Deep thrills

Anglers paddle to offshore rigs September 22, 2006 Texas’ Premier Outdoor Newspaper Volume 3, Issue 3 SEE PAGE 8 www.lonestaroutdoornews.com

INSIDE A teal of a time Coastal hunters stay busy bagging bluewings

By Craig Nyhus

A consistent theme echoed across Texas after the early teal season open- er on Sept. 9 — where there was water, Three friends hit a motherlode of there were teal. striper on Lake Texoma and Hunters throughout the state found themselves sweaty, but reported excellent numbers of blue- winged teal — in line with estimates smiley as they pulled up fish of 5.9 million bluewings traveling after fish. through the Central Flyway this Sept. See Page 21 — and excellent hunting results. Coastal areas reported the most Dredging is normally a bad word success, as expected. to anglers, but some are having Hunter Uzzle, 10, hunted with a second thoughts after the Sabine party of adults near Winnie. He Pass project — where dredging reported the group was “covered up,” for a new gas plant created a and he shot his limit in less than one pocket abounding in fish. hour with a 20-gauge. Thunderstorms had threatened the See Page 8 hunt, but he called his father to check the radar. HUNTING Dad said to wait 10 minutes as the storm was moving to the east. They drank hot chocolate, ate donuts and waited. The birds took to the air after the storm. Some Comanche County hunters with access to water reported fast and furious early action and quick limits on opening weekend, but most hunters reported the birds had moved on by the second weekend. Hunters near Lubbock report teal in numbers beyond recent memory. Purina hopes to stimulate interest Brad White with Big Honker Guide in the hunting of mule deer by Service reports his customers were pitching a food supplement for often confused due to the numbers of the animal, whose population has birds circling the ponds. declined in recent years. “We’ve been hunting in Lubbock, See Page 6 Hale and Lamb counties,” he said. “Every depression in the land has BRINGIN’ IT HOME: Tim Solderquist’s lab, Maggie, retrieves a blue-wing teal at the Hammerdown Hunting Club near Bay CONSERVATION See TEAL, Page 13 City. Photo by David J. Sams. Joe McBride sells guns, but his commitment to conservation led Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation to announce he will Whopper ‘blues’ be honored at their Oct. 6 banquet . See Page 5 Trophy cats biting at Texas reservoirs

NATIONAL By Diana Kunde His party’s top fish on Sept. 2 was a 50- Ann Richards was lauded for her pounder, 42 inches long and 31 inches political success when she died in girth, caught on Cedar Creek Lake. Sept. 13, but many Texans will September’s unseasonably cool nights “We catch big fish all year long,” remember Richards for her are proving to be a bonus for anglers who Ferguson said. “It’s just more rare to enjoyment of hunting and go after big blue catfish — trophy cats — catch the numbers we did this time of dedication to preserving the with rod and reel. year. We caught four fish over 30 pounds Chad Ferguson, of North Texas and that one over 50.” The fishing party state's wildlife habitat. Catfish Guide Service, said he pulled in caught and released “multiple fish” See Page 4 HEAVYWEIGHTS: Big catfish, tipping the scales at more than 50 unusual numbers of large blue catfish between 20 and 30 pounds. pounds, are being caught on rod and reels at a few lakes. early in the month. See BLUE CATS, Page 22 DEPARTMENTS PRSRT STD Game Warden Blotter Page 10 Deer carcasses dotting US POSTAGE Hunting Season Dates Page 13 PAID PLANO, TX Heroes Page 15 stock tanks out west PERMIT 210 Made In Texas Page 17 By BILL MILLER spotted around stock tanks since August, although an exact count Outdoor Datebook Page 17 hadn’t been taken by mid- Weather Page 18 Numerous whitetails are drop- September. ping dead in West Texas. Most of the reports are from Wild in the Kitchen Page 18 State wildlife officials say it’s not Schleicher County, said Dale unusual to lose deer to deadly dis- Rollins, wildlife specialist for the Fishing Report Page 19 eases, but recent reports are surpris- Texas Cooperative Extension in San Product Picks Page 20 ing. Angelo. Others were found in Tom Dozens of dead deer have been See DEER, Page 13 Page 2 September 22, 2006 September 22, 2006 Page 3 Page 4 September 22, 2006 NATIONAL A way with the outdoors Richards dedicated to wildlife, conservation Ann Richard’s success in the political arena is well docu- her dedication to the outdoors. mented, but the silver-haired lady of Texas also had an “Ann truly was the best governor in Texas history to pro- attraction to another arena — the tect wildlife resources from the bays outdoors. and bayous to the state parks,” Lyon Dressed in hunting attire, said. Richards, who served as the 45th ‘Ann was And the attorney said Richards was governor of Texas from 1991 to good with the shotgun and could 1995, was a familiar figure to the a true hunt with the best. media. character and “She was truly an outdoorswoman The democrat made it a tradi- and could handle a Winchester tion to hunt doves in front of the fun to hunt Model 23 pigeon grade 20-gauge over media when campaigning. with.’ and under as well as any man.” An incident which drew popu- Richards’ dedication to the out- larity came in September of 1994 — FRANK L. doors earned statewide recognition. when President George W. Bush, ANN RICHARDS BRANSON During her career, she was honored a gubernatorial candidate at the with a “Connie Award” by the time, and Gov. Richards went on National Wildlife Federation, separate dove hunts on the first day of the season with the America’s conservation organization protecting wildlife for press alongside. future generations. Richards, who started the season firing off three shots in a Richards earned the achievement award for making out- field in North Texas, wasn’t able to bag a dove on opening standing contributions to conserving wildlife and restora- day. tion of habitats. Hunting friends recall the special lady with magnetic Richards also formed the Governor’s Task Force on Nature charm who died Sept. 13 at her home in Austin after a battle Tourism in Texas in 1993. with esophageal cancer. The task force helped communities and private landown- Dallas attorney Frank L. Branson has fond memories ers develop passive wildlife programs to conserve both Richards, who in 1991 became the first female Texas gover- wildlife habitat and to stimulate economic growth through nor in 50 years. environmentally-based tourism. “Ann was a true character and fun to hunt with,” Branson Funeral services for Richards, 73, were held Monday at the said. University of Texas Frank Erwin Center. HONORABLE HUNT: Ann Richards shows doves harvested by her hunting Mesquite attorney Ted Lyon recalled Richards’ skills and — Compiled from staff reports. partners on opening day near Terrell in 1994. Photo by David J. Sams. Survey: Waterfowl harvest increases in Texas The waterfowl harvest in Texas and New Mexico was down 7 percent. sions concerning hunting seasons, tary survey of selected migratory bird ple of the hunters and asks them to increased 38 percent in 2005, accord- The program is a method by which bag limits and population manage- hunters in the United States. provide information on the kind and ing to a survey compiled from The state wildlife agencies and the U.S. ment. The state wildlife agencies collect number of migratory birds they har- Migratory Bird Harvest Information Fish and Wildlife Service develop Duck, goose and crane hunters are the name, address and some addi- vest during the hunting season. Program (HIP). more reliable estimates of the number required to participate in the pro- tional information from each migra- The hunters’ reports are used to The harvest in Louisiana was up 7 of all migratory birds harvested gram, which is usually accomplished tory bird hunter in their state and develop reliable estimates of the total percent for the same period. throughout the country. at the time of hunting license pur- send that information to the wildlife harvest of all migratory birds Oklahoma’s harvest was down 18 per- These estimates give biologists the chase. service. throughout the country. cent, Arkansas was down 4 percent information needed to make deci- The program is based on a volun- The service randomly selects a sam- — A Ducks Unlimited report. September 22, 2006 Page 5 CONSERVATION McBride in Expo spotlight Banquet to honor conservationist In a state abundant with out- standing conservationists, Joe McBride stands tall. That’s why the founding father of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Expo is the consensus choice to be honored at the 15th Annual Expo Conservation Banquet, Oct. 6, at the Hyatt Lost Pines Resort near Austin. The event, which benefits the TPW Foundation, the official non- profit partner of Texas Parks and Wildlife, also features silent and live auctions. Live auction items valued at more than $125,000 include a Panhandle quail hunt with Nolan Ryan, spring turkey hunt with Texas music great Tracy Bird and South Texas deer hunt with Gov. Rick Perry. As second-generation owner of DEDICATED TO THE OUTDOORS: Joe McBride’s dedication to the community will be McBride’s Gun Shop in Austin, recognized on Oct. 6 at the 15th Annual Expo Conservation Banquet. McBride is the sporting goods deal- er to dignitaries, celebrities, gover- give back to his community, his recognizing McBride for all he has nors and even presidents. state and many of its worthy causes. done for the department, other His unassuming personality, wis- He has provided leadership to conservation organizations, the dom, salesmanship, service and the Austin Woods and Waters Club, sporting citizens of Texas, the dedication made and keep him suc- which established the McBride state’s hunting and fishing heritage cessful in a very competitive and Family Conservation Fund and and its natural resources. changing category of retail busi- awards thousands of dollars annu- Tables for the banquet may be ness. ally for youth education. He serves purchased for $1,500. Individual McBride has been named on the board of Operation Game tickets purchased in advance are Salesman of the Year by both Thief. $100, or $150 at the door. Winchester and Browning. He The Texas Outdoor Writers Purchases may also be made founded the Texas Gun Dealers Association and the Austin Woods online at www.tpwf.org/auction. Association and Hill Country and Waters Club named him For more information, email Wholesale. Conservationist of the Year. The [email protected] or call 214-720- While working for 36 years sell- Austin Police Department named 1478 ext. 205. ing sporting goods, McBride also him Patron of the Year. — A Texas Parks and Wildlife Foun- has found time along the way to In 2006, the TPW Foundation is dation report. Biologists zero in on seatrout EDITORIAL OFFICES: Texas Parks and Wildlife Coastal 9304 Forest Lane, Suite 114 South, biologists will host a second Dallas, TX 75243 round of public meetings to discuss Phone: (214) 361-2276 Fax: (214) 368-0344 regional management options for Publisher/Editor: CRAIG NYHUS the Lower Laguna Madre spotted Design Editor: DUDLEY GREEN seatrout . Contributing Editor: DARLENE MCCORMICK SANCHEZ The meetings will include a pres- Associate Editor: MARK ENGLAND entation of spotted seatrout trends in Founder & CEO: DAV I D J. SAMS the Lower Laguna Madre, descrip- SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES: tion of the regional management Order online via secure Web site at concept and information about vari- www.lonestaroutdoornews.com ous management options. or call toll-free (866) 361-2276 The management options being ADVERTISING SERVICES: analyzed are various reductions in Call (214) 361-2276 or e-mail advertising bag limit, increases in minimum size @lonestaroutdoornews.com limit and combinations of these for to request a media kit. Lone Star Outdoor News, a publication of Lone Star Outdoor News, LLC, publishes twice a month. A the Lower Laguna Madre only. subscription is $25 for 24 issues. Copyright 2006 with all rights reserved. Reproduction and/or use of Stocks overall are doing extremely any photographic or written material without written permission by the publisher is prohibited. well in Texas; however, in the Lower Printed in Dallas, TX, by Midway Press. Subscribers may send address changes to: Lone Star Outdoor News, 9304 Forest Lane, Suite 114 South, Laguna Madre, sampling data and Dallas, TX 75243 or e-mail them to models show a clear downward trend [email protected]. in relative abundance and spawning stock biomass of spotted seatrout. For more information about the meetings, call the TPW Brownsville Field Station at (956) 350-4490. Meetings •Sept. 25, Port Isabel Community Center, 213 Yturria Street, Port Isabel • Sept. 26, Harlingen Public Library, 410 ’76 Drive, Harlingen • Sept. 27, Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi, Natural Resource Center, Room 1003, 6300 Ocean Drive, Corpus Christi • Sept. 28, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, Dickinson Marine Lab, 1502 FM 517 East, Dickinson • Sept. 28, Historical Center, 427 South 7th Street, Raymondville All meetings begin at 7 p.m. and are open to anyone interested in spotted seatrout management. — A Texas Parks and Wildlife report. Page 6 September 22 2006 HUNTING

‘The Taking a byte out of crime Internet Wardens target illegal wildlife sales on Internet By Darlene McCormick It’s a routine crime with a new area trying to sell illegal game is really Sanchez twist. And it’s keeping Chrane, items on eBay. Two were taxider- one of two game wardens in the mists. With the assistance of creating state in special operations that Game Wardens Kevin Creed and ometimes at night after handle wildlife crimes, pretty Mike Weiss, two pronghorn shoul- his workday is through, busy. der mounts, one full-body prong- new Sgt. Adam Chrane, a game “The Internet has been a boon horn mount and a javalina skull warden with Texas Parks to everything … it’s been the same mount were seized. The cases are headaches andS Wildlife, cruises the Internet to (illegal) wildlife,” he said. “It’s a pending. in search of crimes against constant.” In general, state lawmakers wildlife. Chrane’s job involves a lot of made it illegal to sell game animals for us.’ He checks out eBay and chat cyber acting — posing to be a and game birds, dead or alive. — SGT. TOM HULETT rooms and other cyber sites in buyer in order to hopefully bust And, in general, the same law hopes of catching people hawking culprits. makes it illegal to sell their parts. specific game mounts or animals In mid-August, Chrane helped Pronghorns, javalinas, game that are illegal to sell in Texas. nab four people in the Houston See ILLEGAL, Page 7 Winging it through late season

