©2013 The Punxsutawney Spirit & Jefferson County Neighbors
Jefferson County
A Special Publication of The Punxsutawney Spirit and Jefferson County Neighbors
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caTc h of T h e season !
utdoors April 2013
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Light up the outdoors and extend your evening fun (BPT) – In dark corners and spaces where the sun doesn’t shine – or has gone below the horizon for the night – the most useful tool in the world is a light. Having a light source helps keep you safe from tripping, running into objects and causing injuries. Safety is a big concern for those who enjoy the outdoors, especially when their outdoor activities involve recreational equipment that can be difficult to use when natural light is not available. Here are some tips to stay safe while playing outside – both day and night. • Boating – Boat enthusiasts love to spend as many hours as possible on the water, but when the sun drops, lights are required. Boat manufacturers make bow and stern tall lights to help other boaters see your vessel. But that doesn’t help the family onboard
see maps or each other. Installing a 12-inch, 39-inch or even a 60inch Access LED light along the inside edge of the boat rail and connecting it to a 12-volt energy source makes it easy for families to stay out on the boat, even after the sun sets. Once installed, pushing the button is all that is needed to turn the lights on – no additional set up required. And the light is waterproof, so you don’t need to worry about water splashing over the edge and shorting it out. • Trailers – Ever walked inside a cargo trailer to unload your sporting equipment with your sunglasses on, and bumped your head on the roof, or your shin on the items stored inside? When trailering, the equipment can shift during the ride, making it a potentially dangerous area to enter without precaution. Consider securing all equipment
By DENNIS TUBBS Before going fishing, make sure you have everything you need. Here is a checklist of items you need: 3 Fishing rod and reel. Spincasting outfits are good for beginners. Note: there are a few places where you can borrow fishing rods and reels, as you would borrow a book from the library. Visit the Fish & Boat Commission’s web site www. fish.state.pa.us. 3 Line on the reel. Check it for twists, nicks or knots. Change the line if necessary. Use six-pound test as a good all-around size. 3 Tackle box with lots of hooks, sinkers, bobbers and any other lures you can find. Many sporting goods stores now sell tackle boxes already stocked with these items. 3 Lucky fishing hat and vest 3 Sunscreen 3 Live bait such as red worms, nightcrawlers, maggots, mealworms and grasshoppers. Bait can be bought at a local bait shop. Bait can also be found in your garden. Dig around the plants with your parents and find your own worms. 3 Kitchen baits such as chicken livers, cheese, bread and dough balls. 3 Plenty of drinking water, especially necessary on hot days. 3 Snacks 3 Insect repellent 3 Waders if you have them, old sneakers if you don’t. 3 Rain gear (just in case) 3 A fishing buddy 3 Mom and/or dad and
your brothers and sisters 3 Family members 16 and older need a fishing license. A license can be bought at most stores that sell fishing equipment. Licenses are also avail-
to the front or walls of the trailer with safety straps, and protecting sharp edges with padding. Also line the entry way with reflective tape to help avoid bumping your head on the low roof. Installing one or two Access LED lights along the ceiling or front of the trailer with the on/off button next to the doorway will also help eliminate bruised heads and shins in the future. • Ice fishing – Ice fishermen have poles in the water 24/7 when the fishing is good. And ice houses are built to be dark at all times of the day on the inside. This is to prevent any light shining through the hole in the ice and spooking the fish. But when it comes time to bait a lure or check a line, light becomes a necessity. Hooking a finger instead of the bait, or cutting a hand on the teeth or fins of a caught fish could entail a trip to
the emergency room. Fish houses usually come with window patches, which when removed on a sunny day provide ample light, but on overcast days, or in the early evening hours, additional light is necessary. The Access LED light can quickly fill that need with the push of a button. As soon as the lure is baited – or the fish measured and returned to the water – just push the button
to turn off the light stuck to the roof of the fishing shanty and go back to fishing. Have fun outdoors both this summer and next winter, but be certain to keep as many safety measures in place as possible to prevent injury. When in doubt, always be certain to incorporate additional lighting so you can see the equipment you’re working with.
Conservation banks preserve land, species
Conservation banks are permanently protected lands containing natural resource values. Lands designated as conservation banks are conserved and managed for species that are endangered, threatened, or candidates for being listed as endangered or threatened, or are considered species-at-risk. In the United States, more than 120 conservation banks have been approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, preserving roughly 100,000 acres of valuable habitat for more than 60 threatened or endangered species. These conservation banks have been approved in 11 states, including California, which boasts roughly 25 percent of all the conservation banks in the United States. The program for conservation banks dates back to the early able online at the Fish & Boat 1990s, when the FWS began approving conservation banks for a Commission’s web site www. variety of species. Lands eligible to become conservation banks fish.state.pa.us. include private, tribal, state, and local government lands. However, 3 Good luck! lands that were previously designated for conservation purposes Courtesy of the PA Fish & Boat through another program are ineligible unless their designation Commission as a conservation bank would provide an additional benefit to the species the land is protecting. Learn more about conservation banks at www.fws.gov.
Equipment, bait and other gear for kids
Rivers can prove a refreshing place in which to cool off. Many people flock to rivers to escape the summertime heat. Though rivers can be an enticing place to cool off, care and caution should be used when venturing into a river. • Water moves more quickly through a shallow, narrow river. Individuals should test the velocity of the water by throwing in a stick or a leaf and seeing how fast it is moving. Avoid any currents that are beyond a swimmer’s abilities. • Spring river swimming can be risky. The rivers are at a higher level because of rain and snow run-off. They also may contain hidden debris that can be dangerous. • Swim with a buddy, so that if something should happen, he or she can alert for help. • River water may be especially cold, which can impede one’s ability to swim easily. Even though the air temperature is hot, keep in mind the water temperature may still be chilly. • Keep an eye out for boaters, fishermen, and other water enthusiasts. It’s easier for swimmers to see them than for them to see the swimmer.
