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Fishing a Fairytale in

By Nick Carter

Bristol Bay, Alaska A

rguably the best salmonid fishing in the world exists in the system of waterways that feeds the Bering Sea on Alaska’s southwest coast. The region is a vast, sparsely populated web of streams and rivers, lakes and wetlands that weave through open tundra to Bristol Bay. The wildlife is astounding. To be there is like stepping into a documentary film, with bears, moose and bald eagles going about their business unconcerned by human visitors. On a July afternoon, I watched in terror as a brown bear crashed from the brush, bluff charged my wife and stole the sockeye salmon from the end of her line. It’s that kind of place. From fancy lodges or tiny riverside fishing villages, human anglers are nothing special. They are just one of many species taking advantage of the great salmon migrations that drive the ecosystem. All five species of Pacific salmon spawn in the Bristol Bay watershed. Coho, chum and pink salmon all make runs up the rivers that feed the bay. But king and sockeye salmon are the reason anglers should book passage to the area. The Nushagak River boasts what might be Alaska’s best king, or Chinook, salmon run. Back bouncing egg sacks on heavy casting tackle, anglers regularly do battle with big kings in the 20to 40-pound range. Just a short puddle-jump down the coast, the Kvichak River hosts the largest sockeye salmon run on the planet. Sockeye pile into the river by the millions and push up into the headwaters to spawn and then die. For thousands of years, this transmission of nutrients from the sea inland has fueled the region’s wildlife, tundra and forests of alder and spruce. An angler with a fly rod can stand on the bank and cast streamers to huge pods of sockeye as they run past. Hooking one is no problem; it’s like collecting meat. The fight, however, is that of a creature determined to achieve its sole remaining purpose on earth.

These massive salmon runs feed all of the wildlife in the Bristol Bay region, and that includes rainbow trout, Dolly Varden, arctic grayling and others. Some area rivers are places where mouse patterns streaking across the surface draw aggressive strikes from rainbows 30-inches and longer. I can’t count the number of 25-plus-inch rainbows and Dollys we caught in a single day swinging big streamers. During and after the salmon runs, fish key in on salmon eggs and chunks of dead salmon adrift in the rivers. This is when egg patterns and flesh flies lead to unbelievable numbers of big fish. It’s the kind of fishing that only occurs where humans have yet to make a pronounced impact on systems designed by nature.

And that’s where the Bristol Bay fairytale is in danger of ending. In 2005, gold, molybdenum and copper deposits were discovered underground near the headwaters of the Nushagak and Kvichak rivers, just a few miles from the banks of Alaska’s largest lake, Lake Iliamna. Ever since, conservation groups, sporting groups and locals have been waging a legal battle against greed to save this pristine landscape and fishery. As proposed, the Pebble Mine would be an enormous scar on the landscape. According to The Wild Salmon Center, it would destroy an estimated 10,000 acres of wetlands and more than 330 miles of streams at the head of the most productive salmon fishery in the world. Annually, an estimated 10.6 billion gallons of mine-polluted wastewater would be sent downstream toward Bristol Bay. For anyone who has ever fished or hopes to fish in a place as unspoiled as the Bristol Bay drainage, it’s unconscionable such a project is even being considered.

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Permit

By CAM Staff

The Ultimate Challenge on Flats of the Keys

f it’s farther away, it must be better. While there’s truth to this concept that sends anglers around the globe seeking out remote and spectacular fisheries, there are also flaws to this way of thinking. It’s like the bank fisherman who strives to chuck baits as far offshore as possible only to cross lines with the boater casting tight to shoreline structure. While you’re at home dreaming of Indo-Pacific atolls, there’s an angler on the other side of the world flipping through magazine images of the Florida Keys. It’d be a shame to forget that geography gifted North Americans with some of the most productive and gorgeous flats habitat on the planet. Nobody knows this better than Capt. Luke Kelly of Key Flat Charters. Kelly has spent his life fishing the Keys. He operates year-round backcountry and flats charters out of Sugarloaf Key Marina. It’s about 20 minutes north of Key West on A1A, slap in the middle of the mangrove islands and vast crystal-clear flats of the Lower Keys. This is a place where anglers watch from the casting deck of a small flats boat as tarpon, bonefish, permit and other species cruise and hunt in knee-deep water. A flats slam of all three species is possible any day of the year, and while the power and aerobatics of a big tarpon might be the ultimate thrill in angling, permit are the ultimate challenge… especially with fly tackle. “Permit are highly sensitive and can sense the slightest vibration. It’s the challenge of this hunt that makes it all worthwhile,” said Capt. Luke. “With little room for error, anglers must be precise and stealthy during their first attempt, as second chances rarely exist when targeting permit on fly. Considered by many as