FILLING THE SKY: White-winged dove circle over a sunflower field east of Hondo. The hunting was hot over this field during the special white-wing season. Limited available grain in South Texas concentrated the birds. Photo by David J. Sams

By Lynn Burkhead changed — find the preferred food sources, where the birds are water- Hanging in there for a hunt weeks ing, where they are roosting, and Thousands of Texans thrill to the what flight corridors they are using Sept. 1 ritual of opening day of dove to get between these places. hunting season. Watch the Weather But after the first week or two of after dove opener could pay off As the first significant cool fronts the season, the attention of many of the season roll through the area, Lone Star State hunters begins to Here is some sage advice from waterhole or your favorite maize birds, then you’ve got to hit them weather changes certainly can wane as early teal and archery sea- experts on how to take advantage of field and shoot doves, but after then, because if you wait, they may reshuffle the dove-hunting deck. sons arrive on the calendar. the late season’s dove hunting opening day, you’ve got to start be gone a day or two later due to When that happens, successful And that’s a shame since some of bonanza. looking for the birds (again),” said changing weather patterns or what- gunners must adapt. the best dove hunting of the entire Scout — Again Phil Bellows, a Gainesville-based ever.” So says Steve Hollensed, a full- fall occurs in later September and “It’s one thing to go out on open- Ducks Unlimited district chairman. Bellows says the scouting keys for time striped bass guide on through October. ing day and go to your favorite “You’ve got to go out and find the later in the year remained un- See DOVE, Page 16 Interest is growing in food supplements for mule deer By BILL MILLER ity explosion. “You have to do something pretty impressive to raise the standard in the whitetail industry,’’ Mention deer hunting in Texas and the said Scott Hohensee of Mumme’s, Inc., the mind’s eye would probably behold the image of Purina distributor. “(But) lots of people are look- a trophy whitetail buck. ing at West Texas and applying the things they But wedging the Texas mule deer into that pic- have learned from the management of white- ture is the goal of Purina Mills and one of its top tails to mule deer.’’ distributors. Hohensee is in charge of wildlife products for Next month, Purina will unveil a new supple- Mumme’s Inc., which has stores throughout mental feed pellet for mule deer, which in Texas South Texas. The firm is sponsoring the San live in the arid region between the Panhandle Antonio conference with Purina and the Texas and the Big Bend. Deer Association. The product will be launched during a mule Hohensee grew up in San Angelo, prime deer management conference Oct. 19-20 in San whitetail country, but also springboard to mule Antonio. The event’s sponsors expect a strong deer lands in West Texas. turnout because, they believe, the big-eared “I really enjoy the challenge of spot and stalk for mule deer,’’ he said. “I like to hunt them like desert-dwelling deer is about to enjoy a popular- PROTEIN POWER: A mule deer buck feeds at a protein feeder in West Texas. See MULE DEER, Page 16 September 22, 2006 Page 7

about helping law enforcement marketed illegally on the Web, catch these types of perpetrators, Hulett told the Eugene Register- Illegal he said. Guard. Watts gets call In July, Chrane busted a guy “The Internet is really creating Continued from Page 6 who said he bought a piranha on new headaches for us,” Hulett said. birds and even squirrels fall under Craig’s List and then offered to sell Nationwide, the legality of sell- this ban. it on an aquarium Internet site. ing wildlife parts vary widely from However, white-tailed deer and People warned the seller that it was state to state. Most game species to nationals mule deer mounts, horns and skin — illegal, who responded with: “I aren’t federally protected, so feder- the inedible parts — can be sold. don’t think Parks and Wildlife are al officials usually don’t get Game bird breeders can sell their monitoring these chat rooms.” involved, said Sandy Cleva, a Word got back to Chrane who mounts. Taxidermists can sell spokeswoman with the U.S. Fish unclaimed mounts to recoup the cost then posed as a buyer and set up and Wildlife Service law enforce- of their labor only, meaning they the meeting that resulted in a bust. ment division. can’t make a profit from the sale. Elsewhere, wildlife cybercrime Wild-caught game fish flesh, has taken game wardens out of the But for those species that are such as redfish and trout, are illegal field and onto their computers as protected, such as reptiles and ele- to sell in Texas — but Chrane said well. In Springfield, Oregon, an phants, the Internet has become a he hasn’t seen these types of cases August article reported how State bonanza for crime as well, she — yet. Police Sgt. Tom Hulett, with added. Right now the biggest increase Oregon’s Fish and Wildlife “I can tell you what I’ve seen is a in wildlife cybercrime is in the area Division, was chasing down cyber definite increase in the Internet,” of illegal reptile sales, he said. But criminals as well. In Oregon, deer she said. at least with Internet crime, there’s and elk mounts, racks of antlers Darlene McCormick Sanchez is con- usually a written record and com- and bear rugs with skulls attached tributing editor for the Lone Star panies such as eBay are very good are among the wildlife parts being Outdoor news.

IN TUNE WITH THE WILD: Robb Watts sounds off at the Gulf Coast Regional Duck Calling Contest. Photo by Craig Nyhus.

The Gulf Coast Regional Duck Robb Watts of Beebe, Ark. cap- Calling Contest was held Sept. 9 at tured first place, a $1,000 Cabela’s Cabela’s in Fort Worth. Ten gift certificate, and the chance to world-class callers competed with compete at the national competi- the winner qualifying for the tion. Watts, the national sales National Duck Calling Contest in manager for Echo Calls, looks for- Stuttgart, Ark. in November. ward to the national competition. The competition was extremely “I plan to stick with my same rou- close, and after paring down the tine,” he said. “I also want to competitors to six after Round 1, thank Cabela’s, they did a great four callers were within one point job. of each other going into Round 3. — Compiled from staff reports. Page 8 September 22, 2006 FISHING Dredging project a clear hit to anglers Trout, redfish ganging up in pristine waters of ‘Louisiana Pocket’

By Chuck Uzzle berm. The berm acts as a barrier to inhibit erosion ‘The water clarity is amazing at times.’ from the Gulf of Mexico’s pounding surf. The Coastal anglers shudder at terms that con- dredge material also has helped protect pre- jure up bad images such as “red tide” or “hurri- — AARON HOMMEL cious wetland areas from the effects of erosion. cane.” For sportsmen, the creation of the berm has Another term that usually spells disaster for been nothing short of a blessing as the man- anglers is “dredging,” which usually results in The project required that some 4 million among locals on the east side of the Sabine jet- made structure has made a good place to fish undesirable fishing conditions. cubic yards of dredge material be removed ties near the beach. even better. The Cheniere Energy Company has put a from the ship channel to make room for According to published reports from Shiner “We wanted to protect the shoreline and new spin on dredging and Sabine Lake anglers barges, ships and other traffic at the plant. Mosely and Associates, an engineering firm enhance the fishing,” said James Ducote of are praising its efforts. Cheniere removed this dredge material and working on the Sabine Pass project, the dredge Cheniere Energy. “We took a negative and Cheniere Energy is establishing a Liquefied relocated it to the area most anglers refer to as material was deposited several hundred yards turned it into a positive.” Natural Gas facility in Sabine Pass. “the Louisiana Pocket,” a popular fishing spot from the beach to create a shoreline protection See DREDGING, Page 13 Deep thrills Anglers paddle to offshore excitement

By Mark England

Christmas is more than three months away, but Ken Larson of Rockport has already gone on a Texas sleigh ride — in the Gulf of Mexico. “I hooked a stingray and it took off,” said Larson, who was south of Port Aransas in his kayak. “The other guys turned around and went, ‘Whoa.’ I was rapidly putting distance between myself and them. “We like to call that a Texas sleigh ride. It was one of the best ones I’ve ever been on. The stingray ran about 300 yards before it foundered.” Getting towed is just one of the pleasures of kayak fishing, especially when done in the ocean. However, the sport is about more than thrill-seeking, according to Larson, vice presi- dent of sales for Malibu Kayak (Malibukayaks.com). “It’s a very intimate outdoor experience,” FAR-OUT ADVENTURE: Ken Larson battles with a stingray caught near an offshore oil-production platform in the Gulf of Mexico. Photo by Lupe Buitron. See KAYAKERS, Page 22 Drop-shotting Texan Angler nails takes Table Rock title Big Bass win

