readied the net while I gently checked the first line. A dark shape appeared out of the darkness, and a big gar gave me a toothy grin before dropping off and disappearing into the river. The next hook held a huge snake that was squirming in the air while still hanging onto the bait. Finally, it dropped back in the water and just lay there, apparently trying to sense our species type OPPORTUNISTIC FEEDERS Snakes are an important part of our outdoors and play a huge role in nature’s scheme. A snake’s diet is good for your garden or home. Big black or king snakes will eat about anything that fits in their mouths. King snakes actually seek out and eat poison versions like copperheads. Snakes feed on insects, rodents, crawfish, birds, eggs, fish, frogs, lizards, and other snakes – truly opportunistic feeders. Different snakes take food in different ways. Some snakes, including garter snakes and most water varieties, grab their prey and swallow it alive and headfirst. Others squeeze their dinner to death before eating. Rattlesnakes and copperheads kill their prey with a venomous bite before swallowing it. About half of the snakes lay eggs, while some bear live young. Snakes do not provide any form of care to their young. Babies are on their own, and survival is learned by instinct – if they survive. WHAT IF YOU GET BIT? If you are bitten by a non-poisonous snake, here are some tips to reduce skin damage, infection and inflammation. • Some snakes bite while others bite and hang on. Most snakes have teeth that are
curved toward the rear so they can get a better grip on their prey. If you rip the snake away, your skin will tear. Instead, hold it firmly behind the head and gently push it toward the bite, so the teeth come out of your flesh. • A snake bite can be a puncture wound and/or laceration, depending on how deep
it goes and how much damage is done to underlying tissue. Irrigate the wound with fresh, clean water, not soap. • Next, clean the wound with a mild anti-bacterial soap. Avoid using hydrogen peroxide, as it can actually cause damage to the healthy tissue needed to heal the wound. Avoid soaps that contain alcohol that can irritate the bite area. Dry the wound by blotting it with a soft, dry cloth or towel. Don’t use friction to dry the wound or you could cause more damage
July-August 2022
The Life Outdoors Deer woods is a great refuge in trying times
By RICHARD AITES
It was 27 years ago when I first put on the badge and uniform, and this Sept. 2 will be the last time. Over the past quarter-century or so, I’ve worked for and alongside of some really good mentors and officers. I was also fortunate enough to get to know some really wonderful people in the communities where I served. Far too many times, however, I witnessed firsthand the mayhem and brutality that we humans can inflict upon one another. But of course, I knew what I was getting myself into all those years ago, right? The past several years have been very difficult for my brothers and sisters in blue. Because our jurisdiction was within a mile of the Ferguson city limits, my department assisted with much of the protesting occurring in that town. We were subjected to protestors’ hateful comments and vile threats while standing our ground to protect the local businesses. I had to bite my tongue to maintain a professional composure because I desperately wanted to ask, “How is your hatred for me any different than my alleged hate for you?” Of course, I knew much of their fire was fueled by false narratives being spread in the media and by some disingenuous politicians and activists. At the same time, identity politics had reached a pinnacle. Some people in this country were demanding they be celebrated for their skin color, gender or by whatever pronoun they chose to be addressed by. HARVEY’S PREDICTION Though initially well intended, their radical dialogue and destructive behavior began to cancel out common sense and rational thought. In far too many places, good, moral character no longer mattered. Many good people lost their jobs, careers, and even their lives for standing up to this hypocrisy. It was about this time when I came across Paul Harvey’s 1965 radio address, “If I Were
the Devil.” It appears as though Mr. Harvey accurately predicted our current climate over 50 years ago. And then COVID came along and the country went into lockdown. Essential workers (EMS, medical professionals, fire and police) remained dutiful during the pandemic and likely came into close contact with infected individuals. Before the vaccines became readily available, we followed safety protocols to limit being subjected to the virus, yet even with these precautions in place, nearly everyone I worked with contracted the virus at one time or another. And the rising death toll was at the forefront of our minds. BLESSED SOLITUDE Because of this, I found a new appreciation for the opening of the Missouri deer season in November. Though nature itself is capable of its own mayhem and brutality (in the name of survival and procreation), I welcomed the solitude that it offered. I’m certainly not the first to suggest that the outdoors has a way of refreshing one’s spirit. Nature reminds me that I’m a part of something much grander than myself. Though it’s sadly humbling to know that when I leave this wonderful planet, no one, except for family and friends, will miss me. And most of my words and works will be lost forever. At the same time, its uplifting to know that I am still a part of this glorious creation and as significant as all these things, both large and small, that live and breathe around me. I’m as relevant as any star or planet in the universe, and as divine as any unseen beings (including the fallen ones) that watch over or tempt me. I’m speaking about all of us, regardless of race, gender or political affiliation. Nearly eight centuries ago, Catholic philosopher Thomas Aquinas theorized this: God reveals himself through nature, so to study nature is to study God. Though I am not Catholic, I have to agree with this revelation, because there’s no place I’d rather be during these trying times than in the deer woods, hanging out with the Creator and his wonderful works.
• Don’t bandage the wound unless there is a risk of cross contamination. Bandaging a
wound makes the area dark, moist and warm, the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. • And remember – if you’ve been bitten by a venomous snake, go to a medical professional, immediately!
The Missouri deer woods offers peace and solitude in trying times.
Outdoor Guide
July-August 2022
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EXPERIENCE ELLINGTON missouri the
&explore outdoors e l l i n g ton mo . com Hike the ozark trail
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~ Only 2 Hours South of St. Louis ~
Clearwater Lake & Webb Creek Park – Hwy H –Bring the family to camp, boat, fish, and unwind on crystal clear Clearwater Lake. This area of the lake is formed where Webb Creek and Logan Creek empty into Clearwater Lake. The lake is known for its crappie, catfish and bass fishing. Camping is available at Webb Creek Recreation Park; plus a full service marina with boat/wave runner rentals on site. Webb Creek Webb Creek Marina Park features over 40 campsites, swim beach, playground, showers, picnic pavilions, boat launch, and more. Services are limited after mid-September but camping is still permitted. Call Webb Creek Marina at 573-461-2344 for marina, boat rental and campsite information or visit www.recreation.gov to make reservations. If you are interested in all the conveniences of home call Webb Creek Cabins for cabin rentals, 573-461-2244. Black River and K Bridge Recreation Area – K Hwy – Float, canoe, fish and explore the beautiful Black River. Enjoy swimming, camping and picnicking right on the banks of the Black River. K Bridge Recreation Area and Campground offers playground, showers, electric and comfort station, visit www. recreation.gov to make reservations. Floats (raft or canoe) can be arranged on site by calling Jeff’s Canoe Rental at 573-598-4555. A small Highway K Camping general store is also available on site.
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Current River & Log Yard Gravel Bar – Hwy 106 to
HH Highway- Fish, swim, camp and relax on majestic Current River. Great place to explore Current River. This area is often referred to as Cardareva by locals and is a favorite summer hangout. Primitive camping is available right on the river bank, camping is also available at the nearby School Yard with picnic tables, lantern hooks and fire pits. These sites are available on a first come basis. Bring your canoes, rafts and kayaks; Camp Current Riv er a perfect day float….Powder Mill to Log Yard. Boat launch available. Powder Mill Recreation Area and Campground re-opened. Camping available with views of the Current River. Picnic table, firepit & lantern hook available at each site, reservations not available. Water/elect not provided.
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Current River, Blue Spring & Powder Mill Recreation Area – Hwy 106 near Current River bridge
Powder Mill reopened summer 2020. Camping is available with views of the river, picnic tables, fire pit and lantern hook. Reservations are not available. Powder Mill is a perfect camp base for day trips to area attractions like Blue Spring, Rocky Falls, Peck Ranch, Johnson Shut-Ins, Elephant Rocks and more. Wild horses are often seen in the fields near the bridge. The Ozarks offers countless options for family adventure.
Blue Spring
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Rocky Falls- NN Hwy- A cascading crystal Rocky Creek
drops from the Ozark Mountains into a lazy pool which eventually winds through the Ozarks to Current River. A must see if you are in the area and fun for all ages. Wear non-slip shoes and use caution when climbing on the falls. Picnic tables provided.
Current River Conservation Area –Consists of 28,000 acres of state land. Deer, turkey, eagles, elk and a multitude of wildlife can be seen. UTV’s, ATV’s and vehicle traffic are welcome on miles of gravel roads and trails that wind through some 60+ food plots. Buford Pond, Missouri’s first fire tower, a 1926 log cabin and an earthen Fort Barnesville can all be found here. Buford Pond provides fishing and picnicking and is a favorite location of all. For hunting enthusiasts an unstaffed rifle and archery range are provided. Current River Conservation Area is home to the Missouri Ozark Ecosystem Project, the world’s most comprehensive forest management study. This 100 year project spans over 9,000 acres. Main park entrance located on South Road in Ellington, other entrances located off Hwy 106 and HH highway. Primitive camping is available. Elk viewing and maps of the area are available at the main park entrance.
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Local Flavor – While in town you won’t want to miss the Reynolds County Museum. This Museum is filled with relicts from days gone by and the rich history of the Ozarks. Volunteers staff the establishment and are happy to answer questions; Open March-November, Reynolds Co Museum Tues-Fri, 10-4 or by appointment. Call 573-663-3233 for more information. Want some nostalgia from a couple decades back; how about a drive in movie? One of only a few drive-ins left in the Midwest is located just south of Ellington Wild Horses on highway 21. 21 Drive-In opens in May with summer family favorites and offers movie events into the fall including Halloween and Christmas.
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Blair Creek- Hwy 106 – This area is a favorite of the local’s spring, summer and fall. For the person who is looking for the unknown, adventure into the wild Ozark hills for the beautiful views, caves, swimming, picnicking. Here riding the back roads in ATV’s, UTV’s and 4-wheel drives is exciting and fun. Entrance located North of Hwy 106 across from Blair Creek Blue Spring entrance.
10 Ozark Trail
- Hwy 106- Blair Creek & Current River section; Hwy 106 – Whether you are looking for a one day hike or want to make a few days of it; hiking these sections of the Ozark Trail is rewarding and adventurous. Such splendid locations as Rocky Falls, Klepzig Mill and Buzzard Mountain Shut-Ins are located right on the trail. For the adventurous visitor Klepzig Mill this is a must!