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2 - Jefferson County Outdoors, The Punxsutawney Spirit & Jefferson County Neighbors, April 2013
River swimming safety
Outdoor activities ideal for spring
Once winter has come and gone, adults and children alike are typically anxious to get outside and soak up some spring sun. Few things are as rejuvenating as those first few spring days, when the harsh winter weather is instantly forgotten and the smell of fresh grass is comfortably overwhelming. When saying “so long” to cabin fever this spring, consider the following outdoor activities that are sure to put a spring in your step. Golf Many golf courses re-open in the spring. Though some public courses stay open throughout the winter, the majority of courses do close once the weather becomes too unbearable for golfers to endure or too detrimental to the course’s landscape. Depending on how harsh the winter was and the forecast for spring, golf courses typically re-open their links as early as the first week of March. Even if your favorite course doesn’t open quickly enough, you can still dust off your swing with a visit to the local driving range. Fish Many fishermen feel like fishing season never ends, choosing to simply add another layer of clothing when the temperatures drop rather than pack it up and wait till spring. For the hobbyist, however, spring is typically a time to find a favorite fishing hole and get back to business. How successful a fishing trip will be typically depends on a host of factors, including water temperature. Oftentimes, the local newspaper will list the water
temperature of the area’s favorite fishing areas. Once nature decides to cooperate, get outside and enjoy the first catch of the season. Cycling Perhaps thanks to seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, cycling has grown increasingly popular stateside in the 21st century. Many communities have cycling groups for riders of varying skill levels, and such groups typically hit the pavement once the spring season arrives. When joining a group, be sure to join one that’s suited to your skill level. If cycling alone, be patient at the beginning and don’t stray too far. Remember, you’ll eventually need to turn around and start pedaling home. Join a Sports League Adults can relive the days of their youth by signing up to play in a local sports league. Such leagues are often ideal for young singles, who can team up with fellow young people to play any number of sports, including softball, beach volleyball, basketball, and even the old standby of elementary school, kickball. Run Winter can test even the most devoted of runners. For those who simply can’t run in the throes of winter, when snow and ice cover the roadways, spring is the first chance to get back outdoors and run in the fresh air. Local road runner clubs are a great opportunity to meet fellow runners or learn of local competitions. When running, be sure to bring along some gear to keep you relatively dry should those inevitable spring showers arrive.
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Jefferson County Outdoors, The Punxsutawney Spirit & Jefferson County Neighbors, April 2013 - 3
What angler hasn’t told a tale of the big fish that got away? Tall tales are a big part of a day on the water with friends, with stories of the biggest fish ever caught often topping the list of must-share adventures. Fish are classified as either having cartilage or a skeleton of bones. Each family of fish has its share of large contenders. Here are some of the largest fish you can find in saltwater and freshwater. • Whale shark: The whale shark is the heaviest fish in the ocean. It also has the thickest skin of any animal, with skin that can be as thick as six inches on its back. Despite their size, whale sharks do not pose a threat to most marine life. That’s because they are filter feeders that consume millions of tiny microscopic organisms from the ocean. The average whale shark weighs 26,000 pounds, but the heaviest specimen ever recorded was found in March 1994 and weighed 79,200 pounds. • Basking shark: The basking shark is another planktoneating shark that can grow quite large – up to 11,000 pounds. The basking shark has long been a commercially popular fish for food, animal feed and shark liver oil. As a result, the
species is in a vulnerable state due to overexploitation. • Great white shark: Great white sharks can be found in all of the major oceans. They are one of the primary predators of many marine animals and seabirds. Although films have depicted the white shark as a “maneater” and quite dangerous to people, humans are not their preferred prey. Injuries to people are often a case of mistaken identity, with the shark mistaking a person for one of its normal food sources. • Ocean sunfish: The ocean sunfish, also known as the mola mola, is the heaviest known bony fish in the world. The species may grow to a weight of 2,000 pounds. Sunfish are gray, flat fish that are often as tall as they are long. They often resemble a giant fish head with protruding fins. The species is native to tropical and temperate waters. • Giant stingray: The giant Cambodian stingray is among the largest freshwater species on Earth and is found primarily in the Mekong River of Cambodia. Scientists are unsure how many giant stingrays are left, which habitats they prefer or if they ever take a trip to the ocean. These giants can weigh up to 1,320 pounds and be
more than 16 feet long. Other giant stingrays can be found in Thailand, Borneo, New Guinea, and northern Australia. • Pirarucu: The pirarucu, also known as the arapaima, is a South American tropical freshwater fish. It is one of the largest freshwater fishes in the world. Some believe it to be the largest freshwater fish. Pirarucu can grow to lengths of more than six feet and weigh more than 200 pounds. Commercial fishing of pirarucu in Brazil has been banned because of its status as an endangered species. • Beluga sturgeon: Found primarily in the Caspian and Black Sea basins, the beluga sturgeon is a large predator that feeds on other fish. Another of the giants of freshwater, these sturgeon can reach 16 feet in length. Beluga sturgeon are best known for their roe, or eggs. Beluga caviar is a delicacy worldwide. • Halibut: The halibut is the largest flatfish and is related to the family of the right-eye flounders. These fish live and feed at the bottom of bodies of water and are highly prized as food. Chances are if an angler hooks one of these giant fish, he certainly has a fish story that will impress.
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Good Luck, Fishermen!
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NEW
charters. Once you have a few names you can begin the investigative process. A service like TripAdvisor.com enables you to read reviews on attractions and services in particular areas across the world. You can type in your charter service name and read up on what others have to say about their experiences. Through the review forums you also may be able to garner names of other charter companies and attractions that may not be on the tourism sites. Another good starting-off point is a service like Findafishingcharter.com. Here you can search for charters in the United States and Canada. Click on the map and get a listing of companies that advertise their services. Once you have narrowed down your options, there are some considerations that should be made and questions that should be asked of the charter captain. • Request a complete price breakdown, including if gratuities are expected. • Ensure that the captain is knowledgeable in the type of fishing you desire and where to go to find these fish.