choked back tears. “It’s all coming out. Long-awaited win Where to start? Seven years I’ve been Fish-off highlights doing this and I’ve been close. I just is Faircloth’s first hadn’t got it done. But I got it done under-slot category today.” as a professional Faircloth was fishing in approxi- More than 570 anglers from 14 states mately 30 to 35 feet of water at the hooked up for the first annual Berkley Big The last time Todd Faircloth fished James River near Indian Point. Bass tournament on Sept. 10 at Lake Fork. on Table Rock Lake he didn’t fare well He drop-shot a 5-inch Senko Slim The unique tournament rules required and lost a berth in the CITGO Worm (green pumpkin color) to land that all anglers use Berkley Baits exclusively. . all of his bass on Sunday — the same Top prizes included a Skeeter SX 190 boat This time around, Faircloth earned lure that made him one of only two with a Yamaha 150-horsepower motor for some redemption. anglers who caught a limit of fish each the largest fish over the slot (more than 24 Faircloth, who hails from Jasper, day of the tournament. inches in length) and one boat for the won The Rock presented by Theraseed He looked for underwater contour largest fish under the slot (under 16 inches — the final tournament of the 2006 near deep drop-offs and specifically tar- in length). CITGO Bassmaster Elite Series. His geted gravel flats to land his biggest Additionally, hourly prizes were awarded four-day total of 50 pounds, 9 ounces, fish. in both categories. propelled him to the victory, earning “It was anywhere you had a break, in After the first hour there were 26 fish him a $100,000 check and a spot in the about 30 to 35 feet of water,” Faircloth weighed in, but none were over the slot. 2007 Bassmaster Classic. said. “If you had some wood, it was Overall, there were six bass weighed in over even better. I caught a lot of my fish the slot. It was Faircloth’s first victory in his TEXAS FLAIR: Todd Faircloth lifts his Table Rock title trophy seven years as a professional angler. around brush piles and around trees. In the last hour, Ted Robbins of Longview high in the air. The victory earned him $100,000. Photo by brought in a fish that measured 24 inches. “I’m emotional,” Faircloth said, as he See FAIRCLOTH, Page 13 James Overstreet. See TOURNEY, Page 22 September 22, 2006 Page 9 Page 10 September 22, 2006 GAME WARDEN BLOTTER DOVE HUNTERS CAUGHT This will be the operator’s fourth IN BAITED FIELD Driving While Intoxicated/Boating •Brewster County Game Warden While Intoxi-cated charge. He had Ray Spears responded to a call from STUCK IN MARGARITAVILLE a device on his vehicle to detect the sheriff’s department about Denton County Game get free. After the boat got subject was transported to alcohol on his breath. One of the shots being fired on a small tract of Warden Ron VanderRoest, loose, VanderRoest stopped the Denton County Jail where a pat boat passengers said that he had land just outside the Alpine city while patrolling Lewisville Lake boat and noted the operator down found a small bag of blown the alcohol detector on the limits. The caller complained about for water safety violations, saw was intoxicated. The suspect methamphetamines in the boat operator’s vehicle so that the dove hunters shooting too close to a boat beached in front of the said he only had eight or nine coin pocket of his shorts. The boat operator could start his truck. his property and was concerned for local restaurant and bar with frozen margaritas and did not boater was charged with BWI Case pending. his family’s safety. Spears made the operator gunning both see what the problem was. After and possession of a controlled contact with two hunters who were engines in full reverse trying to failing field sobriety tests, the substance. BATTY COMPLAINT FILED hunting dove over bait and •Somervell County Game Warden charged both hunters with the vio- Neal Bieler received an Operation lation. Spears had previously two different fields. Ten citations of property, the wardens video- Texoma. During the annual Labor Game Thief call from Austin warned the property owner about were given to three people for taped and counted dropped and Day High Roller’s Poker Run, two Headquarters advising that a com- hunting over bait. Cases pending. exceeding the daily bag limit in two retrieved birds for more three boats collided. One of the high per- plaint had been made regarding different fields; three citations for hours. The hunters had been in the formance boats had veered in front DOVES EAT WELL IN ERATH COUNTY two white bats that were in a cage drug paraphernalia (while hunting field for at least an hour before sur- of another and the oncoming boat at an RV Park in Glen Rose. Bieler •Palo Pinto County Game Warden and fishing); one minor in posses- veillance began. When the hunters entered the other through the Bill Jones received a tip opening immediately went to the location sion of alcohol while hunting cita- left the field, both suspects were cockpit area. Witnesses estimate weekend of dove season regarding a and found the cage in question. To tion; and one citation for hunting known to have exceeded their daily the speed of both boats to be in baited field in Erath County. After his surprise, inside the cage were doves from a public road. Other limit during the morning hunt. excess of 130 miles per hour. All locating the field, Jones made con- two large white bats … baseball citations included unplugged shot- Later that afternoon, Borchardt four occupants of the boat that tact with Erath County Game bats. No cases were filed. gun, killing a protected nongame and Padgett met up with Johnson veered off course were killed, and Warden Tony Navarro and Hood bird, no hunting license and no County Game Warden Ty the wife of the driver of the other NOT SMART: SHOOTING County Game Warden Danny hunter education certificate. The boat was killed. The driver was just Patterson and Capt. W.J. Rawls to WHILE DRIVING Tuggle. After inspecting the field, warnings included: no HIP certifi- released from an area hospital. The the wardens found 3,000 pounds once again check the hunters. One •Henderson County Game cation, no hunter education, hunt- individual finally admitted to accident happened in Oklahoma of oats, wheat and maize. The case ing dove from a vehicle, no wildlife waters and is being investigated by Wardens Audie Hamm and Tony was turned over to US Fish and killing 32 birds that morning and Norton were patrolling Navarro resource document and discharg- retrieving only 21. Cases pending. the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Wildlife Service Agent, Steve ing a firearm across a public road- Grayson County Game Wardens County and saw a man in the back Hamilton. Charges were filed for a way. Jim Ballard and Dale Moses along of a truck shooting dove from the baited field and for no hunting FIRE ANTS FEAST highline while his partner drove ON UNWANTED DOVE with Wise County Game Warden license. ’GATOR’S RED EYES SCARE WOMAN the truck down the county road. •Tarrant County Game Warden Chris Dowdy were asked to assist with the investigation. With the Contact was made and charges •San Jacinto County Game Michael McCall cited a suspect in DEER HUNTING CONVICTION Warden Aryn Corley was called out use of the side scan sonar, parts of were filed. northern Tarrant County for hunt- RESULTS IN FINE AND SUSPENSION to assist a Shepherd woman who the boat including the cockpit, ing doves with an unplugged shot- •Parker County Game Warden had trapped an alligator on her both jet engines and both out- STAY OFF THE GRASS gun. Returning to the same field on Randall Hayes received final dispo- property and wanted help to drives were recovered and turned •Hardin County Game Warden Saturday evening, McCall stopped sition on a felony trespass hunting remove it. When he arrived, Corley over to Oklahoma investigators. Kenny Lee received information this same hunter as he was exiting case that occurred in January 2006. noticed the woman was visibly about an ibis being killed in a local the field from the evening hunt. The defendant received two felony shaking. She had the gator trapped BOATER HITS DOCK, ARRESTED neighborhood. After a short inves- convictions, one for possession of a under a flowerpot because its The subject, who had his shotgun ON ALCOHOL-RELATED CHARGES properly plugged, was asked how tigation, Warden Lee determined controlled substance, metham- “crazy red eyes” scared her. When •Hood County Game Warden many doves he had killed. The sub- the local golf course administrator phetamine, and for taking a white- Corley lifted the flowerpot, he Danny Tuggle was called early in shot the bird for “digging up the tailed deer without the landown- asked the lady if this was some sort ject stated that he had killed four the morning in reference to a boat- and that his hunting companion grass” on the course. A citation was er’s consent. The hunter received of joke. The reason — her red-eyed ing accident on Lake Granbury. issued for hunting a protected four years probation and four years had killed three. When McCall gator was, in fact, a red-eyed Tuggle, along with Brazos River species. hunting license suspension. The squeaky toy alligator. She was very asked to see the birds, the subject Authority Lake Ranger Randy fine amount was $1,200 for the stated that he didn’t keep them embarrassed and her friends all got Johnson, began an investigation. BODY FOUND IN BARREL hunting case and $800 for the a good laugh. Corley took posses- because four doves were not The boat found had hit a boat dock AT LAKE BUCHANAN drugs. Forfeiture of a hunting rifle sion of the gator. enough to eat. His companion said hard enough to rip a 4-foot hole on •Game Wardens Chris Davis and and other hunting equipment was he did not like to eat dove and that the driver’s side. Blood was found also included. Civil restitution on GREED GETS THE BEST OF THEM he did not want to clean them. The on the windshield, but the passen- Andy Ozuna were called by Texas the white-tailed buck is also •Game Wardens Clint Borchardt subjects led McCall back to the gers of the boat had left the scene. Ranger Joey Gordon to assist in involved. and John Padgett, after several field where he found the seven After locating the boaters, the oper- recovering a decomposed body hours of surveillance, cited two doves in a pile covered in fire ants. ator was taken to the hospital with inside a barrel at the water’s edge of WARDENS ISSUE 34 CITATIONS people for exceeding the daily bag Both hunters were cited for waste cuts to the head. Further investiga- Lake Buchanan. The barrel had •Tarrant County Game Wardens limit for dove. When the wardens of game. Cases pending. tion showed that the operator was been submerged for what appeared Clint Borchardt and John Padgett checked the hunters the previous under the influence of alcohol. He to be a long time, and since the lake teamed up opening weekend of day and saw the amount of doves FIVE PEOPLE DIE AFTER BOATS was arrested and placed in the has gone down, the barrel dove season and filed 34 citations harvested and noticed that their COLLIDE AT 130 MPH Hood County Jail. Witness state- appeared on a rock ledge. The and 10 warnings. These violations stories did not match, they set up •Grayson County Game Warden ments showed the operator was Burnet County Sheriff’s Depart- included 12 citations to 12 people surveillance. After hiking about Jim Ballard responded to a call for drinking heavily prior to and up to ment and Texas Rangers are investi- for hunting dove over bait found in half a mile through another piece assistance on the west end of Lake the accident for about 12 hours. gating. SUBSCRIBE TODAY! We Want to Welcome to Deliver Our Lone Star Outdoor News Texas’ Premier Outdoor Newspaper Newspaper We’re publishing twice a month so we can bring you the very best of the Texas outdoors. And hunters and anglers by the scores are sending us their to You! thank-yous, comments and subscriptions. Every issue, we’ll bring you some of the state’s best outdoor photography and stories. You’ll read about big game hunting, waterfowling, upland bird hunting, freshwater fishing across the state and saltwater fishing all up and 24 down the Texas Coast. Plus, you’ll get national news … conservation updates … weather report … wild game and fish recipes … and the latest breaking news from state and federal wildlife agencies. ISSUES FOR SEND A SUBSCRIPTION TO A FRIEND NAME

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To learn more about the event and register, visit: http://www.tpwf.org/auction http://www.tpwf.org/auction September 22, 2006 Page 13 Teal 2006-2007 TEXAS HUNTING SEASON DATES Continued from Page 1 Ducks Sept. 9-24; Bag limit 4 birds per day, HIGH PLAINS MALLARD MANAGEMENT UNIT 8 in possession Youth Oct. 21-22 White-tailed Deer Regular Gun Oct. 28-29 ARCHERY Sept. 30-Oct. 29 Nov. 3-Jan. 28 GENERAL NORTH ZONE Youth Oct. 28-29 •SPECIAL YOUTH SEASON Regular Gun Nov. 4-26 Oct. 28-29, Jan. 20-21 Dec. 9-Jan. 28 NORTH TEXAS (200 counties) SOUTH ZONE Nov. 4-Jan. 7 Youth Oct. 28-29 PANHANDLE (6 counties) Regular Gun Nov. 4-26 Nov. 18-Dec. 3 Dec. 9-Jan. 28 SOUTH TEXAS (30 counties) Duck Bag Limit: Nov. 4-Jan. 21 The daily bag limit shall be 5 ducks with the following EDWARDS PLATEAU (39 counties) species and sex restrictions — scaup, redhead, and wood Late Antlerless and Spike duck — 2; only 1 from the following aggregate bag: 1 hen mallard, or 1 pintail, or 1 canvasback, or 1 "dusky Jan. 8-21 duck" (includes mottled duck, Mexican-like duck, black SOUTH TEXAS (30 counties) duck, and their hybrids); all other ducks not listed - 5. Late Antlerless and Spike Possession limit: Twice the daily bag limit. Jan. 22-Feb. 4 Goose MUZZLELOADER (23 counties) COOL HUNT: Many teal hunters beat the late summer heat by wearing shorts in the field. WEST Antlerless and Spike Only Light and Dark Geese Nov. 4-Feb. 6 Jan.13-21 water right now, and every small body of water a one-bird hunt. “The birds moved early, but Light Geese Mule deer has teal. Our customers have filled quickly every didn’t come back,” Carroum said. (Conservation Order) Feb. 7-March 25 ARCHERY Sept. 30-Oct. 29 morning, although we had a storm one morn- EAST GENERAL Jeff Kucera, manager of Port Bay Hunting and Light Geese Nov. 4-Jan. 28 PANHANDLE (36 counties) ing which delayed the flight.” Fishing Club, reported that 28 members shot White-fronted Geese Nov. 4-Jan. 14 Nov. 18-Dec. 3 Some north Texas hunters reported difficult opening day limits of bluewings near Rockport. Canada Geese Nov. 4-Jan. 28 hunting conditions — despite the presence of Light Geese SOUTHWESTERN PANHANDLE “Like doves, they came in waves,” he said. The (7 counties) Nov. 18-26 birds. “The water was so low — the best places to (Conservation Order) Jan. 29-March 25 second weekend was a different story, with Bag Limit: TRANS-PECOS (19 counties) set up were too soft and muddy to stand or put • Western Zone Daily Bag Limit: Nov. 25-Dec. 10 out decoys,” said David Carroum, Jr. who hunts hunters struggling to bag half-limits. “The tide • Light Geese — 20 in the aggregate; Pheasant near Italy. came up, a cold front blew in, and we had a full • Dark Geese — 3 Canada and 1 white-fronted goose. PANHANDLE (37 counties) Dec. 2-31 moon, he said. “Everything left and went south • Eastern Zone Daily Bag Limit: Bag limit: 3 roosters per day, 6 in possession. “I was stuck to my upper thigh — even the dog • Light Geese — 20 in the aggregate; Chambers, Jefferson was getting stuck, which was scary.” — that’s teal hunting.” • Dark Geese — 3 Canada geese and and Liberty counties Nov. 4-Feb. 25 2 white-fronted geese. Craig Nyhus is publisher/editor of the Lone Star Quail Opening day produced near-limits for four Possession Limit: Twice the daily bag limit for dark hunters. The next day, muddy conditions led to Outdoor News. geese, no possession limit for light geese. STATEWIDE (all counties) Dove Oct. 28-Feb. 25 But, like crime scene investigators, the offi- NORTH ZONE Sept. 1 - Oct. 30; Bag limit: 15 birds per day, 45 in possession. Bag limit 15 birds per day, 30 in possession Rio Grande Turkey cials are picking up on clues that point to CENTRAL ZONE Sept. 1-Oct. 30 ARCHERY Sept. 30-Oct. 29 Deer EHD. Dec. 26-Jan. 4 FALL SEASON The proximity of the deaths near water Bag limit 12 birds per day, 24 in possession •SPECIAL YOUTH SEASON Continued from Page 1 SOUTH ZONE Sept. 22-Nov. 12 holes isn’t surprising because in arid West Oct. 28-29, Jan. 20-21 Bag limit 12 birds per day, Dec. 26-Jan. 12 NORTH TEXAS (122 counties) Green, Concho, Menard, Crockett, Sterling Texas, those are some of the few places where 24 in possession Nov. 4-Jan. 7 SPECIAL SOUTH TEXAS ZONE the flies can live. SOUTH TEXAS (26 counties) and Sutton counties. Bag limit 12 birds per day, 24 in possession Marco Alvizo, the state game warden “During the long, dry spells like the ones Sept. 22-Nov. 12 Nov. 4-Jan. 21 assigned to Schleicher County, said he we’ve been in, animals tend to concentrate Dec. 26-Jan. 8 Brooks, Kenedy, Kleberg received a report of a disoriented, sickened themselves around water,’’ said Ruben Cantu, Teal and Willacy counties Nov. 4-Feb. 25 STATEWIDE (Blue-winged, Green-winged and Cinnamon (Seasons on other species may be found on deer wandering into a rural home. a regional director for the Texas Parks and Teal): the TPW Web site — tpwd.state.tx.us/) “Some that I’ve seen are so far gone, they Wildlife office in San Angelo. just sit there when you walk up to them,’’ Bucks, however, are especially susceptible to Alvizo said. “Their tongues are hanging out of flies in late summer as they scratch velvet one side of their mouths and their jaws are from their antlers, Cantu said. The resulting locked. blood supply, he explained, is like “a magnet “Basically what kills them is that they can’t on top of their heads’’ to insects. drink any more water, and they can’t last two Alvizo noted that the reports he investigat- or three days like that in this heat. ed involved either very young or very old deer. “It’s a bad way to go.’’ “I’ve yet to find a mature buck that was As of mid-September, officials were trying to affected,’’ he said. “I’m sure they’re out there; confirm if the ailment was epizootic hemor- I just haven’t seen them yet.’’ rhagic disease, or EHD, which is similar to As wildlife officials contemplate the enor- bluetongue in sheep and cattle. mity of the outbreak, landowners wonder Both diseases are caused by virus-carrying how big a toll it will take in their region — a flies called culicoides, said Don Davis of the legendary home for revenue-generating tro- department of veterinary pathobiology at phy bucks. Texas A&M University. Archery season starts Sept. 30, followed by Neither disease can hurt people, but offi- gun season on Nov 4. cials urged ranchers to wear gloves while “Come the first freeze, this will get knocked removing the dead deer. down,’’ Cantu said of the outbreak. “But until That’s because they want to be sure the cul- then, we’re going to lose some animals and I prit isn’t the soil-borne bacteria that causes know that’s a big concern to people.’’ anthrax, a potentially fatal disease that can be passed from animals to humans. Bill Miller is a Fort Worth-based freelance writer.

