July 2015

“The Master Caster” - A Story About Stan Fagerstrom By Lance Merz As the month of June has quickly in his blood, he was later assigned Washington State. He started with faded, we now enter into one of the to CO G, 167th Infantry Regiment, covering the sports and eventually hottest times of the year. July is a 31st Infantry Division during World graduated to reporting. In addition, great time of the summer; the kids War II, and spent almost two years he started writing a column are out of school, camping is in full in the South Pacific. In a previous at the Daily News, which gained force, and the fishing is just as hot as conversation with Stan, talking popularity throughout the years. the temperatures that surround us. about his endeavors in the jungle, he Stan and his wife eventually built More importantly however, it’s a described his experiences as “some a home on Silver Lake, which is time to celebrate our independence. of the best and worst times of my about 20 miles from Longview, We must never forget the sacrifices life”. As a combat veteran myself, but his Bass Boat and some of the and contributions that some make in his statement resonated the depths best fishing around, was only 60ft order for us to keep these liberties; of my memories, making it the away from his house. His office allowing us to enjoy them for years best statement of war that I’ve ever was literally in his back yard. Not to come. heard. Stan’s leadership, loyalty long after he started working for the and dedication to duty allowed Daily News, he began to branch out Recently, I was afforded the him to return home as a decorated into freelance writing. He retired in opportunity to talk with Stan combat veteran. We talked for quite 1988 and began writing freelance Fagerstrom about his recent award some time and both agreed that full time. Compassion and love of that he received from the Northwest others weren’t as fortunate as we fishing throughout the years allowed Outdoor Writers Association were. They are the true heroes and him to receive numerous accolades (NOWA), but we will get to that a they will never be forgotten. within the writing community. He little later in this article. Stan is the has written for magazines such as type of person that others should try Sports Afield, Bass Master, Bassin, to emulate. He is, and continues to Field & Stream, Outdoor Life, and live life to the fullest and is growing many more. But he didn’t stop younger as the year’s progress. there. Even today at the age of 92, Stan is doing what he loves to do, fishing and writing.

Stan grew up in North Dakota and later moved to the Pacific Northwest then enlisted in the United States Army where he Decorated Combat Veteran Stan attended basic training at Camp Fagerstrom, CO G, 167th Infantry Roberts, CA as an infantryman and Regiment, 31st Infantry (Dixie) Division. later was stationed to Fort Ord, CA Stan was inducted into the Bass where he served as an instructor on Stan began his career in the writing Fishing Hall of Fame in 2007. a hand grenade range. Patriotism field in the Longview/Kelso area of Page 1 Continued on Page 2 Continued from Page 1 Throughout his time in the field, friend of Mack’s Lure. “I have the to continue what I’m doing”. I Stan travelled extensively for his highest regards for the McPherson asked Stan of what his advice would job. His mastery of casting has taken family, the founders of Mack’s be to someone who’s just learning him all over much of the world and Lure”, replied Stan. If this is your how to fish, in which he replied his shows have been broadcasted on first time reading the Mack Attack “Determine what type of fishing you television throughout. Meanwhile, Magazine, you can find all 241 of want to do, buy the right equipment back at home, his wife Anita of 72 his articles in “Stan’s Corner” of to do it with, and practice, practice, years was always there upon his the Mack’s Lure website (www. practice”. return; supporting Stan every step MacksLure.com). In the late 1990’s, of the way. When I asked him of his love for Bass Fishing helped all the accomplishments in his life, produced the ever so popular Stan’s what was the one thing he was most Spin™, which has a Flash Lite® proud of, he replied instantly with blade that turns at slower speeds “Having married the right woman. than any spinnerbait on the market. Anita has supported me all the way.” It also has an added metal blade giving it extra flash and attraction. In fact, Stan’s second largest Bass of all time was caught on a Stan’s Spin, which can be purchased from the Mack’s Lure website. One of his favorite lures to be sure, his other favorites from Mack’s Lure is the Renowned writer Stan Fagerstrom Promise Keeper® and the patented published his first book in 1973. Smile Blade®. Signing autographs at a casting Stan is leading a life of which show in Japan. Stan was recently awarded we all would like to live. From In 1992, Anita’s love of the a prestigious award from the patriotism to heraldry, Stan has led a coast and Stan’s insatiable appetite Northwest Outdoor Writers life for all of us to emulate. He’s the for fishing led them to Florence, Association (NOWA), known as type of man that makes you a better Oregon. From where they lived, the