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• Make sure the captain is licensed according to the jurisdiction of the U.S. Coast Guard or the Canadian Coast Guard. Ask how many years he or she has been a licensed charter captain. • Ask for references and confirm the business with the Better Business Bureau. • Know the equipment level of a charter boat and whether it is high-tech or basic. Ask to see photos of the boat or arrange a tour prior to booking. • Find out where the charter boat actually fishes. • Will the captain and the crew be assisting your party or doing their own fishing concurrently? Novice anglers often benefit from a crew that is paying attention to their customers rather than their own fishing needs. • Are children and families welcome aboard? If so, what kind of bathroom and food facilities are available? • Inquire as to whether you will need your own fishing license. • What fishing gear is provided? • Is this a catch-and-release trip or will trophies be taken home? • Find out a contingency plan for the captain’s absence in case of illness. • Learn about what you have to bring on the trip. You may be required to bring hats, sunscreen, comfortable clothing, rubber-soled shoes, sunglasses, and seasickness medicine. • Be sure to verify if you will be signing a contract and the cancellation policy. Finding a fishing charter that will cater to your needs is easier than you may think. Hiring a reputable and experienced charter service can help ensure a good time is had by all on your next trip.
a boat properly
Boat anchoring is an important skill to learn and one that can offer peace of mind when enjoying the open water. Setting an anchor is more than dropping the anchor and hoping for the best. There are tips that translate to good seamanship that also prevent risk of dragging an anchor or losing a boat in the current. The first step to properly anchoring a boat is ensuring the right equipment is in place. Choosing an anchor requires a little forethought. Different types of anchors should be prepared for all the situations a boater may encounter. The size and weight of the anchor will be influenced by a number of conditions: • the type of boat • size of the vessel • bottom surface where you intend to anchor • wind and wave conditions • available anchor equipment on the boat Generally, the larger the anchor the more powerful the staying ability, especially if one has to ride out a storm at anchor. If a vessel can only accommodate one anchor, it’s best to choose the largest one that will fit in an anchor locker or can be stored safely out of the way. To help increase holding power of the anchor, leave several feet of chain or warp between the anchor and the anchor line. Experts recommend it be at least the length of the boat. One of the common mistakes new skippers make is putting out too little scope when anchoring. Scope is the amount of anchor line put out when the boat is safely anchored. The scope should equal 5 to 7 times the depth of the water at high tide, plus the height of the water
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line to the bow of the boat. When lowering the anchor, consider the direction of the wind, other vessels in the vicinity and the waves. Practice makes perfect when learning to properly anchor in different types of conditions. It is important to lay out the anchor chain by paying it out hand over hand so that it will eventually be laying out straight, as opposed to being in a big pile. Once the anchor has reached the seabed, a little reverse motion can help it hold and dig in. If the anchor has taken hold correctly, the vessel will come to an abrupt halt. Even after an anchor has set, wave surge can cause the warp to flex like a yo-yo and sway the boat. An anchor weight added to the anchor tackle can help prevent drag, especially if the vessel will be unattended or left at anchor during rough weather. Learning to anchor securely and safely will take time, but eventually boaters can learn the basics and master a technique that works.
Whatís a trolling motor?
A trolling motor is a propulsion system that is used in place of a vessel’s primary source of propulsion in slow-moving situations. If you need to move a boat into a different position easily and without the noise and effort required to fire up the main engines of the vessel, a trolling motor is your tool. It is customarily used in fishing when an angler needs to precisely maneuver the boat to an exact location without scaring off fish upon arrival. There are different types of trolling motors, including ones that are either electric or gas-powered. Electric trolling motors are useful in situations where gasoline-powered engines are prohibited, such as on lakes or in close proximity to vacation and swimming areas. The trolling motor may be controlled by a hand control, foot pedal or even wireless remote on high-end models. The motor will either be affixed to the boat’s stern or bow. When the primary engine is in operation, the trolling motor is customarily lifted out of thewater to reduce drag.
4 - Jefferson County Outdoors, The Punxsutawney Spirit & Jefferson County Neighbors, April 2013
A vacation or a weekend getaway can be made even more enjoyable when it includes some time spent on the water. Hiring a private boat or joining an established fishing charter is one way to enjoy some fishing and sightseeing without much effort. But not all charters are the same, and it’s important to find one that meets your needs. While you certainly can wait until you are at your destination before finding a charter, it helps to do your homework before arriving to guarantee the best package and price. This way you will not be at the mercy of the hotels and resorts in the area and you can read unbiased reviews about charter organizations. There are many fishing charters across the country. Starting your research as soon as you know to where you will be traveling can help you narrow down the options in that area. Write down what you want to ask potential charter captains to ensure your experience is one to remember for all the right reasons. Travel package Web sites as well as local boards of commerce and tourism sites are a great resource to find fishing
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Jefferson County Outdoors, The Punxsutawney Spirit & Jefferson County Neighbors, April 2013 - 5
AN OVERVIEW All fish are cold-blooded. Fish can’t maintain their body temperature at a constant level as do humans and other warmblooded animals. The temperature of the surroundings influences the fish’s body temperature and bodily functions – including how much and when to eat. Lower water temperatures slow fish body movements and decrease food intake. Understanding these biological functions allows adjusting lures and baits with slower (cold water) or faster (warmer water) retrieves. Different conditions are often related. Many freshwater fish such as bass are most active during the early morning and late evening hours. Fish find the reduced light levels during these times more comfortable than the bright sun of midday. Less turbulent waters (less wind) in lakes and ponds during those hours also allow fish to cruise the shallows searching for food on or near the surface. TEMPERATURE Morning sun warms the shallows, creating more comfortable water temperatures for fish to feed. Late morning is best when the sun has had more of a chance to warm the shallows. This is particularly true during early spring in shallows with dark or mud bottoms since dark areas absorb heat more rapidly than light sandy bottoms. Warm water temperatures make forage food more active and available to game fish on cool earlyspring days. On hot sunny days, fish move to cooler, deeper waters to stay comfortable. Heat affects not only when to fish but also how to fish. High heat conditions make shallow and top water lures and bait best only in the early morning and late afternoon when cooler temperatures and lower light levels allow fish to cruise the shallows for meals. In midday, hot water surface temperatures, decreasedsurface oxygen and occasional increasing winds cause fish to move deeper. In these conditions, deep fishing baits, rigs and lures are best. When to Fish Experienced anglers will tell you that there ARE “best” times to fish. These “best times” can be related to the amount of sunlight, to warming trends, to depth at which fish are found, to storm and weather patterns, to wind, and to tidal flows when saltwater fishing. Thus, WHEN
