Sportsman's Blog

Minnesota Fish Camp Gear Essentials - 101

As promised, in today’s blog I’m going to get down to some serious business on what items need to be brought to fish camp.   Keep in mind that this listing only highlights the basic items needed in a fish camp typically for a larger group.   This year my group will consist of 15 to 20 fishermen…but the list would certainly be appropriate for almost any size group.   Obviously, you must modify and cater the items to your specific needs…as well as how you conduct your group outing.   (This listing is of items BOTH for the general camp use and for the specific individual fisherman)

Here’s a comprehensive listing of the various fish camp items I will be packing during the days to come:

KITCHEN/CAMP ITEMS (FOR GROUP)

• Bread and Hamburger/Hot Dog Buns
• Milk
• Orange Juice
• Coffee
• Donuts/Cinnamon Rolls
• Eggs
• Bacon/Sausage
• Hash Browns
• Pancake Batter
• Syrup
• Peanut Butter
• Salt/Pepper
• All Season Salt (various other seasonings, if desired)
• Charcoal
• Lighter Fluid/Starter Chimneys
• Grill Brush
• Butter
• Ketchup
• Mustard
• Steak Sauce(s)
• Worchester Sauce
• Frying Oil
• Pans/Fryer
• Fish Breading/Batter Mix
• Paper Towels
• Plastic Forks/Knives/Spoons
• Paper Plates
• Garbage Bags
• Aluminum Foil
• Zip-Lock Bags (freezing fish)
• Ice
• Plastic Drink Cups
• Dish Soap
• Granola Bars
• Sandwich Meat
• Cheese (slices and shredded)
• Chips/Various Snack Items
• Salsa/Dips
• Pickles
• Bratwurst/Hot Dogs/Sour Kraut
• Baking Potatoes
• Potato Brush/Vegetable Peeler
• Onions
• Steaks
• Ground Beef
• Pam Cooking Spray
• Dish Towels
• Bathroom Soap
• Bathroom Deodorizer
• Scotch Brite
• Brillo Pad
• Duct Tape

PERSONAL ITEMS (FOR INDIVIDUAL)

• Bath Towel
• Sleeping Bag
• Rainwear
• Assorted Shirts/Pants
• Hat/Stocking Cap
• Toiletries
• Medications
• Sunscreen
• Chap Stick
• Sunglasses
• Cell Phone/Charger
• Portable 2-Way Radios
• Personal Cooler
• Pop/Adult Beverages??
• Flashlight
• Billfold/Extra Cash
• Checkbook
• Playing Cards/Poker Chips
• Paper/Pen
• Portable AM/FM Radio (Extra Batteries)
• Folding Lawn Chair
• Army Cot
• Camera
• Bait Container
• Lake Maps
• Fishing License/Regulations Book
• First-aid Kit
• Spare Keys (just in case)
• Alarm Clock
• Leave A Note For Family Detailing Where You Will Be Staying (Emergency Numbers)

BOAT ITEMS

• Spare Trailer Light Bulbs
• Spare Trailer Tire (inflated, too)
• Boat Keys
• Boat/Motor/Gas Tank (if separate)
• Extra Boat Plug
• Gas (oil for mixing, if necessary)
• Extra Fuses (for everything electrical)
• Fishing Gear
• Rods/Reels
• Tackle Box
• Stern Mount Lock
• Bilge Pump In Working Order
• Running Lights/Batteries (if used)
• Extra Tie-Downs
• Fire Extinguisher
• Landing Net
• Depth Finder/Battery (if needed)
• PFDs
• Small Tool Kit
• Fully Charged Deep Cycle Battery
• Trolling Motor
• GPS
• Weather Radio
• Binoculars

Okay, now it should go without saying that when I mention something like - “Trolling Motor” that you not only check to see that it's still attached to the boat…but that you actually test it to ensure it works.   This list is only intended to "jar" your memory…not to be specific in detailing all actions that should be taken prior to departure for the lake.  Likewise, when I mention "boat trailer" make sure the wheelbearings are not so dry that they are ready to fall off half-way to the lake.

Like I said, this is a checklist we use for our camp both to save time and money.   Oh sure, you can buy condiments, for instance, once you get up at the lake…but it will surely cost you more in terms of money and time to do so.   A few hours spent today in preparation for the big adventure will end up saving you valuable fishing time later this weekend.

Also, this list does not address specifically the menu we will have once we get to the lake.   Instead, it only mentions some of the more common food items the group will likely need (i.e. hamburger, hotdogs, etc.).   For instance, if one of your planned meals is spaghetti (in case the fish aren't biting), you will need to prepare accordingly with those items.   Another option is to tell all camp guests to bring something "pot-luck" style from home to further cut down on food preparation tasks once you get to the lake.

In closing, here’s hoping my Fish Camp Essentials Gear List serves as a good starting point for your next big fishing adventure.   It’s been designed and modified over the years to include just about everything we reasonably feel we'll need to bring to have a great time in fish camp.

© 2005 Jim Braaten.  All Rights Reserved.   No Reproduction without Prior Permission.

Using The Web BEFORE Wetting The Line

Yesterday I mentioned that we are using this week to prepare for and to celebrate the upcoming Minnesota Fishing Opener this Saturday.   Today I’m going to explore ways you can use your computer to prepare for the big day…as well as to build excitement just a bit through increased anticipation for this much heralded annual event.

Perhaps there is no better website to go to for pure fishing information than FishingMinnesota.com.   In case you still aren’t a believer in how big the fishing industry is in Minnesota…this largely state-specific website boasts that it has over one million visitors each month.   This makes the site, as claimed by the owners, as the #1 top ranked fishing site in the world.   There’s no doubt about it…fishing on a northern Minnesota lake has a certain mystique that sooner or later should be experienced by everyone who enjoys the sport.

Another great forum to hang out with largely Minnesota fishermen is the Catch-n.com forum.   Here you can stay up-to-date on all happenings as they relate to fishing in the upper Midwest.   You can post a question and await a series of responses, or you can use some of that experience you possess to share some tips with a more novice fisherman.   Two other great sources for good fishing forum information can be found at MyFishingPals.com and WalleyeCentral.com.