Enos Bradner Award. This person just by being in his presence. there were over 17 beautiful lakes award honors a person in good Every edition of the Mack Attack and rivers for great fishing, whether standing with NOWA who shows magazine features an article written it was Salmon, Steelhead, Trout, outstanding support and high by him and I would encourage you Bass or . When he wasn’t professional standards of outdoor to read it and learn from it. I know writing he was doing what he loved journalism. Not only has he written I have. So get out there and enjoy the most; fishing. This type of love more articles than you can count, the great outdoors this July and and admiration of the great outdoors he has also published three books remember the liberties of which we and dedication to the industry called Catch More Bass (1973), celebrate. To Stan and all the other led Stan to be inducted into the Catch More Steelhead (1975), and brave men and women who have National Freshwater Fishing Hall Catch More Crappie (1977). He allowed us such opportunities to do of Fame in 2000, and also into the has also marketed two major videos so…I salute you. Bass Fishing Hall of Fame in 2007. on casting as well. Stan was a long A huge accomplishment in anyone’s time member of the Outdoor Writers right by many, he is held in the same of America and a charter member of regards as some of the more familiar the NOWA. anglers such as Denny Brauer, Bill Dance, Jimmy Houston, and Al I could continue to write about Linder. Although he has received Stan’s accomplishments throughout countless awards, being inducted in his colorful life and career. I am the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame has inspired, honored and humbled just meant the most to him. to know him. When I asked what his plans for the future were, he New Mack’s Lure fishing caps are Almost since its inception, and replied “God has blessed me deeply. in! During the month of July, enter the first Pro-Staffer, Stan has been It’s all been laid out for me, but by code 5MACK and receive $5.00 off the purchase of the cap. a tremendous advocate and dear believing in Jesus Christ, I’m going Page 2 Page 3 Tips & Techniques: A To date, it has released salmon up to better grip than the rounded dowel. so simple, and effective 45 pounds and can release fish that Also, it offers a square base for technique for quick- are larger. This tool was intended as attaching an anchoring stainless an emergency fish releaser until I got steel screw through its hook eye. releasing fish on the The around to upgrading to something 4) Best of all the fish is never Sonic BaitFish™ (SBF) that was more esthetically pleasing. touched prior to its release. The upgrade apparently never occurred since I also now use it To see the release in action: as my most important device for Click Here. releasing fish from double hooks. Barbequed Steelhead It’s ugly but its results are beautiful. Thank you for subscribing to the This will also work for an open Mack Attack and join us next month shank treble hook. Once tried, you for the August issue. will see the beauty in this concept. As the de-hooker simultaneously Pete (Capt. Pete Rosko) applies tension to both hooks, in the process of releasing a fish, the Captain Pete Rosko, Inventor of shanks are forced against each other the Mack’s Lure Sonic BaitFish™. to maintain absolute tightness. Unlike with pliers, the shanks are Mack’s Lure There are distinct advantages to never pulled away from each other. the open shank double hook on the Sonic BaitFish™ Original recipe makes 2 SBF including quick hook changes There are different ways to pounds. and increased hook-ups. As with assemble a very functional de- any open shank double, or treble hooker on the cheap. A cup hook Ingredients: hooks, it is extremely important not screwed into the end of a wooden • 2 pounds steelhead fillets dowel will work. However, I still to open the tight contact between • 1/4 cup butter, melted the shanks. like my 18 year old concept that is equipped with a 3/0 stainless steel • 2 tablespoons lemon juice siwash style hook attached to a When releasing fish, especially • 1/4 teaspoon paprika hooked on a double hook, both square wood handle. These are my hooks must be engaged at the reasons: • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper same time to prevent damage to • 1/4 cup barbeque sauce the hook, especially its shank-to- shank contact! At times, this may be difficult with a thrashing fish. Directions: Almost always, pliers are a poor 1. Preheat an outdoor grill for choice for releasing fish from a double hook. For an extremely medium heat, and lightly oil quick fish release, without any the grate. damage to the hook and fish alike, 2. Arrange the steelhead fillets the bends of both hooks must be on large piece of aluminum simultaneously engaged. Pliers are Captain Pete’s remover. foil. Whisk together the but- useless in this regard! The beauty ter, lemon juice, paprika, and in the solution is both simple and 1) The narrower diameter siwash hook has a wide bend and deep cayenne pepper; brush the inexpensive. Refer to the “solution” mixture onto the fillets. in the photo…the double hook, throat. It offers unbeatable access attached to the Sonic BaitFish, to engaging both hook bends 3. Cook on the preheated grill released over 50 rockfish that day simultaneously. Very hard to beat as until the fish flakes easily and the double hook’s shanks were a de-hooking tool, especially after with a fork, about 10 minutes; never compromised. Attached to the hook point is rounded off. brush the fillets with the bar- both hooks is my de-hooker that I 2) Its stainless steel hook prevents beque sauce; cook another 2 created over 18 years ago to release rusting. minutes. chinook salmon from single hooks. 