to fish can also affect and be affected by WHERE to fish. Too many hot days during the summer can adversely affect fishing in shallow lakes, ponds, and rivers since the higher water temperatures can reduce oxygen in the water and cause fish to become sluggish. VARIABLE WEATHER PATTERNS Wind can play a large role in fishing success. Wind pushes bait to the far shore, with bait followed by game fish. If fishing from shore on a windy day, fish where you have to cast into the wind. If fishing from a boat, cast with the wind on a sheltered shore. Storms and changing weather patterns affect fishing success since fish are keenly attuned to changes in barometric conditions. With many fish, feeding increases during the hours immediately before a cold front, but slows during and after a storm or front hits. Fishing after a cold front is poor and continues to be poor for a day or two. Warm fronts cause surface water temperatures to increase. Such fronts often put fish into a feeding mode. This can be particularly true in the winter, when a warming trend can cause otherwise sluggish fish to start feeding actively. Most of this feeding activity is on or near the warm surface. Cloudy days improve fishing since the clouds prevent light penetration. Overcast skies cause fish to cruise for food more than they would during bright days when they tend to hide and stay close to structure. On overcast cloudy days, fish are less likely to be on specific structure spots or areas and more likely to be scattered throughout a waterway. Another good time to fish is during a light rain, especially a warm spring or summer rain. Rain can help you hide from the fish since the rain breaks up the view that the fish has through the water surface. This is true whether shore, wade or boat fishing. Rain also washes insects and bait into the water, with this extra food creating a feeding binge for fish. Warm rains quickly warm the water to cause these feeding periods. Hard rain conditions are a poor time to fish since heavy rains can muddy the water, make it difficult for fish to find bait or lures, and also cause
heavy runoff which can clog their gills. The increased water flow in rivers from any rain increases current flow and makes it difficult for fish to maintain a comfortable position in the river. High water levels can also create rapids, waves and unsafe fishing conditions. If there is any lightning or possibility of lightning, you must get off of the water in your boat or immediately away from the water if wading or fishing from the shore. Safety must come first in any fishing situation. SALT WATER AND TIDES In salt water, tides affect water Rt. 436 • 430 Main St., Punxsy • 938-8780 or 938-6952 level so that a shallow area that might hold fish and be a very SALES • PARTS • SERVICE good spot to fish during a high Cylinder Boring • PA State Inspection tide might be a bare mud bank Mon.- Fri. 9 to 5 (lunch from 12 to 1) • Saturday 9-2 during low tide conditions. Similarly, a slough – a slight depression in the bottom – that might be perfect for bottom feeding fish such as flounder during a low tide situation might be too deep and difficult to fish on a high tide. Running tides (rising or falling) are best since they cause bait to move and provoke active feeding among coastal fish. Checking changing tides and the best times and areas to fish is also important when fishing in brackish water – coastal water that is a mix of salt and fresh, yet still affected by tides. Brackish water is found in most tidal creeks and rivers along all coasts and can affect both saltwater and some freshwater species. Since tides and movements are so important in saltwater and brackish water fishing, check for daily tide information in your local newspaper or at your local fishing shop. Tides raise and lower the water level approxi- 938-3500 • Punxsutawney • 21920 Route #119 mately two times per day and affect where fish are located and how they feed. The timing of a high or low tide changes daily and is also different for each coastal area. The best fishing is almost al1845 Philadelphia St., Indiana ways on a rising or falling tide (724) 465-8241 – not the dead low or dead high when there is little or no water movement. Determining the best time to Oil and Lube fish requires checking on many fishing factors and outdoor conBox 322 West Main Street ditions. The key to fishing sucBrookville cess is to learn about fish and how they live. Try different tac- Our Average Oil Change • Also BreAthABle tics in your fishing to make each Only Takes 10 Minutes! wAders And wAding No Appointment Necessary day of fishing a great day. TM Open 8 to 5 Mon. through Fri.; 8 to Courtesy of Take Me Fishing shoes • Vests Noon Sat.
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(BPT) – Rugged camping gear is no longer just for adventurers and niche outdoor sports. High-tech or activityspecific outdoor products are gaining popularity because they also come in handy every day and around the house. “As it turns out, the durability and dependability of gear needed on remote hikes or climbs has many outdoor lovers reaching for those same items around the home,” says gifts.com editor Dan Tower, who specializes in sharing gift ideas catered to specific occasions and recipients. Tower identified the following durable gear, as camping season approaches, for its versatility across a variety of settings. Water, water everywhere It wasn’t long ago that water bottles were strictly for camping. Now people enjoy having water within arm’s reach at all times. Whether it’s a need to stay hydrated or just the eco-sensible peace
of mind gained by avoiding single use containers, a goto water bottle has become a ubiquitous personal accessory. Liberty Bottleworks make gorgeous, 100 percent BPAfree water bottles showcasing artwork sourced from emerging graphic artists. Arguably though, the best part is the bottles are the only Americanmade metal water bottles available, with production in Yakima, Wash. Plus, they’re made from 100 percent recycled aluminum that’s tough enough to pack for the jungle or urban jungle. Let there be light A headlamp may seem exclusive to adrenaline-pumping activities like rock climbing, caving and hiking at night, but this hands-free lighting source can be incredibly beneficial in a power outage, when changing a tire at night or more common activities like an evening bike ride. The Energizer Micro Sport
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Headlight from Energizer is a new headlamp that offers a helpful, hands-free lighting source. While biking and running enthusiasts will especially appreciate its lightweight and slim profile, the headlight is similarly tailored for everyday activities like taking the dog for an evening walk. With a white spot light in the front and a red flashing light in the back, streets and sidewalks will be clearly illuminated, but more importantly, others will be able to see you. Be my guest The Pakmat Airbed is another great outdoor must-have that comes in handy all year. One of its most attractive attributes is that, when not in use, it is stored in a small canister. This benefit is obvious when backpacking and camping, but is also an advantage for apartment dwellers who don’t have ample storage space or a guest room, and want to easily accommodate an overnight guest. Part sleeping pad and part inflatable bed, the Pakmat is a self-contained air mattress that needs no electricity to inflate. Its container also doubles as the pump that inflates it and makes it sleep-ready. When the the slumber party is over, the Pakmat rolls back up into its canister, ready for the next adventure. Just in case There’s a smartphone case that’s tough enough to weather nature’s nastiest elements, which will also assure parents their phones will be safer in the hands of young kids. The LifeProof Case takes gadget protection to an exciting new level. In addition to making your iPhone shockproof, the LifeProof case is also waterproof (and dirtproof and snowproof). Taking your iPhone up to 6 feet under water opens up a whole new world of picture- and videotaking possibilities – whether that’s on your next kayaking adventure or at a backyard pool. Outdoor gear has numerous uses outside of campgrounds and state parks. As spring starts to do its thing, many outdoor enthusiasts on the lookout for the latest gear should also consider the year-round benefits of their purchases.