11 Peck Ranch
- H Highway, Shannon County- Listen for the bugle this fall! Elk are now roaming the hills of the Ozarks and can be seen in Peck Ranch, Current River Conservation Area and the surrounding region. Thanks to the Missouri Department of Conservation’s recent Elk Restoration Program elk were released into the elk zone beginning in the summer of 2011. With the third release the Elk summer of 2013 the elk herd is nearing 200 bulls, cows and calves. Peck Ranch is open from sunrise/sunset daily and offers a driving tour. Bugling occurs in the fall, Sept-Nov. Check the Missouri Dept of Conservation website for park closing details. Maps are available at park entrance.
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Scenic Highway 106 - This 26
mile drive between Ellington and Eminence is known state wide for its scenic views and beauty, and is especially a favorite in the fall. This section of highway is also home to the Trans-America Trail and sees many bicycle travelers from April-October. Bicycle enthusiasts say it’s one of the “toughest sections on TransAmerica Trail the trail” and known for the steep hills & hollers.
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Ellington Chamber of Commerce | www.ellingtonmo.com | Find us
Outdoor Guide
Page 10
Conservation Hall of Fame inducts Joel Vance
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has posthumously honored Joel M. Vance, formerly of Russellville, by inducting him into the Missouri Conservation Hall of Fame on June 17 during a ceremony at the MDC Runge Nature Center in Jefferson City. Vance died Dec. 9, 2020, at age 86. Vance was nominated for the Conservation Hall of Fame by family members, who accepted the award in his honor. They included
his wife, Marty; his sons, Eddie Vance and family, J.B. Vance, and Andy Vance; and his daughters Carrie DeValk and family, and Amy Binkley and family. Vance is the 45th inductee into the Hall of Fame. The award honors deceased citizen conservationists and former employees of MDC, other conservation-related government agencies, universities, or organizations who have made substantial and lasting contributions to the state’s fisheries, forestry,
or wildlife resources. To be eligible, an individual must have performed an outstanding act or demonstrated dedicated service resulting in major progress in conservation in Missouri. Nominations are carefully screened by a diverse committee and their recommendations are presented to the Conservation Commission for consideration and final approval. More information is at http://mdc.mo.gov/ about-us/awards-honors/ hall-fame.
Relax!
PROMOTED THE DEDICATED TAX “Over the decades of his employment with MDC from 1969 to 1991, Mr. Vance contributed to the department by being the highly respected and widely heard clarion voice of conservation in the state, giving talks on behalf of the department, conducting seminars and workshops, and helping establish a public affairs section for MDC in 1986,” MDC Director Sara Parker Pauley said during the See VANCE page 12
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July-August 2022
e c n e i r e p Ex t e a c n e e i r r e p G Ex T he t a ! e r s G r e o h o T d t u O rs! Outdoor Guide
July-August 2022
Outdoo
H C A E B E G A S O The
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Outdoor Guide
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July-August 2022
Illinois declares Asian carp is ‘Copi’
After two years of consumer research and planning, the state of Illinois has unveiled “Copi,” the new name for Asian carp. Copi is a freshwater, top-feeding, wild-caught fish that is mild with a clean, light taste. The new name and brand are designed to address public misconceptions about this top-feeding fish which has been overrunning Midwest waterways. Copi are mild, clean-tasting fish with heart-healthy omega-3s and very low levels of mercury. Increased consumption will help to stop them from decimating other fish populations in the Great Lakes and restore an ecological balance to waterways down stream. A ‘COPIOUS’ TREAT “Enjoying Copi in a restaurant or at home is one of the easiest things people can do to help protect our waterways and Lake Michigan,” said John Goss, former White House invasive carp adviser.
The new name is a play on “copious” – as that’s exactly what these fish are. By one estimate, 20 million to 50 million pounds of Copi could be harvested from the Illinois River alone each year, with hundreds of millions more in waterways from the Midwest to the Gulf Coast. “Copi is a great name: Short, crisp and easy to say. What diner won’t be intrigued when they read Copi tacos or Copi burgers on a menu?” said Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director Colleen Callahan. “It’s a tasty fish that’s easy to work with in the kitchen and it plates beautifully. Every time we’ve offered samples during the Illinois State Fair, people have walked away floored by how delicious it is.” BEATS TILAPIA As part of the launch, 21 chefs and retailers committed to putting Copi on their menus or in their stores, and 14 processors, manufacturers and
distributors are making Copi products available. “Copi is more savory than tilapia, cleaner tasting than catfish, and firmer than cod,” said chef Brian Jupiter, who revealed the new name and will serve Copi at his Ina Mae Tavern in Chicago. “It’s the perfect canvas for creativity – pan fried, steamed, broiled, baked, roasted or grilled. Copi can be ground for burgers, fish cakes, dumplings and tacos,” he said. A list of recommended recipes using Copi can be viewed at ChooseCopi.com. Illinois officials will apply to formally change the name with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration by the end of the year. “Among the requirements to win federal approval for a name change is widespread use of the name, which is another reason why this event is so important,” said Kevin Irons, the assistant fisheries chief for the Illinois Department of Natural Re-
Don’t call it Asian carp, it’s now ‘Copi’
sources, who specializes in invasive species. “So there is one thing that everyone can do to help save the Great Lakes: Call the fish Copi.” ‘CARP AND COPI’ AT THE STORE When sold in grocery stores, the packaging will describe the fish as carp and Copi until federal regulators approve the name change.
The state also has applied to register the trademark so that industry groups will be able to develop standards and ensure quality control. Copi were originally imported from Southeast Asia to the United States to help keep clean fish-farm retention ponds in southern states. But flooding and accidental releases in the 1970s allowed them to escape, multiply and
migrate up the Mississippi River system. Ever since, a collaboration of local, state, and federal government entities have worked to prevent the invasive species from entering Lake Michigan, which would threaten a $7 billion-a-year commercial fishing industry and a $16 billion-a-year tourism industry in the Great Lakes.
Boaters prepare for July 4 ‘tsunami’ on the water Record-high prices will greet boaters BOAT US
Record-high gas prices had many boaters throughout the country saving and waiting for Independence Day to get out on the water, which could result in one of the busiest on-water holidays in decades. Boat Owners Association of the United States (BoatUS), the nation’s largest boating advocacy, services and safety group with more than 800,000 dues-paying members, is advising boaters to be prepared and boat safely.
• Vance
“We are anticipating a tsunami of boaters like never before seen,” said John Condon, vice president of towing services for BoatUS, which operates the nation’s largest on-water towing fleet, TowBoatUS. “While trends showed a steep decline in our service calls for assistance since Memorial Day, our members are telling us that they’re waiting until the July Fourth holiday weekend to take their boats out,” Condon said recently. BOAT BAROMETER The number of requests the on-water towing service receives from boaters can be a barometer of boating traffic, indicating peak boating periods. Boaters waiting until key
from page 10
award event. “Most notably, he wrote the Design for Conservation, which established a dedicated sales tax for conservation in 1976,” Pauley said. “The entire issue of the August 1975 Missouri Conservationist was written by Mr. Vance, detailing the program that would propel MDC to the top of all conservation agencies nationwide.”
Pauley noted that writing the Design for Conservation created a framework for conservation funding in Missouri and emphasis of the sales tax, but the bulk of Vance’s career with MDC included writing about, photographing for, and participating in conservation efforts for the monthly Missouri Conservationist magazine. “These mentioned efforts
holidays to get out on the water because of gas prices is a trend this year. As gas prices started to rapidly increase during the second quarter of 2022, TowBoatUS’s 24-hour call centers experienced a 22 percent increase in calls for on-water assistance during Memorial Day weekend, but then dropped 30 percent. The most common requests for on-water assistance from recreational boaters included engine breakdowns, running aground in a shallow area, needing a jumpstart, and running out of fuel. TowBoatUS 24/7 call centers typically receive more than 80,000 calls annually for routine assistance. “We have decades of experience and statistics that point to
things being different this year, and we’re contributing that to high gas prices, which are now above $5 a gallon in most parts of the country,” Condon added. “If you’re going to be on the water this Independence Day, it’s going to be busy, but there are still plenty of ways to be prepared, stay safe and have fun.” NO SO FAST! Capt. Clayton Tieman, owner of TowBoatUS Tampa Bay, Florida, which covers more than 120 miles of coastline on the west coast of Florida from southern Tampa Bay north to Cedar Key, was preparing for what he anticipates to be the busiest July Fourth on record. Tieman had 20 boat captains and 16 boats ready to assist
boaters in need. He and his team of captains were already offering advice to families who are planning to go boating during the holiday. “In these situations, when there are a record number of boats on the water, it’s important to slow down and be patient, whether you are on the water or preparing to launch from a boat ramp,” Tieman said. “We know from experience that boaters run into problems when they try to go too fast.” LIKE A BOY SCOUT, BE PREPARED Capt. Travis Coleman, owner of TowBoatUS Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri, was also anticipating a record number of boaters this year and makes
the point that boaters should prepare before they even leave for the lake. “There are some essential steps boaters should take before they launch a boat at the ramp or from a slip,” Coleman noted. “Make sure your boat is safe for you and any passengers by inspecting your bilge pump, control cables, electrical components, fluids, and safety gear, to include properly sized life jackets for the operator and all passengers.” Boaters who find themselves in need can summon routine on-water assistance by calling 800-391-4869 or downloading the BoatUS app. More information on towing services can also be found at BoatUS.com/ Towing.
only hint at his significance to the North American conservation movement,” Pauley said. “In addition to thousands of news stories and magazine articles written for the department, Mr. Vance produced an abundance of freelance articles and monthly columns over his 60-year career for every major hunting, fishing, and conservation magazine in America. His work earned
him numerous, well-deserved awards and accolades.” The Outdoor Guide published his columns for many years until his death. CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD Vance also wrote many books about conservation topics all of kinds, which showcased his wit, humor and love of conservation efforts. Vance was also deeply
involved in the conservation movement, serving as president and chairman of the board of directors of the Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA) and the Missouri Outdoor Communicators, as well as an active member of the Association for Conservation Information, the Southeastern Outdoor Press Association, and the Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers.
“With Mr. Vance’s passing, Missouri lost a dedicated conservationist,” Pauley said. “However, his legacy lives on for future generations of Missourians. We are pleased Mr. Vance’s family could be with us today to accept this honor on his behalf. I want to personally thank them for supporting him in his efforts to make Missouri and the nation a better place for future generations.”
