Spiel

For many ESPN fishing TV shows, its last cast July 12, 20210 / www.great-lakes.org ESPN's recent announcement that it will dump nearly all of its outdoor shows by the end of the year is disappointing news for boating. There'd been rumblings for a few weeks that things weren't quite right with the ESPN2 outdoor blocks, but news on May 21 that the ESPN network would dump all its outdoor programming at the end of this year was nonetheless a shock to the entire outdoors industry. And with the news comes logical speculation over the future of BASS, which the network owns. It'll be weeks or months until the full ramifications of the news materialize, but clearly, the unstable world of outdoor media was dealt another serious blow today. ESPN's "Outdoor Block" was a long and storied cornerstone of outdoor programming. It grew from the first broadcast of The Fishin' Hole in 1980 to encompass a wide array of fresh- and saltwater fishing, as well as hunting varietals. The Fishin' Hole, although now off the air, is still the second-longest running show ever aired on ESPN networks, bested only by SportsCenter. ESPN offered outdoor programming for 30 years as it grew from genre pioneer to powerhouse. It brought an integrity and worldwide reach to the genre that had never been there before. The network giant even formed a separate ESPN Outdoors division to focus on the market and in 2005, aggressively branched into competitive bass programming with shows like Loudmouth Bass, BassCenter, Bass Tech and same-day coverage of Bassmaster Majors. Although those shows went by the wayside after a short run, ESPN did continue with BASS-centric programming like Day on the Lake. But as the network proceeds with a core mission to focus on live and event-based broadcasting, such programming is out the window. The weekend block will now be filled by other properties, such as English Premier League soccer, NASCAR and SportsCenter, which are all either live or event-based programs. Thus the only show in the current outdoor block that will continue to air on ESPN2 is The Bassmasters, which focuses on Elite Series events, as well as Bassmaster Classic programming. The ESPN-owned Saltwater Series will not air on ESPN2. The news does revive rumors that ESPN is actively engaged in an effort to sell BASS. Earlier this spring, there was significant talk about a potential sale of BASS to the Outdoor Channel. No confirmed news surfaced, but highly placed industry officials firmly believed that talks between the two companies did take place. If ESPN is divesting itself of outdoor programming that would seem to indicate that its interest in BASS lies only within a potential to broadcast BASS events. BASS's membership program, print media, or youth, conservation and grassroots programs would not seem to fit into that equation. And sale chatter did noticeably intensify with many industry sources noting that BASS and the Outdoor Channel are deep in talks, but that BASS's print business is something the Outdoor Channel might not be willing to invest in. A BASS official addressed the rumors of a potential BASS sale by saying: "There's nothing there to announce right now. As with any business, the potential for a sale exists. It's a coveted property. People are looking into it. But again, there's nothing to announce there." ESPN's decision to dump its outdoor programming parallels decisions being made across media as a whole. The trend today is toward niche production and delivery – channels, magazines and digital properties narrowly tailored to fit a specific fan or enthusiast base. Just as cornerstone outdoor periodicals find it more and more difficult to profit through appeal to a wide reader base of different types of hunters and anglers, it appears ESPN struggles to capture and hold a profitable chunk of outdoor-viewer households – even after the network's programming shifted to a heavy focus on saltwater fishing at the expense of freshwater. Cable television now is rife with niche channels dedicated to the outdoors, including Sportsman Channel, Outdoor Channel, World Fishing Network (WFN) and Pursuit. As well, the Versus Network carries a heavy load of outdoor programming, including carriage of FLW Outdoors programming. Sportsman channel president Willy Burkhardt, formerly of ESPN, today told BassFan: "This announcement isn't much of a surprise as it's been evident for quite some time that outdoor-related programming really doesn't fit comfortably with the strategy and brand position of ESPN. Serving the information and entertainment needs of the American sportsmen is about celebrating a lifestyle and a way of life rather than covering an event or competition." Burkhardt added: "At Sportsman Channel, we believe passionately in the sportsman lifestyle and our programming strategy and brand position reflect this. It makes sense to us that sportsmen have been gravitating to channels and brands that reflect a commitment to the lifestyle rather than a broader sports-entertainment orientation. It's our authenticity and commitment to the genre that has helped us to grow rapidly over the last several years and we hope that this trajectory will continue as we seek better and deeper ways to serve the community." The strength of ESPN's outdoor programming, however, will heavily impact those who produce shows for the other networks, and will further escalate the already desperate struggle for underwriting. Supporting manufacturers regularly buy into shows on various networks to ensure their message reaches the widest audience possible. But as the former ESPN shows find new homes on existing networks, supporting sponsors will surely eliminate duplication. How many shows on a single network will a Mercury, Evinrude or Yamaha sponsor? RealTree, Pure Fishing, Rapala, Skeeter, Triton, Ranger and other corporate giants will no doubt re-examine their show portfolios this fall and many shows already on the edge will be left without category sponsors and hence lose their profitability. It all signals an intensification of the shakeout as cable networks, fishing leagues, pros, magazines and digital properties all battle for their chunk of a shrinking revenue stream. And as that stream shrinks, the do-all-for-everybody media properties struggle the most.