better with a flipping stick in my hand. It’s def- initely new to me, but I’m learning how to do Faircloth it. This is just incredible.” Continued from Page 8 Oklahoma’s Edwin Evers was the only other Elite angler to catch a five-fish limit each day. That’s what I keyed on all week.” He parlayed that consistency into a second- Faircloth admitted he’s not crazy about drop- shotting in deep water. It’s something he didn’t place finish with a four-day total of 46 pounds, have to do when he was growing up on the Sam 3 ounces. Evers caught a 10-14 sack on Sunday. Rayburn Reservoir. Arkansas’ Kevin Short placed third with a 45- “I would never have dreamed my first victory 14 total. He boated a 13-1 bag Sunday. would have come on a drop-shot,” he said. “I’m — A BASS report.

the fish just gang up in that area,” said local angler Aaron Hommel. Dredging “We have seen herds of redfish, plen- Continued from Page 8 ty of sharks and some really nice trout hanging out in this area. The The positive for anglers is the water clarity is amazing at times.” calm, protected water between the The Sabine Pass project has been a berm and the beach. The Gulf waves hit so far for all involved, both indus- are subdued as they break on the trial and recreational. The type of berm, leaving pristine water for anglers to pursue speckled trout and program where companies compen- redfish from the beach. sate for loss of wetlands by creating At low tide the berm is exposed, others has been going on for quite allowing wade a chance to some time, especially in Louisiana catch fish without getting their feet where coastal erosion is one of the wet. The contour change the berm state’s biggest problems. provides offers fishermen an oppor- With the help of the protective tunity like many locals never imag- spoil berm, areas of beach and shore- ined. line should continue to prosper. “The whole system of humps and Chuck Uzzle, an Orange resident, writes guts around the spoils is amazing, about the outdoors. THE OFFICIAL TRUCK OF THE Page 14 September 22, 2006 September 22, 2006 Page 15 HEROES

Captain BUTCH FINLEY fought for 30 minutes before bringing in this approximately 5 1/2-foot, 75- to 80- pound sailfish while fishing 65 miles off Port Aransas in 5-foot seas. He was using a 2/0 reel and 30- JOSH CULPEPPER of Tyler shows a 27-inch speckled trout he caught fishing in Louisiana. pound line.

JOHNNY HATTNER, 11, of Keller, caught a 100-pound Pacific Sailfish in JASON KIRKLAND caught a 7-pound hybrid on a slab spoon in 40 feet of Panama. This was the first sailfish he caught on a spinning rod. water while fishing with guide Bob Holmes on Richland Chambers Lake.

KELSEY WOOSTER, 7, holds a bass she caught at her “Mee-Mee” and “Pooh-Pa’s” pond in Sadler. SHARE AN

RAY and SUNNY THOMPSON show off the 40- and 38-inch redfish they caught while fishing with Capt. SKIPPER RAY with Island Outfitters in South Padre Island. ADVENTURE JACK TANNER WINN recently went with dad on his first squirrel hunt.

Want to share your great hunting or fishing photos with the Lone Star Outdoor News family? E-mail your photo, phone and caption information to editor@ lonestaroutdoornews. com, or mail to: Heroes, Lone Star Outdoor News, 9304 Forest Lane, Suite 114 South, Dallas, TX, 75243.

OUTFITTERS

Offshore and Bay fishing Duck, Goose and 30' Stamas Dove Hunting 21' Shallowsport 40,000 Acres

Capt. Scott Hickman South Texas 3218 Coral Ridge Ct. Fish Texas League City, TX 77573 956-944-2559 Deer and Turkey (281) 535-1930 956-642-7357 Hunting Fax: (281) 535-1935 [email protected] 10,000 Acres www.circleh.org

WANT TO PROFILE It’s easy to advertise on this page — just send us your business card, and let us know how many weeks you want your ad to run. Purchase 12 issues of advertising and your business will be profiled with a photo in this section. Outfitter Listings: $40 each issue. Please include either a check or credit card billing information with your order. YOUR BUSINESS? Mail to: Lone Star Outdoor News, 9304 Forest Lane, Suite 114 South, Dallas, TX 75243 or call (866) 361-2276. Page 16 September 22, 2006

But Texas wildlife officials have long But Ruben Cantu, a TPW regional director understood the harshness of the mule deer’s in San Angelo, said effective management Mule Deer range, and they’ve tightened the bag limit to depends on more than one food source. Dove Continued from Page 6 a single buck; hunters can take one doe, but “If (it) comes out of a bag, we don’t have a only by special permit. problem with it,’’ he said, “just as long as Continued from Page 6 some people like to hunt elk.’’ Mule deer fans, however, hope new tech- folks know it’s a supplement.’’ on Lake Texoma who loves to wingshoot in In recent years, the availability of the hop- niques like supplemental feeding will boost But most Texans already get that, said his spare time. ping deer — they don’t trot like whitetails — populations. Cantu, which brightens the deer’s future. “Weather plays a big role,” said Hollensed, has fluctuated. who has gunned for doves for three decades From 1978 through 2001, their numbers Dr. Larry Varner, Purina nutritionist, “Private property owners have done an using the same worn Remington 1100. “It can have gone from a high of 221,220, to lows of developed the new pellet. He said it’s loaded exceptional job,’’ said Cantu, who will speak rain, it can be dry, or a strong cool front can fewer than 100,000, according to Texas Parks with protein, calories, and a secret flavoring at the San Antonio conference. “That has blow through, changing things up a lot.” and Wildlife. that appeals to mule deer. turned out to be a real plus for our mule deer Decoys However, the estimated population last “Our research has shown that if you feed population.’’ Denison resident Dale Moses is a recent year rebounded to 249,000. them, and you do it right, you can basically For information about the conference in convert to the value of using spinning wing Meanwhile other states have seen even double your fawn production,’’ Varner said. San Antonio, call the Texas Deer Association dove decoys — recently, as in after a hunt ear- more drastic declines in their mule deer “And mule deer bucks are like whitetail at 210-767-8300, or go online at lier this week. herds. Biologists blamed drought, disease bucks; when you feed them more, their www.mummesinc.com. “We set (two of) them out in front of us,” and shrinking habitat. antlers get bigger.’’ Bill Miller is a Fort Worth-based freelance writer. Moses said. “I felt we should have been down by a pond, but instead we set up on hill about 80 yards from the pond.” With the decoys about 20 yards apart, Moses says that neither the hunting location, nor the fact that he was wearing jeans instead of camo, made much difference. “Virtually every bird that flew around that pasture flew in our direction.” Beef Up Shot Sizes Finally, remember to adjust what you’re shooting at doves later in the year. “Later in the year, I’ll go from improved cylinder to modified (choke) and from No. 8 shot to No. 7 1/2 shot,” Bellows said. One reason is that the birds are spookier now and creampuff shots aren’t the norm. Another is that mourning doves aren’t the only game in town, even in North Texas. “Around here, we seem to have more whitewings now and it seems to me that whitewings are harder to knock down than mourning doves,” Bellows said. “Sure enough, you’ll need that (extra firepower) for them.” It often pays in late season to eschew bar- gain loads, instead opting for heavier trap loads with better components and down- range ballistics. Put these tips into practice the remainder of dove hunting season and you might enjoy some epic wingshooting — with nary anoth- er soul in sight.

Lynn Burkhead is a frequent contributor to Lone Star Outdoor News and an associate editor for ESPNOutdoors.com.

EVENT FEATURES BANQUET, EXHIBITS, MUSIC AND FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT

The Greater Houston Christian Outdoor Fellowship will host its Annual Wild Game Banquet and Expo on Saturday, Oct. 14, in cele- bration of the organization’s 10th anniversary. Exhibits and clinics are from noon to 6 p.m., and the banquet begins at 6 p.m. This year’s fundraiser will be held at the Stafford Convention Center in Stafford, located at 1050 Cash Road. The annual wild game extravaganza will include a fantastic evening of dinner fea- turing Cornish hen and venison sausage, and special entertainment from Dennis Swanberg – a well-known motivational speaker and host of “Swan’s Place” on Family Net Television. Swanberg’s charismatic, humorous storytelling and love of the outdoors has captivated audiences across the country for more than a decade. Guests also will enjoy live bluegrass and contemporary music from Robert Till and Family, hilarious skits from Bubba’s Drama Team and live animal calls from Ralph Duren. Renowned for his unique ability to make sounds of frogs, dozens of birds and many mammals, Duren has been featured on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” and many other national television and radio shows. “What makes this event so fun and truly unique is that it is for the whole fam- ily,” said Jimmy Hassell, GHCOF’s executive director. “We guarantee a fun, enter- taining event for all ages and encourage hunters and fishermen to bring their spous- es and children.” Tickets are on sale now for this unique event. GHCOF sponsorship tables are available for $500 (or $50 per ticket), and business sponsorship tables are $750 (or $75 per ticket). Individual admission is $35. Tickets are available by calling (281)788-8435, or can be purchased online at www.ghcof.org. Proceeds from the event benefit the various activities of GHOCF, including spe- cial hunting and fishing trips for at-risk and physically challenged children, as well as for young people experiencing economic hardships. GHCOF also sponsors many parent-child hunts and fishing outings. “The goal of our organization is to show love and share unique recreational activ- ities with others, especially those who otherwise might not be able to enjoy the amazing experiences of fishing, hunting…and simply enjoying the incredible out- doors,” Hassell added. In addition to the banquet, the event includes a special hunting and fishing expo- sition, from noon – 6 p.m. Admission to the exhibit area is free and will feature all types of outdoor-related booths, including hunting and fishing outfitters, artists, taxidermists, clothing, as well as clinics on training hunting dogs, turkey calling and duck calling and much more. Guests also can bid for hunting and fishing equipment and trips in a silent auction. For more information about the GHCOF Wild Game Banquet and Expo, go online to www.ghcof.org. September 22, 2006 Page 17 MADE IN TEXAS Former guide makes rods his game

