Soft-plastic baits for schooling bass

July 1, 2010 Schooling bass busting baitfish is a regular occurrence on many Pennsylvania waters throughout the warm-water season. Anglers take advantage of this classic summer and early-fall pattern with a myriad of topwater lures. During spring, pre-spawn fish will gather and chase swarms of bait as well. Sometimes these fish do not respond as well to a typical surface lure. The reason for that is difficult to figure. Maybe the answer has something to do with water temperature; or, perhaps it is indicative of selective feeding behavio. » Full Story

• Noisy topwater baits for bass
• Start scouting now for a buck this fall
• Going deep for big summertime bluegills
• A deadly dozen

Summer tactics for small-stream smallmouths

July 1, 2010 I caught my first smallmouth bass from the Shenango River when I was about 10 years old. Even though the waterway was called a “river,” one could wade across most riffles there without getting his knees wet. During my adolescent years, I continued to fish for smallmouths in small streams within a bike ride of my home. When I was old enough to drive, I began exploring other wade-able streams such as Neshannock Creek, Sugar Creek, Oil Creek, Tionesta Creek, and Conneaut Creek. I caught smallmouth bass from these Northwest Pennsylvania waters before I ever had a boat and trailer. » Full Story

• Dabbling for crappies
• My favorite bass rods
• Sneak preview of hot baits for 2010

Tioga County’s Lake Nessmuk

July 1, 2010 First impressions are not always the best indicator of how something really is, which is exactly the case with Lake Nessmuk. Your first look at this 60-acre impoundment would lead you to believe that it is nothing more than a shallow, weed-filled pond, but looking under the water’s surface you will find a great fishery, one so good that it has drawn me back to its shoreline numerous times. » Full Story

• Kahle Lake in Clarion/Venango County
• Huntingdon County's State Game Lands 322
• Fishing around Philly
• The Allegheny River – Warren to Tionesta

A do-it-yourself wildlife print frame

July 1, 2010 A wildlife print helps to enhance the décor of any home, cabin, or deer camp, especially if it is placed in a rustic frame you built yourself. » Full Story

• The smell of success, Part II
• The smell of success
• Create a deer sanctuary on your land
• Understanding the bachelor bucks of late summer

Guns, games and history

July 1, 2010 Cowboy Action Shooting provides a wonderful example of a great family activity, living American history, and a great deal of fun. » Full Story

• Make sure a vintage shotgun is a prize, not a problem
• Selecting your best shotshell for spring gobblers
• Western guides recommend modest cartridges with superior accuracy for elk
• Guns, ammo, and the economy

World of a fish hawk is in the eyes of the beholder

July 1, 2010 Ipicked up my fly rod and my fishing vest from the rear seat of the drift boat and scrambled forward to the upturned bow of the craft. There I could lock my legs into the knee braces built into the framework and stand up while fishing. Within a few moments, the oarsman for the day, a Montana friend of mine, pushed off from the McConnel Access to the Yellowstone River just outside the famous national park, and we were on our way. » Full Story

• An angler’s tale of change in the natural world
• Wild turkeys have proven to be versatile birds
• An angle for a sunny day of trout fishing
• September brings some cool waters and brook trout

Soft plastics for solid summer bass action

July 1, 2010 W hen it comes to the bright, hot days of summer, I stuff my tackle bags with soft baits, what we used to call “rubber.” In my travel kit, I carry lots of styles, shapes, and sizes, and all the hooks, bullet weights, and jigheads that go along with them. » Full Story

• Turning heads for fishing around docks
• The return of the Vamp
• Jig worming by any other name
• Try the topwater road less traveled for September bass

A lever-action with powerful reach

September 15, 2009 » Full Story