If reading fishing message threads isn’t your thing you can always check out the lake by visiting the Minnesota DNR’s Lake Finder and printing out a fishing map for your destination.   In some instances, I also like to go to Google Maps and check out the satellite imagery.   If your lake is in a region where you can zoom fairly close on a satellite photo, you can sometimes see the sunken islands and reefs to get a better picture in your mind just how the underwater topography is laid out.

One of my not so fond to think about, yet all-important sites to peruse, is the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s web site listing road construction.   On Friday, I will have a five hour journey ahead pulling a trailer…so I most certainly do not want to be caught in traffic jams or road construction delays.   So, carefully plan out your journey to the lake and if you must drive near any metro area or larger cities…do so during times to avoid the typical “rush hour” traffic delays.

Of course, have you purchased your fishing license yet?   Stop procrastinating!   A recent report has shown the top ten fishing violations in Minnesota...and not having a license in possession or simply not even purchasing one tops the reasons anglers get ticketed or warned.   Why not take a moment now to purchase your license online if you haven’t already done so…and be sure to refresh yourself on the fishing regulations.   Each year the regs seem to get more complex and there are a few changes this year in which every angler needs to be aware…including a new requirement for children wearing PFDs that went into effect last Friday.

Finally, don’t overlook the obvious and fail to check out Explore Minnesota’s website for tourist information.   Although this site seems to lack in real substantive fishing information, it makes up for it in terms of travel information.   Here you can find things to do or see, events, places to shop and much more.   This can be especially important if you will be new to an area this weekend.

My recommendation is to have all the essentials mapped out – where to buy gas, food, bait and your favorite beverage of choice.   These are all quick searches completed by using the Internet.   You certainly don’t want to waste time trying to find the last bait shop in Beltrami County that still has a supply of shiners on opening day.   And by doing your homework in advance you can maximize your fishing fun and the amount of time spent on the water.

Tomorrow I will get down to more of the nuts and bolts of what specifically to pack for our big trip this weekend.   Today, however, we’ll just spend it in front of the computer doing some more searching and learning about our weekend destination.   Hmmm...I wonder how the weather is begining to shape up for my chosen lake this weekend?

Anyway, soon the cavalry of trailored boats will be heading northward and God willing, we’ll count ourselves among the masses lucky enough to be joining in on the fun.

© 2005 Jim Braaten.  All Rights Reserved.   No Reproduction without Prior Permission.

Minnesota's Fishing Frenzy Week Begins

Of course, if I didn’t start this blog out by recognizing mothers and motherhood I would be terribly amiss with my priorities.   So, to all the mothers on this blessed Mother’s Day, may we all celebrate and honor all you do for us sportsmen.   Tolerating our peculiar behavior for the sake of chasing game and fish, putting up with the unique smells we bring back into your home, as well as to excuse our absence on far too many occasions.   Thanks for putting up with us and understanding that all we do outdoors in the name of fun is truly important to us.   Thanks for allowing our pastime to continue and to grow so unselfishly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Actually, speaking of Mother’s Day…there’s a little “bone of contention” that seems to exist between many mothers in Minnesota and the Minnesota DNR.   It pits mothers competing against walleyes for attention as sportsmen throughout this great state have to decide if they should celebrate mothers “in-person” or celebrate the traditional opener of the Minnesota fishing season away up at the lake.

You see, Minnesota and Wisconsin are two states that do not provide for year-round walleye fishing.   Instead, by closing the season for a couple of months it gives the fish a break to spawn and protect them while they might otherwise be vulnerable.

In Wisconsin, the traditional season fishing opener is on the first Saturday of May.   Minnesota chooses to wait a week and opens on the second Saturday of May.   Mother’s day, on the other hand, is always celebrated on the second Sunday of May.   Based on how the calendar lands, this means that more often than not Mother’s Day and Walleye Weekend conflict in Minnesota.

Actually, during 2004 and 2005 it was Wisconsin’s turn at upsetting mothers as Mother’s day was celebrated on their fishing opener weekend.   Conversely, Minnesota has now gone two years without seeing this same sportsman’s conflict.   But now for the bad news, Minnesota mothers.   According to my calculations, and unless there is some major season setting change, Minnesota’s Fishing Opener will conflict again with Mother’s Day starting in 2006 and this seasonal dilemma will continue until the year 2011 when it will be celebrated on separate days once again.

So, this coming Saturday is the much awaited Minnesota Fishing Opener.   As far as outdoor participant sporting events go…the “Opener” as we will call it, has to be one of the biggest events of its kind in the U.S.   Indeed, it is one of the premier annual sporting events of its kind that has been celebrated over the decades by all ages of fishermen.   Minnesota will boast of over one million fishermen hitting the waters on this particular opening weekend alone.

This week I’m devoting each of my blog entries to celebrating and preparing for this annual fishing event.   Perhaps a big aspect of the fun each year is the anticipation leading up to the opener, which occurs at 12:01 a.m. this coming Saturday morning.   Meeting up with good friends and sharing in a good time is what the “Opener” should be all about.

Join me as I prepare for my Fish Camp 2005 in Northern Minnesota.   You might also want to join Minnesota’s Governor, Tim Pawlenty, as he celebrates the opener in his own traditional way.

The Minnesota fishing opener is steeped with tradition…and when you hear someone comment derogatorily toward the “Opener” not being a good time to go fishing…then I’ll introduce you to a person who simply does not understand what celebrating the opener is all about.   Getting together to fish might be our primary purpose or excuse…but enjoying the fun and the camaraderie of friends on the water is truly what deserves to be celebrated and appreciated.

© 2005 Jim Braaten.  All Rights Reserved.   No Reproduction without Prior Permission.

The Smelt Are Running (or Are They Swimming?)

There’s a phenomenon each spring that I suspect is quite regional in interest, yet to serious outdoorsmen it is but another event that heralds in the spring season.   It’s the annual “smelt run” where this widely used bait fish makes the trek up rivers and tributaries of the various Great Lakes for the purpose of spawning.

But why such interest in a lowly bait fish?   Well, this is no ordinary bait fish, no sir!   The smelt, is considered a delicacy to folks from North America to Japan.   Most commonly they are consumed dipped in a beer batter and then deep fried.   In fact, for many VFWs and volunteer fire departments in these parts…the annual smelt feed is a big money maker drawing people from hundreds of miles away.