the ultimate catch during a fly-fishing career, permit demand the best from anglers and guides.” Kelly said convincing a permit to take the hook is the most difficult aspect of the pursuit. They are abundant in the Lower Keys, especially during the late February through April prespawn, when 10- to 40-pounders invade the flats. The easiest way to hook one is to accurately present a live crab with light spinning tackle. Permit feed aggressively when they feel comfortable, Kelly said, but they spook easily. “Once alerted by boat or angler, that’s it, the jig is up,” he said, “and the permit never gives second chances.” The odds of a hook-up reduce dramatically for anglers who take up the challenge with an 8- to 10-weight fly rod. A good double-haul is required to achieve the long accurate casts necessary to put a shrimp or crab fly in front of a permit. From there, it’s up to the angler to give life to the fly during a short time-window of opportunity. “Proper technique found successful in hooking permit on fly varies greatly with any given situation,” Kelly said. “Permit eat a variety of different things, all of which act differently in the wild. Anglers must be willing to think outside the box at times when trying to fool this ultimate gamefish into eating something artificial… It boils down to a challenge, and should be viewed in no other way.” Contact Capt. Luke Kelly and Key Flat Charters for light tackle and fly fishing trips for tarpon, bonefish, permit and more. www. lowerkeysflatsfishing.com / (305) 304-3152 / keyflat@icloud.com.

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ast year, Hurricane Dorian devastated Grand Bahama and Abaco. The most destructive hurricane to ever hit The Bahamas, it destroyed homes and businesses and displaced thousands of people. After the dust settled, I got a lot of questions about how the marine environment and the fishery fared after such a powerful storm. As Bahamas initiative manager for Bonefish & Tarpon Trust (BTT), I keep an eye on such things. After several surveys, getting out fishing and hearing reports from other anglers, it appears the inshore and offshore fisheries weathered the storm well. There are plenty of big bonefish and permit on the flats, the reefs are full of snapper, hogfish and grouper, and the offshore tuna and mahi bite is great. The northern Bahamas remains one of the world’s foremost destinations for anglers. With lodging and charters recovering from the storm and Covid-19 restrictions beginning to ease, now is a good time to plan a trip. Fishing pressure is down, and the islands could certainly use an economic injection from anglers. One of the great things about these islands is there’s no need to travel far or break the bank for incredible fishing. The main islands of Abaco and Grand Bahama sit on the Little Bahama Bank and give access to more than 5,700 square miles of reefs and flats with an easy run to productive offshore waters. For a quick weekend or family trip, you can’t beat access by air or sea. Commercial flights are 45 minutes from Miami or Fort Lauderdale, and a boat ride is just two to four hours, depending on your destination. Fishing the northern Bahamas offers some of the greatest variety of sportfish anywhere in the world. In the same day, you can catch bonefish on the flats, spearfish the reefs for hogfish and lobster, and then head offshore after dolphin and tuna. SEASONS: Right now, the winter bite is on. High-speed trolling the dropoff is producing big wahoo. Spearfishing is also good for hogfish and lobster. Come spring, late-season wahoo will be around, and the dolphin and yellowfin bite really picks up. Blue and white marlin are also popular spring targets around Abaco, and bonefish and permit can be phenomenal on the flats. Summer is time for multi-day trips targeting tuna, hogfish, grouper, snappers, bonefish and permit. Deep dropping and spearfishing are particularly good in summer. MANGROVES: While the fishing remains stellar, mangroves were heavily impacted by Dorian. Mangrove habitat is an important nursery for many fish species, and it is vital to protect the coast from erosion and storms. BTT found that 70 percent of the mangroves on Grand Bahama and 40 percent on Abaco were lost to the storm. BTT is collaborating with Bahamas National Trust, Friends of the Environment and MANG to restore mangroves on Abaco and Grand Bahama. Check out www.bonefishtarpontrust.org for info on this project. Before making a trip to The Bahamas, visit www.bahamas.com for current information on access and checking in with customs. Fishing regulations are available at www.myoutislands.com.

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NOVEMBER 2020

NATIONAL 11

10/14/20 10:40 AM

FOLLOW BAIT AND WATER TEMPERATURE Tim Barefoot

ow is truly a transition time for a number of things including the number of daylight hours, water temps and the mass migration of baitfish. The number of daylight hours is a major signal to all species of fish from mullet to marlin and everything in between. Daylight hours decline by a minute or so a day until Dec. 20. Fish and bait understand this. They react accordingly by putting the feedbag on. Another important piece of the puzzle is dropping water temperatures. Every species in the ocean, from nearshore and offshore waters to the shallow marshes, reacts by working temperature breaks. Areas with dramatic thermal change will concentrate fish. When the cooler north/northwest winds start howling, distinct water temperature breaks will become more defined. Pelagics, bottom fish and the bait they pursue will all be affected. Bait like cigar minnows and sardines will gather in large schools. Everything we fish for looks forward to this buffet. Some of the best grouper bites I’ve ever encountered were on or near structure where huge stacks of baitfish were consolidated. But the bait is the most important part of the equation. As a matter of fact, I’ve been on some crazy good bites that were on slick flat sand bottom that held big stacks of bait. It’s pretty simple… find the bait; find the fish. Once gags, reds and scamps start their true spawning rituals, the bait becomes less important, but for right now, I’d focus on the food rather than simply the structure. It’s a given that the big spawning gags will key in on the best bottom, as long as it holds bait. However, grouper certainly follow these huge schools of bait around wherever they go. This is especially true for red grouper. They will follow the bait and almost disregard the ledges and structure.