July-August 2022
Outdoor Guide
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Outdoor Guide
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July-August 2022
Claudette’s Cottage
Cool summer fare and a lonely duck
By CLAUDETTE ROPER
“What do you want for dinner?” I’d love to have a dollar for every time that’s been asked! When the heat index is 107, an hour of outside chores has me spent. Thus my reaction to Mountain Man. “Really? I don’t think so. I have no appe-
tite. If we had cereal, I’d offer you cornflakes!” When you get so hot that you can’t think about eating, there’s a problem. His health issues have affected his appetite and he says “My taster isn’t working.” Additionally, this northern, cold-loving gal became sole farmer of our cows, calves, turkeys, guineas
and chickens. THE LOVESICK DRAKE A few weeks ago I could have listed Carl, our lone drake. There’s a funny story about Carl – he was raised with hens and roosters. His was the only duck egg that hatched. He knew he was a male, but he didn’t know he was a duck. He quacked like a duck, but he couldn’t get on the roost with the
chickens. He was safe, because the roost area was locked up at night. Then Carl took a fancy to a particular hen. One night when I locked up … no Carl. The next morning, I saw him coming from the machine shed with his girlfriend. Apparently, they moved out and decided to set up housekeeping out there. A few months of living dangerously passed, and now
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there’s no more Carl. As Mountain Man would say, “That’s life on the farm.” But I’ve digressed. HEAT AND EATING According to University of Toronto research done between 1947 and 1967, soldiers in the tropics and warmer temperatures ate 25 percent fewer calories compared to soldiers in the arctic and cooler temperatures. This, among other studies, confirms our observation that heat decreases appetite. So, what’s a person to do? Cornflakes with sliced bananas and strawberries didn’t sound so bad at all. You may get away with that on the rare occasion, unless of course you are feeding growing boys, and then all bets are off. Grilling is an alternative to heating up the kitchen, but somebody still has to stand out there in the heat and cook. Somebody also has to put a lot of effort into making sides. For all our outside workers who worked in the heat all day, that’s asking a lot. LIGHT, NOT LITE A simpler meal, with the fewest and lightest sides, is the ideal alternative. Quite frankly, the idea that we have to have three hot meals a day is a myth. Start thinking cold and also light. No, not “lite” as in lowfat or sugar-free fare. Light as opposed to stick-to-your ribs ham and beans. A salad is ample accompaniment to meat off the grill on days like this. That could be a three-bean salad, pasta salad, tomato and cucumber salad or a garden salad. You can punch up the latter by offering chopped hard-boiled eggs, nuts, sunflower seeds, raisins and sliced fruit with it. Thin slices of honey crisp apples or pears freshen it up. More than anything, it seems that we are yearning for something refreshing. Chunks of
pineapple in cottage cheese have that same effect – they make it refreshing. You don’t need me to figure this out, I’m just reminding you. Don’t overlook the simplicity of a charcuterie tray – or as our youngest endearingly calls it, a hoochie coochie tray. It’s nutritious and satisfying. If that’s unfamiliar to you, there are lots of examples online. Remember, don’t let anybody make you feel bad for not serving a big meal. CUCUMBER SALAD I mentioned cucumbers earlier. A staple in all of our Roper households from the time cucumbers come on is cucumber salad. It’s easy to make and you can keep adding to it. The beauty of it is that you can stir a helping of it into any of the salads I mentioned and have something new. My apologies to those who want exact quantities. You’ll be OK – I promise. This will be very easy to personalize. If you prefer not to peel your cucumbers, that’s fine. I do because the boss likes it that way and I aim to please him – most of the time. Peel and thickly slice cucumbers, then coarsely chop some onions. Place them in a container and cover them with 75 percent vinegar and 25 percent water. You can alter the ratio to suit you. Salt and pepper to taste, then place in the refrigerator for at least one or two days. You can add more cucumbers to it as you go, for a little while. When you do, add a little vinegar. If you find you are using it up quickly, start a second jar so it will be ready when the first one is out. For a refreshing beverage, place some cucumbers slices and lemon wedges in a jar and cover with water. Serve ice cold. Enjoy!
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Outdoor Guide
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Outdoor Guide
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July-August 2022
Wild Wine Life
‘Boiled’ venison is hotter than expected Photo and Text By RAY MAXWELL
Cooking any dish to appeal to any family member who did not grow up hunting or eating wild game is one way to build some positive points so you can spend more time in the woods.
Many dishes in our house have an Asian influence, to appeal to my wife, and Szechuan Boiled Venison happens to be one dish in the house recipe book. Szechuan Boiled Venison is based on an old Szechuan dish, Boiled Beef. But do not let the word “Boiled” fool you into thinking either dish is just boiled meat in water served with rice and vegetables! There is won-
derful complexity to the dish. You will discover this to be an easy, healthy, tasty dish to cook and enjoy. Although you can determine the heat level on this dish, be prepared – this dish has some real spice and heat. INGREDIENTS 3 venison round steaks (other cuts can be used) 1 package enoki mushrooms (5 oz.) 1 packag e soybean
sprouts (12 oz.) 3 bokchoy (peeled) 12 dried chili peppers (add more if you want additional heat) 1/2 teaspoon sichuan peppers (found at any Asian specialty store) 2 tablespoons hot bean paste (found atAsian specialty stores) 4 green onions 1/2 teaspoon salt
Saldo Chenin Blanc 2021 and Meramec Vineyards Winery Vignoles both pair very well with the dish.
1/4 teaspoon white pepper 1/2 teaspoon sugar 1 teaspoon light soy sauce 1 teaspoon oyster sauce 2 teaspoons corn starch 1 egg 1 tablespoon minced garlic (in addition to what you use for the marinade) 1 table spoon minced ginger (in addition to what you use for the marinade) PREPPING THE DISH • Cut the venison into slices while trimming the meat. The meat should be in thin slices and not cubed. • Marinate the meat in a non-oak, dry white wine with one teaspoon fresh ginger and teaspoon garlic. • After marinating the dish (for 12 people) for 2 to 4 hours, drain the marinade from the meat. Mix the cornstarch and egg together and then mix with the venison. • Bring some water to a boil and place the enoki mushrooms, soybean sprouts, and bokchoy into the water and cook for about 8 minutes until the contents are soft but still firm. • Drain and place cooked contents into a large bowl. INTO THE WOK • Pre-heat your wok or skillet with 2 tablespoons of cooking oil. (I prefer olive oil). • Place the sichuan peppers and dried chili peppers with 2 tablespoons of hot bean paste into the wok/ skillet, and once you can smell the aromatics, add the ginger and garlic. • Once the bean paste melts, add the green onions and spices. Then add one bottle of dry white wine non-oak. • Bringing the liquid to a boil, add the venison and cook for 5-7 minutes. • Pour the venison and liquid and place it over the cooked
vegetables. Sprinkle additional dried chili peppers and Sichuan peppers over the dish. The more peppers you add, the greater the heat. • Heat three tablespoons of olive oil in the wok/skillet, then pour it over the entire dish. Sprinkle an additional two chopped green onions over the dish for presentation and serve with rice. SOME COOL WINES Since the dish has some heat, we enjoy wine that offers some relief, bringing a roller coaster experience with hot and cool to the palate. Saldo Chenin Blanc 2021 and Meramec Vineyards Winery Vignoles both pair very well with the dish. For those on the lower spectrum of the heat scale, the Saldo Chenin Blanc, from Prisoner Wine Co., pairs very well with the dish. With melon and stone fruit aromatics, the wine has nice weight on the palate and brings flavors of stone fruit, pineapple and hints of melon; a very crisp, clean refreshing finish. Meramec Vineyards Winery Vignoles is the wine for those going higher on the heat spectrum with this dish. Providing the ability to cut the heat from the dish, the Vignoles brings wonderful aromatics of tropical fruit flavors that include lemon and honeysuckle notes, plus a nice mouth feel with flavors that you will find enticing your nose. The wine is on the medium spectrum for sweetness that will appeal to most people, and it will dampen that heat on any spicy dish, allowing wonderful relief and preparing you for the next bite. Follow and Like WILD WINE LIFE for the video version of this recipe along with other wild game recipes and wine pairings on Facebook and Youtube.
Outdoor Guide
July-August 2022
Page 17
Bears on the move this time of summer Missouri Department of Conservation
Spring and early summer is the time when bears are most likely to be on the move in St. Louis and surrounding regions, the Missouri Department of Conservation reports. It’s common for MDC to receive reports of bears in counties like Jefferson, Franklin, Washington and Crawford. However, it was just over a year ago when a male black bear wandered through St. Louis County and into Richmond Heights, where MDC biologists immobilized and safely relocated it to an area of suitable bear habitat outside the urban corridor. Incidents like this remind us that black bears are becoming a growing part of the St. Louis regional landscape, even at times in highly populated areas. The department’s ongoing bear research indicates that the Show-Me-State is currently home to around 800 black bears, and that population is growing by about 8 percent each year. Only one species can be found in this state – the American black bear – though multiple color phases can be found in Missouri other than black; a bear’s fur can be brown, red, or cinnamon in color. Most of our bears are found in the southern part of Missouri, which is where the largest tracts of forested habitat are. POPULATION GROWING However, research also shows the population is expanding, both in total numbers and range, which might explain the uptick in sightings in recent years. As the population grows and expands, bears are showing up in areas further north. Additionally, late spring and early summer is prime time for bears to be on the move. Young bears begin to wander seeking food and new areas to settle, and adult males begin moving large distances in search of females. These creatures are part
of our state’s natural history, and many people enjoy the thought of seeing one of these impressive animals. With an expanding population of bears, however, comes an increased potential for human-bear interactions. While generally not aggressive, black bears, like any wild animals, are driven to find food. It takes a lot of calories to fuel an animal that typically weighs several hundred pounds, and they can be attracted to a variety of food sources this time of year. AVOIDING CONFLICTS As bears emerge from hibernation in spring, they’re especially hungry. Food, or rather the lack of it, is key to avoiding conflicts with bears. The last thing homeowners should do is tempt them with any sort of food source, whether intentionally or not. Feeding bears can be dangerous, as it makes the bears comfortable around people. It can also lead bears to cause significant damage to property. A bear that becomes accustomed to obtaining food from humans can become a problem, resulting in increased encounters, property damage, bold behavior and ultimately the euthanizing of the bear. These types of situations can be prevented by ensuring bears don’t have access to easy foods. Despite their primary concentration in the Ozarks, sightings and potential encounters with bears are likely to increase in the St. Louis region. SOME GOOD IDEAS MDC suggests the following tips to avoid issues if a bear has been sighted in the area. • Store garbage, recyclables, and compost inside a secure building or in a bear-proof container or location. • Regularly clean and disinfect trash containers to minimize smells that could attract bears. • Keep grills and smokers clean and store them inside.