According to reports the annual smelt run is now beginning north of Duluth on the numerous rivers (and I’m sure in many other areas, as well).   The equipment needed for the smelt angler is quite simple:   A large fine-mesh dip net, several 5 gallon plastic buckets, and ample coolers to chill the fish with ice and bring them home.

There was a time 20 – 25 years ago when the smelt population was so high that anglers who waded into the streams could feel the critters literally bouncing off their legs.   A good dip of the net would yield many smelt so that in short order the fishing would be done, and the celebrating would continue on the shores.   Campfires, lots of beer and a party atmosphere were typically associated with the annual rite of spring known as “smelt fishing.”

But times have certainly changed.   The heyday of smelt fishing appears to be several decades past, but for die-hard anglers there’s still enough smelt “running” in many areas to make the trip worthwhile.

To be honest, the only smelt fishing I have done was living vicariously through my older brother who enjoyed the activity a time or two.   He was, however, kind enough to share in his bounty by bringing the smelt home and allowing me to clean the loot.   Certainly the fun about smelt fishing is in the waters with the net or on the shores afterwards – and not with the cleaning and preparation.

Essentially, however, the process goes pretty smoothly.   A few quick cuts with the knife…an old teaspoon to scrape out the innards, and the fish are ready for rinsing and quick freezing.   For more information on handling smelt click here.

Now, for the die hard anglers there is one tradition that lives on with this fish.   It is traditional to bite the head off of the first smelt you catch.   It’s sort of a good luck act that you surely wouldn’t want to pass up.   I might suggest that before you get to this stage of the fishing you have a few beers under your belt, so to speak…and maybe another one handy to cleanse the palate afterwards.   I don’t normally encourage drinking mixed with outdoorsman activities…but with smelt fishing it often goes along hand in hand with the celebration.

Still, outdoorsman who go smelting need to be careful and wear PFDs.   In some rivers the waters can be swift, the depths can be unpredictable in the dark, and often the footing can be treacherous when walking.   Unfortunately, alcohol and smelt fishing when mixed with any of these potential dangers can spell trouble.   There have been many deaths from people who gain a little courage to go out into the waters when their swimming skills were a little suspect, at best.   Drownings, unfortunately, do occur so the smelt angler must be careful at all times.

Yes, indeed, I started out by calling the lowly smelt a bait fish…which it most certainly is for many species of game fish.   Yet smelt, much like the morel mushroom, is also a timely treat that has tickled the taste buds of sportsmen for over a half century.   Makes you wonder how a fish so revered among many folks could have evolved with such an unflattering name.

© 2005 Jim Braaten.  All Rights Reserved.   No Reproduction without Prior Permission.

Countdown Continues To The Fishing Opener

Those of us in the upper Midwest are somewhat unique in that our fishing seasons generally do not extend all year long.   In fact, walleye, which is the most desired species among the greatest number of fishermen, is off limits in many waters for a period…thus giving us the chance to have our annual “fishing opener” weekend.

In Minnesota and Wisconsin the fishing opener is a widely celebrated event.   In Minnesota, for instance, it is said that on this particular weekend nearly a million anglers take to the waters mostly in an exercise to get rid of the winter cobwebs, of sorts.   Even the governor gets involved in the party by highlighting tourism in some part of the state by wetting a line.   It’s an event that most sportsmen certainly want to be prepared for and do not want to miss.

The timeline for the opener is quite simply this – in Wisconsin the walleye opener is two weeks from today…and in Minnesota it is three weeks away.   If you haven’t started looking at your fishing gear and boat now might be a good time to do so to avoid the last minute rush.   Quite frankly, there’s nothing worse than procrastinating until the last minute only to learn something about the boat needs fixing and you haven’t had a chance to discover it yet.

Let’s begin by talking about licensing.   Today with the advent of the Internet there really is no excuse not to be buying your licenses.   The new electronic system used in both Minnesota and Wisconsin makes the process easy and quite painless—whether you do it at the local bait shop or online.   If you haven’t already done so, get this task done now by linking here:  Minnesota   Wisconsin

Next, check over your fishing rods and reels.   They all should probably get new line, but do the reels need some new oil or grease, too?   Good equipment should be cared for properly and there’s no excuse that sometime during the off season you haven’t done this while sitting in the easy chair and watching TV.   Fishermen can multi-task, can’t we?

How about the boat and trailer?   Yes, don’t overlook the trailer.   Do the bearings on the trailer need to be repacked with grease?   Do the lights need repair or bulb replacing?   So often we pay too much attention to the boat and forget about the equipment that gets us to the lake.   As for the boat, are all batteries in good working order and fully charged?   Is the boat’s electronics hooked up and working properly?   Don’t forget the little things like having enough PFDs on board and a working fire extinguisher.

Moving to the tackle box…now’s also a good time to remove the clutter.   Take out some of the junk you haven’t used in years.   Quite honestly, if you haven’t had a need for it during the past two fishing seasons it’s unlikely you will require the item during the coming fishing season.   Organizing your tackle and terminal equipment will save you time and frustration on the water.

How’s your clothing?   Do you remember last year when it rained for a good portion of the opener and you were miserable?   Did you vow to buy some good quality rainwear and never seemed to get around to making the purchase?   Don’t skimp on clothing for the opener.   Openers are noted for wide temperature extremes…but if you’re a gambling person you can almost bet on needing warm clothes.   The opener might be a celebration of spring but sometimes up north winter doesn’t forget to say goodbye, at least not quite yet.

Let’s not forget the other important thing, either.   In Wisconsin the opener occurs on Mother’s Day weekend…if you’re going to be up at the lake all weekend why not make arrangements for the local florist to schedule a delivery.   Don’t cap off a fun fishing weekend by coming home to a growly spouse who feels neglected.   In fact, consider taking her along…on second thought…use your best judgment with this one.

Finally, the fishing opener should be all about sharing fun with good friends and family.   Oh sure, some of the best fishing will still be many weeks off…but the opener allows each of us to focus on a single weekend and appreciate this pastime about which many of us are quite passionate.   Preparation before you pull out of the driveway will make your time spent on the water more pleasant and carefree.