Granted, a live cigar minnow is one of the most desirable baits of all time for grouper and big snapper, but a big live sardine is absolutely irresistible! It must be the oil content or the taste, but I’ll take a large live sardine on a Crab Decoy Jig over anything out there. I’m not discounting a live vermillion snapper (beeliner), though. Speaking of a live beeliner, don’t ever hesitate to put out a live beeliner on the light line for a smoking hot wahoo bite when anchored up bottom fishing. Bottom fishing and light lining or kite fishing is almost at the apex of the year, with December and the first few weeks of January being the best. Get out there and get after it!

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Charlotte/Piedmont

In This Issue…. • Profile of a Flathead Catfish • Local Fishing Forecasts • Brag Board • Estuarian Striped Bass Fishery Management • Back to Back • Fished Out • Deer Carcass Importation Restrictions

Billy Raines, Publisher TheAnglerMagCLT@gmail.com

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NOVEMBER 2020

CHARLOTTE/PIEDMONT 1

Profile of a Flathead Catfish An Eating Machine By Scott T. Fletcher

I recently read an article about a young man who pulled a 36-pound flathead catfish from the depths of Lake Wylie and it got me thinking about this beast. As the common name implies, this member of the catfish family has a distinctive flattened head like no other catfish. It also has a unique squared-off tail, as opposed to a forked tail, attached to a body that can grow to more than four feet long. In Greek, its scientific name, Pylodictis olivarus, essentially means mudfish and olive-colored. While the fish’s color varies based on environment, it is typically pale yellow and highly mottled and thus extremely cryptc and camouflaged; the perfect look for an effective and efficient ambush predator. Unlike most other catfish that are scavengers, flatheads prey primarily on live fish. Young flatties feed mostly on bottom worms, insects, and crayfish. When the fish reach at least ten-inches in length, they switch primarily to fish like shads, minnows, sunfish, and other catfish breeds such as bullheads. I once watched a large flathead inhale an eight-inch bream as the clueless fish swam by a tangle of downed trees on High Rock Lake. Flatties prefer sluggish, deep pools of streams, rivers, and reservoirs like those on lakes Norman, Wylie, Baden, High Rock, Tuckertown and Tillery. In these areas, they have out-competed native fish species such as snail and flat bullheads, causing those populations to sharply decline. The fish is native to the Mississippi River basin, including the Tennessee River drainage in western North Carolina. The rest of the Carolinas have a non-native population first documented in 1964-65. With their super appetities, flatheads can become the predominant predator in a waterbody within 15 years of introduction. Thus, anglers should not move flatheads from one waterbody to another.

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The fish reaches maturity between the third and sixth year and spawn in late May through July, as the water temperatures reach 75-80oF. Males select bank cavities and undercuts, hollow logs, submerged debris piles, and bridge pilings for their nest sites. Females are estimated to then lay 1,200 eggs for every pound she weighs. Thus, a 30-pound fish could lay 36,000 eggs. However, only a small fraction survive or grow to be adults. The averge life span of the fish is about 12-14 years, but some live up to 25 years. As mentioned, these fish can reach immense sizes for a freshwater fish and they are known for a strong and stubborn arm-wrenching battle. A NC state record flathead was just caught on a live sunfish in the Neuse River, weighing out at 78.9 pounds and 52-inches in length. For a flathead to qualify for the NC Angler Recognition Program (NCARP) the fish needs to be 30 pounds or 41 inches. The SC state record is 84 pounds, 9.6 ounces and was caught on the Cooper River in 2018. The current world record is a whopping 123 pounds, 9 ounces dragged-out of the Elk City Reservoir in Kansas. For more information on the NC and SC Angler Recognition Programs, state records, and other fish facts see: • https://www.ncwildlife.org (NCWRC-Fishing) • https://www.dnr.sc.gov (SCDNR -Fishing)

Scott T. Fletcher is a certified wildlife biologist, conservationist, and outdoor enthusiast.

123 W Broad St * Statesville, NC 28677 * 704.871.1444 1-40 exit 150, S one mile or 1-77 exit 50, W 1 mile approx

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CHARLOTTE/PIEDMONT 3

FRESHWATER FORECAS

Forecast for Lake Norman By: Captain Craig Price

November, aka “primetime” for active stripers, hybrids, bass, i.e. most local gamefish, is finally here. Sure, October is usually a beautiful month when the heat of summer begins to give way to fall, but warm weather and relatively high temperatures (air and water) can persist through the month. November has historically been the month when shorter days and stronger cold fronts push water temps down, and the winter “feed up” becomes more consistent. Water temperatures should be in the high 60’s(F) early in the month falling to the upper 50’S range by months end. This is the comfort zone for bait and predators alike. The forage will be balled up after October’s full moon, and under attack by all species of gamefish. This activity can occur in many places as November progresses – long points and adjacent pockets near major creek mouths early in the month; then halfway back to all the way back in major creek channels later in November; points and humps along the main river channel throughout the month; on or near brushpiles in 15-35 ft. of water and under or around bridges at any time. So how do you know where to start your search each day? First, a cooperative network of fellow anglers who you can share dependable info with is important. Lake Norman is a big place and one can only be in one area at a time.