By Mary Helen Aguirre

Jimmy Burns was a professional fishing guide for eight years. When he decided to go into business, he opted to stay in the outdoor industry and in 2005 purchased Waterloo Rod Company USA. It was a natural fit. “I’d been using their rod for years and knew it was a good product,” Burns said. The Victoria-based company has been man- ufacturing custom rods since 1997. Its Web site credits high-quality components and advanced building techniques for produc- ing rods that deliver sensitivity, lightness, strength and durability. “The company was small,” Burns said. He acquired the business from Ryan Seiders, whom he had known for years. “I’m just taking it to the next level,” he said. “Since buying it last year, we’ve doubled our sales.” And, the growing company has expanded from a two-man operation to a staff of six. Burns’ priority has been to get the word out about the graphite rods, which sell for $180 to $320. He’s put his product in the hands of profes- sional fishing guides, increased his ad buys, and is hitting different shows and fishing tour- naments. The company also sponsors a pro angler. Burns said his goal is for the rods that are HOT ROD: Owner Jimmy Burns is taking Waterloo Rod Company USA “to the next level.” Since his purchase of the company last year, Burns has seen sales mainly known in Texas to see wider retail dis- double. Photo by Scott Sommerlatte. tribution. that offers a better grip. of rods,” said Webb, who works out of Corpus accuracy and the 6-foot 9-inch model for shal- In addition to marketing, Burns is focusing Currently, the company carries five fresh- Christi. low water fishing. on getting a quicker turnaround on custom water rods, seven saltwater rods and a flyfish- “I picked Jimmy (Burns) because I like his His customers also are offered Waterloo rods. orders of the the rods, which are manufactured ing rod. equipment.” “I hand them one of mine. They put theirs in his Victoria shop. The company also will customize rods for Webb says the rods are maintenance-free down and don’t fish with it again,” Webb said. There, employees build all the components customers who request a logo, for example, or and lightweight. “Just a few ounces on the For more information about Waterloo Rod that go on the blanks, including the one-piece a specific length. rods makes a big difference on the arms,” says Company USA, visit www.waterloorods.com solid nickel titanium guides. Burns’ personal favorite when he fishes? Webb, who spends many hours on the water. or call (361) 573-0300. Burns has made minor modifications to his The HP Slam, he said. A professional guide since 1983, Webb says product line: He added two new rods. And his It is also the rod that professional fishing he especially likes the 6-foot 6-inch HP Slam Mary Helen Aguirre is a freelancer in New saltwater rods now sport a modified handle guide Cliff Webb prefers. “I’ve used hundreds when he sight casts because it increases his Mexico. OUTDOOR DATEBOOK CLASSIFIEDS Sept. 23: Granbury Ducks Unlimited 0380 or visit www.thcrr.com. Oct. 14: Greater Houston Christian banquet beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the De Outdoor Fellowship will Sept. 30-Oct. 1: Troutmasters Tournament Cordova Bend Country Club. Contact Kyle hold an event at the Series, in association with Gulf Coast LewisHAVE at (817) 573-9836AN EVENT? or Stafford Convention Center Troutmasters Association, will be held in [email protected] for more information. for the entire family from Matagorda at Russell Bait and Tackle. Pro E-mail it to noon -6 p.m. with free Sept. 25: Cedar Creek Lake DU banquet and amateur team divisions will compete. [email protected] admission. There will be at 5:30 p.m. at the Pinnacle Club, 200 Call (713) 466-7849 for more more than 40 exhibits, door Pinnacle Club Drive, Mabank. Contact information. prizes every 30 minutes, Christina Campbell at (903) 498-7726 or Oct. 6: The Texas Parks free hats and $10 gift cards for kids. Bring [email protected]. and Wildlife Foundation your game meat for donation to Hunters Sept. 26: East Wharton County DU dinner Expo Conservation Harvest Ministries. Tickets can be at 6 p.m. at Hungerford Hall. Contact Dinner & Auction at the purchased online at www.ghcof.org or by Roslyn Hadash at (979) 282-9822. Grand Ballroom Hyatt calling (281) 788-8435. Lost Pines Resorts & Sept. 27: Rice Belt (El Campo) DU dinner Oct. 14-15: Waterfowl and Dog Days Spa in Austin. For more information, at 5:30 p.m. at El Weekend at Bass Pro Shops in Katy. email [email protected] or call 214-720- Campo Civic Center. Retriever and obedience training, dog 1478 ext. 205. Contact Curtis rescue groups, and more. Call (281) Mollnar at (979) Oct. 7: Third annual Sporting Clays Event 644-2200 or visit basspro.com. 543-1688, fundraiser to benefit Equine Angels will be Oct. 15: Associated Builders & [email protected]. held at the Alpine Shooting Range, 5482 Contractors Central Texas Chapter will hold Shelby Road, Ft. Worth, (817) 478-6613. Sept. 28: Bonham DU banquet at 6 p.m. its Open Bass Tournament at Lake LBJ. The event will begin at 8 a.m. and end at 2 The banquet will be held at a new location For more information, contact (830) 798- p.m. with a $20,000 prize raffle. First — the Legacy Ridge Country Club. Contact prize is a Bad Boy Buggy valued at 8199. Rick Hazelip at (903) 583-9768. $8,500. Tickets for the raffle are $100. Oct. 19: Arlington DU banquet will be Sept. 28: Heart of Texas DU banquet 6 Contact Brian Gray at (214) 543-5706 for held at 2201 S.W. Green Oaks Blvd. in p.m. in Round Rock. Contact Bruce more information. Arlington at 5:30 p.m. For ticket Steiner at (512) 340-0200 or Oct. 7: The 2006 information, contact Steve Barber at [email protected] for more Ladies Fall Shooting (817) 572-3228. information. & Outdoors Clinic Oct. 19: Northeast Tarrant County DU Sept. 28: Beaumont DU dinner 6 p.m. at hosted by Texas banquet at the Colleyville Community the Harvest Club. Contact Brad Boullion at Women’s Shooting Center. Contact David Hornsby at (817) (409) 923-7535 or Sports will be held 283-6082 or [email protected]. [email protected]. at Elm Fork Shooting Park in Dallas. Call (214) 733-8687 or visit www.txdiva.com Oct. 19-20: Mule Deer Management Sept. 28: Whitehouse DU dinner at 6 p.m. for more information. Conference will be held at the Airport AREAWIDE OFFICE at the Oil Palace-U.S. 64 South. Contact Hilton in San Antonio. Top speakers Chad Smotherman at (903) 534-1044 or Oct. 7: The Big Fish Bluegill Tournament will cover Desert Mule Deer ecology, SERVICES [email protected]. will be held at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens. Teams must biology and management, Mule Deer Sept. 28: Oyster Creek DU dinner at 5:30 consist of one adult and one child under dietary habits and nutrition, Managed p.m. at the Sugar Creek Country Club. 18. Call Barry St. Clair at (903) 670-2222 Lands Deer programs for Mule Deer, Contact Parker Dobson at (281) 589- for more information. and more. Advanced registration is 0087. $150, onsite is $175. To register, call Oct. 7–8: TPW Headquarters in Austin (210) 767-8300 or visit Sept. 29: Dallas Business Journal Bass will hold the annual Texas Parks and www.mummesinc.com. CONDO RENTAL Tournament Benefiting DEF Youth Fund. Wildlife Expo. Fish, shoot, mountain The event will be based at Sneaky Pete’s bike, kayak, rock climb, learn camping Day, week or month Resort – Lewisville Lake. The cost is $150 Oct. 20-22: Oktoberfisch, A Fly and outdoor skills, shop and more. 119 E. Coronado SPI, Tx per angler. Go to www.biggame.org for Fishing Festival will be held at Keller’s There’s something for every member of (956) 761-5281 updates and new activities. To register for Riverside Store. Casting clinics, the family, and it’s all free from 9 a.m.- each event, call 972-980-9800. vendor booths, and shuttles to fishing 5 p.m. Call (800) 792-1112 for more areas on the Llano River will be Sept. 29-Oct. 1: The Texas information. available. For more information, Hill Country River Region NEW LOOK — BETTER RESULTS Fall Fly-Fishing Fest will be Oct. 9th: Hill Country DU Banquet @ lodging and directions, visit Place your classified advertising in the Lone Star Outdoor News and experience held at in Concan. For Johnny Fins @ 6:00PM. Contact Chris www.fredericksburgflyfishers.com, the results of a new look. The 2”x 2” classified will get the attention necessary Andre at (512) 653-3718 for individual more information and contact oktoberfisch@hotmail. com, or to say SOLD! $30 for two editions. Call (214) 361-2276. lodging, call (800) 210- tickets or corporate tables. call (830) 997-8881. Page 18 September 22, 2006 WEATHER

OUTDOOR PUZZLER WILD IN THE KITCHEN cakes. For crossword puzzle solution, see Page 22 Catfish Cakes **Patties can also be broiled on a ACROSS 2 catfish fillets (approximately 1 lightly greased cookie sheet. Flip 1. A plump short-tailed game pound) diced once so patties can brown on both bird 1 egg sides. Bake for 10-15 minutes at 400 5. The older ones are classed 1 tablespoon lemon juice as loners 1/3 cup onion, chopped very fine degrees after broiling. 9. The bow scope protector 1/3 cup green pepper, chopped 10. A species of moose very fine For tarter sauce: 11. The hunt and fish permit 3⁄4 cup Bisquick or other pancake Mayo 12. A valuable gauge for the mix Sweet or dill pickle relish angler Salt and pepper Salt and pepper 13. A type of camp fireplace Oil for frying** Worcestershire sauce 15. A flock of geese Hot sauce 17. Gun’s enlarged rear portion In a large bowl, mix together fish, Lemon juice of the bore onion, green pepper, adding 18. An aid to icefishing desired amounts of salt and pep- Mix all ingredients to taste. 22. A pronghorn per. Mix whisked egg and lemon 24. A type of arrow juice into the fish mixture. Add —Recipe is complements of the Ohio 26. Part of a stag’s rack Bisquick. Form into patties and fry Department of Natural Resources 28. Indian name for deer Wildlife Division, www.dnr.ohio.gov. 29. Charge in a shot shell, in heated oil. Makes 12 catfish _____ charge 31. A top retriever 34. Also called a bowfin 37. A weasel 38. Mammal trapped for the fur 39. A type of hunter’s cover 40. To propel the boat

DOWN in mountainous region 27. A type bowhunter’s weapon 1. Act of carrying boat 17. Important kit item 30. Movement of an overland for hunters arrow in flight 2. The ____necked pheasant 19. Common name for 32. Shells and arrows 3. Rear motion of a fired gun the strawberry bass 33. Wingshooter’s grassland 4. An angler’s consideration bird 20. Name for the Arizona 6. Food source of the bear 34. 28 across 7. The fish pole whitetail 35. Of the mouth of the bass 8. The material in a clay 21. A wild game 36. A type lure pigeon 23. Bow built up in layers, 14. Ruffed or sage ______bow Outdoor Puzzler, 16. A game found 25. A type of gundog Wilbur "Wib" Lundeen September 22, 2006 Page 19 FISHING REPORT