A myriad of tackle choices
When you head out on a fishing trip, especially if you are bringing your kids along for the first time, it’s important to have all of the proper equipment. With many tackle options available at your local sporting goods store, making the right choices can seem daunting, but all you really need to know are the basics. The best approach is to keep it simple. Rods and Reels – For beginning anglers, a spincast rod/reel combo is the easiest way to get started and its push-button operation makes casting a breeze. Many manufacturers make fishing combos that sell for around $30. For young children, there are also a variety of kid-sized rod and reel combos that feature their favorite cartoon characters. Hooks – Hooks come in a variety of sizes and are identified using a numbering system that can be slightly confusing at first glance. Smaller-sized hooks are numbered #20 to #0, with #20 being the smallest and #0 the largest. Hooks that are larger that the #0 hook are numbered #1/0 (smallest) to #20/0 (largest). If increasing your chances of catching fish is more important than catching a “big” fish, then use smaller hook sizes. If you’ll be fishing with corn or other tiny pieces of bait, consider using a salmon-egg hook, which has a shorter shank, than the traditional bait hook. Bobbers and Sinkers – Bobbers and sinkers are great tools for getting your bait to where the fish are. By attaching a bobber to your line, you can control the depth of the bait – just move the bobber up or down the line. If you’re fishing in a group, you can adjust your bobbers to fish at different depths until you find where the fish are biting. Bobbers also “bob” up and down when fish are biting and provide a great visual aid for young anglers. Sinkers vary in size, shape and weight, but all are designed to get your bait to the bottom of a lake or river. Split-shot sinkers resemble BBs and can be easily added or removed from your line to vary the weight. A variety-pack of split-shots will give you plenty of weight for most freshwater fishing situations. Larger sinkers are needed when fishing in the bay or ocean. Lures – For the beginning angler, live bait fished on a hook provides the best opportunity to catch fish, but lures can add some variety to a day on the water. Soft plastic baits, like jigs or plastic worms, are great for finding fish at or near the bottom of a lake or river. Crankbaits and spinnerbaits are cast out and reeled in at a steady rate and are ideal for finding fish holding at certain depths. Topwater lures, like poppers and buzzbaits, are designed to draw fish out by mimicking a creature struggling on the surface and can be particularly effective when the water is still. Seeing a fish hit a topwater lure is one of the most thrilling moments you can experience on the water. Once you’ve gathered all of your equipment, be sure to organize them in a small tackle box so you won’t have trouble finding what you need, when you need it. For more tips on tackle and fishing in general, visit takemefishing.org and click on the “Fishing” section. (Courtesy of takemefishing.org)
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6 - Jefferson County Outdoors, The Punxsutawney Spirit & Jefferson County Neighbors, April 2013
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Gas-powered boat engines produce carbon monoxide, or CO, a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas that can prove fatal to humans. People exposed to high concentrations of CO over a short period of time can die from that exposure, as can people exposed to lower concentrations of CO over a longer period of time. No one gets on a boat expecting to be poisoned by CO. But CO can build up on a boat rather quickly, and because it has no color, odor or taste, boaters and their passengers may be inhaling CO without knowing it. To protect themselves from CO poisoning, those who plan to go boating should learn to recognize the symptoms of CO exposure and react to their presence as quickly as possible. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the most common symptoms of CO exposure and poisoning include: • headache • dizziness • weakness • nausea • vomiting • chest pain • confusion Many of the symptoms of CO poisoning are also indicative of seasickness, so boaters and their passengers exhibiting any of the aforementioned symptoms should consider that they might be suffering from seasickness, which is not nearly as risky to a person’s overall health as CO poisoning. In addition to learning about CO, boat owners should take steps to prevent CO poisoning on their boats. At the onset of each boating season and before each trip, inspect your boat’s CO detector to make sure it is working properly. When it is, the detector will alert boat owners between you and the weather
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and their passengers to elevated levels of CO in the cabin. Boat owners should keep a brand new backup detector on their boat so they won’t have to cancel a trip should they arrive at their boat only to find out their existing detector is not functioning properly. In addition to installing and maintaining your CO detector, the CDC recommends the following preventive measures to reduce you and your passengers’ risk of CO poisoning. • Swim and play away from areas where engines vent their exhaust. • Keep a watchful eye on children when they play on rear swim decks or water platforms. • Do not block exhaust outlets. When such outlets are blocked, CO can build up in the cabin and the cockpit. • Do not dock or anchor within 20 feet of another boat that is running an engine or generator because exhaust from nearby vessels can send CO into the boat’s cabin or cockpit. Preventing CO exposure and poisoning also involves teaching passengers to recognize its symptoms. It’s easy for boaters to get distracted when hosting passengers on their boats, so make sure passengers know how to recognize potential CO issues. Keep a list of exposure symptoms in an accessible common area on your boat so passengers can familiarize themselves and recognize any potential problems that might arise. A case of CO poisoning can quickly turn a relaxing day on the boat into an emergency situation. Boat owners owe it to themselves and their passengers to take preventive measures to ensure no one is exposed to or poisoned by CO while out on the water.