Mercury levels increasing in popular species of Lake Erie game fish JULY 15, 2010 POSTMEDIA NEWS / www.montrealgazette.com OTTAWA — Mercury levels in a species of Lake Erie game fish are increasing after two decades of steady decline, scientists report. The joint study by researchers from the Ontario and federal government and the University of Toronto is the most comprehensive to date on mercury levels in Great Lakes fish, and was published in the journal ACS Environmental Science & Technology. An analysis of the nearly 6,000 samples of lake trout and walleye collected from the lakes between the 1970s and 2007 showed that concentrations in the fish steadily declined in that period in the upper Great Lakes — Superior and Huron. But between 1990 and 2007, despite a levelling off of mercury concentrations in Lake Ontario walleye, contamination increased in Lake Erie walleye. Researchers hypothesize that the invasions of dreissenid mussels and round goby fish in the ecosystem contributed to the rise in Lake Erie mercury concentrations. High levels of mercury can potentially cause adverse health effects if affected fish are consumed.

Doom Feared as Asian Carp Advances July 12, 2010 JOHN COLLINS RUDOLF / www.nytimes.com With the country's attention riveted on the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the news in late June that a live Asian carp had been caught in the Chicago Area Waterway System, just six miles from Lake Michigan, registered only a blip on the radar of the national news media. But for state and local officials in the Great Lakes region, the arrival of the carp on the doorstep of Lake Michigan is an environmental crisis. "The Great Lakes are on the brink of a great ecological and economic disaster that states in the region may never overcome," Gov. Ted Strickland of Ohio wrote in a letter to President Obama on Thursday. "We need immediate, decisive action." In his letter, Governor Strickland called for the immediate construction of a permanent physical barrier on the Calumet River, where the live carp specimen was found, and Lake Michigan. "We must create an alternate mode (or modes) of moving people, cargo and storm water without allowing any aquatic species to move between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River basins – an approach technically referred to as 'permanent ecological separation,' " he wrote. Federal officials had already committed $80 million to control the spread of the carp – a voracious eater that biologists fear will outmaneuver native fish and cause a collapse in the lakes' multibillion-dollar commercial and recreational fishing industries. But the control effort, which included the construction of an underwater electric fence, has apparently failed, and politicians in the region are pressing for further action. The impact of an invasion of Asian carp could be overwhelming. The fish are prolific breeders and can grow to over four feet and weigh up to 100 pounds. The climate of the Great Lakes region is also a close match to their native Asian habitats, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Mr. Strickland, along with Richard Cordray, Ohio's attorney general, also called for an "Asian Carp Emergency Summit" to be held by July 19 with representatives from the White House, the E.P.A., the Army Corps of Engineers, the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Coast Guard. He said he hoped that construction of the physical barrier would be under way by mid-August at the latest. "The situation facing the Great Lakes region is dire," he wrote. "If we fail to act now, we risk surrendering these lakes to an invasive species that could leave the Great Lakes an ecological wasteland."