The clock’s a ticking…get your final flight checks done soon.   For a few additional ideas on what might need to be checked over, click here.   Good luck...and good fishing!!

© 2005 Jim Braaten.  All Rights Reserved.   No Reproduction without Prior Permission.

Experiencing A Fishing Focus Group

Ever wonder about the minds behind some of those goofy fishing commercials you see on TV during Saturday mornings?   Maybe recently you’ve been paging through a fishing magazine and asked yourself what were they thinking when they come up with that print ad.   I know I sure have.

Well, this evening I had the opportunity to take part in a fun little project at Kerker, a Minneapolis-based advertising agency that services many big clients such as 3M, Target, and of course, Pure Fishing.   In case you’re not familiar with Pure Fishing, it is the parent company of such subsidiaries as Berkley, Abu Garcia, Mitchell, Johnson and many other fishing-oriented operations.   Kerker was conducting a series of fishing focus groups and invited several avid fishermen to their offices to review and comment on a proposed advertising campaign they are developing.

Having never been part of a fishing focus group before I was quite intrigued by the prospect of reviewing some new ad concepts.   My first step before arriving was to check out Kerker just to see what they were all about.   If you do a search on the Internet you will soon discover that one of their trademark advertising campaigns is for Taco Johns with “Whiplash the Cowboy Monkey” who rides around on a border collie, ala the Lone Ranger on Silver.   It’s a fun spoof of an ad so I figured right away these folks must have a keen sense of humor.   I was not disappointed.

When I arrived at their offices they were quick to point out that the five of us in the group were expected to freely comment on what we saw, what we liked, what we disliked, but also how any advertising concept could be further honed and improved.   While I won’t get into any of the specifics of their future ad campaigns, the focus for the evening was on developing ads for Berkley – both branding the company in general, but also specifically promoting certain products (such as line and artificial baits).

It was really interesting to me how Susan, the focus group facilitator, worked with us to elicit our responses.   She engaged discussions and did a great job picking our brains on what we liked and disliked.   You see, even though the brains at a big ad agency are far more experienced at developing marketing concepts that work than the average fisherman would be…a savvy ad agency will make sure the ads have the right affect on the market audience by testing to achieve a desired response.

I was truly impressed.   When I first entered the room I did not know anybody else in the focus group.   There were five of us and throughout the evening we brainstormed on how to tweak the ads to make them more effective.   There were suggestions critical of improper safety practices (child models with no PFDs), ways to improve graphics to better deliver a visual impact, and suggested titling and copy ideas.

We also reviewed storyboards depicting proposed TV ads, weighed the pros and cons of certain new slogans for Berkley and in general described what ads were effective and why we liked them.

I can now see how the concept of an advertising focus group is real effective and money well spent.   The four other guys I was with this evening were awesome in both the depth of their knowledge of fishing, but also in an ability to transfer that fishing savvy into some useful advice for developing Berkley’s future advertising campaigns.   Even though Kerker had the ads well thought out and solid in their affect, it was our job to play devil’s advocate and make sure that each ad passed the ultimate test – that being scrutiny from an average fishermen.

It’s hard to tell if anything we discussed tonight will ultimately be used in a Berkley Fishing promotional ad 6 to 12 months down the line…but nevertheless it will be fun to observe how spending a few hours with a company to hone their ideas might possibly get presented to the fishing world.   I’m just happy and fortunate to have been a small part of the process.

© 2005 Jim Braaten.  All Rights Reserved.   No Reproduction without Prior Permission.

Rain Puts A Damper On The Stream Trout Opener

Last night I was pumped to do something that I haven’t spent much time doing during the past few years…in fact, I haven’t really been serious about stream trout fishing for almost 20 years.   Still, it seems this spring I have been fighting off the urge to revert back to some of my old sportsman ways and activities.   In particular, I have been anxiously awaiting the opening of the stream trout season in Minnesota.

Now trout fishing in the Gopher State is by no means as mystical or fabulous as it is out West in states like Colorado or Montana, yet it holds a very special appeal to me.   It is in the streams of Goodhue County where I cut my teeth, so to speak, on this fascinating and sometimes frustrating sport.

I’ve been lucky, however.   When I was growing up the stream that runs through my family farm had trout transplanted in it by one of the local sportsman’s clubs.   It seemed at first the fish were somewhat easy to catch immediately after being released into the stream…but within a week or two they were as canny and difficult to coax into the landing net as any of the native fish the stream might have held.

This year I had a special motivation for the trout opener.   About six weeks ago I got married to a wonderful lady who admitted to me last night that she had NEVER before had a fishing license.   Oh sure, she thought she would like to fish and would be more than willing to give it a chance…but in the previous years of her life it just wasn’t an opportunity that presented itself.

Well, I was about to change that.   No wife of mine is going through life without ponying up annually for a fishing license, or so I thought.   Last night I marched right out and purchased my first ever Combination Sportsman’s License which in Minnesota allows both a husband and wife to fish (and also one of the spouses to hunt small game).   I then dusted off my old trout equipment, made sure the line was new and everything was in working order…and we waited for this morning to make our debut marital casts.

Much to our chagrin, last night the TV weathermen were not sounding too optimistic for today…but hey, they are weathermen I figured.   With their poor accuracy record as of late I would rather have them predicting rain than pleasant skies and be painfully proven wrong.  Well, this time they weren’t wrong.   Today was one of those absolutely miserable days to be a trout fishermen.   Heavy overcast and rain that varied from light to not-so-light almost all day.   In fact, at 2pm it was so dark and gloomy down in the trout valley that vehicle headlights were necessary for travel just to be safe.

As planned, my wife and I packed our gear and headed off toward Hay Creek near Red Wing.   This place holds a special allure for me because it was in this valley where I cut my teeth on turkey hunting (see Tuesday's blog).   I also had special plans to go hunting for a wildflower called the pasque flower which is one of the first flowers to bloom in the springtime in Minnesota.   This location is the only place I have ever seen such a flower bloom naturally.   But to no avail.   The trails were miserable, everything about the day appeared to be a total washout.