Biologists say bears are on the move. Don’t feed them, and do take precautions when camping. – MDC photo
• Don’t leave pet food outside. Feed pets a portion at each
meal and remove the empty containers.
• Refrain from using bird feeders in bear country from
April through November. When in use, hang them at least 10 feet high and 4 feet away from any structure. Keep in mind that even if a bear cannot get to the birdseed, the scent could still attract it to the area. • Use electric fencing to keep bears away from beehives, chicken coops, vegetable
gardens, orchards, and other potential food sources. These measures will also reduce problems with more common critters like raccoons and coyotes. While black bears are generally a shy, non-aggressive species, and bear attacks are rare throughout their range in North America, MDC offers these tips to stay safe when hiking and camping in bear country: • Never deliberately offer a bear food! • Keep campsites clean and
store all food, toiletries, and trash in a secure vehicle or strung high between two trees. • Do not keep food or toiletries in a tent, and do not burn
or bury garbage or food waste. • Make noise, such as clapping, singing or talking loudly, while hiking to prevent surprising a bear. • Travel in a group if possible. • Keep dogs leashed. • If hiking or camping in bear country, consider carrying bear spray. Read the instruc-
tions carefully and keep bear
spray immediately available on your belt or your pack’s waist strap, not buried inside your pack. • Be aware of surroundings.
If there are signs of a bear, such as tracks or scat, avoid the area. • Leave bears alone! Do not approach them, and make sure they have an escape route. To learn more about black bears in Missouri, go to mdc. mo.gov/bearaware. To report bear sightings and submit photos online, go to mdc.mo.gov/ reportbears.
Page 18
Outdoor Guide
July-August 2022
Bull Shoals area a gem – especially for fishing Photo and Text By BRANDON BUTLER The White River in Northwest Arkansas is where my love of trout fishing was born. This world-class fishery flows from the base of Bull Shoals Dam southeast to its confluence with the Mississippi. The upper 30 miles of the White is one of the greatest trout fishing destinations in the country. Anglers descend on this mecca for both numbers and the chance at a trout of a lifetime. For nearly 30 years, I’ve been returning to the White River and Gaston’s Resort because I’ve yet to find a place more suited for refreshing my soul. The fishing, the food and the cozy riverside cabins combine to create the perfect place to escape the hustle of everyday life. The entire region is an outdoor masterpiece. Bull Shoals Reservoir is outstanding for bass, crappie, walleye and more. For pleasure boating and water sports, few places compare. As an Army Corp impoundment, the shoreline remains pristine. It is easy to escape the crowd on this massive body of water. The region is inviting. There is a freedom in these Ozark Mountains. It’s a mild wilderness. Where you breathe clean air, fish and swim in clean water, wander bountiful forests, watch eagles fly, know bears roam, hear elk bugle and let your spirits soar. This is a destination where special memories are made. Where families gather and old friends find time to reconnect. LIVING HIS DREAM I met Jeremy Hunt over
Visit Our Website at www.outdoorguidemagazine.com
a decade ago when he was guiding on Lake Taneycomo in Branson. I immediately was drawn to his depth of fly fishing knowledge and his gregarious nature. Now he’s living his dream on the White River as the owner of Flies and Guides, where he and his partner Lisa Bellue run a first class fly-shop and guide service. Jeremy is an expert fly tier. He sells his flies from the shop and online. Together with Lisa and a crew of tiers, they sell wholesale to other shops as well. No one ever said living your dream is easy work. But Jeremy proves it each day – it’s gratifying. As a master of his craft, Jeremy takes pride in each fly he turns out, knowing it could be the one that connects an angler to a fish and moment they’ll never forget. The Miracle Fly is an egg pattern tied on a jig head. Traditional? No. Effective? Oh yeah. Customers keep the shop hopping. Seeking knowledge and equipment, Jeremy provides both. He’s not short on stories. Take this man’s advice on what to use and where to use it. Streamers are a prize on the White. Flies and Guides offers the ones you need. Don’t know which color to use under which conditions? Jeremy does. Let him set you up. Strip streamers for giant browns. Hook one and you’ll be changed for life. Just to the east of Mountain Home is the Norfork River. The short gem of a tailwater is loaded with trout. Flowing into it at the dam is Dry Run Creek, a special water set aside to offer youth anglers a real chance at See SHOALS page 21
Nathan ‘Shags’ McLeod shows why the Bull Shoals region of Arkansas is a special fishing destination.
Outdoor Guide
July-August 2022
Lake Michigan recovery continues Photo and Text By JERRY PABST Back in 1965, the Lake Michigan fishery could hardly be called a fishery. Actually, it more resembled a fish hatchery – for alewives. Oh, there were a few other piscatorial species out there – sparse populations of lake trout, whitefish, perch, chub smelt, and even some sturgeon, and there were sea lampreys, lots of sea lampreys. If you added the numbers of all these fish communities together, they made up, in total, about 5 percent by weight of all the fish in the lake. The balance of the “fishery” consisted solely of alewives, bony fish similar to herring. The alewife schools were so extensive and dense that pilots flying over the lake could see them clearly. A FISH FOOD MIRACLE And then a miracle occurred. Dr. Howard Tanner, chief of fisheries for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, tried to turn the super-abundant alewives into fish food by making a test stocking of Pacific salmon – Coho and Chinook. The rest is history, and a North American, world-class, fresh-water fishery was born. Over the past 57 years, the salmon fishery was supplemented by heavy stockings of lake, brown, rainbow and even some brook trout, plus Atlantic salmon.Along with these intentional additions, thanks to trans-oceanic commercial freighters, more than 185 invasive species of plants and marine life were brought via ballast water from foreign lands and dumped into Great Lakes harbors. Notable among them were gobies, zebra and quagga mussels, spiny water fleas and various aquatic plants and mosses, which, along with a warming climate, remade the ecosystem. These newcomers, over time, transformed the lake’s ecosystem dramatically, and the sport fishery changed with it. ENTER THE BIOLOGISTS Watching over the vastness of Lake Michigan were marine biologists of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, natural resource heads of the four lake states (Illinois, Indiana, Wis-
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4
2
This youngster happily landed a fine brown trout right in front of Chicago’s Navy Pier.
consin and Michigan), indigenous tribal councils, and several other governmental agencies. These scientists probed, surveyed and studied about every aspect of the big lake’s fishery year around, under the auspices of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission (GLFC). In mid-March, the commission’s Lake Michigan committee met to review their findings for 2021. I was able to sit in on the meeting by Zoom, and the following, in layman’s terms, is what I learned. Over the past few years we have seen the percentage of wild, unclipped lake trout steadily rising, and so we thought natural reproduction would be increasing dramatically. Last season, in the southern half of the lake, it hit 56 percent, plus 10 percent in the northern half and 47 percent lake wide. But those figures are deceiving when you consider stocking numbers are going down, especially in the southern portion, so as the percentage of fin-clipped trout declines, the percentage of unclipped lakers goes up, without the actual number of fish caught having to change very much. However, the number of wild lake trout is growing steadily, so there is good news. The biologists don’t feel stocking should be ended yet, however. NO-KILL NETS Regarding the Wisconsin commercial netters want-
ing to harvest lake trout, it seems that over the years they have switched to using trap nets and away from killer gill nets. Trap nets don’t kill the fish, and non-targeted species can be released. They have been setting these nets for whitefish, which are on the decline, and when they pull the net they are finding large amounts of lake trout, which they must shovel over the side, and they are allowed keep only the few whitefish. I can see their point, but nothing was said about the lake trout population being able to withstand the harvest. No recommendation was made, either way. The alewife population has slightly improved but is still down, way down. Perch also are still way down. Green Bay holds the healthiest population. The Rainbow smelt population is still very low and declining steadily, with the best areas in Green Bay and northwest Wisconsin waters. Lake sturgeon are very slowly making a comeback, with 3,000 spawning adults, only three secure spawning areas, and stocking showing good return results. Overall, I think you can say the Lake Michigan fishery is presently in relatively stable condition. It has definitely changed over the years, but it remains one of America’s most productive fisheries. I’m glad something is still working right.
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Andy Dalton Lake City Jay Henges Parma Woods August A. Busch
Targets in 5-stand shotgun shooting imitate the flight patterns of popular game birds. Shooters rotate through five stations where clay targets can fly left and right, toward, and away and at different angles and speeds – even bounce on the ground. Both MDC shooting ranges in the St. Louis region are hosting 5-stand at the following times through Aug. 31: August A. Busch Shooting Range Thursday 1 - 7:30 p.m. Friday 10 am. - 4:30 p.m. Jay Henges Shooting Range Wednesday 1 - 7:30 p.m. Thursday 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
5-stand is excellent prep for game bird hunting and can sharpen your shotgun skills. $4 per round, cash or check only. Includes clay birds; eye and ear protection available. No reservations, first come first served. Visit mdc.mo.gov/shootingranges to learn more.
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Outdoor Guide
July-August 2022
Fly fishing, beyond Old World snobbery
Photo and Text By BILL COOPER
The matter which separates fly fishermen in the United States and the old world fly fishermen of England, Britain and Scotland is the American ideal of liberty and the right to the pursuit of happiness. Fly fishing in the Old World is a pursuit of the wealthy and snobbish. The pursuit of fish with a fly rod is as much a statement of wealth and royalty as it is a statement of man against beast. In England, the rights to a river are held by the owners of the riverbanks, who are almost always landed gentry. In Scotland, on the other hand, rivers are separate property, not necessarily connected to the banks, and a river owner can sell or rent out their river. These legalities make it especially difficult for a commoner to gain access to a river to fish. However, some landowners,
thankfully, take pride in allowing others to access their river. The Helmsdale, in the Scottish Highlands, is a river whose owners allow people to fish. Prince Charles loves to fish there. Very few river owners allow locals to fish, however. If they do, they generally require anglers to give them the fish they catch to provide eggs and milt for private hatcheries owned by the river owners. ELITEST IN AMERICA American fly fishing tradition is largely derived from that of British origin, and originally complete with all the snobbishness of Old World anglers. In Britain and to some degree in the early days of New World fly fishing, the sport centered around elitist fly fishing clubs. John Steinbeck wrote that the French fished for relaxation and theAmericans saw it as a contest between man and nature. But the British fly fished as a way of
In the U.S., fly fishing is a part of the ideal of everyone having a right to the pursuit of happiness.
expressing, “the English passion for private property.” Some Brits are very much into the battle between man and nature, and many Americans suffer from the same malady or sense of elitism. William Trotter Porter, a mid19th century sports journalist, wrote, “Fly fishing has been designated the royal and aristocratic branch of the angler’s craft, and unquestionably it is the most difficult, the most elegant, and to men of taste, by a myriad of degrees the most exciting and
pleasant mode of angling.” FINALLY, WOMEN Only in recent decades have fly fishing clubs in both Britain and the U.S. allowed women to join. Even President Cleveland sported the habit of calling fly fishermen a fraternity, and he opposed the inclusion of minorities. Although fly fishing equipment is not as expensive as it once was in comparison, fly fishing is still often a rich man’s sport. Only the wealthy are helicoptered in to fly fish the premier destinations of Russia, Alaska, New Zealand and Peru.