G.Loomis Introduces The Next Advance In Graphite Rods Wednesday, July 14, 2010 / www.theoutdoorwire.com WOODLAND, Washington USA - ICAST Show 2010 Introduction - Anglers around the globe realize G.Loomis is a long-time leader in graphite rod blank technology. It started with IM6 and GL2, then to GL3 and IMX, and then GLX more than 16 years ago, the only graphite made strictly for use in the construction of fishing rods. The next breakthrough is now here with G.Loomis' new NRX bass rods, offered in 13 casting and spinning models designed for jig and worm situations, Carolina rigs, drop-shot and ShakyHead techniques. Along with the NRX bass rods, G.Loomis is also introducing 16 NRX four-piece fly rods in weights and designs for trout, salmon/steelhead, saltwater and two-hand/spey techniques. (Editor's Note: G.Loomis' NRX bass and fly rods will be available from select tackle dealers in both the U.S. and Canada on Friday, August 13 starting at 8pm local time - we'll have additional information on the rod launch including participating shops the week of August 2) Calling on the talents of chief rod designer Steve Rajeff and the support of the entire G.Loomis team worldwide, anglers "will uncover a series of rods that are at least 15-percent lighter than similar GLX rods, plus we're able to offer a durability feature to make them up to 20-percent stronger and more impact resistant," said Rajeff. "And as anglers would expect from G.Loomis, we bring the best in components - from reel seats, grips and guides - specific for the bass rods and fly rods. At G.Loomis, we have never settled for just good enough. These NRX rods are the best at every level in terms of graphite, resins and components to provide anglers with the most dynamic, lightweight and sensitive rods we've ever made." According to Justin Poe, brand manager for G.Loomis, the NRX construction method is completely unique to rod manufacturing. "By utilizing a stiffer, lighter and higher density carbon married with Nano Silica resin systems, we can provide Steve and his design team with a material that provides all kinds of positive benefits to anglers. The rods are lighter, yet more durable, extremely sensitive, and yet stiffer. Obviously we simply think they are the best rods out there." Bass anglers can choose between eight casting and five spinning rods. Jig and Worm casting rods include the 6-foot-8-inch NRX 802C JWR medium power, 803C JWR medium-heavy power and 804C JWR heavy power; the 7-foot-1-inch NRX 852C JWR medium power, 853C JWR medium-heavy power and 854C JWR heavy power; and the medium-heavy power 7-foot-5-inch NRX 893C JWR. In spinning models, the NRX jig and worm rods include the 6-foot-8-inch 802S JWR medium power and 803S JWR medium-heavy power, and the 7-foot-1-inch medium power 852S JWR. For Carolina rig action, the NRX series offers the medium-heavy power 7-foot-3-inch 873C CRR. For drop shot techniques, anglers are offered the NRX 822S DSR, and for ShakyHead use, there's the 822S SYR. Both these rods are 6-foot-10-inch spinning models. All rods feature G.Loomis' unique 'Hybrid Guide System' that combines the strategic placement of both Fuji titanium-framed SIC and REC Recoil black ion coated nickel-titanium guides from the stripper to the tip. "We use stiffer Fuji guides closest to the reel to offer more sensitivity transfer to the angler along with moving weight back to rods' butt section - plus also on the tip," said Rajeff, "and then REC black Ion-coated single foot guides that are extremely small and light so as not to impede casting and retrieve performance. Looking down the rod, it looks like the guides disappear off the blank." G.Loomis provides its own 'skeletonized' reel seat designs on all the NRX bass rods, where an angler's finger is truly on the rod blank. "Never before have I felt a rod with this much life," said Poe. "Life is something we talk about as a premiere rod company, and in these NRX rods, anglers will feel the difference when their lure drags across silt, gravel, and ridges - even at 60-feet. With the life in these rods, even a light tick turns into a thump. Set the hook." As with all G.Loomis rods, the NRX models are manufactured in the USA. For more information on the new NRX bass rods (and fly rods), visit gloomis.com, call 800/GLoomis, or stop by your nearest G.Loomis tackle dealer. ### Specifications and uses for each NRX Bass Rod follow : Casting Rods NRX 802C JWR This is an incredibly light weight, insanely sensitive pitching and casting rod for largemouth, smallmouth and spots. At 6'8", it's extremely versatile, capable of fishing light jigs, small worms, top-waters and even spinner-baits. A really nice open-water rod, you'll find it effective when a finesse approach is required, especially for fishing lighter line in clear water conditions. If you think our GLX is light and sensitive, you are not going to believe this one! NRX gives lightweight and sensitivity a whole new meaning! NRX 803C JWR Recognized as one of our best all-around magnum tapered casting rod actions, this may well be the best we've ever made! It has a unique blend of power and lightweight for fishing medium-sized jigs and soft plastics, especially for medium depths of 15' or less. The extra-fast tip gives you accurate, low trajectory casts with plenty of power for pulling big fish away from heavy cover. If you thought GLX was sensitive, this NRX version will blow you away! It's sneaky powerful, insanely light and so incredibly sensitive you can almost feel a fish looking at your lure. NRX 804C JWR When the fish are tight to cover and you don't have a lot of casting room, this is the rod you want. It's powerful and gives you excellent pitching control in close-quarters. It's designed for fishing big jigs and soft plastics, but with our NRX technology it's so incredibly light it doesn't seem possible that it can be so powerful. If short, accurate casts and a really sensitive rod are factors critical to your success this is the rod. It's a powerhouse that will haul a big bass out of the brush yet has enough tip to cast accurately. It's so light and insanely sensitive you'll feel things you never imagined before! NRX 852C JWR This rod is designed for fishing clear water lakes and rivers where lighter line and long casts are required to catch spooky fish. The extra length helps create more tip speed for increased casting distance and positive hook, but with NRX it fishes a lot shorter. It's so incredibly light and so sensitive you'll feel things you've never felt before. When the bite gets tough