Now typically I am not one who would let a little rain scare me away from hunting or fishing.   On the other hand, today the adventure was not all about me.   My wife would have been fixated on the fact she was getting cold and wet and realistically she would not have enjoyed the outing.   So instead, we drove through the area and looked at the hearty trout fisherman, made some future plans for fishing on another day, and went to our favorite little hangout in Hay Creek called Dressen’s Saloon for lunch.

Even though I did not wet a line fishing today it was a special time to just pass through an area recalling all the memories it holds.   Next time when we visit we will be sure to heed the weatherman’s advice a bit more closely.   Still, there’s a long season ahead for trout fishing and undoubtedly there will be more promising days to wet just a line and not our entire bodies.

© 2005 Jim Braaten.  All Rights Reserved.   No Reproduction without Prior Permission.

Bait & Switch? Don’t Allow This To Happen

Okay, let’s face it…the Minnesota Fishing Opener is still about a month away but with the recent warm weather thoughts are already turning to this rite of spring for most upper Midwest sportsmen.   Certainly, I am no exception as I have caught the spring fever bug, too.

But today in Chris Niskanen’s column, in the St. Paul Pioneer Press, he chronicled an important outdoor issue that many of us need to consider closer.   The fact is, the mom and pop bait shop is about to become a thing of the past in many locales.   The economies of owning such a business along with the changing world and our buying habits just do not make the local bait store such an invaluable place…at least not like it once was for all fishermen.

Twenty years ago we would not have considered buying bait at a department store or a big chain outdoors store (such as Cabela’s, Gander or the like).   Truth is, many of these stores did not exist in our neighborhoods like they do now.   Furthermore, the advice on where the fish were biting as well as drooling over the braggin’ board were tasks you just couldn’t achieve by going anywhere else except the local bait shop where the man behind the counter was “the expert.”

Times have certainly changed.   Today, the Internet gives us message boards and forums to overload on information about nearly any body of water, if that is what you want to do.   You can get information directly from other fishermen without the bait shop owner being the middleman, of sorts.   Essentially, the local discount chain (whether it be Wal-Mart, Target, etc.) has the ability to sell you the lures and equipment you need…as well as the bait.   The punk kid behind the counter who rings up the purchase likely doesn’t know the difference between a fathead minnow or a shiner, but does it really matter?   Convenience and favorable price of buying at the newer stores seems to drive the purchase for many of today's fishermen.

What a shame.   A good friend of mine, Mark, owns an awesome bait shop in northern Minnesota and even though he is in the heart of fishing country it is a struggle even for him.   When the new Gander Mountain moved into town the new competition gave customers options they didn’t have before.   You won’t often hear Mark complain, but I’m sure given his druthers he would rather have seen his prospective customers with fewer “options.”   Especially when those choices are the big-name, mega-stores.

The truth is there is something a bit nostalgic about the small bait shop.   Sure, their prices probably don’t compare with those you can find elsewhere…but should that really matter?   If a business owner has devoted his livelihood to purveying leeches, minnows and crawlers why should we as sportsmen abandon such noble efforts?   Is convenience and low price really that important all the time?   Shouldn’t the experience of walking into a closely confined shop reeking of fish odors also have some merit for preserving into our future?

I know as a kid some of my fondest memories spent with my dad fishing were the few minutes we stopped at the local bait shop before the outing.   Inside that simple building was a sense of hope you could feel as well as a character that is just too sanitized in the big mega-stores.   Nope, in reading Chris’ article today it reinforced in my mind the importance of patronizing the local bait shop on your way to the lake this year.   The price of failing to do so just might cause you to lose that option in the years to come.

© 2005 Jim Braaten.  All Rights Reserved.   No Reproduction without Prior Permission.

Controversy Over Cormorants

If there is a bird more despised by fisherman than the cormorant I surely do not know what it is.   Simply bring up the word cormorant to a fisherman and you will likely hear a litany of reasons why this bird should not exist anywhere on the face of the earth.   In other words, the bird is simply evil and the prime culprit of many of our fishing woes.

My first introduction to this bird’s negative impact on our aquatic ecosystem was each time we would catch a stringer full of nice yellow perch in the spring.   The hope always was that if the fish were caught early in the season they wouldn’t be too “wormy,” but later, on as the summer progressed, far too often the perch were so full of parasitic little grubs that they were unfit to eat by most of our standards.

The reason?   Cormorants.   It is told, whether total fact or fiction, that their digestive tracts are so laden with parasitic worms that the excrement and regurgitations pass this undesirable nemesis to the aquaculture…where it inflicts the fish in unpalatable ways.   Literally you can filet a fish with these parasites and you can see dozens of little white grubs destroying the otherwise nice looking filets.

But the main problem with cormorants seems to be their numbers.   Not only do these birds pass along their parasites, but they are voracious consumers of young walleye fry and other game fish, as well.   To most fisherman, enough is enough.   War is about to be declared on the Double Crested Cormorant despite the fact it is a Federally protected species under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Plans are currently underway with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Minnesota DNR, and other agencies to reduce the population of cormorants by 80% on Leech Lake in northern Minnesota.   The effort, while applauded by the sportsman community, is now being protested by folks who dispute the need for such culling.   One researcher at the U of M wants to conduct more studies to further strengthen this cause and effect decline in certain fish populations on one of Minnesota’s premier fishing waters.   These stall tactics seem a little self-serving for the researcher.   The point is, even with a flock reduction the research can go on…but prolonging the inevitable only serves to do further damage to the water resource around where these birds tend to congregate.

So are sportsmen being unfair to a bird that has been hated through the ages by many fishermen?   Maybe so, but when we put a restitution value on our fish of $30/fish or more for law violators who take too many fish…why then should a species that is famous for “taking more than their fair share” not also be held accountable in some manner.   True, fishermen who take too many fish must pay with their pocketbook…whereas the only way the cormorants can pay is with their life.   That is the way nature works…and when an over abundance of birds occur population control is necessary to prescribe.

During the upcoming weeks I’m sure we will be hearing lots more on this very volatile issue.   If we look to what has happened in other states over this very matter, usually it is sportsmen clashing with protectionist groups such as The Humane Society of the U.S. who look to spoil these wildlife management efforts.   Ultimately, who knows what will happen.