NEW
THE MOST DIFFICULT Fly fishing is the most difficult of all types of fishing. To fish merely to test your skills against a fish rather than to catch fish for food does emit an air of being a rich man’s game. Fly fishing to the average American, however, is about submerging oneself into the natural order, in the world of predator and prey. There is nothing elitist about that notion. In the U.S. no one owns the rivers. In most cases Americans can pay a fee to state game and fish departments and have access to thousands of rivers and lakes across the country. The German philosopher Hannah Arendt once wrote that one of the most surprising things about America for Europeans was that Americans really do sincerely believe in “the pursuit of happiness” as an inalienable right. It is a basic part of the American ideal of how mankind should live. It would be absolutely un-American for the great sport of fly-fishing to
be limited only to the wealthy. EVER MORE POPULAR After the debut of the popular fly fishing movie, “ARiver Runs Through It,” fly fishing exploded the next year by 700 percent and also became the inclusive, elitist sport of all Americans. Had John Wayne been a fly fisherman, he surely would have said, “theAmerican cowboy has arrived on the fly fishing scene.” The idea of being known as a fly fisherman became so popular in the 19th century that presidential candidates regarded being photographed while fly fishing as a campaign must. When Maine’s Penobscot River became world famous, it became a popular event to send the first salmon of the year from the Banger Pool to the President of the United States. Steinbeck, referring to all the hullabaloo surrounding fly fishing, said it best, perhaps, when he said: “It has always been my conviction that anyone who pits his intelligence against a fish and loses has it coming.”
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Outdoor Guide
July-August 2022
• Bull Shoals the trout of the lifetime, just as the Norfork River offers the same to us all. ON THE NORFORK Norfork is one of those rivers you can’t get enough of. When it’s on, it’s on like nowhere else. It doesn’t matter if you’re a traditionalist fly angler or spinning rod aficionado, the Norfork has it all. Swift runs, long riffles, sharp drops, deep pools and lots and lots of trout. The Norfork is more intimate than the White River. It’s smaller, but like dynamite, is explosive. Catch the Norfork when the conditions are right, and I don’t know what river can compare. Rainbows, browns, brookies and cutthroat can all end up on your line at any time. Rare tiger trout and golden trout offer the occasional surprise. Accidental walleyes and bass please trout fishermen from time to time. One does not have to be a fly fisherman to enjoy trout fishing. Too often anglers are at odds over methods. These waters invite all. Regardless of preference, fisherman of all ilks come to wet a line, bend a rod and beam with pride and joy as
Page 21
from page 18
Jeremy Hunt is living his dream.
they bring another trout to net. Waters this perfect deserve the utmost respect. If you want trout for the frying pan, there is a supply of stockers for that purpose. Please release the trophies. Handle them with care so they survive to fight another day. A replica mount is a superior option to killing a magnificent fish. To experience the Bull Shoals Region is to experience a fishing destination like few others in America. With the 50,000 acre reservoir, the White
River, Norfork Reservoir, the Norfork River, Dry Run Creek, and two additional must-fish destinations in the Buffalo River and Crooked Creek, one simply has to make the trip to this region or their bucket list will never be complete. Once you do – once you leave with memories of this special place – you’ll be back to make more. For more Driftwood Outdoors, check out the podcast at www.driftwoodoutdoors. com or anywhere podcasts are streamed.
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July-August 2022
Dion Hibdon’s favorite summer bass lures Photo and Text By JOHN NEPORADNY JR.
When the weather gets hot and sticky, Dion Hibdon checks the bass’ summertime menu to determine which lures to throw. “The forage is always a big deal,” Hibdon said. “You have to be around the food.” The Missouri pro knows that in his neck of the woods, shad and crayfish are the main staples of bass during the summertime, so he opts for lures that best imitate the forage. During low-light conditions, Hibdon finds bass hugging the bottom, so he selects crayfish-imitating lures. “As the sun comes up and the current gets to flowing a little bit, then I go to those shad-oriented baits,” he said. Here are Hibdon’s five favorite lures for catching summertime bass from top to bottom. TOPWATER POPPER The former Bassmaster
Classic and Forrest Wood Cup winner favors a topwater popper in open water when he sees bass on his graph suspended within 10 feet of the surface. He considers cloudy skies with a little chop on the surface as ideal conditions for throwing the topwater popper. “The bass are so shad oriented that they will suspend up high in the water column,” he said. “When you see those fish on the graph within 10 feet or less of the surface, those fish are probably committed more to the surface than they are the bottom. So you can draw them to the top with a big topwater.” He believes those bass want an easy meal, and a large topwater plug floundering on the surface imitates a dying shad. Hibdon prefers making a lot of racket on the surface with the topwater popper. “I keep it moving pretty fast,” he said. “I want to draw them up to it.” SWIMBAIT Hibdon favors this lure because he can work it effec-
Missouri pro Dion Hibdon can catch bass from top to bottom with his five favorite summertime lures.
tively throughout all levels of the water column. “I can throw it out there and let it sink five or six feet and take off swimming or I can let it go all the way to the bottom,”
he said. Scanning his depth finder gives Hibdon a clue on how deep to run his swimbait. “I try to make my cadence as such to where it covers that
column of water,” he said. Most of the time, Hibdon works the lure in the bottom 10 feet of the water column by winding it for eight or 10 turns of the reel handle and then letting it go back to the bottom. Gizzard shad is the main forage for bass on the lakes Hibdon fishes frequently, so he tries to “match the hatch” with 5- or 6-inch swimbaits. He uses a 1/2-ounce swimbait jighead for working the lure slowly through the upper water columns but switches to a 3/4-ounce jighead for bass holding 15 to 18 feet deep. FLUTTER SPOON When he notices bass bumping or tapping his swimbait, Hibdon switches to a flutter spoon, which has an erratic action that triggers those fickle fish into biting. Most of the time, Hibdon selects a 1/2- or 5/8-ounce bait for his flutter spoon tactics. Hibdon starts his flutter spoon presentation by letting the lure fall to the bottom. ‘I just kind of hop it up off the
bottom and then I follow it back down,” he said. “If you let it free fall back down, it gets to the bottom a little bit faster. But if you hop it up and kind of hold tension and follow it back down, it falls quite a bit slower.” He jerks the spoon about the length of his 7 1/2-foot rod so he estimates the spoon is hopping 6 to 10 feet off the bottom on each jerk. PLASTIC WORM When all other lures fail to produce a bite for Hibdon, he can always catch summertime bass on a Texas-rigged plastic worm. The Missouri angler favors a 10-inch worm most of the time but he also throws 7- and 8-inch models. A ribbon-tail worm is his top choice because it has a good swimming action. The depth he fishes and the mood of the fish determine the weight of the worm sinker Hibdon selects. “If the fish are pretty aggressive and eating pretty good, then I will throw a heavier sinker (1/2 See NEPORADNY page 23
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Outdoor Guide
July-August 2022
Page 23
Coyotes become a presence in St. Louis Missouri Department of Conservation
Pet owners in the city of Wildwood have reported encounters with coyotes recently, and the Missouri Department of Conservation reminds residents that while coyote encounters are rare, it’s still a good idea to be vigilant of pets during this time in all areas where coyotes are known to live. “Coyotes are teaching their pups how to hunt and travel right now, and that can lead to conflicts with pets and people – especially in an urban setting,” Wildlife Damage Biologist Patrice Pyatt said. Pyatt said pets – especially dogs – can provoke territorial responses from coyotes. They may attack family pets not as a food source, but instead because they see them as competition for their territory. Pet owners should take extra care when walking dogs or letting them out in the yard, especially around dusk. Residents should always keep a close eye on pets while they are in the yard, and keep them on a leash when walking them outside the yard. Coyotes adapt particularly well around human development, and co-exist with people in many places. These areas can include municipal parks and other urban green space, golf courses, cemeteries, suburban wooded common areas, and even within subdivisions themselves.
• Neporadny ounce) out there,” he said. “If the bite is slow, I have thrown a 3/16-ounce sinker in 20 feet of water.” Hibdon drags the worm along the bottom until it bumps into something such as a piece of wood or a rock. “If I bump something, I might hop it a little bit and try to entice a fish into eating it.” JIG Hibdon relies on this lure to imitate crayfish when fishing rocky banks or to imitate bluegill when he is targeting shallow boat docks. When targeting shallow bass around docks or boulders, Hibdon opts for a flipping or casting jig in lighter weights (3/8 ounce
WHAT YOU CAN DO Three things are key to minimizing potential conflicts with coyotes – food, scare tactics and vigilance. First, ensure that your yard or property has no food sources readily available to coyotes. If food is deliberately or inadvertently provided by people, adult coyotes and their pups quickly learn not to fear humans and will develop a dependency on these easy food sources. MDC urges dog and cat owners not to leave pet food outside, to securely cover all trash containers, and consider waiting to put trash containers out as close to pick-up time as possible. Consider bringing in bird feeders too. While coyotes are usually not interested in bird food, bird feeders attract rodents, especially squirrels, which in turn attract coyotes. There are plenty of food sources for birds this time of year. MDC recommends the use of scare tactics to instill fear of humans into coyotes. If a coyote should approach or be seen in the yard, homeowners should do everything possible to make it feel unwelcome. This could include yelling or making other loud, threatening noises, throwing rocks, spraying garden hoses, or blowing air horns. It’s a matter of conditioning. If its encounter with humans is unpleasant, a coyote will be less likely to come back.