CENTRAL degrees. Black bass are fair on crankbaits use extreme caution. Catfish are good on prepared baits and live crankbaits. Striped bass are fair at night and minnows along the banks early. Hybrid shad in creek channels and on flats. around lighted piers. Blue and channel cat- BASTROP: Water lightly stained. Black FORK: Water clear; 78-83 degrees; 4.51' striper are fair on minnows and crankbaits. fish are good on set lines baited with shad bass are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows. low. Black bass are fair on watermelon red GIBBONS CREEK: Water stained. Black White bass are slow. Crappie are very good wacky rigged worms along main lake grass bass are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows. in the upper part of reservoir. Channel and blue catfish are good on on minnows. Channel and blue catfish are frozen shrimp and nightcrawlers. Yellow lines in 5-12 feet and watermelon red or Catfish are good on stinkbait and liver. SPENCE: Water lightly stained; 78 degrees; good on stinkbait, nightcrawlers, shad, and watermelon seed Carolina rigged Baby 49.98' low. Black bass are slow. Crappie catfish are slow. shrimp. Yellow catfish are slow. HOUSTON COUNTY: Water stained; 84 Brush Hogs and 3" Grande Bass Cannibals degrees; 1.10' low. Black bass to 4 pounds are slow. White bass are slow. Striped bass BELTON: Water fairly clear; 85 degrees; WHITNEY: Water stained; 7.62' low. Black in 22-26 feet. Crappie are good (catching a 5.43' low. Black bass are fair on dark soft are good on cherry seed and pumpkinseed and hybrid striper are slow. Catfish are bass are slow. Striped bass are slow. White lot of under sized fish) on minnows and soft plastic lizards around stumps and drop slow. plastics, crankbaits, and spinnerbaits. bass are fair on minnows. Crappie are fair small jigs in16-22 feet under main lake Hybrid striper are slow. White bass are fair offs. Crappie are good on live minnows near STAMFORD: Water lightly stained; 77 on minnows. Catfish are good on stinkbait bridges and around brush piles. Catfish are the marina 10 feet deep in 14 feet. Bream degrees; 3.1' low. Black bass are slow on on silver slabs and minnows. Crappie are very good on prepared baits in 22-24 feet and liver. are good on nightcrawlers around docks, live bait. Crappie are fair on jigs and min- fair on minnows. Channel and blue catfish along creeks. are good on frozen shrimp and liver. Yellow grass beds, and lily pads. Channel and blue nows. White and striped bass are fair on catfish are slow. SOUTH GRAPEVINE: Water fairly clear; 77-82 catfish to 4 pounds are good on live min- live baits. Catfish are fair on live baits. degrees; 10.67' low. Black bass are fair nows. BROWNWOOD: Water clear; 82 degrees; AMISTAD: Water clear; 84 degrees. Black early and late on Yellow Magics, midday SWEETWATER: Water lightly stained; 80 5.49' low. Black bass to 4.5 pounds are bass are fair on topwaters, heavy jigs, and LIVINGSTON: Water fairly clear; 89 degrees; 36.39' low. Black bass are slow. switching to medium to deep diving degrees; 3.81' low. Black bass are slow. excellent on Texas rigged green pumpkin soft plastics. Striped bass are slow. White crankbaits and Texas rigged worms. Crappie Crappie are slow. White bass are slow. and red bug soft plastics between docks bass are slow. Crappie are slow. Channel Striped bass are slow. White bass are good Catfish are slow. are fair on minnows and jigs over brush- on slabs, pet spoons, and hellbenders. and over brushpiles in 8 - 18 feet, and on and blue catfish are fair on cheesebait, piles in 15 - 25 feet. White bass are fair to WICHITA: Water lightly stained and clear- Zara Spooks on the main lake. Hybrid shrimp, and nightcrawlers in 6 - 25 feet. Crappie are slow. Blue catfish are good on good on Humdingers. Catfish are fair to shad. Yellow catfish are slow. ing; 79' degrees; .5' low. Crappie are slow striper are slow. White bass to 2 pounds Yellow catfish are slow. good on nightcrawlers and cut shad. near pier poles. White bass and hybrid are excellent on tube jigs on the main lake BRAUNIG: Water stained; 92 degrees. SAM RAYBURN: Water stained; 87 striped bass (some sub-legal) are good on and off lighted docks at night. Crappie are JOE POOL: Water fairly clear; 78-83 degrees; 4.07' low. Black bass are fair on Black bass are slow. Striped bass are excel- degrees; 2' low. Black bass are good on minnows along the dam, and slow fair on minnows over brushpiles in 12 - 18 lent on liver, shad, and spoons. Redfish are chartreuse/blue/white spinnerbaits, with shad raps. Channel and bullhead cat- feet at night under lights. Channel and yel- watermelon, white or redbug light Carolina crankbaits, and Rat-L-Traps over grass in good on perch, shad, and silver spoons or Texas rigged soft plastics, and crankbaits fish are good on worms and punchbait, and low catfish are fair on live perch in 5 - 18 near Dead Tree Point, and down rigging 10 - 20 feet. Crappie are fair on minnows trotlines baited with shad. feet. around grass lines and cover in 2 - 10 feet. and green tube jigs. spoons near the jetty. Channel and blue Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs fished BUCHANAN: Water clear; 80 degrees; catfish are excellent on liver, cheesebait, around bridge columns. White bass are TOLEDO BEND: Water clear; 80 degrees; COASTAL 18.61' low. Most boat ramps are closed shrimp, and nightcrawlers on the bottom. good on pearl/black back TailHummers. 9.90' low. Black bass are good on red bug due to low water level. The ramp at CALAVERAS: Water stained; 92 degrees. Catfish are fair on liver and prepared baits and watermelon/red flake worms in 15 - 18 NORTH SABINE: Trout are good while drift- Paradise Point is still in use. Black bass Black bass are slow. Striped bass are fair drifted over flats in 10 - 15 feet. feet. Striped bass are slow. White bass are ing slicks and birds on red shad and pump- are slow. Striped bass are fair drifting live slow. Crappie are fair over baited holes. kinseed/chartreuse Bass Assassins and down rigging spoons near the power lines LAKE O' THE PINES: Water stained; 78-82 bait in 30 feet and trolling along the dam. in 15 - 20 feet, and on shad and chicken Bream are good on crickets and worms. Sand Eels. Redfish are good along the White bass are slow. Crappie are slow. degrees; 4.24' low. Black bass are good on Channel and blue catfish are slow. Yellow shorelines and in the cuts and drains in the livers near the dam. Redfish are excellent clear Boy Howdys, chrome Rat-L-Traps, Channel catfish are slow. Yellow and blue down rigging spoons in 20 - 25 feet, and catfish are slow. marsh on live shad and topwaters. catfish are slow. white spinnerbaits and Carolina-rigged blue on tilapia and live perch near the power fleck french fries. Crappie are good on min- SOUTH SABINE: Trout and redfish are CANYON LAKE: Water clear; 80 degrees; lines and the dam, and along the crappie nows. Catfish are good on bloodbait, night- PANHANDLE good at the jetty on live bait and topwaters. 5.88' low. Several county boat ramps on wall. Crappie are slow. Channel catfish are crawlers and minnows. Bream are slow. GREENBELT: Water lightly stained; 73 Redfish are good at Garrison Ridge on top- the south side are closed, such as Canyon excellent on liver, shrimp, cheesebait, and degrees; 27.5' low. Black bass are good on waters and red soft plastics. Bull Redfish Lake Forest, Canyon Lake Hills, and nightcrawlers. Blue catfish are good on liver LAVON: Water stained; 77-82 degrees; 15.72' low. Black bass are fair early on topwater lures early and late in day; and are good at Sabine Pass on cut mullet and Canyon Lake Shores. Corps ramps are still and nightcrawlers. Yellow catfish are slow. shrimp. in use. Black bass are fair to good on buzzbaits and Pop Rs in 1 - 4 feet, later shad-colored spinnerbaits and crankbaits CHOKE CANYON: Water lightly stained; 86 switching to watermelon candy Texas rigged around humps throughout day. Crappie are BOLIVAR: Bull redfish are good at Rollover pumpkin JDC Skip-N-Pop topwaters and degrees; 6.76' low. Black bass to 8 pounds chartreuse Whacky Sticks in creeks early, Baby Brush Hogs. White bass are good on good on jigs and minnows. White bass are Pass on finger mullet and shrimp. Trout are are good on baitfish All-Terrain Swim Jigs shad pattern slabs and white Road good on live bait and Rat-L-Traps. good along the Refuge shoreline on pump- and later on brown 1/8oz. Curb's jigs and and citrus Xcalibur Wake baits on grass black/blue finesse worms along main lake Runners. Crappie are good on minnows. Smallmouth bass are fair on crankbaits kinseed/chartreuse Bass Assassins, Crazy mats early, and later on green goby Catfish are fair to good on shad and night- along channels and grass lines. Walleye are Croakers, Trout Killers and Sand Eels. points in 15 - 30 feet. Striped bass are fair Reaction Innovations boom-boom tubes trolling silver X-Rap magnum crankbaits crawlers. fair on live bait and chrome jerkbaits along Redfish are good for waders on gold and and sweet beavers, Texas smoke YUM grass lines. Catfish are good on live baits. silver spoons. and vertically jigging 1⁄2oz. silver Pirk Wooly Hawg Craws, and flipping watermel- LEWISVILLE: Water stained; 78-83 MACKENZIE: Water lightly stained; 70 Minnows near humps. White bass are fair on red YUM Sooies rigged with 11⁄2oz. Tru- degrees; 9.99' low. Black bass are good TRINITY BAY: Trout are good on shrimp degrees; 70.48' low. Black bass are good but small on 1/8oz. Tiny Traps and Road Tungsten weights in open holes across early on topwaters, later switching to and croaker at the wells and on the deep on topwater lures early and late in day, and Runners along main lake points. grass mats. White bass are fair jigging Carolina rigs, deep diving crankbaits and shell. Redfish, trout and sand trout are shad-colored crankbaits and spinnerbaits Smallmouth bass are fair on black/blue Cotton Cordell spoons and Gay Blades off jigs. White bass are good on chartreuse good at the Spillway on live bait and straw- throughout day. Crappie are good on min- finesse worms on jigheads, smokin' green main lake points in 10 - 20 feet. Crappie slabs and Humdingers. Crappie are good on berry/white shrimptails. Redfish are good in nows and jigs. White bass and striped bass Devil's Tongues on drop shots, and green are fair on white crappie jigs tipped with minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on cut Jack's Pocket on soft plastics and topwa- are fair on shallow crankbaits along riprap. pumpkin tubes on Carolina rigs at first light live minnows over brushpiles and standing shad and prepared baits. ters. Smallmouth bass are fair. Walleye are fair in 15 - 30 feet. Crappie are slow. Channel timber in 4 - 12 feet. Channel and blue PALESTINE: Water fairly clear; 78-83 EAST GALVESTON BAY: Trout are good on slabs and live baits. Catfish are good on catfish are slow. Yellow and blue catfish are catfish are good on CJ shad bait in 10 - 25 degrees; 4.24' low. Black bass are fair early live baits. over mid bay reefs on strawberry/white and fair on cutbait and live bait upriver. feet. Yellow catfish are good on trotlines and late on topwaters, midday switching to glow/chartreuse Hogies, Sand Eels, Trout COLEMAN: Water clear; 84 degrees; 4.80' baited with hybrid bluegills and comets in soft plastics and crankbaits. Crappie are MEREDITH: Water lightly stained; 68 Killer IIs, Crazy Croakers and Bass low. Black bass are slow. Hybrid striper are 15 - 25 feet. slow on minnows and jigs over brushpiles degrees; 31.86' low. Black bass are fair on Assassins. Trout and redfish are good for topwater lures early in day; live bait and fair on white striper jigs early. Crappie are COLETO CREEK: Water lightly stained; 92 in 20 - 25 feet. Catfish are slow on chick- waders working the Refuge shoreline with shad-colored crankbaits around grass lines slow. Channel and blue catfish are fair on degrees (99 degrees at hot water dis- en livers and cut shad in 15 - 20 feet. topwaters. and rocky points. Crappie are fair on jigs stinkbait and bloodbait. Yellow catfish are charge); 2.42' low. Black bass are slow. Bream are fair on worms and crickets. and minnows. White bass are good on min- WEST GALVESTON BAY: Trout and redfish slow. Striped bass are slow. White bass are slow. Hybrid striper and white bass are fair on nows along rocky points. Smallmouth bass are good on the shell on live shrimp under COLORADO RIVER: (At Colorado Bend Crappie are fair on minnows in 12 - 16 slabs and Rat-L-Traps. are fair on live bait and crankbaits. Walleye a popping cork. Bull redfish are good in the State Park) Water murky. Black bass are feet. Channel and blue catfish to 4 pounds RAY HUBBARD: Water fairly clear; 77-82 are fair. Channel catfish are fair on live surf on cut bait and mullet. Trout, sand slow. Striped bass are slow. White bass are are fair on liver, perch, and nightcrawlers. degrees; 4.43' low. Black bass are fair on baits. trout and redfish are good from the beach- slow. Crappie are slow. Catfish are slow. Yellow catfish are slow. buzzbaits and spinnerbaits early, midday front piers on live shrimp at night under PALO DURO: Water lightly stained; 67 DUNLAP/MCQUEENEY: Water stained. COLORADO CITY: Water clear; 81 degrees; switching to Carolina rigs and crankbaits. the lights. degrees; 48.25' low. Black bass are fair on Black bass are slow. White bass are fair on 4.5' low. Black bass are slow. Crappie are Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs over live bait and shad-colored spinnerbaits. TEXAS CITY: Trout are good at night under live bait. Crappie are fair on minnows. slow. White bass are slow. Catfish are