In Minnesota, fisherman have a very strong voice that can be heard by the DNR in several ways.   One of those ways is the traditional complaint process with phone calls, letters and e-mails complaining that something needs to be done to protect and bolster our fishing resources.   The other way is much more subtle, except to the DNR.   When sportsmen become frustrated to the point they stop buying fishing licenses…I do believe this action speaks louder than words.   And in the process, it looks to be necessary that a few cormorants must die to prevent this from happening.

© 2005 Jim Braaten.  All Rights Reserved.   No Reproduction without Prior Permission.

This Fish Tale Has A Ring To It – Literally

Did you hear the story of the three fishermen who back about two years ago decided to help their buddy turn the page to a new chapter in his life?   It seems their buddy was having a marriage breakup and that is when one of them had the bright idea to do something different, albeit dramatically symbolic.   They decided that if they caught a sailfish on that day fishing they would hold an informal ceremony and place the soon-to-be divorced friend’s wedding ring on the bill of the sailfish.

Well, lo and behold they did catch a sailfish off the coast of Fort Lauderdale, FL.   They held their little ritual…placed the ring on the fish…and then released the fish back into the salt water.

Okay, now fast forward time about two years later.   It seems this same bunch of guys was out fishing again when…when lo and behold they catch the very same sailfish.   Now, however, the ring had slightly grown into the fish much like a ring would grow unto the finger of a man who perhaps has added a few pounds since his wedding day.

Truly the story is fascinating…and perhaps almost too unbelievable to be true.   What are the odds of the same fishermen catching the very same fish two years later?   Moreover, what are the odds of ANY fishermen catching that same fish again?

Sure, this story does sound a bit skeptical but I happen to believe it is true.   For some reason I just think it is goofy enough that it has to be based in some fact.   I guess the best way I can equate it is the odds for this fisherman to repeat his catch must be about the same as a golfer who shoots a hole-in-one.   The odds are definitely against him, but why not.   In fact, the fishermen have all volunteered to take polygraph tests if that’s what it takes to prove their claim.

Oh how times have changed.   Today the fisherman, Eric Bartos has a new girlfriend in his life.   For some strange reason she was not happy that Bartos removed the ring from the fish and has decided to begin wearing it.   Girlfriends can have strange idiosyncrasies that way…but the new gal in Bartos’ life thinks that maybe this happening is an omen that he should get married again—to her.   Apparently the former Mrs. Bartos could not be reached for comment on this fishy tale.

I can’t help but imagine if this story had worked out a bit differently.   Imagine if you were the fisherman who landed a fish wearing such a ring.   Of course, not knowing the story as to how it got there…you would have had a real fish story to tell for the ages.   As things turned out, Bartos appears to be one lucky fisherman with a life that has taken a much better twist for the good.   He now has a new girlfriend, a story that has seen his name plastered in the news around the world…plus, he has his old ring back.   I guess you might say this fisherman truly had a lucky day on the water.

© 2005 Jim Braaten. All Rights Reserved.   No Reproduction without Prior Permission.

Ice Fishing Through The Eyes of a Southerner

I’ve often wondered what it must seem like to southern folk who look at us northerners with curiosity and wonderment when it comes to our wintertime fishing techniques.   To those fishermen south of the Mason-Dixon Line, it probably seems pretty strange to walk out unto a frozen lake to do your fishing.   Yet, ice-fishing has become one of the most growth-oriented segments of the fishing industry in recent years.

Last year about this time I was riding in a Las Vegas taxi cab when I struck up a conversation with the cabby.   As the conversation went along, he asked me the typical questions like where you from, etc.   When he learned I was from Minnesota I could see his eyes light up with excitement.   He asked me, “Do you know where Red Wing is?”   My response was, “of course,” since the city is located only about 35 miles from my home.   As it turned out, this 60+ year old African American had spent over $5,000 in preparation to live out his dream…and that dream was to go ice fishing before he died.

He had planned the trip out for years.   Bought a new parka, hired a well known guide, purchased a new camera to record the event, plane tickets, etc.…essentially he wanted to feel first hand what it was like to sit on the ice and fish.   His inspiration??   None other than the movie “Grumpy Old Men,” a movie along with “Fargo” that has done more to stereotype us Minnesotans than perhaps any other pair of cinema flicks.

I regret not getting this cabby’s name and address because I have often wondered how his dream trip turned out.   Here’s a guy who spent a good chunk of money just to experience and say he participated in an activity many of us take for granted.   He also said he offered to pay for his sons to come along, as well as some of his friends…but they all thought he was nuts and refused.  Yet, he moved on with his plans and decided to live out his dreams.   I was deeply inspired by my brief encounter with this individual.

I tried to look at the activity of ice fishing through the eyes of a man who has never seen snow before.   It must be incredible to imagine that people can literally set up a “shanty town” on a lake.

The more I considered it, the more I see a growing number of pop-up portable shelters becoming part of this wonderful wintertime activity.   But nothing quite matches the growth that is taking place with ice fishing, especially in the area of fish houses on wheels.   Check out these web sites to see just how comfortable live has become on the Upper Midwest Lakes:

www.QualityFH.com

www.fishandgame.com/kingcrow

www.ahoyhouseboatsandfishhouses.com

www.fishandgame.com/performance

www.fishhousestore.com

www.icefishhouses.com

www.fivestarfishhouses.net

www.icecastlefishhouse.com

www.henrybuilding.com

www.shackrack.us

Today, it is possible you can custom design an ice house much like you would plan out a kitchen remodel in your home.   Indeed, I can see where it might be intriguing for a guy who has never stepped foot on a lake to give it a try when you see how comfortable life has become for many ice anglers.

As for my new buddy the cabby looking to recreate a scene from Grumpy Old Men, I hated to break the bad news to him last year.   But at the time when I was out in Vegas we did not have snow or really much ice to speak of back home.   As I explained to him…in Minnesota, it might seem to many to be like an icebox during most of the year…but sometimes mother nature doesn’t always cooperate with our winter fishing plans no matter how much money you've spent or how hard you've planned out the adventure.

© 2004 Jim Braaten. All Rights Reserved.   No Reproduction without Prior Permission.

Make Preparations Now For Ice Fishing Season

Today we won’t be dealing so much with the new products that will be available this year for ice fishing, but I will offer some suggestions on things that need to be done soon to get ready for a season that is rapidly approaching.