3) Its square handle provides a Page 4 But by the same token there are fishing is that you usually can’t fish Stan’s Space some basics that do apply today just too slowly when these good eating as much as they have over much panfish are what you’re after. If Some Bits About The of the past century. I mention this you’re on a new body of water and because I’ve had some questions don’t know where the hang Basics lately that bring this to mind. It will out, is a good approach. It’s Part 1 of 4 be the subject of my next series of not necessarily the best tactic once By Hall-of-Fame Angler Stan’s Corner columns. you start getting hits, but it’s a great Stan Fagerstrom Certainly after almost three way to find out where the crappie quarters of a century of sports schools are holding. None of us has all the answers fishing, I’m totally aware that some I made these points in my book when it comes down to knowing approaches work better than others. “Catch More Crappie” that was exactly what’s always going to be But every now and then, those cotton published away back in 1977. You the best method of putting fish in pickin’ fish I’m trying to put in the won’t find a mention of Smile Blades the boat. boat have a tendency to sometimes in that book because these dandy I don’t, you don’t and neither does knock my favorite theories clean and easy-to-use little slip on spinner the barefaced liar who maintains out of the piscatorial ballpark. And blades weren’t then available. that he does. I like to think I can that explains why these days, you’ll make that statement based on rarely find the world “always” in personal experience. I wrote my my writing. I’ll use “usually” or very first newspaper column about “often” instead. sports fishing way back in 1946. For example, a friend new to My first magazine piece came along fishing asked me recently about not much later. using Mack’s Lure Smile Blades® I say this in part because nowhere for crappie. He wondered if these is it etched in concrete that you have lightweight plastic, easy-spinning to use any item of blades would work for that purpose. I’ve clobbered crappies using a exactly as some manual details or They sure as heck will! Some all- Mack’s Lure Smile Blade ahead of as some writer or tournament prize knowing dummy had told him they my fly. Often it’s best to attach a winner dictates. wouldn’t. teensy plastic grub or a tiny piece of The sooner you realize that, the pork strip to the fly hook. more fun you’ll get out of your fishing. I’ve been involved in As I’ve mentioned, if I’m on writing some manuals myself. brand new water that I know holds What I’ve just said applies to those crappies, I often find the best I’ve written every bit as much as it approach is to troll just as slowly as does to the ones someone else has I can and still keep my bait or lure done. Again, no one of us has all where my electronics have told me the answers where fishing lures and the fish are holding. Smile Blades how best to use them are concerned. again, because of their lightness If you’re fishing unfamiliar water and the east with which they turn, for crappies, trolling is one method lend themselves admirably to this that can help you find the crappie purpose. schools. Another advantage is that your Smile Blades just slide right onto Well, they will. As a matter of your line or leader. They aren’t fact they’ll often work better for going to twist things up as some that purpose than the metal variety. of the metal blades will do unless That especially applies when you’re you have the necessary swivels trolling. The two best periods to and snaps. Even more important, Whatever lure you decide to try concentrate on crappies are spring they’ll continue to function at there’s no ironclad rule that and fall. speeds where large and heavy metal determines exactly how you should One of the points I always make blades may not. present it. in any discussion about crappie Sometimes for crappie fishing I find it’s best to have my Smile Continued on Page 5 Page 5 Continued from Page 4 Blade right down close to the bait or began reeling. lure I’m using. Other times I’ve had I hooked a crappie before my Cookin’ Your Catch more success when I’ve used my rind-tipped fly moved three feet. Smile Blade a foot or so ahead of My backlash turned into a blessing. my crappie bait or lure. I’m going It showed me where the crappie to try both tactics and give the fish school was holding. I hadn’t been Blackened Tuna an opportunity to tell me what they fishing deep enough. Once I found want most. where they were, I sat right there I know anglers who favor circling and caught all I wanted to clean the same area of a lake once they without moving the boat. get hits while