Fall Turkey Hunting Application Deadline Is Near

August 2nd is the deadline for Fall Turkey permits to be postmarked. If you’re planning on a turkey hunt this fall, you’d better get your application and send it in. It’s easy to miss these deadlines when they come up in the middle of the summer when fall hunting is the last thing on your mind.

You can buy the application form at any license outlet or you can get them online at http://www.dnr.wi.gov/. It’s easy to print the form out from your own computer and it saves driving to the license station and standing in line.

Both of our rivers are very high for this time of year. The Wisconsin River is at spring flood levels. There are not many sandbars showing but boating is great. On the Mississippi the water is muddy and full of debris. Fishing for catfish is most likely the best thing right now.

A new Wisconsin record Brown Trout was caught in Lake Michigan recently. It weighed 41 pounds 8 ounces……quite a fish!

Dan Bomkamp - author and host of "How's Fishing?"

Get Out Your Ice Fishing Jigs

Next time you go fishing for bluegills or crappies take your ice jigs along and tie your favorite jig on your line. I’ve been using ice jigs in the summer for many years and I think they not only catch more fish but in the long run they catch bigger ones.

An ice jig adds flash, color and size to your offering and anything that attracts the fish is a good thing. Use a redworm or waxworm as bait just as you did in the winter and you’ll get lots of bites and fewer small fish. The larger size keeps some of the little fish away from your bait.

When using ice jigs in the summer, go to a little larger size than you use in the winter. I usually use a size 12 or 14 jig in the winter but in the summer I go to a size 6 or 8. The fish are more aggressive in the summer and are eating more and larger meals. In the winter they’re pretty picky and don’t eat much because they don’t move around much in the first place.

Pick out a few ice jigs and toss them into a little box and give them a try next time you go for bluegills. I’ll bet you’ll get more fish and fewer little ones.

Dan Bomkamp - author and host of "How's Fishing"

http://www.myoakpro.com/

Youth Archery Day

Every summer the Scenic Hills Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation holds its Jakes and Jennys Youth Archery Day. Jakes and Jennys is the designation given to young wild turkeys and to the youth organization that caters to kids under 17 years of age who want to become members of the Turkey Federation.

This group of hunters and outdoorsmen take it upon themselves each year to hold this fun day for the kids in the area to give them a chance to do some bow shooting and trap shooting. They get instructions on many outdoor activities and are treated to a meal and drawings for some great door prizes.

The event is held at Gander Hill Country Archery which is west of Richland Center on Hwy 14. If you have a son or daughter who is under 17 and interested in learning about bow hunting or shooting call Dave Guy at 608-647-6908 or Jerry Gander at 608-536-3502.

Dan Bomkamp - author and host of "How's Fishing?"

Storm Front Northerns

When I was a kid I had a neighbor who closed up his auto repair business on those hot humid summer days when you could hardly breathe so he could go fishing. Those big black thunder clouds would be building in the west and he’d head out for the Wisconsin River bottoms with a little 10 foot wooden duck boat with an old guy who rowed the boat for him while he cast Daredevils.

I don’t think he ever came home without at least 4 or 5 big toothy northerns sloshing around in the bottom of that little boat and to a kid who was used to catching bluegills, they made quite an impression.

Many years later when I acquired a little john boat of my own I began doing the same thing and the results have almost always been the same. The only difference is that I very seldom keep a northern but choose to let them go after I’ve caught them. The catching part is the same and the action is usually fast and furious.

There is something about the pressure change when those storm fronts move through that makes northerns go crazy. Many times you will get a strike on every cast you make. If you miss a strike, slow down and often you’ll get another hit before you get your bait back to the boat. I’m not sure of what makes them so crazy or angry but it sure is a lot of fun. The only thing you must do is keep an eye on the storm. The wind can get pretty serious and it’s not a good idea to be waving a graphite rod around in the air when lightning is flashing.

If you ever get the chance to fish just before a summer storm, do it. I guarantee it will be an hour of fishing that you’ll long remember.