One of the first things that a smart ice angler will do is pull out his portable fishing shack and make sure it is in good condition.   If a zipper is tearing loose, or perhaps there was a tear in the material from last season, now would be a good time to take it into the canvass shop to get it fixed.   Wait too long and you might miss some of the early fishing without your portable house.   Canvass repair shops get busy too with procrastinating anglers so it is always best to do your shelter inspections early and get the repairs done long before you need the structure.

One of the things I do with my gas powered auger is run it from time to time.   I actually have a maintenance schedule I keep where I try to run small engines I own that don’t see a lot of year around use.   My auger falls into this category, as does my chain saw, weed whacker, etc.   When these engines sit for long periods of time it can be bad news…especially with today’s gasoline.   I always run fresh fuel whenever possible and when I buy that fuel I put a stabilizer in it, like Stabil, Sea Foam, etc.   But nothing beats running the freshest gas possible and doing it on a routine schedule.   If you aren’t disciplined like this…then there is no time like the present to ensure that the motor starts on your augur.

Same goes for the blades.   Auger blades can be tricky to sharpen yourself…so usually for a few bucks you can take it to a sharpening service or many sporting good stores will be a drop-off point for blade sharpening.   The other option is to buy new blades for your unit, which is a good thing to do now while they are in stock because the hoards of people have not started thinking about drilling ice yet.

Another fine project during the evenings while you are sitting watching TV is to remove the old line from your reels and replace it with fresh line.   Changing line annually is more important on your ice gear than it is on your summer gear.   Generally you are using lighter test weight line that is not as durable to begin with.   Don’t tempt fate by being lazy and leaving your old line on the reels you will be using for this ice season.

Of course another big thing to look at for the ice fisherman is simply the clothing you will be wearing.   How do your winter boots look from last year?   Can you get another year out of them…or perhaps you need some new liners?   It’s amazing how fast the weather can turn here in Minnesota and it pays to be prepared for cold-weather living.

So what do you use for a heater when out ice fishing?   There are lots of choices, but some of them need attention from time to time, too.   I use one of the Mr. Heater type “sunflower” heaters…but I had one that was not working consistently last year.   It would work for 15 minutes…and then shut off…and so on.   Eventually I had to replace an $8 thermocouple unit and I was good to go.   If you use kerosene heaters maybe you need to replace a wick…or if you use a Coleman-style lantern for lighting maybe you need a new wick for that unit.   When you stop to think about all the equipment you use for ice fishing there is plenty of attention you can give to some of those items right now.

Don’t wait until the ice is thick enough for fishing to begin thinking about your equipment…put a little time into some of those items now and you’ll be ahead of the ballgame.   Then in early December when the big St. Paul Ice Fishing Show rolls around you can focus on what is important…buying all that new equipment you didn’t even know you needed.

© 2004 Jim Braaten. All Rights Reserved.   No Reproduction without Prior Permission.

Cost of Hunting & Fishing Licenses

I suppose you could call me a pack-rat, of sorts.   Truth is I still have EVERY hunting, fishing and trapping license I’ve purchased in my 25+ years of being a sportsman.   Why have I saved all of these licenses…I really don’t know.   When the season is done I throw them into a box and replace them with a new license in my billfold.

Several years back I added up all the expenditures I’ve had in my life for sporting licenses.   Of course they almost always include a Minnesota fishing, small-game and firearms deer license.   But over the years they have also included such things as Colorado Elk and Mule Deer, Montana Antelope, South Dakota Predator, Ontario Fishing, to name but a few of the licenses I’ve purchased.   The point is being a sportsman, especially a traveling sportsman, can be a costly proposition.

I recall when I last added the licenses up I had spent nearly $1,800…but when I think of what I have done since that time I’m sure the cost currently well exceeds $2,500.   I guess if you break it down that’s spending on average about $100 per year on outdoor fun over the course of my sporting lifetime.

Indeed, no matter what the cost of a hunting or a fishing license it is a good value.   When you break down the number of days you typically spend out hunting or fishing, it becomes an even better value.   Take for instance going to a movie at a theatre.   You can hardly go to a movie these days without spending $7 or $8 just to get in…you typically never go alone…so that cost doubles.   Once you get at the theater you almost certainly have to buy popcorn and refreshments.   It’s unlikely you can get by without spending $25 minimum just to see a 90-minute flick.

On the other hand, sportsmen plan their entire summer vacations around going to the lake fishing.   That $18 (Minnesota Resident) fishing license is a bargain considering the whole purpose for the week is to relax and wet a line.   Or maybe an extended weekend grouse hunting trip is your game.   Here again, a $20 (Minnesota Resident) small game license is a mere pittance to pay considering the pleasure you will get from the experience.

The truth is most sportsmen, whether you live in Minnesota or any other state, really get a good deal when it comes to enjoying the outdoors.   In most cases these monies go to fund critical fisheries and wildlife programs that only further attempt to enhance the quality of the resources enjoyed.   In many cases it is the American sportsman who has paid for the reestablishment of many wildlife species that might otherwise have become extinct.   This is done not only through license dollars, but also through taxes on the sporting goods we purchase for those respective activities (see Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-Johnson Funds).

According to a 2001 Survey on Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation put out by the USFWS, the average Minnesota angler spent 19 days fishing and 14 days hunting in Minnesota during a typical year.   That breaks down to a cost well under a pack of cigarettes per day simply for the privilege to hunt and fish.   Moreover, the act of hunting or fishing is much more healthful to you that lighting up that pack of heaters.

Perhaps the biggest point I am trying to make is even though we grumble at the ever-increasing cost of hunting and fishing licenses it is truly one of the most reasonable expenditures we make in our lifetime.   What is truly out of line is the cost of the boats, the cabin property we must have, the over-under shotgun, the state-of-the-art camouflage coat, and all associated items we must purchase in order to justify the cost we made by investing in a sporting license.

Speaking of being a pack-rat…have I also told you that I’ve saved every hunting synopsis (rules and regulations book) that I’ve ever had? [pause]  Naah…I better save that topic for another blog sometime.

© 2004 Jim Braaten. All Rights Reserved.   No Reproduction without Prior Permission.

Question: How is John Kerry Much Like A Minnesota Lake?