trolling for crappie. If that works for you, go for it. But there’s another idea I want to share. Keep it in mind if it’s something you’ve not tried. What is it? Simply this: Whenever you get a hit or two, stop trolling. Then drop anchor and start covering Original recipe makes 6 serv- that area of the lake ever so carefully ings. by casting. If you take this approach you’ll want to pay special attention to Crappies like this beauty are out Ingredients: finding the exact depths at which there but can be tough to find. • 1 1/2 pounds fresh tuna the fish are holding. Where you find I’ve also had some questions steaks, 1 inch thick one crappie, especially in spring or lately from anglers asking if it’s • 2 tablespoons Cajun season- fall, odds are excellent there will be possible to use lures like the ever ing more around. popular Wedding Ring® for casting I recall an experience I had one as well as trolling. Darn right it is. • 2 tablespoons olive oil time on some backwater of the I’ll get into that subject in my next • 2 tablespoons butter Columbia River where it divides the column. states of Oregon and Washington. I’d been fishing bass since daylight Directions: without so much as bump. 1. Generously coat tuna with Ca- Weary and about ready to quit, I decided to take a shot at the jun seasoning. crappie I knew the slough I was on 2. Heat oil and butter in a large contained. I rigged up a spinner skillet over high heat. When ahead of a white and yellow fly. I oil is nearly smoking, place tipped the fly with a small piece of steaks in pan. Cook on one pork rind. I made repeated casts into side for 3 to 4 minutes, or un- an area where I’d caught crappie til blackened. Turn steaks, and before. I had the same lack of cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or to success I’d been having for bass. I desired doneness. hadn’t brought my spinning outfit along that morning. I was using my bass . That’s why, when I tried to make a long cast I wound up with a doozy of a backlash. My lure sank to the bottom in A properly prepared plate full about 25-feet of water. It stayed of crappie fillets like this lady Let’s Eat!!! there while I picked away at that is holding are hard to beat at miserable tangle. When I finally got dinnertime. the backlash picked out, I hopped my lure up from the bottom and -To Be Continued- Page 6 we are going to fish for Walleye on Question of the Month the Lower Columbia River, near The Hot Deal!!! Dalles, Oregon, in September. We know that Walleye are a , Double D™ Dodger so we need to match the colors of what Have a question? We’d love to answer they are feeding on. In the Columbia, it! Contact us at MacksLure@Mack- there are Sculpins (purples and dark sLure.com if you have a question you greens), Crawdads (dark greens, would like to see featured! orange and black), and during that time of year, Shad smolts (silvers, blues, It’s time to start catching those Q: How do I pick out the right whites and blacks). By answering bigger fish. Try using the Mack’s color and size of Smile Blade®? these basic questions, I have narrowed Lure Double D™ Dodger which my colors to six. Depending on the A: Thanks for your question. fish you’re fishing for, you can increase serves as an attractor. Its proven Picking the right color of Smile Blade action gives a stop & go action or decrease the size based upon their can sometimes be a little tough with size. Fishing during different times that fish find hard to resist. all of the sizes and colors there are, but During the month of July, enter of the year is equally as important. there are a few things that can narrow In the earlier months, water can be code BDD200 and receive 20% your selection. colored because of the winter run-offs, off of the Blue Double D Dodger What type of fish are you fishing for? then becomes shallower and clear as (70063). 1. What time of the year is it? the month’s progress. Where you are fishing is important as well. The water 2. Where are you fishing? can fluctuate depending on where you are, whether it’s in a lake, river, stream, BDD200 3. What are they feeding on? or in the salt. What they are feeding on is the main question you need to Let’s throw out a hypothetical situation. ask. It doesn’t hurt to ask around to My buddies and I have decided that find this information. You can obtain this from your local bait and tackle shops, fellow anglers, or blog sites. Photo of the Month When a fish is returning from salt water however, they usually stop feeding as soon as they enter the fresh water, so it becomes more of an attraction rather than finding food. Match the hatch and find success.

Video of the Month

Pip’s Leader Caddy™ and Pip’s Box™ Anglers can store heftier hooks It’s time for Sockeye season again! This dandy fish was caught by with longer leaders as well as drop Troy Schmidt last year, while fishing on Baker Lake, Washington. shot rigs, double-hook riggings, and leaders tied with drift bobbers. For Send your photo’s to [email protected] for consideration to be more information about these great included in a future Mack Attack. For Facebook send pictures to Media@ tackle organizers, Click Here to MacksLure.com. watch the video and streams. See more pictures by clicking here: Mack’s Photo Gallery

Page 7