I prefer bullet or darter heads because of the water flow they create down the side of the bait. I also use tandem bucktail rigs and crankbaits at times. I may weight any of the above rigs, if necessary, to get them to the target depth. Usually I deploy them from just under the surface down to 25-30 ft. Finally, keeping one or more casting rods ready to cast to bustin’ fish is a must. Don’t let the cooler temps and winds of November keep you off the water. Get the right foul weather gear and join the fray while primetime for some of the year’s best catching is here. Fish On!

Capt. Craig Price is locally born and raised, and has been fishing the Catawba River and its impoundments since the 1960’s. As his guide business has grown, his area of operations has also grown to include numerous freshwater lakes in NC & SC, plus inshore saltwater charters along the coasts of both states. Capt. Craig is a master rated USCG licensed captain, fully insured, and trained in first aid/CPR. Visit www.fishonguideservices.com or call 704-9960946 to book your fishing adventure today.

Second, November is when sea birds, terns and gulls, show up and take advantage of feeding opportunities created by active gamefish pushing bait to the surface. Ospreys, even crows, can also be useful for locating bait and fish. Areas where these birds are active are always worth observing, and usually worth fishing. Learn to interpret the birds’ actions and use their type and size to ascertain the size of the bait they’re picking up. This info can be critical to matching the hatch with lure selection. Wind direction is also useful to help you decide where to look for active gamefish. During a sustained wind, look for activity along windward banks and in exposed coves or pockets. The wind pushes bait against these windward banks and also stirs up other bottom dwelling organisms. The longer the wind blows in a given direction, the more pronounced the effect can be. Wind “rips” can also be productive. These areas, often at the end of a point, are where the water flow transitions from blowing, to calm on the lee side of the structure. Predators like to lay out of the current and wait for bait to sweep by. As for how to catch November’s aggressive fish, live bait is a great option before the water gets too cold. Keeping bait fresh and lively is relatively easy in November’s water temps. Fresh shad, herring, or alewives fished from the surface down to 35 ft. or so can produce big creels. Let your sonar, the time of day, and light conditions dictate your deployment. Store bought shiners can also be effective if you don’t have the wherewithal to catch and keep shad. I typically begin trolling artificials near the end of November. Trolling speeds are 1.5-3 mph vs. 0.5-1 mph for live bait so this is a great way to cover larger areas of water. Multi-hook rigs with 3-4” swimbaits on 1/16 -1/4 oz. jigheads have become traditional. 4 CHARLOTTE/PIEDMONT

NOVEMBER 2020

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CHARLOTTE/PIEDMONT 5

FRESHWATER FORECAS

Forecast for Lake Wylie By: Phillip Rizzitello

November is here and finally a break from the heat and recreational boat traffic! This is probably my favorite time of the year to target fish. The water temperature is pretty much perfect. I prefer mornings right now as the fish seem to respond really well to the warming of the water as the sun comes up. Bank fishers; now is your time to shine, as the fish won’t be holding consistently as deep. A common question I receive and see online a lot is where to bank fish. McDowell Park is a great place to fish and even with a boat I find myself there many times. Ebenezer Park isn’t currently open, but they are renovating the park and adding a large fishing pier and it’s coming along great. Other than that, as far as public access, you’re pretty much limited to boat ramp banks. Keep in mind they are boat ramps and not fishing piers so do not impede boaters, trailers or parking spots designated for boats. I’ve been catching bass on pretty much anything shad colored, shaped or that mimics them. Depth varies and just depends on temperature, weather and time of day. My go-to is a medium diving crank bait and play with different retrieval speeds. Crappie can pretty much be caught anywhere on the lake by long lining. Depth also varies, so I run a few different depths until there

is a common depth. As always, live bait is king. While fishing for crappie, you’re bound to run into schools of white perch and they will pretty much eat anything you throw at them, and I do mean anything. Catfish, I usually have a few rods on the bottom with a typical style santee rig and a few mid water column. The beauty of catfish is they will eat pretty much anything. However, that doesn’t mean it’s necessarily a good bait. Fresh cut bait is king, but in a pinch chicken or livers will get the job done just fine. Try punch bait for numbers and cut bait for size. No matter what you do, don’t get frustrated. It’s called fishing not catching. Be open minded to learn and experiment with new lures, techniques and equipment. Guides are no exception. No matter how seasoned you may be, you are never too good to stop learning. The biggest key is just soak in the experience have fun and just enjoy the great outdoors.

Visit www.rizzsoutdoors.com or call 803-230-6309 to book your fishing trip with Captain Phillip Rizzitello.

