Winter is time for BIG Trout

If you like to catch trout, no wait, REALLY BIG TROUT, then the upcoming colder weather months are ideal.
From Alaska to Arkansas, the big rainbows and browns will be on a feeding frenzy before spawn. These next few months are prime for you to land the trophy you've been waiting for. I know we are more comfortable in warmer climates but you'll have to sacrifice a little in order to catch these monsters.
A number of different baits will work but most all will require the same presentation....a slow, or drifting-popping action. White maribou jigs work as well as any but Countdown Rapalas can be effective in current.
Pictured here is Team Turnage member Steve Matt (RW Eagles) posing with one of the monsters he caught on a recent trip to Alaska along with his brother Paul.
According to Steve, no other part of the country can offer this many huge trout. The scenery alone is worth the trip and if you have the means it is definately worth the expense.
Here in the Ozarks, the White river is the premier waterway for monster browns. The cold winter months can offer the angler some unbelieveable action and you can probably catch a glimpse of a number of bald eagles that spend their winters in this area.
Dont put this type of fishing off any longer. You should really give it a try.
Watch for Steve in a few episodes of the Midwest Sportsmen in 2006.
Sunday mornings at 8am on FSN Midwest.

No wonder Dorothy didnt want to leave Kansas

My first Kansas Pheasant hunt.

My good friends Dave Krien (Coyote Jakes) and the editors of the Varmint Hunter Magazine, Jeff and Jackie Rheborg invited me to Kansas for a good old fashion Pheasant hunt.
The scenery was unbelievable and I couldnt have been in the company of any finer folks.
Pheasant hunting out there was definately good for the heart. The walking was plentiful and I couldnt have gotten a better cardio work-out. Your hunting adventures will not be complete until you experience the hunting there.
While there I got a hands on look at the quality and craftsmanship of the Coyote Jakes shooting stands and got the skinny on what it takes to edit a quality magazine like the Varmint Hunter.
Check out both their websites and learn more about these two fine companies.

Its time for Small Jaws

If you are as excited about big small mouth as I am then you know that as the weather cools the fishing gets hot.
As fall approaches ole small jaws starts his feeding frenzy. Shad begin to ball up and enter the coves and so do the big smallies. Dig those spoons or crankbaits out of the tackle box and look for bait fish. Chances are when you find shad you'll find small mouth.
River fishing can be REALLY good, especially below dams. When they generate water through the turbines this will push the bait fish towards the banks and smallies lie and wait to ambush them.
If you prefer fishing with live bait, then this is the best time to do it. Store bought minnows work well but catching your own is best. Throw nets can be a little tough to master but not impossible to learn...just some practice.
Most trophy small mouth are caught in the fall and winter months, so when all your buddies are in the woods hunting you'll have the lake to yourself and the odds will be in your favor to land that monster brownie!
Good luck and go get 'em.