Essentials to have when on (or in) the water
Water recreation is a popular pastime. When the weather warms, people often take to coastal areas to enjoy some fun in the sun and surf. What to wear for a day on the water depends on the type of activity one is partaking in, but there are some essentials you do not want to forget to bring along. • Sturdy shoes: Whether you will be standing on the deck of a sailboat or baiting a hook alongside a river, footwear should be sturdy. Water makes for slippery conditions, and shoes that provide traction blend form and function. Although flip-flop sandals have become the go-to footwear, these shoes do not provide the arch support or traction necessary in wet conditions. A water shoe that has a sturdy sole as well as a breathable upper material is a better bet. • Sun protection: The Food and Drug Administration advises that surfaces such as snow, sand, grass, or water can reflect much of the UV radiation that reaches them. A day on the water or nearby reflective surfaces necessitates wearing sun protection products, such as broadspectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. A wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses rated for 100 percent UV protection are good ideas. UV rays are most intense at noon, when the sun is at its highest point in the sky. It’s also important to note the higher the elevation, the greater the UV exposure concentration because there is less atmosphere to absorb the UV rays. • Layers: The weather can be unpredictable, and the temperature inland may differ from the temperature at the shore by several degrees. When boating or visiting the coast, wear
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layered clothing so you can shed layers as needed to remain comfortable. • Change of clothing: Wet clothing can become uncomfortable to wear, and it may become dangerous if the temperature drops. Wet clothing can extract heat from the body much faster than dry clothing, potentially causing hypothermia, or a drop in body temperature. Couple wet clothing with windy conditions, and hypothermia can quickly set in. Always bring along a change of clothing and store it in a waterproof bag or
container. This should include extra socks and shoes. • Life jacket: The Centers for Disease Control and Preventionsays drowning ranks fifth among the leading causes of unintentional injury deaths in the United States. Whenever you are on or near the water, wearing a life jacket is a safe idea and one that can potentially save your life. A life jacket should be made available for everyone on a vessel. Dress the part when spending a day on the water. Having the right equipment can reduce your
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8 - Jefferson County Outdoors, The Punxsutawney Spirit & Jefferson County Neighbors, April 2013
Preventing CO2 poisoning on your boat
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Jefferson County Outdoors, The Punxsutawney Spirit & Jefferson County Neighbors, April 2013 - 9
Many great fishing baits are available in your backyard or in any plot of vacant ground or parkland. Check with Mom or Dad to make sure that you have permission to hunt for bait. Worms are the most popular bait, and you can find them almost anywhere. Other good baits are grasshoppers, crickets and caterpillars. Some popular baits and tips to find them are: WORMS – There are all types of worms, but the following tips will help you get a bunch of them for fishing: • Know where to look. Earthworms and larger “nightcrawlers” are found in rich soft soil. Smaller ringed manure worms are found in farm manure, around stables and barnyards. Worms are seldom found in hard or sandy soils. • Look for worms after a rain. Worms come to the surface then. You can also easily pick them up early in the morning. Check on driveways, sidewalks and under rocks. • Try at night in the spring or fall, and use a red plastic covering over your flashlight. Worms won’t see the red light. You can easily pick them up as they move on the surface. • If it hasn’t rained for a
while, try looking under old boards, bricks, logs or debris where the soil is still moist. Grab the worm as soon as you pick up the board, since they immediately try to go down a hole. • Piles of compost, farm manure, leaves or mulch are also good spots to search for manure worms. Use a garden rake to sort through these piles to find worms. • Once you have worms, keep them in a large container filled with soft earth or compost. An ideal way to keep a dozen or more worms is in a large coffee can. Ask Mom or Dad to help you use a can opener to remove both ends, and then use the snap-on plastic lids (you will need two) to hold the worms. Since worms tend to go deep, simply turn over the can and open the top lid to get worms when fishing. • You can keep worms for weeks or longer in a large container of soft soil, mulch, compost or similar natural debris. Feed them with coffee grounds and vegetable scraps. Maintain a “worm bed” with a wood box from which they can’t escape, sunk in the ground and covered with a tight lid. Keep worms cool, covered and slightly
moist and you will have worms any time you want to fish. CRICKETS AND GRASSHOPPERS – Try these methods to get these active insects and good bait. • Look for grasshoppers early in the morning on summer days, where they can be picked off of weed stems before the sun warms them. • You can find grasshoppers in fields and gardens from midspring through late-fall. Crickets are found around sheds, homes, fences and garages. Using bait is the easiest way to catch freshwater fish. But you don’t need to visit a bait store or tackle shop for bait. Finding bait can be a lot of fun and a great way to get ready for a fishing trip. Sidewalks, under stones or anyplace that has nooks and crannies where a cricket can hide. To keep them from escaping, be careful to surprise them with a cupped hand as soon as you see them. • You can trap crickets by placing a slice of stale bread in a hidden location and checking it daily to catch and trap crickets. Try also putting bread in a jar placed on its side. Keep the lid next to the jar to trap crickets when you check it.
(NewsUSA) – It’s home run time. From spring training through the World Series in October, baseball fans are glued to their flat screens. Vascular surgeon David H. Stone, M.D., encourages arm chair enthusiasts to get into the game. “Find your favorite summertime sports pastime, and give your vascular system a great workout.” As a member of the Society for Vascular Surgery, Dr. Stone encourages physical activity that can pump up blood while lowering blood pressure. “More than diet, exercise helps keep your weight down and provides positive health benefits,” said Dr. Stone. After a one-hour workout, the Mayo Clinic states that a 200-pound person will have burned the following calories: • Baseball – 455 • Bicycling, 10 mph – 364 • Golfing, carrying clubs – 391 • Rope jumping – 1,074
• Swimming laps – 528 • Tennis, singles – 728 To remain “in the game,” Dr. Stone recommends: • 30 minutes of exercise daily. This may reduce the risk of stroke, the fourth leading cause of death in America according to the United States Centers forDisease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) 2010 NationalVital Statistics Report. In 2010,137,000 Americans died ofstroke. • a healthy diet • not smoking • maintaining a healthy body weight The lack of regular physical activity results in 250,000 deaths annually, according to a 2003 report in the medical journal Circulation. The least physically fit persons have a mortality risk 4.5 times higher than physically fit persons. Lifestyle choices affect blood flow and blood pressure. The 2010 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistics indicate that
one in every three Americans more than 20 years old has high blood pressure. To detect vascular disease, non-invasive screening tests are available. To treat vascular disease, medications and preventive surgical procedures are available. For free print and electronic vascular health information, visit: VascularWeb.org.