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6 CHARLOTTE/PIEDMONT

NOVEMBER 2020

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CHARLOTTE/PIEDMONT 7

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CHARLOTTE/PIEDMONT 9

Estuarine Striped Bass Fishery Management By: Charlton Godwin, NC Wildlife Resources Commission

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries and N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission are developing Amendment 2 to the N.C. Estuarine Striped Bass Fishery Management Plan. The Division of Marine Fisheries will hold a public scoping period Nov. 2-15, 2020 to solicit public comments on potential management strategies for the upcoming amendment. There are two geographic management units included in Amendment 2. The northern geographic management unit comprises two harvest management areas: the Albemarle Sound Management Area and the Roanoke River Management Area. The southern geographic management unit is the Central Southern Management Area (CSMA) and includes all internal coastal, joint, and contiguous inland waters of North Carolina south of the Albemarle Sound Management Area to the South Carolina state line. The primary management strategy for Amendment 2 is long-term sustainable harvest in the estuarine striped bass fisheries. The benchmark assessment for the Albemarle Sound-Roanoke River stock indicates the striped bass resource is overfished and overfishing is occurring. There is no stock status determination for the CSMA stocks. Continuous stocking efforts and lack of natural recruitment in these waters prevent the use of traditional stock assessment techniques. A scoping document outlining the potential management strategies can be found on the division's Information on Estuarine Striped Bass Amendment webpage. Beginning Nov. 2, members of the public may submit written comments through an online form or through the mail to N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, Striped Bass Scoping, P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, N.C. 28557. Comments must be posted online or be received by the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries by 5 p.m. Nov. 15, 2020. Also, fisheries stakeholders can provide live comments at two scoping meetings that will be held via web conference Nov. 5 and Nov. 9. Both web meetings will begin at 6 p.m. and end on schedule at 8 p.m. The public may join the meetings online; however, those who wish to comment during the meeting must register to speak by noon on the day of the meeting. Individuals will be allotted three minutes each for comment on a first-come-first-served basis. Comments will continue in order of registration and be balanced across management areas. Links to the scoping document, public comment questionnaire, and meeting information can be found on the division’s Information on Estuarine Striped Bass Amendment webpage.

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Fished Out: Finding Success with Pressured Fish By: Ryan Wilson

I hate to be the one to break it to you, but the secret is out. While there was once a time when the choicest trout spots could be held close to the vest, that time is over (mostly). The word has spread on just how great the fishing is on NC Delayed Harvest trout streams. From a fish population, size and accessibility perspective, Carolina fly anglers are about as spoiled as they come. The second edge to that sword, however, is that other people have found out about it and those people have fly rods too. While there are certainly some things an angler can do to help avoid crowds, like fishing during the week, fishing marginal water rather than obvious pools and taking advantage of crappy weather, the fact is, no DH stream is that hard to find and popular spots are popular for a reason. For most of us, it is inevitable that at some point, we’re going to have to cast to highly pressured fish. Fishing pressure can be both gradual and acute. Gradual pressure happens over the course of the season. Those hatchery bozos become accustomed to the same prince nymph/ squirmy worm combo drifting by time after time and become more selective. Acute fishing pressure refers to what these fish have seen today. Both types of pressure will mean that you’ve got to improve your game if you want to be successful. When entering a pool that another angler has just vacated, it might make sense to not cast for a few minutes. You can position yourself, fiddle with your gear and otherwise observe what’s going on, but allow the spot to rest for 10-15 minutes before tossing right in. DH trout don’t take too long to get over an angler intrusion, but they do require some time to get comfortable. When approaching pressured fish, your fundamentals must be on point. Make as little disturbance as possible when moving through the water and making your casts. You’ll blend in better by wearing neutral colors and planning out your approach. Keep your rig organized and avoid making too many false casts. If you make a poor cast, allow the drift to finish rather than picking the line off the water too soon and spooking your fish. Fluorocarbon tippet is a necessity. Fluorocarbon doesn’t catch light like standard monofilament and is therefore much lower visibility under the surface. The extra couple of fish you’ll hook will absolutely be worth the extra couple of bucks you spend on the spool. For most applications 5X will get the job done, but I recommend 6X or even 7X for those that can tie a good knot and know how to fight fish on light line. Although your fly selection shouldn’t change drastically, consider going up or down a size. Finicky trout will often still take much smaller nymphs, because most anglers aren’t using them regularly. Oversize flies, on the other hand might present that fish with an opportunity that’s just too good to pass up. The trick here is to not overthink your fly selection. Your favorite pattern works because it looks like what fish want to eat. Stick to that principle and just tweak the execution enough to separate yourself from the crowd. Rather than digging through your box to find that magic fly, your time will be better spent adjusting your rig. Adding or removing weight, sliding your indicator and adjusting your drift will drastically change the way that your fly is presented to a fish. Experiment with these different presentations until you find the combination that works for you. In general, your goal should be to get your flies as close to the bottom of the water column as possible, without constantly snagging the streambed.

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Although fishing pressure can absolutely have an impact on a trout’s eagerness to take flies, the bottom line is that I rarely let it dictate how I approach a stream. Even if a spot appears to have been “worn out” it’s unlikely that it really has been. It’s the rare angler that will be able to hook every fish in a given spot and it’s almost a certainty that any spot you approach will have some fresh targets. By keeping your fundamentals solid, using good sense & stream etiquette and allowing yourself to be creative with your presentation, you’ll undoubtedly have plenty of success on those not so secret honey holes.

Don’t forget to book your guided fly fishing trip today!