Finally, vigilance regarding pets is extremely important. MDC cautions that pet owners should not leave their pets outside unattended, especially during the hours of dusk, nighttime, and dawn. These are the periods coyotes are most active. Owners should be with their pets and have them in constant view during these times. Installing a fence around yards may also help. Fences
Watch out, pet owners, coyotes can be territorial – MDC photo
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from page 22 or less). He wants a more natural-looking fall for his lure, so Hibdon tips his jig with a Ledgerock Lures plastic craw that generates less action than curly-tail trailers. If he finds bass hugging the bottom 20 feet deep, Hibdon chooses a 3/4-ounce football jig for probing the bottom. He will upgrade to a 1-ounce jig if a lot of current is flowing in his area. He wants his deep-water jig to produce a lot of swimming action, so Hibdon pairs it with a twintail plastic grub or a Strike King Rage Bug. Hibdon lets the jig fall to the bottom and lifts and drops his jig in a similar fashion to his flutter spoon presentation.
should be at least six feet high and dug into the ground six inches deep, so the agile and resourceful canines cannot jump or dig under them. More information on dealing with nuisance coyotes can be found at https://short. mdc.mo.gov/Zaa or write to “Controlling Conflicts with Urban Coyotes in Missouri,” at P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102. Or send e-mail to pubstaff@mdc. mo.gov.
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Outdoor Guide
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July-August 2022
Your Guide to
GREAT GEAR Adler’s German Axes offers a handy hatchet, too Adler, known for its durable German-made axes, also offers the Rheinland Hatchet as an all-purpose wilderness tool and for tasks at home. The length is 14 inches, with a 4-inch blade of C45 steel, ergonomic grip and a no-slip handle made of American hickory. It weighs 1 pound, 14 ounces. The head is in the German Rheinland pattern, with a larger, curved cutting surface. The hatchet comes with a cotton storage bag and a heavy-duty leather sheath. Any wood waste from the handle manufacturing process is re-used to generate energy to run the factory, founded in 1919. The Adler’s hatchet sells for $84 at REI and rei.com.
Aldo Leopold writings about wilderness are still available The Aldo Leopold Foundation preserves the memory of the man considered the father of wildlife ecology and the U.S. wilderness system. Leopold was a conservationist, forester, philosopher, educator, writer and outdoor enthusiast. Among his best-known ideas is the “land ethic” which calls for an ethical, caring relationship between people and nature. Raised in Iowa, Leopold spent many hours observing, journaling and sketching his surroundings. After graduating from Yale Forest School, he worked for the U.S. Forest Service, helping develop Gila National Forest and Carson National Forest as wilderness areas. Later he worked in Wisconsin and wrote the first textbook on wildlife management. Leopold’s essays were published as “A Sand County Almanac,” still available from retailers including Amazon.com and from his foundation at aldoleopold.org/product-category/books/
Cannondale Quick CX 4 brings top quality parts to a trail bike
Cannondale presents the Quick CX 4 bicycle for use on both roads and dirt. Riders sit upright, as in mountain biking, the speed shifter has three groups of seven speeds each, and powerful Promax disc brakes keep riders in control. The frame is lightweight but heavy duty SmartForm C3 aluminum alloy. The tires are Vittoria multi-surface designs. And the bike comes in four sizes – small, medium, large and extra large. The front suspension has 63 mm of travel to absorb rough bumps. Flex is engineering into the frame to reduce vibrations and increase the consistency of tire contact. Fender brackets and universal rack mounts are available. The Quick CX 4 bicycle lists for $735, comes in black and comes with free adjustments when pupchased at REI stores.
Crispi Nevada is honored as best men’s hunting boot
Clam X500 is an insulated ice-fishing shelter for up to 6
The GearJunkie website has pronounced the Crispi Nevada GTX as the best overall hunting boot. The Crispi Nevada comes either uninsulated or insulated for another $20. The boot is known for its ankle bone support structure, and reviewers have remarked on its being “out-ofthe-box comfortable” The Nevada series is tough but not without some flex, making it great for hiking, backpacking and hitting the trail with a load of meat in the pack. It can also be resoled to extend its life. Crispi Nevada GTX is available for $409 at blackovis.com.
The Clam X500 is an insulated ice-fishing shelter with 63.5 square-feet of space for four to six anglers or hunters, using flex-tested poles. Clam has three windows per wall, and the center height is 6.8 feet. Its full thermal trap technology retains heat and reduces condensation. It’s made of 900 total denier fabric with 90 grams of insulation per square meter. It’s built to withstand extreme weather conditions, with 11-milimeter, durable, flex-tested frame poles, plus triple-layer corner pockets, ice anchor straps and strap pockets. The Clam weighs 50 pounds and is 108 inches by 108 inches. The floor, sold separately, is removable using an interior Velcro strip. Clam X500 sells for $699.99 at Amazon.com.
Sportsman’s Connection offers fishing maps from 13 states Each state’s maps come in the form of a spiral-bound guide book, 8.5” by 11”, that includes maps, stocking and survey data, fishing tips and local experts’ favorite spots. The states are Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Kentucky, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin. Each volume has up to 250 fishing maps. Lake information includes location, size, depth, clarity, accessibility, accommodations, plus fish stocking data by year, species, size and numbers. State fish survey information includes netting and shocking. Area locator maps show highways and back roads. Lake maps show depths, contours, underwater structure, boat accesses and roads. The guide books are also available in eBook editions. Contact Sportsman’s Connection at 259 Main St., Superior, WI 54880, call (715) 395-7775 or go online to scmaps.com.
Shark Rocket hand vacuum great for cleaning out RVs The Shark Rocket Ultra-Light Hand Vacuum is considered one of the best solutions for cleaning an RV without an extreme price tag. It has a True Pet Motorized Brush with suction power that lets it handle pet hair. It is handheld and so it is easy to store. It weighs just four pounds. Its dust cup empties with the touch of a button, no bag needed. You still have to plug it in, but that also means it is more powerful with its 15-foot cord than cordless models. Extensions are provided that make it easier to clean floors. The Shark Rocket hand vacuum was selling for $99.95 at Amazon.com.
Women’s walking sticks burn more calories, collapse to 14 inches High Stream Gear’s aluminum walking sticks for women collapse down to 14 inches and weigh just 10 ounces each, so they are as easy to transport as they are to go walking with. They can be used either for Nordic walking in the park or trekking on trails. They have ergonomically designed handles that offer a firm but comfortable grip and keep your hands dry and blister-free. Experts say using walking poles helps you burn 20 percent more calories and is appropriate for all body types. They also come with a 1-year guarantee. The High Stream Gear walking poles for women sell for $44.90 at amazon.com.
Fierce III Spinning Combo brings features and innovations The Penn Fierce III Spinning Combo delivers incredible power and performance for saltwater anglers for all inshore, boat and surf fishing applications. A graphite composite blank and stainless steel Dura-Guides ensure rod durability, while the finger grooves in the EVA grips allow for extra traction during the big battles. The reel has a full metal body and sideplate with carbon fiber drag washers, designed for performance. The full metal body and sideplate keep precise gear alignment under heavy loads, while the Techno-Balanced rotor gives smooth retrieves. It also has four stainless steel ball bearings and an instant anti-reverse bearing. The Penn Fierce III ranges from $104.99 to $134.99, depending on the configuration, at dickssportinggoods.com.
Outdoor Guide
July-August 2022
Page 25
It’s a good time to talk about triggers By TED NUGENT
Oh boy, oh boy! Here I go again, unleashing my “firefingers of freedom,” attacking another unsuspecting innocent keyboard to rave and roar about the important priorities in my (our) American Dream – life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Seeing as how this is July, and going down in history as the wildest of times, clever and intelligent priorities are more important right here and now than ever before. In some instances, a matter of life and death. So welcome once again to your glowing, loving Uncle Ted Spirit Campfire party of truth, logic and common sense, the ultimate soul-cleansing escape from the abject craziness running amok across the country. Such priorities can be accomplished and must be accomplished! I decided way back in 1967 after graduating (escaping) high school that I would live on wild ground where I could shoot and hunt right out my
backdoor. I may not be the smartest guy in the world, but right there is proof I am smart enough! GLORIOUS FALL SEASON As we throttle through the heat of summer in excited anticipation to our beloved, glorious fall hunt season (can’t wait!), we should manage our time to the very best of our ability to remain tuned in and proficient with our bows and firearms. I plunge heart and soul into my daily archery practice and continue to discover, always, new and intriguing procedures that elevate my Samurai, mystical flight of the arrow, oneness. Equally so do I dedicate daily trigger management and control with various firearms, and I have concluded that both archery and firearms training and practice are not only relative to each other, but actually enhance both equally so. TRIGGER FINGER Since I, years ago, transitioned from finger release
Nugent: Aim small, miss small.
archery to the ubiquitous mechanical trigger release and stringloop, that second most important digit of my being – my beautiful, ever-loving trigger finger – functions identically for both guns and bows. Even when using a back
tension or thumb-activated release, the same release hand/finger/thumb control manifests itself in the exact same way. Mr. Right Hand must be one with Mr. Left Hand, and when doing so, both firearm
accuracy and archery accuracy can truly be elevated to very thrilling, gratifying levels. Doing my chores each day, running around our SpiritWild Ranch in Texas and the old, sacred family Michigan swamplands in the Roxor with my beloved hounds Happy, Sadie and Coco, we invariably end up treeing a few bushytailed limb-rats just to keep the dogs happy. RODENT MASTERS With my suppressed, scoped Ruger 10/22, I get to experience one of life’s greatest joys, trying to get a steady bead on the most elusive, skittish, escape-master rodents on Earth. These crazy spooky squirrels are the masters of limb hugging, leaping, soaring, running and flying from limb to limb – challenging targets that will test the tactical accuracy of the best marksmen. Since this happens on a daily basis in my beautiful world, it came abundantly clear long ago that the instantaneous moment of rifle
trigger ignition is the exact same as the muscle memory moment of the mechanical archery release nano-second. By training my mind, heart, body, soul, spirit and trigger finger to nail down that precise send it moment, I can hit those little rascals in the eyeball with my .22 and send some of the best arrows of my life with increasingly consistent regularity. Think about it – with the incredible triggers available on archery mechanical releases matching some of the best firearm triggers these days, there really is no difference. So grab that old .22 rifle that we all have and enjoy. Get out there and celebrate some dedicated trigger time that we all love, and imprint that moment of truth that matches both our archery and gun fun, and the proficiency that will go a long, long way in successful hunting. Like old Fred Bear said, promoted and celebrated so powerfully, be a two season hunter! Aim small, miss small!