• Hold an old sheet as you and a friend run through a field to trap fleeing and flying insects, including grasshoppers. • Store crickets or grasshoppers in a lidded coffee can. Be careful – they can and will try to jump out. To keep them alive, punch holes in the lid so that they can breath. • To keep crickets and grasshoppers for weeks, feed them a few vegetable scraps, moistened to provide water. CATERPILLARS – These larvae of moths and butterflies are also good bait and readily available through the summer and fall. Try these tips to get a supply: • The best caterpillars are those with smooth bodies, not the ones with a lot of fine hairs. Run a hook through them sideto-side or lengthwise. • Pick caterpillars off of trees and bushes and store them in a coffee can as you do with crickets and grasshoppers. • If not using caterpillars within a day or two of catching them, be sure to keep them with a few leaves of the same plant or tree where you found them. Most caterpillars eat only leaves from a specific
kind of tree or plant. • Keep caterpillars in a coffee can or similar container. Use a mesh or screen lid held in place with a rubber band, or punch holes in a plastic lid. Use care in collecting all bait. Be careful when checking for worms and crickets under boards, since boards can hold rusty nails. Also, pull a board back towards you to keep the board between you and any bait. Sometimes baby snakes will be found under those same boards! Spiders, including poisonous types, can be found in the same areas. Watch for fire ants in some areas, and be aware that some bees and wasps nest in the ground. Be careful also when collecting caterpillars. Some caterpillars – particularly large ones and those with fine hairs – can sting! Use light cotton gloves for protection. There are lots of other baits available that you can find for freshwater fishing, but starting with these will give you a good supply of readily available bait all year round. For more information, look in your library or tackle shop for books on bait. Courtesy of Take Me Fish-
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ÃÄÌ ÎÄÊÇ IJȽ¾Ã¼ ɺǾÃÄÁļΠCrabbing an ideal hobby opening or “eye” at one end to which the line is tied and a point at the other end to catch the fish. Circle hooks have an angled point. Double and treble hooks have two or three points, respectively. • SINKER – A weight of lead or other metals designed to sink a hooked bait or lure. • FLOAT – Also called a “bobber”, these suspend hooked baits off of the bottom, and signal hits by “bobbing” when a fish takes the bait. • STRIKE – Any “hit” by a fish taking a lure or bait. • TACKLE BOX - A box or bag with special compartments and features to hold terminal tackle, lures, hooks, and other fishing gear. • TERMINAL TACKLE – A general term for describing bobbers, sinkers, hooks, rigs, snaps, swivels and other gear used at the end of a line. • SNAP – A small device similar to a dog leash snap, tied to the line and used for attachment and quick release of hooks, rigs and lures. • SWIVEL – A small device with two or more eyes (rings) a central swiveling part. They are used between a lure or leader and line to prevent line twist. Otherwise, line twist can occur when a revolving lure twists line to cause tangles. • TROLLING – A method of slowly running a boat while trailing lures or bait. This fishing method is used to cover a lot of water and to find fish. • STILL FISHING - Fishing without moving the bait once it is cast. • CRANKBAIT – A fish-like hard lure or plug designed to swim under the surface, often made of plastic or wood. Some are combined with replaceable soft plastic tails. • TOPWATER LURE – Lures made of hard plastic, wood, hollow rubber/plastic and designed to float on the surface to attract fish when twitched or moved. • SOFT PLASTIC LURES – Made of a soft plastic to resemble a worm, lizard, crayfish, shrimp or generic wiggling creature. Often sold in bulk to be rigged on a hook by the angler. • SPINNERBAIT – “Safety pin” style wire lures with one or more spinner blades on the end of one wire, and a weighted body, skirt and hook on the other. Used to fish around structure such as trees and stumps. • BUZZBAIT – These “safety pin” wire lures for surface fishing have a propeller blade
on one wire and a weighted body, skirt and hook on the other. • JIG – Sometimes called “bucktails”, these weightedbody (often lead) lures are molded on special hooks and rigged with a hair tail or soft plastic skirt or worm. • SPINNER – Spinner blades rotate around the straight wire shaft of these weighted-body treble-hook lures. • TUBE BAIT – Made of soft plastic, these tubular lures are fished with special weighted hooks inserted into the hollow body. • BLADE BAIT – A weighted, fish-shaped blade made with a swinging hook and designed for fishing deep. • CHUMMING – A fishing technique by which bait or scent is released into the water to attract fish to take a lure or baited hook. Chum consists of live, dead, ground-up or prepared baits and scents and is used in fresh and saltwater. • JIGGING - A method of dropping a lure into the water over a fishing site and moving it - “jigging it” - up and down to attract fish. Done from a pier or boat. • CASTING SPOON – A spoon-shaped metal or hard plastic lure that wobbles to attract fish. They can be fitted with a fixed (solid) hook or swinging hook, that has a single, double or treble points. • WEEDLESS SPOON – Wobbling spoons made with a fixed hook and guard for fishing weeds. • STRUCTURE SPOON – Both casting and vertical jigging techniques are used for fishing these swinging hook heavy metal lures. • TROLLING SPOON – A large spoon that is trailed, or trolled, behind a boat to catch fish. Courtesy of Take Me FishingTM
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A wide variety of crabs are found all across the country. Individuals can find the blue crab on the East coast; the Dungeness along the coast of Washington State down to Baja, Mexico; the King crab in Alaska; and the Stone crab in Florida. Going crabbing can yield plenty of delicious crabs. Not only can crabbing yield quite a bounty of fresh shellfish, it can be an enjoyable pastime for adults and children alike. All a person needs is a few supplies and patience for a delicious meal. • License: Check to see if a license is needed to harvest crabs recreationally. Americans or anyone fishing in the United States should contact the Department of Fish and Wildlife to learn about licensing. • Knowledge of rules: Oftentimes, it is illegal to keep crabs that are smaller than regulation size. Know the measurement for legal crabs and bring a ruler on any crabbing excursion. • Crab pot or rings: This equipment can be bought or rented and presents an easy way to catch crabs. • Bait: Most crabbers use some sort of meat, either poultry or clams. Just be sure the bait is fresh. • Gloves: Handling crabs can be risky business. Prevent cuts and pinches from the claws with sturdy gloves. • Cooler: Crabs need fresh seawater in which to live until they can be cooked. Store them in a cooler. Although crabs can be obtained any time of year, most people find the best crabbing occurs in late summer to early autumn. Some varieties of crabs mate this time of year and are more active. Try crabbing at slack water times, such as low tide or high tide. When they don’t have to contend with a lot of surf or pulling tides, crabs are more apt to walk around and hunt. Crabs can be caught off the sides of boats, from piers and right at beachside. Experiment with different methods and leave an hour or more to catch a bunch of crabs.