Ryan Wilson is the Owner and Operator of Madison River Fly Fishing Outfitters in Cornelius, NC. If you’d like help making the most of your time on the water, please contact him at madisonriverflyfishing@gmail.com or call at (704) 896-3676. Check us out on Facebook: Madison River Fly Fishing Outfitters or on the Web: www.carolinaflyfishing.com

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CHARLOTTE/PIEDMONT 13

BACK TO BACK By: Chris Goodwin

This year has been a wild ride for everyone, and the fishing community was no exception. Despite the pandemic causing some boat ramps to close, tournaments to be cancelled and other frustrating obstacles, the fishing community actually grew. An escape was needed and for many, fishing was the answer. While some anglers prioritized more time on the water with a rod in their hand because of current events, my plans for fishing in 2020 began long before any of the craziness showed up.

The end of the year typically signifies time to relax and enjoy the short off season without the pressures of an upcoming tournament. Not having to travel multiple hours for events sure is nice, and any time on the water is just for fun. After almost an entire year of tournaments in 2019, many were ready for a break… but not me. I already had specific goals in mind for fishing in 2020 and just like the year before, I wrote them all down. It may seem insignificant, but I believe that this set the tone for me to win Queen City Kayak Bass Fishing (QCKBF) Angler of the Year (AOY) both years. Writing things down obviously isn’t going to do it alone, so I also wanted to make improvements both in my fishing ability/decision making as well as some of the equipment I was using. I decided to make a change with the kayak I was fishing out of and the staff at Great Outdoor Provision Co. in Charlotte helped me upgrade to a Hobie PA14 360. I already loved my first PA14, but being able to pedal in any direction was going to be a game changer. 2020 also brought added support from some amazing companies. I was honored to join the pro staff team for the locally owned Bizz Baits soft plastics company as well as Robo Hawk leashes to protect my phone and other important gear on the water. I also went strictly to using another local company, True South Custom Lures, for all of my lead/ wire style baits. Using the highest quality lures/baits gave me the confidence I needed to succeed in any situation. I started off 2020 really well with a couple top 3 finishes which was a nice surprise compared to last year. With the Hobie Bass Open Series coming to Lake Norman for the prespawn my confidence was high even though I would be competing against the top kayak anglers in the country. I found an area in practice that produced some big fish but not numbers. I knew it would be a gamble but their size meant I had a chance to win. When tournament day came I was shocked to see my ramp FULL of anglers and after speaking to them it was clear that area had been absolutely burned up the days leading to the event. The first hint of doubt crept in because I was not sure the area had enough quality fish to support this many anglers over 2 days. I still believed I could overcome it by covering enough water, but mother nature decided to teach me a big lesson that day. All my fish in practice were caught in shallow dirty water. As the sun came up I quickly realized the water that was muddy for almost 2 weeks straight had cleared up significantly. Being stubborn, I stuck with my plan to power fish shallow and the big fish I caught in practice were nowhere to be found. With plenty of smaller fish biting, I was late to realize the bigger fish had moved back off the bank in that area. Despite beds already being seen on the lower lake, these fish were not quite ready to 14 CHARLOTTE/PIEDMONT

NOVEMBER 2020

commit to being that shallow for the spawn. I now had quantity and no quality which ended my hopes of a great finish. Little did I know this would be the first of many humbling tournaments where mother nature would throw a big audible just before a tournament and if I didn’t learn how to make better decisions I had no chance at repeating AOY for 2020. I followed up that disaster with a 2nd place at Lake Hickory where I had a blast bed fishing and then another terrible finish on flooded home waters. With our trail counting your best 7 of 9 events I still felt pretty good going into the middle of the season since I typically fish better as the year goes on. Unfortunately, it wouldn’t be that simple as multiple times throughout the year I found areas with plenty of winning quality fish only to struggle on tournament day. I went into the last event confident, but fully aware that two of the best anglers in the club were right there with me at the top of the standings. With two bombs, four top 3’s and a couple inside the top 15, I was slowly losing ground as they both continued to put together great finishes. Queen City Kayak Bass Fishing has some of the best kayak anglers in the Carolinas with many members having top finishes at national tournaments. With how well Vinny Ferreri and his team run the events, it’s no surprise how much we’ve grown averaging over 90 anglers an event. QCKBF has never had a repeat AOY but that was guaranteed to change this year as the three of us in contention had all won it before. On the morning of our last tournament, I made a last minute change in my plans and it paid off almost immediately. I caught a big small mouth in the first 10 minutes followed by a flurry of smaller/medium sized fish and finally a big largemouth. I culled once more an hour later and would not catch another keeper the rest of the tournament. At the end of the day, my fish from that morning were enough for 3rd out of 79 on a day when many anglers struggled. It gave me the points to win back to back QCKBF Angler of the Year and brings me to writing this article again roughly a year after I reviewed the 2019 season. You can look back on any year and speculate how small decisions affected the outcome of the season but there’s really no way to tell what else would or could have happened. What I do know is that I would not be writing this article if it wasn’t for focused preparation, the right mind set, gear/lures I have confidence in, a girlfriend who supports my passion for tournament fishing and of course, plenty of luck.