slow. brushpiles. White bass are fair on slabs and minnows. Hybrid striper are slow to fair on Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows. the lights on live bait at the piers off the Channel catfish are fair on stinkbait and FALCON: Water stained, clear from Marker dike. Redfish are good on live bait in shrimp. Blue catfish are fair on live perch slabs. Catfish are fair on chartreuse (use Smallmouth bass are fair. Walleye are fair. 10 south; 86 degrees. Black bass are good Worm-Glo) nightcrawlers. Channel catfish are good on cut baits. Moses Lake. Trout are fair to good in the and stinkbait. Yellow catfish are slow. on crankbaits and spinnerbaits, and flip- Ship Channel on croaker and live shrimp. FAYETTE: Water clear; 94 degrees. Black RAY ROBERTS: Water clear; 78-83 ping watermelon red and dirt colored Sweet FREEPORT: Trout are good at night under bass are fair on Carolina rigged soft plastic degrees; 6.72' low. Black bass are good WEST Beavers and Brush Hogs in shallow water. the lights from the piers on live shrimp. worms in 14 - 19 feet. Channel and blue around vegetation and points on Counter Striped bass are slow. Crappie are slow. ALAN HENRY: Water lightly stained; 77 Bull redfish and Spanish mackerel are good catfish are good on shrimp, perch, and Channel and blue catfish are excellent on Strike buzzbaits and Yum Houdini worms. degrees; .1' low. Black bass are fair on stinkbait on juglines and over baited holes White bass are good on CC jigging spoons on mullet and shrimp at San Luis Pass and juglines baited with cutbait, stinkbait, and buzzbaits early in day, and shad-colored Surfside jetty. in the trees in 12 - 18 feet. frozen shrimp. Yellow catfish are slow. with sporadic schooling. Crappie are fair spinnerbaits and green pumpkin jigs or around Corps of Engineers brush piles. GRANBURY: Water stained; 1.93' low. large soft plastics along timber during day. EAST MATAGORDA: Trout are fair to good MEDINA: Water stained; 84 degrees; 30.31' while wading the reefs on bone and char- Black bass are slow. Striped bass are slow. low. Black bass to 6 pounds are fair on RICHLAND CHAMBERS: Water fairly clear; Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. treuse- backed Top Dogs and Super White bass are slow. Crappie are fair on white Booyah Swim jigs and white Booyah 78-83 degrees; 9.08' low. Black bass are ARROWHEAD: Water lightly stained; 80 Spooks. Redfish are good around Hog minnows. Catfish are good on stinkbait and Counterstrike Buzz baits on main lake points good on chartreuse pepper or watermelon degrees; 5,1' low. Black bass are good Island and Brown Cedar Flats on roach bloodbait. and into schooling fish early, and later on Carolina rigged Exude Poc'it fries. White around shallow points and aquatic vegeta- Hogies, Bass Assassins, Crazy Croakers, drop shots rigged with watermelon Reaction bass and hybrid striper are fair on tion on soft plastics and topwater baits GRANGER: Water clear; 78 degrees; 2.68' white/chartreuse TailHummers and char- Trout Killers and Sand Eels. Innovations mini-skirts and Shaky Heads early and late in day. Crappie are good on low. Black bass are slow. White bass are treuse slabs on main lake humps. Crappie rigged with black/red ZOOM Shaky worms minnows near some derricks suspended 20 MATAGORDA: Trout and redfish are fair to good on slab spoons on main lake flats. are fair on minnows and jigs. Catfish are across main lake and secondary points in 6 - feet and fair near stat park piers. White good on the shorelines on topwaters and Crappie are good on tube jigs in 5 - 10 good on live perch fished off the main 20 feet. Striped bass are fair vertically jig- bass are very good on shad-imitation lures soft plastics. Redfish are good on live feet. Blue catfish are good on perch and creek channels and flats. cutbait. Yellow catfish are slow. ging Bagley Prizm Minnows in 15 - 30 feet, and white soft plastics off points and flats shrimp in Oyster Lake. Trout are good on trolling blue flash Rapala Deep Tail Dancers, TAWAKONI: Water stained; 77-83 degrees; with some surface action early and late in live shrimp at the wells. Trout and redfish LBJ: Water clear; 76 degrees; 0.27' low. 10.05' low. Black bass are fair on topwa- Black bass are good on white/chartreuse and drifting live hybrid bluegills and jumbo day. Catfish are good on shad, punch bait are good under the lights in the Colorado minnows near the dam at night. White bass ters and white or shad pattern spinnerbaits and juglines lake-wide. River on Crazy Croakers and glow plastics. Terminator buzzbaits and white/chartreuse early, midday switching to Texas and are good vertically jigging KT Lures off main BRIDGEPORT: Water clear; 78-83 degrees; PORT O'CONNOR: Trout are fair to good at belly crankbaits early and late, and during Carolina rigs. Crappie are fair on minnows. lake points in 20 - 30 feet. Crappie are fair 16.45' low. Black bass are good on Bandit Barroom Bay and protected shorelines on the day on Carolina rigged White bass are fair on slabs and pearl on minnows over baited holes. Channel, 200 crankbaits in baby bass color - target Top Dogs, Super Spooks and pumpkin- watermelon/chartreuse creature baits. Sassy Shad. Striped bass and hybrid striper blue, and yellow catfish to 6 pounds are main lake points in 3 - 10 feet, and on seed/chartreuse Bass Assassins, Trout Striped bass to 21" are good on 2" Spoiler are fair on live shad and slabs. Catfish are good on juglines baited with perch and gold- shaky heads with a 4" Power Worm. White Killers and Sand Eels. Bull redfish and Shads and blue back Li'l Fishies at night. fair on prepared bait. White bass are very good on 11⁄2" Spoiler fish in 20 - 30 feet. bass and hybrid striper are fair on live bait. sharks are good at Pass Cavallo on shrimp Shads and Li'l Fishies at night. Crappie are TEXOMA: Water clear; 76-81 degrees; No reports on catfish. and mullet. 4.94' low. Black bass are fair on topwaters fair on white Curb's jigs and minnows over FT. PHANTOM HILL: Water clear; 79 NORTHEAST early and late, midday switching to ROCKPORT: Trout are fair to good on live 15 foot brushpiles. Channel catfish are fair degrees; 7.8' low. Black bass are slow. ATHENS: Water clear, 79-83 degrees; crankbaits, jigs and Carolina-rigs. Crappie bait and red plastics around Traylor Island. at night. Yellow and blue catfish are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. White 4.36' low. Black bass are good on Chug are fair on minnows and jigs. Striped bass Redfish are good around Mud Island and bass are fair on live bait. Catfish are fair on NAVARRO MILLS: Water stained; 85 Bugs and Tiny Torpedoes fished near points are fair to good on topwaters early and late, the Estes Flats on live finger mullet. Trout live baits. degrees; 7.53' low. Black bass are slow. in 8 feet, and white spinnerbaits in 4 - 8 midday switching to live shad and Sassy and redfish are good at night under lights White bass are fair on green Little Georges feet near hydrilla. Midday, bass are good on Shad. Catfish are fair to good on chartreuse HUBBARD CREEK: Water lightly stained; on glow jigs and live shrimp. early and late. Crappie are fair but small on medium diving crankbaits in 6 - 8 feet (use Worm-Glo) nightcrawlers and cut shad. 79 degrees; 12.5' low. Black bass are fair PORT ARANSAS: Offshore is good for minnows and green tube jigs. Channel and near brushpiles. Crappie are fair to good on on topwater lures early in day; shad-colored WEATHERFORD: Water stained; 78-82 blackfin tuna, shark, dorado and kingfish. blue catfish are good on stinkbait, liver, minnows and jigs fished over brushpiles in crankbaits outside stickups, and soft plas- degrees; 9.03' low. Black bass to 7 pounds Bull redfish are good in the surf on mullet and frozen shrimp. Yellow catfish are slow. 15 feet. Bream are good on live worms in 5 tics in reeds and timber. Crappie are fair on are good on soft plastics and spinnerbaits and shrimp. Redfish are good in Shamrock - 10 feet. Catfish are fair to good on live jigs and minnows. White bass and hybrid PROCTOR: Water stained; 87 degrees; at the water inlet and around docks. Cove and the East Flats on shrimp and worms and cutbait in 6 - 12 feet just striper are fair. Catfish are fair on cut baits. 7.07' low. Black bass are fair on crankbaits Crappie are good in the fishing barge and mullet. and spinnerbaits. Striped bass are fair on before dark and after midnight. brush piles on minnows. Channel catfish NASWORTHY: Water lightly stained; 81 CORPUS CHRISTI: Trout and redfish are white striper jigs. White bass are slow. BOB SANDLIN: Water clear; 77-83 are good on nightcrawlers and white dough degrees. Black bass are fair on shad-col- fair to good from the Oso Bridge on live Crappie are slow. Channel and blue catfish degrees; 9.28' low. Black bass are good bait. Yellow catfish are fair on live bream in ored spinnerbaits. Crappie are fair on min- shrimp and mullet. Gafftop and flounder are fair on trotlines baited with shrimp and early and late on topwaters and small shad deep water. White bass are good in the nows and jigs. Redfish are fair. White bass shad. Yellow catfish are slow. are good on shad and mud minnows. Trout pattern crankbaits, midday switching to water inlet. Bream are excellent on worms. and striped bass are fair on live baits. and sharks are good in the surf on finger Carolina rigs. White bass are good on Catfish are good on cut baits. SOMERVILLE: Water clear; 89 degrees; WHITE RIVER: Water lightly stained; 78 mullet and croaker. Humdingers. Crappie are slow. Catfish are 2.96' low. Black bass are slow. Hybrid degrees; 27.69' low. Black bass are fair. O.H. IVIE: Water lightly stained; 80 fair in 12 - 20 feet around creek channels BAFFIN BAY: Trout are good in the Land striper are slow. White bass are slow. Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows. degrees; 21.1' low. Black bass are fair on with timber. Cut and in the Humble Channel on piggy Crappie are slow. Channel and blue catfish Walleye are fair. Channel catfish are good live baits, and shad-colored crankbaits and are fair on shrimp. Yellow catfish are slow. perch, croaker and black Hogies, Sand CADDO: Water fairly clear to stained; 78- on live baits. spinnerbaits along timber and channels. Eels, Trout Killers, Crazy Croakers and Bass 84 degrees; 1.12' low. Black bass are slow Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. STILLHOUSE: Water clear; 84 degrees; WRIGHT PATMAN: Water fairly clear; 81- Assassins. Redfish are good at Yarborough on chartreuse or white spinnerbaits and White bass are fair on live baits and Rat-L- 1.84' low. Black bass are good on chicken 86 degrees; 4.47' high. on finger mullet. livers and hot dogs. White bass are slow. Texas rigged black/blue Power Worms Traps. Smallmouth bass are fair. Channel Crappie are slow. Carp are fair on corn. fished around the edges of the pads and catfish are fair on live baits and prepared PORT MANSFIELD: Trout are good on live Channel and blue catfish are good on cypress trees. Crappie are fair on minnows. SOUTHEAST baits. shrimp under a popping cork in the Intracoastal and the Ship Channel. Redfish chicken livers and hot dogs. Yellow catfish Catfish are fair drifting catalpa worms. CONROE: Water stained; 4.19' low. Black OAK CREEK: Water lightly stained; 79 and trout are good in West Bay on live are slow. CEDAR CREEK: Water clear; 78-82 bass are slow. Striped bass are fair on silver degrees; 22.74' low. Black bass are fair. TRAVIS: Water clear; 84 degrees; 33.70' degrees; 5.33' low. Black bass are fair on and white striper jigs. Crappie are fair on Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. shrimp under a popping cork. Kingfish, red low. Black bass to 4 pounds are good on topwaters early, later switching to Carolina minnows. Catfish are fair on stinkbait and Catfish are fair on prepared baits. No boat snapper and ling are good offshore. watermelon worms and chrome topwaters rigged worms fished in and around creeks. shrimp. ramps open. 4x4 vehicles can unload on SOUTH PADRE: Redfish are good on top- early in 4 - 18 feet. Striped bass are slow. White bass are good on slabs and FAIRFIELD: Water fairly clear; 84-89 the dirt road near the dam. waters and soft plastics around Three White bass are slow. Crappie are fair on Humdingers. Hybrid striper are fair on large degrees. Black bass are good early on white POSSUM KINGDOM: Water clear; 81 Islands. Trout are good on live shrimp while minnows and blue and white tube jigs in slabs jigged vertically. Crappie are fair Senkos, Pop-R's and buzzbaits above the degrees; 6.5' low. Black bass up to 16- drifting grass flats. 10 - 25 feet. Channel and blue catfish to 5 around shaded boathouses on tube jigs. grass on secondary points, later switching inches are good on soft plastics and spin- PORT ISABEL: Trout are good on live bait pounds are good on nightcrawlers and bait Catfish are fair drifting cut shad. to Texas rigged 3" PowerBait Beasts fished nerbaits near rocky cover, spinnerbaits and on the edges of the Intracoastal. Flounder shrimp in 22 - 35 feet. Yellow catfish are COOPER: Water stained; 78-83 degrees; off the edges of grass in 5 - 9 feet. Hybrid topwater lures early and late in day. White are good in the same area on live bait. slow. 15.08' low. No report available. Due to the striper are fair on Humdingers and live bass are good off shallow points, with sur- Trout and redfish are good in the surf on WALTER E. LONG: Water clear; 91 low level of the lake, boaters are advised to shad off main lake points. Redfish are slow. face action early and late in day on silver topwaters and live bait. Page 20 September 22, 2006 PRODUCT PICKS