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10 - Jefferson County Outdoors, The Punxsutawney Spirit & Jefferson County Neighbors, April 2013
There are lots of great tackle available. Here are some terms of basic tackle items and techniques to help you get started. • ROD – A long lever, usually made of fiberglass, graphite or composite materials and used to catch fish. Different types are available, such as rods for spinning, fly fishing, spincast, bait casting, boat fishing, offshore trolling, surf fishing, jetty/pier fishing, etc. Most rods have a reel-holding clamp and guides through which the line runs. • REEL – A mechanical device for holding and spooling fishing line. Reels have a line spool, brake to slow running fish, handle to retrieve line and foot for clamping to a rod. Reel styles include CASTING (revolving spool), SPINNING (line coiling off stationary spool); SPINCAST, (like spinning but with a nose cone), and FLY (storing thick fly line/ backing and to fight big fish). • LINE – Specialized “string” used for fishing. Nylon monofilament line is the most popular. Other lines are made of different materials, including braided fibers and wire. FLY LINE is a specialized line made of a plastic coating on a core, and often made tapered (changing diameter) to make fly casting easier. (To preserve good fishing, take any discarded line with you when you leave. Discarded line can snag and harm wildlife, and kill fish, turtles, frogs, birds and small mammals.) • LEADER – A length of monofilament, wire or other stranded material tied between the end of the line and the lure or hook. Leaders provide extra strength or abrasion resistance from the rough mouth and teeth of fish (pike, barracuda, sharks), scales (sharks), gill covers (tarpon and snook), blows from tails (tuna). • BAIT – Natural attractant added to a hook to catch fish. Bait includes live and dead baitfish, crabs, crayfish, worms, eels, insects, mussels, clams, cut bait (fish), chicken livers, corn kernels, dough balls, squid, and shrimp. • LURE – Any artificial item designed to attract fish and fitted with hooks. These include flies, hard plastic or wood l ures (or plugs), soft plastic imitations, large offshore skirted baits, metal spoons, lead-head lures (jigs), bladed lures, spinners, spinnerbaits. • HOOK – A metal wire device shaped like a “J” with an
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Shore fishing offers many opportunities for anglers. You can fish from the banks of rivers and streams, the shorelines of inland lakes and ponds, and in the surf on the Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf coasts. You can also fish from manmade structures such as piers, jetties, walkways, and bridges. Shore fishing is available to everyone, even large family and club groups. And because there’s no boat to own or rent, it’s low in cost. Fishing from Shore Many anglers often fish from shore. Although some species of fish are rarely caught by shore anglers, there are still plenty of other species available to shore anglers. For example, freeswimming ocean fish are not found close to shore. Others like deep-dwelling lake trout are not often caught by shore anglers. Fish commonly caught by shore anglers include species that lives near structure (bass, northern pike, sunfish, and stream trout) and those that feed on the bottom (carp, catfish, suckers, perch and walleye). One big advantage of shore angling is that almost everyone has some body of water near home that offers fishing. Lakes and Ponds Many lakes and ponds have shoreline structure such as docks, logs, stump fields, brush and rock
piles, and downed trees. Such things, which provide shelter, shade, and protection for fish, are ideal fishing spots. The best locations may be remote and far from roads. Rivers and Streams Rivers and streams are also good places to fish, especially those with structure such as islands, sand bars, rocks or rock piles, and log jams within casting distance of shore. Many anglers fishing shallow rivers combine shore fishing with shallowwater wading. Being able to fish from the middle of a stream lets you cast to more structure. Remember, most fish face the flow of water and wait for food to come to them. Fishing the Surf Surf fishing is a special type of shore fishing. Surf anglers either fish from the shore or wade into the shallow waters along the coasts. Usually, there’s little visible structure, so surf fishermen must learn to “read” the water to detect shallow sloughs, pockets, tide rips, and other areas where fish may be present. Piers Fishing piers are structures that extend into the water for a few dozen feet or as much as several hundred feet. Piers may be just above the surface or as much as 20 to 30 feet above the water. Piers let anglers get their baits and lures farther out into the
water than a cast from the shore would allow. Often a pier is built with rock piles or other structure next to it to attract fish. Even if this structure is absent, the pier pilings attract fish. Some of the best fishing is often right under a pier. Breakwaters and Jetties Breakwaters and jetties are similar to piers; they, too, extend into the water and offer a platform from which to fish. Most are built to protect harbor areas and boat slips from the wave action of the open ocean or a lake. Those designed for fishing have rocks arranged so that they’re flat on top. When fishing breakwaters and jetties that aren’t flat on top, use extra caution. Walkways and Bridges Walkways are like piers, but are specially built fishing platforms that are near or run parallel to bridges, piers, shoreline bulkheads, or similar structures. An example is a walkway along a bridge, but constructed at a lower level. This keeps anglers safe from auto traffic and puts them closer to the water. Fishing isn’t always allowed from bridges because of the danger from traffic. Bridges where angling is permitted must be fished carefully. This information provided by the Future Fisherman Foundation.
(StatePoint) – As kids, many had the same dream of hitting a walk-off home run to win the World Series. Now baseball season is finally underway, and there is no shortage of opportunities to share your passion of the game with your children. Getting children involved in baseball at a young age is a great way to commit them to an active lifestyle and form lifelong memories. Many kids fall in love with the game from the moment they first step on the field As the familiar sounds of the crack of the bat and the roar of the crowd once again fill the air, here are a few ways to introduce your children to America’s favorite pastime. Have a Catch Having a catch with your child is the quintessential bonding experience. It’s also a great way to ease younger kids into the game. All you need is a glove and a ball to get started. After your son or daughter has the basics down, take the next step by going to the batting cages. Read a Book Sometimes it’s best to familiarize your child with the game before getting on the field. “Who’s on First?,” the famous 1930s Abbot and Costello comedy routine,
is inspiring a love of the sport for a new generation of kids – this time in the form of a picture book that carries the same name. The humorous book, adapted and edited by David Borgenicht, President and Publisher of Quirk Books, and illustrated by John Martz, features the same witty banter of the original skit. “This picture book edition of the classic comedy routine is a great introduction to comedy, Abbott and Costello, and the game of baseball,” says Borgenicht. For more information, visit www.QuirkBooks.com. Play in an Organized League For many kids, the best part about playing baseball is the
rush they get from playing in a competitive game. Aside from the health benefits of being active, organized sports are fun, and a great way to learn teamwork and discipline. Go to a Game As a child, the magic of attending a ball game is unmatched. Whether it is a major league, minor league, or even a college game, the sights and sounds of the ballpark will capture your child’s imagination. Grab some peanuts and Cracker Jacks for the real authentic experience. A day at the ballpark will be a memory that you both have forever. Finally baseball season is here, and it is time to play ball!
Share your passion for baseball
Jefferson County Outdoors, The Punxsutawney Spirit & Jefferson County Neighbors, April 2013 - 11
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12 - Jefferson County Outdoors, The Punxsutawney Spirit & Jefferson County Neighbors, April 2013
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