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NOVEMBER 2020

CHARLOTTE/PIEDMONT 15

Wildlife Commission Reminds Hunters of Deer Carcass Importation Restrictions By: Jodie Owen

With deer season here, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission reminds hunters that the importation of whole deer carcasses is prohibited and that strict processing and packaging regulations must be followed to import specific carcass parts from anywhere outside of North Carolina. These deer carcass importation restrictions apply to every state, including South Carolina, which was partially exempt from restrictions in 2019, as well as any foreign country, to help prevent the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) into the state. CWD is a transmissible, always fatal, neurological disease that affects deer and other cervids such as elk, moose and reindeer/caribou. Anyone transporting cervid carcass parts into North Carolina must follow processing and packaging regulations, which only allow the importation of: • Meat that has been boned out such that no pieces or fragments of bone remain; • Caped hides with no part of the skull or spinal column attached; • Antlers, antlers attached to cleaned skull plates, or cleaned skulls free from meat, or brain tissue; • Cleaned lower jawbone(s) with teeth or cleaned teeth; or • Finished taxidermy products and tanned hides. Additionally, all carcass parts or containers of cervid meat or carcass parts must be labeled or identified with the: • Name and address of individual importing carcass parts; • State, Canadian province, or foreign country of origin; • Date the cervid was killed; and • Hunter’s license number, permit number, or equivalent identification from the state, Canadian province, or foreign country of origin. “To the greatest extent possible, the current restrictions minimize the risk of hunters unknowingly bringing CWD into North Carolina by applying an importation ban of high-risk cervid carcass parts from anywhere outside of the state,” said Jonathan Shaw, the agency’s deer biologist. “Essentially, all deer parts brought into the state should be consumable or kept as a trophy and not discarded on the landscape.” Most states, including North Carolina, have special processing/ packaging rules for anyone returning with a deer, elk, moose or reindeer/caribou taken in another state or province. All hunters traveling out of state to hunt, should know the rules of their home state as well as the rules for the states they are traveling through. CWD has not been detected in North Carolina but continues to be transferred great distances at an accelerated rate across the continent. Currently, 26 states, including two states bordering North Carolina — Virginia and Tennessee — have confirmed cases of CWD in their wild white-tailed deer herds. “In addition to carcass importation restrictions, the Wildlife Commission’s efforts to protect the state’s herd focus on an active and robust surveillance program for early detection of CWD, and a response plan to guide immediate agency actions to combat CWD if it is detected in the state,” Shaw said. About Chronic Wasting Disease Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) disease in deer, elk, moose and reindeer/caribou and is always fatal. The source of the disease is an abnormal prion (a form of protein) that collects in, and eventually destroys the animal’s brain cells. Once infected, it can take over 16 months for clinical signs 16 CHARLOTTE/PIEDMONT

NOVEMBER 2020

to develop, and individuals appear healthy for most of the infection period. Due to the neurological effects of the disease, deer in the final stages of the CWD may exhibit several signs including: weight loss, listlessness and lack of coordination, drooling, drinking lots of water and increased urination. To date there have been no reported cases of CWD infection in people. However, in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control guidelines, the Commission recommends people do NOT eat: • Meat from a deer that looks sick • Any of the following organs: brain, eyes, spinal cord, spleen, tonsils and lymph nodes* • Any meat from an animal that tests positive for the disease *Normal field dressing coupled with boning out a carcass will remove most (if not all) of these body parts. Cutting away all fatty tissue will remove remaining lymph nodes. How To Prep a Deer (Cape and Skull Plate) for Importation to North Carolina To help hunters better understand how to comply with new regulations, the Commission has posted a video “Preparing a Harvested Deer for Importation to NC,” on its YouTube Channel, which features a demonstration by Taxidermist D. Price of Outback Taxidermy on preparation of a deer carcass for importation into the state. For more information about CWD, visit the Commission’s CWD web page.

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NOVEMBER 2020

It’s Sailfish Season! S

PHOTO COURTESY OF WEST PALM BEACH FISHING CLUB

W FOR YOUR O N E V R E RES CAPE!!! WINTER ES

ailfish are a target year-round off the Atlantic Coast of Florida, but the best action should kick off this month and improve progressively with each passing cold front as more migratory fish arrive to spend winter off the coast of central and south Florida. November is the traditional start to the season, when sailfish from the north follow migrating baitfish into Florida waters to join the resident population. By December and January, it is estimated that more than a million sailfish arrive to overwinter, and that’s when top sailfish boats report dozens of releases in a single day. It sparks a mini tourism boom when anglers—rather than beachgoers— descend upon central and south Florida. Charter boats book up in a hurry this time of year. If you haven’t already planned your trip, it might be too late. Booking a jam-up sailfish trip is made more difficult by the specialized conditions it takes to bring out the best action. Everyone is looking for tailing conditions after the passage of a cold front. Sailfish move high in the water column and feed aggressively when a north wind clashes with the prevailing current to kick up swells in the Gulf Stream. Some say that the rougher the conditions are, the better the fishing is. It’s a good time of year to have a big boat, but even smaller vessels can get in on the action where the Gulf Stream swings closest to shore. Carefully watching the weather and timing a trip to get out as soon as conditions begin to subside strikes that fine balance between safety and catching sailfish. Tactics differ depending on conditions and location. Some troll a spread of teasers and dead ballyhoo. Slow-trolled or drifted live baits can also be remarkably productive in some situations. The preferred method for many is kite fishing with live baits, because it is effective and exciting. A kite is deployed trailing live baits, typically bridled goggle-eyes, threadfin herring or other hearty baitfish. The kite keeps baits near the surface, and most of the leaders and tackle are suspended above the water. On approach, anglers might see the fin or bill circle the bait. On the take, everything goes into overdrive with the legendary speed and aerobatics of a hooked sailfish. This time of year, it is a scene that takes place multiple times a day, and sometimes with multiple fish at the same time. Rough weather is a good time to be on the water when the sailfish descend on the Florida coast.