Dan Bomkamp - author and host of the radio show "How's Fishing"

Grow Your Own Bait

Worms have been used for fishing bait for as long as people have fished. You can grow your own worms with little effort and little cost, right in your basement or garage. All you need is an old cooler or box. If the cooler has a lid, drill a couple dozen holes in it for air…..if not cut a piece of plywood to fit and drill it. Then fill the cooler half full with moist bedding. Spagnum moss is best but if you can’t find it use Buss bedding or something similar. Be sure to squeeze all the water out and leave the bedding moist.

The next step is to buy a couple of boxes of redworms at your bait dealer. Dump them in the box and leave them for a week. Check them for moisture and then sprinkle dry Coco Wheats, Malto Meal or Cream of Wheat on top and put them away. Check them and when all the food is gone, dump them to check their health. By now the box should be full of baby worms and big fat healthy worms for fishing.

From now on, take out the big worms and feed the rest every week or so and you’ll have worms for almost no cost to use the rest of the summer and all winter. If your worm box gets too full, get a second one and divide the worms into it with new bedding.

This is a great way to save money and it’s also kind of fun to do. Try it you’ll be glad you did.

Dan Bomkamp - author and host of "How's Fishing"
http://www.southwest-wisconsin-real-estate.com/

Are Your Fishing Hooks Sharp?

Most people buy a box of fishing hooks and go fishing. Some fishermen buy a box of fishing hooks and then take each of them and sharpen them with a fine toothed hook file. Yes, each hook and each hook on each lure you use should be sharpened.

I never used to sharpen my hooks until I started fishing Walleye Tournaments during the 1990’s. Then I found that most of the “pros” did just that, they sharpened every hook. So I bought a hook file and was amazed at how much sharper my hooks were after a few strokes of the file. There is absolutely no comparison.

Factory hooks are made by a machine that makes them pretty sharp, but not as sharp as they can be with a little touching-up. Does it make a big difference? I guess if you don’t mind a fish getting off now and then because he’s not hooked well, then it’s not a big deal. But if you like to get your fish to the bank or boat almost every time, the sharpened hook will make that happen.

It takes about ten seconds to sharpen a hook and a hook file will cost you 3 or 4 bucks. Unless you leave it out in the rain to rust or loose if, you will be able to use if for years. Not a big expense at all. So, if you want to hook up with more fish get a hook file and touch-up each hook in your tackle box. You’ll be amazed at how sharp your hooks can be.

Dan Bomkamp - author and host of the radio show "How's Fishing"
http://www.southwest-wisconsin-real-estate.com/

Sometimes It's Not Poison Ivy

Poison Sumac 

The majority of the time when someone comes home from an outing in the woods or river bottoms and finds a rash, they usually think they’ve encountered poison ivy. Much of the time they’re right but there are also two other culprits that can cause a rash that is identical to ivy and caused by the same oil on their leaves.

These other plants are Poison Oak and Poison Sumac. While not as common as Poison Ivy they are out there and if you encounter them you’ll end up with an itching rash that will be real uncomfortable for about a week.
 

Poison Oak

Some people react more to the oils and some do not react at all. Calamine lotion is a cheap, effective solution to the itching. Keep your eyes open when hiking but by all means don’t let the fear of these plants keep you from enjoying our great outdoors.

 

Dan Bomkamp - author and host of the radio show "How's Fishing"
http://www.southwest-wisconsin-real-estate.com/

Boat Landing Etiquette

In the summer, and especially on holiday weekends, the boat landings often get very congested and the wait-time is long and frustrating. This long wait could be shortened if everyone observed a little common sense at the landings.

When putting your boat into the water be sure to get everything ready before you back down to the landing. Get your plug in….your lunch loaded…..your poles and bait ready and in the boat….and THEN back down to the water. Once you push the boat off, park it to the side of the landing and then get your trailer out of the way so someone else can use the landing.

When coming in at the end of the day, park your boat on the side of the landing and go up and get your trailer. Back down to the water, get the boat on, and then get it up and away from the landing BEFORE you begin to unload it. This will again allow someone else to use the landing while you’re putting things away.

If everyone would practice these common sense ideas the wait time at the landings would be much shorter and everyone would be much happier. Keep it in mind the next time you go for a boat ride.

 

Dan Bomkamp - author and host of the radio show "How's Fishing"

http://www.myoakpro.com/