Outdoor Guide
Page 26
July-August 2022
Thank goodness for good old .22 rimfire Photo and Text By RICHARD W. AITES
Over the years, numerous articles have been featured in gun magazines about the virtue of the .22 long-rifle rimfire. There are also dozens of videos on Youtube and other websites dedicated to the little cartridge, so I’ll try to refrain from being overly preachy on the matter. In short, anyone familiar with the 138-year-old cartridge (the .22lr was developed in 1884) knows it is unrivaled in regards
to plinking, small game hunting, and training new shooters. MY FIRST .22 During one summer break in the early ‘80s, I earned a little money stacking lumber at my uncle’s sawmill in Kennerdale, PA. When school started the following September, our scruffy, portly, middle-aged bus driver needed some quick cash to support his two pack-aday smoking habit, so he sold me his Sears and Roebuck .22 bolt-action rifle for 20 dollars.
Except for a missing rear sight, the Marlin-manufactured firearm was in fairly good shape. For a quick fix, I visited the local Kmart, where I found a Tasco rimfire-scope. I also purchased a 500-round box of .22 long-rifle ammunition. The cheap optic and ammo would only set me back another $20. Over the next couple of years, numerous soda cans, squirrels and other varmints met their demise from this combination.
LEAVING THE . 22 BEHIND After graduating from high school in 1985, I enlisted in the Marine Corps, so I handed the little rifle down to my youngest brother. As an infantry rifleman (0311) I was issued the Colt M16A2. This highly accurate rifle was also a .22, but this particular cartridge was much more powerful. The elongated 62-grain projectile zipped along at 3,100 feet per second and was lethal
The .22 is unrivaled at plinking, small game hunting and training young shooters.
out to 550 meters and beyond. And though I admired the capabilities of the 5.56mm round, I never had much use for it when my military service ended. A few years later, at the beginning of my law enforcement career in the mid 1990’s, I became enamored with center-fire handguns. By then I was in my late twenties and I grew to appreciate the accuracy and power of the .45 ACP and .40 Smith and Wesson round. Having also rekindled my interest in handgun hunting, I purchased a used .357 magnum revolver for deer. Over the next decade or so, I wound up harvesting a half-dozen deer with that old Smith and Wesson wheel gun. WELCOME BACK, OLD FRIEND I guess I’m becoming soft because now that I’m in my mid-50s, the snappiness of the .40 Smith &Wesson and the jarring of the .357 magnum aren’t as intriguing as they once were. And though I am blessed to be arthritis-free (at least for now), my right hand and wrist no longer appreciate the recoil of the aforementioned cartridges. Because of this, and the ridiculous cost of ammunition these days, I’ve found myself reverting back to the good ole’ .22 rimfire. In the past couple of years, I’ve acquired three handguns in the little rimfire round that I shoot quite often. The Ruger Wrangler and Heritage Roughrider are both fine, single-action revolvers that cost under $200. Even with the old, cowboy-style sights, these revolvers are quite capable of beer
can and small game accuracy at close range. These rimfire revolvers can also chamber the .22 short. The Heritage can fire the .22 magnum round if you purchase the conversion cylinder. I have one for mine and it shoots like a dream. I also own a Ruger SR22 pistol. This little gem costs quite a bit more (around $430) but is very reliable and accurate considering it only has a 3½inch barrel. This compact-sized, semi-automatic is equipped with excellent adjustable sights which are quite unique for such a small pistol. The .22 is quite capable Though the .22 handgun wouldn’t be my first choice for concealed carry or home defense, the Ruger SR22 is capable of incredible accuracy at self-defense ranges and can unleash 11 rounds as fast as you can squeeze the trigger. If I were a perp, I certainly wouldn’t want to be on the muzzle-end of that many nasty, little, hollow-points. The Ruger and Heritage revolvers are more accurate than me, and if I still had the eyesight and enthusiasm of my youth, I’d probably pursue small game and varmints with them. But for now, I enjoy taking the little handguns to the local indoor range and punching holes in paper targets. And though rimfire ammunition costs have also risen significantly, my shooting hand and wallet don’t feel quite the pain that its centerfire counterparts would cause. Growing old isn’t all that bad – especially with my .22 handguns around to keep me shooting.
Outdoor Guide
July-August 2022
Page 27
Judging whitetail deer in the field Photo and Text By DON GASAWAY As he emerges from the early fall mists, the deer looks huge. He is big-bodied and sports an impressive set of antlers. Years of hunting and never seeing such a buck are over. A shot, and the animal dives into the brush. But he expires almost immediately and is recovered by the hunter. The story does not end there. In the case of this “Show-Me” buck, the anticipation of the hunt is replaced by disappointment in the recovery. The “monster” deer turns out to be somewhat less. Most whitetail hunters have experienced “ground shrinkage” when they claim their prizes. Ground shrinkage occurs when the animal you pick up on the ground does not appear as large as the one you think you shot. Advance preparation in judging whitetail antlers is about the only true method of avoiding the disappointment of shrinkage. Practice estimating the size of a rack that you know the score of, and then move to live animals. The more animals you view and the more racks that you score, the better you will be at making a choice in the woods that will result in a trophy animal. SETTING THE GOAL It is important to decide before hunting season just what size of animal is your minimum goal. Decide in
specific terms what spread, number of points and so on that you are willing to accept, and stick to that goal. Effectively judging the antlers of a whitetail deer is difficult in the best of light, and when you are not pumped up from the excitement of the hunt. But most trophy deer are taken under poor light conditions and under self-imposed pressure to take a “big one.” One legend of trophy hunting, the late outdoor writer Jack O’Connor, was often asked how to tell a trophy deer from a good one. His response was always the same: “The big ones always look big!” What he was saying can be translated into a need for experience. If you look at enough deer over a period of time, you will know what they are supposed to look like. If you see one that is bigger than anything you have seen before, it is a trophy. SCORING THE DEER No single factor makes for a great buck. It is a combination of attributes. Some of the areas where deer score well include the following: • Antlers – Experience in judging the size of a deer’s antlers can best be gained by viewing live deer. This can be in the woods or in a park or zoo. Another way is by viewing deer racks at sports shows and in taxidermy shops. The more animals you view, the better the frame of reference. • Record – The next step is to get a copy of a record
book. There are many on the market. The most popular are the Boone and Crockett, Pope and Young and Safari Club International record books. Many states also have record books. Read the introductory material as it usually shows how a deer is measured and what lengths of tines, main beams and mass produce the record-class animals. Not all trophy bucks are record class, but all record-class animals are trophy bucks. • Points – Some hunters believe that if it has more than eight points, it must be a record-book buck. But you would be surprised how a 10-point buck can still not make the book while an 8-point one just might if his tines are long enough and he has sufficient mass. Study the record books and learn the difference. • Ears – You know the deer is awesome just in his appearance. Ear spread is the most reliable way to estimate the inside spreads of a deer’s antlers. The distance tip to tip of extended ears is about 17 inches. This is for a mature buck looking straight at you. • Side view – From the side, it is a bit more difficult to estimate size. The closer the main beams come to vertical line through the end of the nose, the more the chance he is a big one. He needs to have greater length to the main beams to reach that far forward. •Tines – One expedient way to estimate the number of times on a buck’s rack is to count the number of fighting tines. These
This young trophy buck has it all – mass, tine length, symmetry and size beyond his age.
are the tines other than the end of the main beam and the eye guards. Thus, a buck with two fighting tines is an 8-pount buck. That is, he has a main beam point, an eye guard and two tines in between. This is on one side; it is a quick judgment to see if the other is the same. End result, an 8-pointer. • Sides – In a hurry? Count the number of points on one side. If those appear pretty much the same in size and number as the other side, you can then look at the mass of the antlers. Are they thick? Then chances are good it is a trophy deer. If they are thin, the antlers may not measure up well in the long run. I once viewed a 10-point buck that had only two tines more than 3 inches in length. Most of his tines were an inch
or less. SIZE & SYMMETRY Whitetails come in all sizes and types of an antler configuration. However, typical whitetail trophy deer have length and mass on their side. Size and symmetry are key elements. Non-typical deer have their own class, but generally speaking they need quite a few non-typical points to make the record books. When a deer is scored for the record books, they add the length of each main beam, the inside spread, length of all normal points and the circumference of various locations on the points. Thus, the overall mass of the antlers is just as important as the length of the tines.
The more you look at deer in the wild, the better you are at field judging a good trophy. Now is the time to begin scouting deer for the upcoming season if it has not already begun in your area. Deer are still relatively calm and allow you to look them over carefully. Later, after the velvet is gone from their antlers, and the woods are full of hunters, they are not as likely to stand still while you check them out. Public land is a good place to look. Places like forest preserves and parks are good for this type of scouting. Observance of deer in the field in the early fall can pay big dividends during hunting season. Avoid the disappointment of “ground shrinkage” – by doing your homework.
The Rural Rambler By RUSSELL HIVELY In today’s world, only those who lived before air conditioning recall those days when it was almost too hot to sweat. Many days in July and August are that hot. Yet fishing at night is popular, and those who do venture outside love to jog, hike and bicycle down country lanes. These people don’t mind sweating. *** Some people love to sit outside when the sun goes down. Is it possible to watch a sunset and not dream? ***
Summer’s hot but people don’t stop
Did you realize that one honeybee makes about 1/12th teaspoon of honey in her lifetime? *** The Canada goose wins the prize for laying the largest eggs in Missouri – nearly twice the size of a Grade A hen’s egg. *** Finding a ladybug is considered to be lucky, like finding a penny head-side up. *** Today the tiny town of Tipton Ford, MO, is made up of only one restaurant. Most people don’t realize that years
ago Tipton Ford was a holding site for purchased horses and mules that were being shipped out via the railroad for government service. *** Did you realize that Missouri has at least 128 species of fish? *** Years ago, flour mills were very prone to fire because of the fine dust in the air. Seneca, MO, was said to have five different mills burn down in five different fires. *** When Bagnell Dam was
built to create the Lake of the Ozarks, the entire community of Linn Creek, including cemeteries, was relocated. *** We seldom think of how small are seeds in the heads of tall grasses as we walk through. There are 280,000 individual seeds in a pound of Kentucky 31 fescue seeds. *** Foxes are animals of opportunity. After the cook left, a fox was seen checking out a commercial barbecue grill area in hopes the cook had dropped a bit of meat. ***
Were you ever told to “kill your own snakes?” It means, “Mind your own business.” *** Older people spend more money per head. In 2018, the 50-plus group of Missourians (37 percent of the population) contributed 41 percent of the state’s income. *** Housewives always ask why hunters seem to like having mud on their boots. *** A person can tell if the tom turkey they harvested is old – if it has more than two spurs. Occasionally, an old tom will
also have two beards. *** When sitting on the back porch in the late evening, it is difficult to believe there are 170 species of fireflies (lightning bugs). *** Today, most of us have the pleasure of having cool showers to rinse off under before bed. Crawling under clean sheets, clean and refreshed from a cool shower, makes the days of July and August much more enjoyable. Having an air conditioned house helps, too. Anyway, that’s what this rural rambler thinks.