EXTREME ABSORBS LIGHTING: SCENT: Cyclops has The introduced the ScenTote Thor Magnum helps 15 Million hunters Candle Power keep clothing as Spotlight. Its scent-free as bright, clear possible. The beam is air-tight tote powered by contains a a 100-watt Carbon-Web Phillips HG absorber. Good Halogen for about two Bulb. Among years, the Carbon- its features are Web releases two power levels activated carbon particles that continuously absorb such odors as vehicle exhaust, smoke or and an perfumes. The Carbon-Web can be regenerated in a clothes dryer. The ScenTote costs about adjustable swivel stand. It offers $60 and can be ordered at www.scentote.com. 60 minutes of burn time in spotlight mode and can be recharged with its quick charger or a 12V DC car adapter/charger (included). The spotlight retails for about $80. For dealers, call (877) 269-8490 or visit www.cyclopssolutions.com.

SPOTLESS SPOTTING SCOPES: Nikon's Lens Cleaning Kit will help protect such HUNTING BOOT: LaCrosse Footwear's equipment as binoculars, rangefinders and Broadside GTX boot was co-developed with spotting scopes. The Lens Cleaner kit Michael Waddell, the host of the Realtree includes three pre-moistened cloths plus (for Road Trips Show. The leather boot was heavier cleaning), a 1-ounce bottle of designed with LaCrosse's "Quad Comfort" liquid lens cleaner and a micro-fiber platform, which provides layers of cleaning cloth. The kit costs about cushioning throughout the insole $12. The lens-cleaning products are board. It also has a waterproof GORE- also available individually or in larger TEX liner to keep feet dry. The quantities. For more information, visit the Broadside 6" boots are uninsulated company's Web site at and feature the Realtree www.nikonsportoptics.com or call (800) Hardwood Green HD 248-6846. pattern on the cordura panels. They retail for about $130. Go to www. lacrossefootwear. com or call UTILITY VEST: The WAYNE CARLTON (800) 323-2668 SIGNATURE SERIES VEST PACK is a bird bag, for more a backpack and a utility vest in one information. garment. The design is the brain child of Carlton Calls founder and avid hunter Wayne Carlton, who has worn a similar vest for the last couple of decades. Made by Dickies, the durable and comfortable vest is fashioned from a quiet weave FOR SMALLER HANDS: Outdoor Adventure Kids Inc.'s Jr. Fisherman canvas with weather guard to Rod Combo, named Best in the Kid's Tackle category at the help repel the rain. It is available in the 2006 ICAST Show, features a lighter and shorter rod. Because Vanish and Arid camo patterns and it is not as heavy as an adult's rod, small anglers won't tire as costs about $60 for medium to extra large easily. The rod designed for 6- to 9-year-olds is 3.5 feet long ($10 more for largest size). For (about $33); the one for youths 10 to 14 is 4.5 feet dealers or more information, visit long (about $35). The rods www.dickies.com or www.camowest.com. come in metallic colors and are available at www.outdooradventurekids.com. For more information, call (519) 488-1483.

CLEAR PROTECTION: Swifty Nu-Skin REFLECTIVE BAG: Cocoon's Sawtooth ATV cargo bag was designed with safety in mind. Reel Armor is designed to preserve The bag features silver webbing that turns a bright white at nighttime. The zipperless and maintain the beauty of cargo bag uses snap buckles and fold-up pouches for easy access. The bag is made aluminum-body reels. It is a clear, of 600 denier fabric with reinforced corners and measures 27 by 12 by 15 inches. flexible, semi-permanent Its detachable bags are 8 by 6 by 6 inches. It sells for about $95 and comes in five membrane that covers the non- colors. To order, call Cocoon Solutions at (800) 810-4840 or visit handle side plate and top of www.atvcocoon.com. the reel. Made by Swifty Manufacturing, this protectant was named Best in the Fishing Accessory category at the 2006 ICAST show. The Reel Armor fits more than 180 reels, including models by Penn, Shimano, Diawa, BIG GAME GUN: The Knight Okuma, plus more. It costs around Long Range Hunter, available in .50 and $14. For dealers, visit .52 calibers, is described as the perfect www.swiftymfg.com or call (626) combination of distinctive styling, awesome power and 963- 1142. pinpoint accuracy. The gun has a 27-inch barrel with spiral fluting. It features a cast-off stock design for right or left-handed shooters, a beavertail forearm and vent slots for heat dissipation. It is available in Forest Green laminated wood or Sand Stone and sells for about $700. For dealers, call (641) 856-2626 or visit www.knightrifles.com. September 22, 2006 Page 21

TACKLING TEXOMA: David Schuessler and Jim Lillis battle a double hookup from a school of large stripers on Lake Texoma. The fish were biting gizzard shad at a depth of 32 feet. Striper seekers

Bait your hook with gizzard shad — sit and wait patiently. If the fish are not very active, then thrash the water with an old broken rod to imitate surface feeding action. Texoma Guide Mike Beeson said topwater action is good, but the fish are smaller. He is expecting the bigger fish to start moving into the shallows very soon. The recent rains will help get things going, he said.

Story and photos by David J. Sams

f paper graphs were still zard shad at a depth of 32 feet. melee. He let out some mighty being used to locate fish, the Jones switched to slab spoons big “I got one’s” that were always fish finder would have run and top-water lures just for fun, heard by other boats, now start- out of ink as the boat idled but the fish caught on lures were ing to edge closer and closer. Iaround a main lake point near the smaller. The action was steady for more Red River on Lake Texoma. Sherman resident Jim Lillis than two hours. Put on bait — Fishing guide Mike Beeson kept catching big fish as sweat drop it to the bottom — and reel looked at the graph in disbelief. soaked his fishing shirt. He had up about 10 turns. “It is covered — those are bait the hot stick in the boat, but for It did not take long to hook up. and these are stripers,” he said. some reason he was breaking the The three friends caught several The screen remained almost 20-pound line on about every 15 pounders and a few in the 18- black for the next two hours as third or fourth fish. pound range. Most of the fish the boat drifted with the schools Lillis asked the guide if the line caught were over the slot. of fish and the group landed 45 was old. Beeson gave him anoth- It was not a meat haul, it was a fish. er rod. Lillis continued breaking release haul and they enjoyed Doug Jones of Keller caught lines and just accepted the rib- putting them back to fight the biggest fish, estimated at 20 bing from the other anglers in another day. pounds. “That is the biggest the boat. Beeson reports the fishing has freshwater fish of my life,” Jones David Schuessler drove up been great the last few weeks, and said. from Austin to help out the oth- the striper fishing is getting even Most of the fish were biting giz- ers and landed his share of the better as fall approaches. Page 22 September 22, 2006

drifted just inside the oil rig. “A swell lifted the kayak about a Kayakers foot and drifted it to the left into a Tourney pipe and rolled me,” Garcia said. "I Continued from Page 8 Continued from Page 8 was able to keep the kayak upright said Larson, who’s been kayak fishing and didn’t lose any gear, but I was When the fish was placed on for 10 years. “When you’re in a kayak, swimming. I swam out of the gap and the scales, it locked it at 10.10 you become part of the environment jumped back in.” pounds — a new leader. rather than being a spectator. You What kayakers call “turtling” does- “It was 10 minutes before the interact with nature in a way that you n’t happen often in the ocean. The final weigh-in,” Robbins said. “I can’t in a boat. surf is far more likely to plunk a kayak. rigged up a new Berkley 7-inch “For example, I had a friend who If a kayaker gets turned sideways in a Powerbait shaky worm. I rigged it went down the Guadalupe in a kayak. breaker, a wave can knock him over. wacky-style and put a nail at one He had a Rio Grande turkey run down “I’ve had it happen in a foot of end. We were fishing in about 22 the hill screaming at him. He had no water,” Buitron said. “That’s embar- feet of water. idea what my friend was.” rassing.” “I threw it the first time and When out in the Gulf, Larson and Master a kayak, though, and you wind blew it sideways. I reeled it in his buddies prefer to take sit-on-top can stalk fish far out in the ocean, and threw it again. Then it I let it kayaks. The kayaks are generally Buitron said. fall about 18 feet into a tree. I longer, in the 12- to 14-foot range, “You can swim right into a school picked it up one time, and then and extremely stable. of fish,” he said. “You can see the fish she nailed it” to win the over-slot Anglers can sit with their legs over coming up from below. I’ve been sur- category. the side without worrying about tip- rounded by a school of feeding mack- In the under-slot category, Billy ping, Larson said. You can even stand SHARK ON BOARD: Lupe Buitron shows a small shark he caught fishing from his erel with sharks in the mix. You’re Painter of Emory won the first up and fish. kayak in the Gulf. Photo by Ken Larson. feverishly trying to cast before they hour with a fish weighing a 2.9 “To me, it’s the perfect platform for tranquil that it's almost surreal. The top predator.” move on. It’s hectic but a thrill.” pounds. fishing,” Larson said. rush of the surf is behind you and the Safety is paramount when you're Despite his close encounter with a Later, Glenn Todd of Graham Oil rigs, two or three miles off the water is gorgeous." miles out in the ocean. shark, Garcia's looking forward to his also weighed in a fish at 2.9 coast, are a favorite place to fish for While rigs are a great place to tar- Garcia “trained” for a year before next kayak fishing trip to a Gulf oil pounds, tying Painter’s catch. Larson and his friends. get snapper, Buitron caught four 4- heading out to an oil rig. He practiced rig. The sport has him hooked, he Tournament rules provided that They either pick them out from foot sharks on his trip with Larson self-rescue, getting back in the kayak said. a tie for a boat would result in a shore or find them on Google Earth. and Danny Garcia, who was making after capsizing, and increased his "Two weeks before, I went on my one-hour fish-off, but neither It takes about 45 minutes to an hour his excursion to an oil rig. strength. first offshore boat trip," Garcia said. angler caught a keeper fish during to paddle out to a rig, said Lupe Garcia had an 8-foot shark on his Kayakers should always buddy up, "We went tuna fishing. We spotted the fish-off. Buitron. line — before it snapped. Larson said. They should also carry a some sharks from the captain's deck. The anglers were given the While it's work, it's not overly “It scared the crap out of me,” said radio, cell phones, flares, a backup It didn't bother me at all, even when a choice of a sudden death fish-off strenuous, said Buitron, who met Garcia, who manages a Corpus paddle, a first-aid kit, a compass and 10-footer swam underneath the boat. or a coin flip for the top prize. Larson on TexasKayakFisherman. Christi shooting range. “As soon as I even a GPS device. “In a kayak, though, I saw what I Both anglers agreed to a ten- com. put the rod in gear, he came up to the Since kayaks can carry hundreds of thought were three sharks under- sion-filled coin flip, which was And the rewards are priceless. surface and thrashed around to show pounds of gear, a few ounces of pre- neath me. Lupe thought they were won by Painter. "Once you get past the breakers, me how big he was. vention isn’t a problem. ling. They got my heart racing, what- Awards included 87 checks to everything is so silent," said Buitron, “He was a little bigger than I cared Garcia’s training came in handy. ever they were. It's definitely a rush." anglers for hourly prizes. who teaches automotive technology to hook. It can be humbling out He dumped his kayak retrieving a Mark England is associate editor of — Compiled from staff reports. at Robstown High School. "It's so there. You realize you’re no longer the buoy attached to it. The buoy had Lone Star Outdoor News.

Striper guides were suffering for steelhead and salmon fish- through the dog days of one ing. He uses a variety of hooks, Blue cats particularly hot and windless particularly the wide gap or summer when they started Kahle hook. A depth-finder is a Continued from Page 1 noticing unusual blips on their must, he said. On Lake Tawakoni, David sonars, Hysmith said. The Lone Star State has plen- Hanson of Little D’s Trophy “Then a young lady named ty of good blue catfish fisheries Catfish Guide Service agreed Becky Curtis caught a 72- that include Lewisville Lake, this year’s cool early fall may pounder on a rod and reel.” Tawakoni, Richland- push the season. “We’re having A few more highly publicized Chambers, Cedar Creek, the cool nights and that really catches — including the 300- Whitney, Eagle Mountain, gets things going,” he said. pound total catch for Hysmith Conroe and Sam Rayburn. While blue catfish can be and an outdoor writer on one Some smaller lakes might caught anytime of year, the tro- day — and the sport started surprise you, TPW fisheries phy season typically is the first catching on. biologists said. Martin Creek of October through May, both Alton “Scooter” Kiser of was stocked in 2003, and “we’re guides said. Top fishing for the Alvarado said he’s been fishing getting fantastic growth and larger sizes is in the coldest for catfish all his life, but in survival out of these fish,” said recent years decided to try the Dan Ashe, assistant district months of November, Decem- www.huntersheadquarters.net ber, January and February. rod-and-reel version with biologist in Jasper. Other small Blue catfish grow to whopper Ferguson. His biggest catch so lakes with relatively big fish are size in Texas reservoirs. The far was a 46-pounder. Bonham and Mill Creek. state record is a 121.6-pounder “It’s a really neat bite — hard Hanson, whose ancestors caught by Cody Mullennix at to describe unless you’ve hunted what’s now the bottom Lake Texoma, just a little caught one,” Kiser said. “Once of Tawakoni, where he guides, behind the world record 124- you’ve caught one of the big contends there’s nothing in pounder from the Mississippi fish, though, you’re hooked on inland fishing like the thrill of River. that style of fishing.” catching the big blue cats. “I Trotlines and juglines have Guides Ferguson and can take an average fisherman been around forever, but sport Hanson follow the shad these and catch him a 25-pound fishing for the big blues with predators like to eat, and gener- (cat)fish anytime,” he said. rod and reel took off in the ally use shad for bait, although “You can fish all your life to mid-1980s at Texoma, said Hanson also uses prepared catch a 10-pound bass. “ Bruce Hysmith, fisheries biolo- stinkbaits. FAT CAT: This blue cat caught on Cedar Creek Lake gist with Texas Parks and Ferguson favors an Eagle Diana Kunde is a freelancer based weighed about 50 pounds and was 42 inches long Wildlife in Pottsboro. Claw GRX series rod designed in Arlington. with a 31-inch girth.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE SOLUTION FROM PAGE 18 September 22, 2006 Page 23 Page 24 September 22, 2006