and you need to downsize your baits, this rod will give you the ability to handle the smaller sized jigs and worms you need to be successful. The softer tip and powerful butt-section make this an excellent choice for fishing buzz baits. NRX makes it so incredibly light and sensitive it's takes fishing to a whole new level! NRX 853C JWR This is one of our most versatile medium-heavy casting rods and with our new NRX technology it's the lightest and most sensitive we've ever made. It has a light enough tip for smooth casting with sufficient power in the mid- and butt-section to keep fish away from trouble. It fishes medium-sized jigs, plastic worms and soft jerk-baits with total precision, yet it's so light, it's hard to understand how it can be so powerful. The extra length means much higher tip-speed and that translates to longer casts and more positive hook sets, even in deep water. GLX pushes the bar on sensitivity. NRX takes it to completely new level. It's so sensitive it's insane! This may be the finest bass rod you'll ever hold in your hand! NRX 854C JWR Thanks to NRX technology, this magnum-powered big bass, jig and worm rod may be the best we've ever made!! It's a fast-action, power-oriented casting and pitching stick designed specifically for fishing big bass in heavy cover. If you're familiar with our GLX rods and their legendary light weight and sensitivity, this rod will shock you. NRX makes it so light and so sensitive it's unbelievable. You'll find yourself setting the hook before the bass can even think about heading back into the brush! It's sneaky powerful and magically quick for such a powerful rod. It will keep you one step ahead of the bass. They'll be heading for the net before they know what hit them! NRX 893C JWR We originally designed this rod to fish soft jerk-baits and Senko's, but anglers quickly found it to be an incredible jig and worm rod, especially in deep water. The extra length creates a much wider tip arc, which creates higher tip-speed and that translates into more positive hook-sets and increased casting distance. It's a great combination of power and casting ease and thanks to our new NRX technology; it's so light and so incredibly sensitive you'll be blown away! It will cast soft jerk-baits that proverbial "country mile" and will tell you everything that happens at the end of your line with an almost mystical clarity. Talk about keep you focused? You'll feel every single thing you touch and when a bass engulf your bait, there's no doubt about it!! NRX 873C CRR This rod is designed to fish soft plastics on a leader behind a heavy sinker for a couple of good reasons. The heavy sinker helps you maintain positive contact with the bottom and it also creates a lot of commotion. Once you've got the bass's attention, the next thing to come along is the meal... Bingo! It can be tough to feel the bite because of all that weight ahead of the lure, but thanks to our NRX Technology, you'll feel everything that happens to your bait down there. The extra length moves a lot of line so you'll experience positive hook-sets. It's difficult to imagine a rod so light can be so powerful and it's so insanely sensitive you'll wonder how we did it, but that's our secret and your advantage!! Spinning Rods NRX 802S JWR Here's a rod that will allow you to fish small baits with light line and still be able to control a big fish, even in fairly heavy cover. It's made for fishing clear, open water, but when fishing pressure makes the bite really tough, you'll have the answer. It's so incredibly light that you won't believe it, and talk about sensitive! Thanks to NRX, it's the lightest, strongest most sensitive, high-performance magnum-tapered spinning rod we've ever made. Catching those finicky, pressured fish won't seem like such a challenge any more. NRX has you covered! NRX 803S JWR There are times when you need the power and action of a casting rod, but conditions dictate smaller, lighter baits and you prefer a spinning rod. Whether it's lighter baits or lighter line or both, this new NRX has all the right stuff. It's so light and sensitive it's insane! When you first pick it up you'll wonder how a rod so light will handle those big bass, but once you've hooked one you'll know what we mean. This model is designed to fish medium-sized soft plastics and light jigs, but it will handle top-water baits or even a spinner-bait, no problem. There's no doubt about what's going on at the end anymore thanks to NRX! NRX 852S JWR Sometimes it's just difficult, especially in the wind, to cast lightweight lures and smaller soft plastics. That used to be an issue, but not any more thanks to NRX Technology! First of all, you'll be amazed at how light this rod is and if you doubt the power, just rig it up and give it a try. Only then will you understand what high performance is all about. Add to that sensitivity beyond belief and you've to an NRX. The extra-fast taper allows you to make low, accurate casts so you can fish right up under the brush and when a real "toad" grabs your bait you'll be in total control. If you need a rig to cast soft plastic jerk-baits and Senko's, this is the one. NRX 822S DSR This rod takes the drop-shot technique to an entirely new level. A soft tip that allows you to see the bite before the fish feels it is one thing, but feeling that almost inaudible tick as it happens, is almost like an unfair advantage. This model is made for deep-water and heavier cover, but it's still soft enough to be effective. When those big spots suspend in the trees on popular impoundments like Georgia's Lake Lanier, this is the rod you want in your hands. NRX makes it so sensitive that you'll know everything that happens at the end of your line and it still has enough power to pull a big away from trouble. You won't find a more sensitive rod on the planet! NRX 822S SYR There's a unique action required to fish the ShakyHead technique. It's subtle, but it makes a difference. All of our ShakyHead rods are designed with a mid-tip flex so you can work the bait properly and still react quickly when the fish bites. This 2-power ShakyHead rod is made for fishing in deeper water where you need slightly heavier line to keep fish out of the brush. It's deceptive in its power and thanks to NRX is so light and insanely sensitive you won't believe it. If you want the ultimate in a finesse fishing rod look no further. We've got you covered! Its sneaky powerful and so sensitive it's incredible! Contact: John Mazurkiewicz/Catalyst Marketing - 574/289-1331 - [email protected]