Outdoor Guide
Page 28
July-August 2022
Outdoor Gallery
FISHING IN THE EVENINGS – Claire Schmieg from Waterloo, IL with a nice bass she caught on a private lake behind her family’s home. It looks like a great evening for some fishing.
A GREAT TURKEY SEASON – Paul Hollis, owner of RTP Outdoors in Fenton MO had a successful turkey season. Here he is with a couple birds he nabbed during a hunting trip in Steelville MO, Crawford County.
REMEMBER JIM? Our friend Jim DeFreitas, now of Marion, Ken., caught this nice limit of crappie this spring.
WHITESIDE TIMES TWO – Fishing guide Dennis Whiteside (at left) shared a Father’s Day on the river near Fayetteville, Ark., with his youngest son, Ryan. Said Dennis: ‘As good as it gets!’
Send in your favorite outdoor photo to carl@labortribune.com or mail to Outdoor Guide Magazine Gallery – 505 S. Ewing, St. Louis, MO 63103
Outdoor Guide
July-August 2022
Page 29
Minnesota parks add all-terrain chairs
Here’s something different. Visitors with mobility disabilities can now use all-terrain track chairs or an adaptive beach chair at six Minnesota state parks. The track chairs enable visitors to explore non-accessible trails and other areas within the parks. They are off-road, electric powered chairs that can be used on designated trails within the parks that are not suitable for wheelchairs. Users should call ahead to reserve a chair, and they will need to sign waivers. There is no charge, but all vehicles entering a park must have a state park vehicle permit,
which is discounted for cars with disability hanging tags. The chairs are located at: • Camden State Park
(507) 872-7031
• Crow Wing State Park
(218) 825-3075
• Lake Bemidji State Park
(218) 308-2300
• McCarthy Beach State Park
(218) 274-7299
• Maplewood State Park
starting this fall (218) 863-8383
• Myre-Big Island State Park
(507) 668-7060 The adaptive beach chair is also located at McCarthy Beach State Park.
The all-terrain track chair will go places no ordinary wheelchair can go. – Minnesota State Parks photo
COME PREPARED Riders who will need help getting into and out of the chairs will need to bring someone to do that; park staff will not be available. Transfer boards will be available. Riders should also remember a water bottle, bug spray, sunscreen, snacks, a sun hat, rain gear or extra layers depending on the weather. “Minnesota state parks are for everyone to enjoy, regardless of age
or ability,” Department of Natural Resources Assistant Commissioner Shannon Lotthammer said. “Adaptive equipment like these all-terrain track chairs allows visitors to explore the great outdoors. Along with other parks and trails providers across the state – like our partners in Olmsted County and the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center – we hope to provide a system of adaptive-supported recreation opportunities from backyard to backcountry.”
John Olin enters Waterfowler Hall of Fame Engineer and industrialist John Olin has been recognized for a lifetime of accomplishments with his induction into the Arkansas Waterfowler Hall of Fame. In a May 19 ceremony in Little Rock, members of the Winchester company accepted the posthumous award on his behalf. John Merrill Olin, born in 1892, was active throughout the early and mid-1900s. He held more than 20 patents and built an ammunition and manufacturing empire including Winchester-Western Ammunition, Olin Brass, Olin Corp. and more. Olin personally improved many early ammunition manufacturing processes and developed progressive burning powders and harder shot for increased velocity, pattern density and improved lethality on game animals, dramatically outperforming the available ammunition at the time. “We are very honored to accept this award that rec-
ognizes John Olin for his forward-thinking and significant contributions to the hunting and shooting sports industry,” said Matt Campbell, vice president of sales and marketing for Winchester Ammunition. “John Olin created a culture of innovation that still lives today through the Winchester brand.” WORK WITH LEOPOLD Olin not only produced guns and ammunition, but he also loved to use them in the field, hunting ducks in Stuttgart, Ark. and St. Louis and quail at his plantation in Georgia. A visionary, Olin recognized in the 1930s that for future generations to enjoy hunting as he did, something had to be done. With the help of his vast influence and personal wealth, he focused his attention on the problem of dwindling wildlife populations and degraded habitats and became one of America’s greatest unsung conservation heroes.
As chairman of the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers Institute (SAAMI) Committee on Restoration and Protection of Game, Olin hired an aspiring young ecologist named Aldo Leopold to complete a game survey of the north central states. This monumental study was the first of its kind and led to a book entitled “Game Management” and propelled Leopold, now recognized as the Father of Wildlife Ecology, into active work in the field of game management. CONSERVATION GROUPS Olin also formed the Winchester Conservation department, which was tasked with researching early conservation concepts and promoting them to newly formed state game agencies and conservation groups through published manuals and videos. Thanks in part to John Olin’s endorsement and financial support, a young con-
servation group named the Game Conservation Society grew in influence and eventually became Ducks Unlimited. Despite his many contributions, John Olin never sought recognition or credit for his efforts. Skies full of mallard ducks and hedgerows full of quail for hunters and dogs to pursue were the only motivation he needed. If John Olin were here today, conservation leaders believe, he would be honored by this award and happy to see the positive result of that early conservation work that he and others spearheaded almost 100 years ago. Winchester is the largest small-caliber ammunition enterprise in the world and the leader in delivering innovative ammunition products to hunters, sport shooters, law enforcement and the military. To learn more, go online to Winchester. com. For more about the Arkansas Waterfowler Hall of Fame, go to waterfowlerhof.com.
There was nothing Olin loved more than a good hunting dog. – Olin Corp. photo
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Outdoor Guide
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Outdoor Guide
July-August 2022
Page 31
Find bronzebacks by heading upstream Text By TERRY WILSON Photo By ROXANNE WILSON
Unlike its big-mouthed cousins that grow potbellied, a stream smallmouth has an athletic body capable of stamina and power. Characteristically, “smallies” fight an aggressive battle known for multiple leaps, strong runs and inventive use of submerged structure. Red eyes reveal a feisty temperament unequaled in the view of its legions of admirers. In spring and fall, anglers can often locate good smallmouth action in streams because the fish are aggressive, and there is little competition with other river users. The summer season, on the other hand, is radically different. The fish have an abundant menu from which to choose, can be much more selective, and move less to feed. Summer also brings other recreationists to the river. Swimmers, boaters, float tubers and the “aluminum hatch” (canoe) all conspire to crowd the river and send most smallmouth enthusiasts searching for another species or to still waters. Bronzebacks can still be enjoyed by those willing to move upstream. Follow the course of your favorite river to the point of its origination, then travel downstream to the point where enough water becomes available for use by swimmers and boaters. There is always a new section of the river to explore. ADAPTING TO THE ENVIRONMENT Some major adaptations must be made to be successful in this new environment. The first change should be in approaching the stream. Often these headwater streams are no more than 5 to 20 feet wide. A loud, splashy entrance will scare the scales off your prey and leave you believing this section of water is without fish. The approach should be more hunting or stalking than fishing. Care should be taken when walking near stream banks as well as when wading. When an area is located that looks promising, it’s wise to make the presentation from a kneeling position. This reduces the risk of being seen or casting shadows over the fish.
In miniature fisheries, what seems like a minor disturbance is magnified, and since there are fewer deep water retreats, the bass’s only defense is hiding and acquiring lockjaw. WET WADING In summer’s heat, the best option may be wet wading. A pair of shorts and wading boots will keep you comfortable, and a shirt with pockets deep enough for a fly box will lighten the load. For fly fishers, another adaptation is that casting conventionally can be difficult because of the lack of back-casting room. Roll-casting is one option, but don’t overlook simply feeding line through the guides and allowing the fly to drift into the desired position. The fly can then be manipulated by moving the rod tip or stripping line before letting it drift back to its original position. One fly dominates our summer selection for stream smallmouth. It is a small 1½- to 2-inch light-colored crayfish pattern. Most crayfish imitations are too large and have stiff pinchers, which causes the fly to twist both on the cast and while it’s stripped. Underwater observations of smallies feeding on crayfish show that the larger, more menacing actors are left alone by the bass, and the young craws that will molt six times during their first years are most desirable. Even the largest bass target these smaller crayfish while rejecting the larger ones. When these young, vulnerable crayfish are available beginning in mid-summer, they become the favorite item on the smallmouth’s menu. KEEP CONTACT WITH THE BOTTOM The crayfish fly must remain in contact with the bottom. Our patterns are weighted with 15 wraps of .020 lead wire under the body, and often a sinking line is employed to keep the fly down. We also utilize a double weed guard to keep the fly from hanging up too frequently. Down and across casts should be retrieved very slowly. To understand why this is necessary, place your fly on the bottom in clear water and move the fly as naturally as possible. This will demonstrate just how slowly the fly must crawl along the bottom. Under most conditions, our
most lethal retrieve requires an upstream cast into a relatively slow current. First, allow the fly to settle to the bottom, then lift your rod tip 4-6 inches before immediately lowering it to its original position. Finally, strip in the slack line. This lift, drop, strip retrieve creates the “crayfish hop,” which replicates the escaping technique of the natural. … AND RELEASE! No smallmouth fishing
information is complete without our earnest appeal to release your catch. Due to habitat loss and climate change, smallmouth numbers have declined in many areas. While sport anglers aren’t the problem, they must be part of the solution. Support for better stream and watershed protection is vital, but so is releasing your catch. The “gamest fish that swims” deserves to fight again.
When a river gets crowded, smallmouth bass can still be found by those willing to move upstream – Roxanne Wilson photo
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Outdoor Guide
©2022 O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc.
July-August 2022
©2022 O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc.
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