Answer: They both like to flip flop, especially in the fall.

All political humor aside, there’s a phenomenon that is either taking place right now or has already taken place in many Minnesota lakes that few sportsmen really understand. It’s called lake “turnover” and it involves the transformation of most, if not all, lakes in Minnesota during the fall and spring seasons.

Here’s what the Minnesota DNR says about Lake Turnover:

• The key to this question is how water density varies with water temperature. Water is most dense (heaviest) at 39º F (4º C) and as temperature increases or decreases from 39º F, it becomes increasingly less dense (lighter). In summer and winter, lakes are maintained by climate in what is called a stratified condition. Less dense water is at the surface and more dense water is near the bottom.

• During late summer and autumn, air temperatures cool the surface water causing its density to increase. The heavier water sinks, forcing the lighter, less dense water to the surface. This continues until the water temperature at all depths reaches approximately 39º F. Because there is very little difference in density at this stage, the waters are easily mixed by the wind. The sinking action and mixing of the water by the wind results in the exchange of surface and bottom waters which is called "turnover."

• During spring, the process reverses itself. This time ice melts, and surface waters warm and sink until the water temperature at all depths reaches approximately 39º F. The sinking combined with wind mixing causes spring "turnover."

• This describes the general principle; however, other factors (including climate and lake depth variations) can cause certain lakes to act differently. A more detailed description of the physical characteristics of lakes, including temporal and density interactions, can be found at the Water on the Web site, sponsored by the University of Minnesota - Duluth and funded by the National Science Foundation.

Understanding lake “turnover” is important for sportsmen because it will serve an indicator as to where you will find fish. In other words, late in the fall the cold temperatures found near the lake’s bottom will cause the water to be murky and denser. If you’re a fish, this is not a good thing because this cold water can have oxygen levels so low that it sometimes cannot sustain fish life. Therefore, immediately before the “turnover” period a savvy fisherman will look for a lake’s thermocline and focus fishing activity at depths near this zone or slightly higher than this level.

The thermocline can be explained simply as that level in the lake where there is a zone of rapid temperature change. In the fall, locating this zone can be often accomplished with a good depth finder capable of finding algae and protoplankton. Otherwise, you will need a thermometer allowing you to monitor temps at various depths.

Eventually when the lake turns over the complete lake is mixed of oxygen and it also tends to clarify itself. The bad thing is now the fish are no longer concentrated as they were just prior to the turnover period. For a period of several weeks fishing can be tough as they become difficult to pattern because the entire lake has taken on this new character. Eventually, however, the fish will fall back into their routine where fishermen can find them more predictable.

Certainly fall fishing can be a challenge no matter how you look at it. Then when you add the concept of lake “turnover” it only complicates matters for many fishermen. For this reason, if you want to be a successful fisherman during the month of October in Minnesota you need to understand what happens to their habitat. If you don’t consider turnover, you might just be wasting a whole lot of time wondering why you are not getting any bites.

Indeed, an informed sportsman can expect and deal with flip-flopping when it involves our lakes during the spring and fall seasons…but when flip-flopping involves our politicians it causes us great concern. Either way, when flip-flopping occurs it generally means we can anticipate very few positive results during the experience.

© 2004 Jim Braaten. All Rights Reserved. No Reproduction without Prior Permission.

Sportsmen, Don’t Leave Home without It

To most sportsmen there are a few items of gear that are considered absolutely essential. For instance, consider how popular the pocket knife or multi-tool has become with a growing number of outdoor folk. Then again think about how nifty the little hand-held GPS units have become for navigating in the big outdoors. Still, I contend there is one piece of often over-looked equipment that should be found in every sportsman’s pack and vehicle.

Any ideas what that equipment might be? It costs less than $5, yet it can save a trip and possibly save a life. The uses are endless and only limited by a sportsman’s creativity. It comes in a variety of colors and sizes, including camouflage. Give up? I’m talking about Duck Tape. There are literally thousands of uses for Duck Tape thus making it one of the most versatile pieces of essential equipment that any sportsman can carry. But is it called Duck Tape or Duct Tape? Actually, the tape was first developed during World War II to keep moisture out of ammunition cases (like water off a “duck’s” back—hence the name DUCK TAPE).

Consider a few of these modern day uses…then consider how a roll might have saved you some headaches during a past outdoor adventure:

In The Truck
1. Emergency repair to radiator hoses
2. Patch seat covers
3. Electrical repairs
4. Securing gear together to prevent rattling during transport
5. Removing dog hair from seats

In the Boat
1. Repair minor leaks in hull
2. Emergency repair of cracked and leaky gas lines
3. Hiding a spare key with tape to a secret location in boat
4. Hold boat navigation lights in place
5. Securing broken windshields

Around the Camp
1. Repair torn tarps
2. Securing tie-down ropes so they don’t slip
3. Securing coolers to keep critters from their thievery
4. Creating insect proof between tent walls and floor
5. Splint a broken leg
6. Use as a big band-aid to control bleeding

Hunting
1. Temporary patching of torn clothing
2. Fixing broken decoys
3. Removing hair/feathers from game meat
4. Constructing and attaching blind material
5. Making fletching for an arrow
6. Waterproofing shot shell boxes
7. Field repair of a cracked gunstock
8. Covering muzzle to keep rain/dirt out of barrel
9. Emergency repair of hunting boots
10. Create non-slip grips on hunting knives

Fishing
1. Repair broken fishing rod
2. Waterproof a hat
3. Fix leaky minnow bucket
4. Make a cut-resistant filleting glove
5. Secure removable dividers in tackle box
6. Emergency repair a hole in landing net
7. Repair punctured or torn waders/hip boots

Out-of-the-ordinary Uses
1. Cut a small piece and leave on a wart for several days. It will starve it of oxygen and is considered more effective than freezing to remove.
2. Homeland security. The government is urging all families to keep enough Duck Tape on hand to be used for protection against chemical or biological terror attacks in the future.

As you can see Duck Tape is no ordinary piece of equipment for the sportsman. Keep several rolls on hand and above all, be creative and don’t forget to grab it the next time you have a dilemma on your hands that requires a “sticky situation.”

© 2004 Jim Braaten. All Rights Reserved. No Reproduction without Prior Permission.