I was thinking I'm gonna lose my breakfast, then I realized I have eaten yet. Thank God.

Well I've never done a fly in but I recommend a well stocked first aid kit. I never go on any fishing trip with out one!

Nice report Mike. I love it down there though it's been some time since I fished it.

And to think how many times I've trailered my boat right past there wondering if I should stop and fish for a while. Now I know what I'm missing. Nicely done!

I would suspect the batteries, perhaps a dead cell in one of the batteries. In a 24 volt system your only as good as your weakest battery. Use a hydrometer to check the specific gravity of each cell. http://autorepair.ab...y/aa101604a.htm http://www.ehow.com/...hydrometer.html

Nice, very nice. Congrats to you both.

Plain-clothes MNR officers witness illegal fishing Cochrane man fined $1,500 July 13, 2010 MNR News Release / www.timminstimes.com A Cochrane man has been fined a total of $1,500 for illegal fishing. Larry Prevost was fined $750 for fishing in a fish sanctuary during the closed season and $750 for catching and retaining walleye over the specified daily limit. He is also prohibited from fishing until January 1, 2011, said a news release today from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR). Court heard that on May 15, 2010, Prevost was fishing at the Little Abitibi River-McQuibban Township fish sanctuary. While trolling from his vessel at Pierre Lake, Prevost entered into the fish sanctuary on several occasions. A surveillance team of plain-clothes MNR officers were on the scene and saw Prevost catch and retain nine walleye, some of which he gave to other anglers who were fishing next to his vessel. Justice of the Peace Dolores Boyuk heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Cochrane, on June 17, 2010. The ministry reminds the public that Ontario's walleye population is highly sensitive to angling during the spawning season. Fish sanctuaries are put in place to protect fish populations during their most sensitive period. Also, any fish caught and retained, including fish given to another person, are part of the daily catch and retain limit. Any fish taken illegally are unlawful for another person to possess. To report a natural resources violation, call 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667) toll-free any time or contact your local ministry officer during regular business hours. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Good stuff Dann and Kelly. Give yourselves a pat on the back, you've earned it.

LOL....Be sure to catch the measuring on video, I'm sure it'll go viral.

Dinner looks great, the dog, not so much. Hope your pup is feeling better today.

Or perhaps the second the OP first appeared.

Another vote for Belwood but avoid weekends if you can.

Just thought I might add for those that run big tillers like me that wearing your kill tether attatched to your life vest does little good when you fall backwards towards the motor. I learned the hard way with what could have been fatal for me, I now strap the kill tether to my left wrist so that if my hand comes off the throttle the motor will (hopefully) cut out.

Thanks for taking the time JP to give us the facts. I'm pleased to know that both you and Greg have come out of this intact and in good spirits.

Now that is some serious salmon fishing, spectacular even!

Well I finally had a chance to see the pictures on my daughters laptop and well, I'm speechless and of course envious.

Well if you're a Neil Young fan and you have cable you should be watching Bravo right now!

Exactly!

I use ceramic guides on all the rods I build. In fact most every rod out there has ceramic guides. Here's a description of some of Fuji's popular ceramic guides. http://www.mudhole.c...ur-Catalog/Fuji Oh and Steve I read on the Shimano site that your "Tribal" rod is built with Fuji Titanium SiC guides, you should have no worries.

For tying directly to the lure (swivel/leader) with Fireline you can't beat the Palomar knot. http://www.netknots.com/html/palomar_knot.html

Beautiful! You are very fortunate to have her and no doubt she's as fortunate to have you.