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NOVEMBER 2020

NATIONAL 15

It’s Tuna Time In Tuna Town V

enice Marina is the jumping-off point to some of the best fishing in the world. Known as “Tuna Town,” this southern Louisiana meeting place of the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico features endless branches of bayou waterways that give way to a Gulf peppered with oil rigs and other world-famous offshore structure. It is an incredible ecosystem for fish to thrive in. There are also very few marinas with easy access to this fishery, which means a phenomenal array of fish species are plentiful, oversized and underfished. It is truly like going back in time. This time of year, Tuna Town is aptly nicknamed. Autumn is shrimp-boat season in Venice, and it is arguably one of the best times to fish for tuna. In the summer, you might run many miles offshore in search of yellowfin tuna, bouncing from rig to rig or finding prime schools breaching under frigate birds in open water. With a 24-mile run down the Mississippi River just to reach Gulf waters, the summertime gas-bill can definitely take a bite out of your wallet. In fall, when these yellow-sickled beasts school behind shrimp boats, you will find yourself in a “Nat Geo” type situation within 300 feet of water, which out of Venice is only a few miles from the shore. At the shrimp boats, you must convince the shrimpers to give you bycatch. Trade is king in this situation, but not all the crews are after the same thing. Bringing a case of cheap beer is standard practice, but sometimes they request something different like soda, energy drinks or even hooks and monofilament. Sometimes, you will get lucky and the shrimpers will toss bags of stinky gold onto your boat. But more times than not, your mate will have to board them. The captain will pull up right behind their

16 NATIONAL

NOVEMBER 2020

By Capt. Quinlyn Haddon

vessel, and the deckhand has to leap from the bow and grab the tires that hang off the back of the shrimp boat and scurry aboard to avoid being pinned between the boats. Once the deckhand has filled a few sacks of bycatch, they make the leap back onto your boat. I have personally done this many times, and all I have to say is, please don’t forget to tip your mates! The idea is to pull up next to a shrimp boat and chum so hard that you pull up a school of fish as you drift back. As you continuously throw chum in the water, you will see yellowfin tuna rolling out from underneath your boat to devour each piece. Your lines will be out of the water as you hand-feed the tuna and take inventory of fish collected under the boat. When you see the one you want cycle through the feeding pattern, that’s when you toss out bait with a hook in it. It sounds easy enough, but tuna aren’t the only fish that school behind shrimp boats. Buckle-up, because you’ll have to land that fish in the midst of a sharknado. The sharks can be so thick, that as the crew we’ve had to ask clients if they wanted to fight fish or eat fish and had to land a few tuna for them. This type of fishing is incredible to witness for anyone, but is truly better suited to a more seasoned anglers. Shrimp-boat season is completely worth the trip to Venice, but the weather can get a little nasty in the fall. You are likely to encounter a few days in a row that are unfishable offshore this time of year, so allow yourself a few extra days of availability. You can always check out the equally epic inshore fishery if you have to wait it out. Capt. Quinlyn Haddon now fishes out of St. Petersburg, Fla. with Reel Lucky Fishing Charters. Their charters are available for offshore, nearshore, inshore and customizable from anything in between. Call or text the owner, Capt. Joseph Dephillips, at (727) 557-7829.

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NATIONAL 17

J.O. SPICE COMPANY CELEBRATES 75 YEARS AND 4 GENERATIONS

teamed blue crabs seasoned with J.O. No.2 or a custom blend that J.O. manufactures is the flavor people experience at crab establishments all over. Most people credit this crab house seasoning to another product but J.O. has been the crab houses’ seasoning of choice since 1945. J.O. Spice, started by J.O. (James Ozzle) Strigle and his wife Dot in Baltimore City in 1945, is celebrating its 75th Anniversary. A native of Tangier Island, Va., J.O. Strigle brought the seafood spice blend he created in his kitchen on the island to Maryland. Jane McPhaul, J.O.’s daughter took over operations of the family business in the late eighties while her son, Don Ports, was serving in the Marine Corps. In 1990 Don joined his mother in the family business with a vision to expand. In the summer of 1991 Don met his spice girl, Ginger, with the pick up line, “you’re destined to be mine; you’re named for a spice,” said J.O. Spice Company president Don Ports to wife Ginger Ports the moment they met. Twenty eight years later, Don and Ginger- alongside their children Brittany, Tyler and Bethany, are continuing the family traditions of quality seasonings, spices, and more at reasonable prices at their Halethorpe based J.O. Spice Company. “We can provide crab houses everything they need for the crab eating experience, minus the crabs”, Don says. The company added crab boxes, crab paper, bushel baskets, crab knives, crab mallets and a variety of other items to their offerings. “We purchased our first laser engraver and that opened the door to the retail gift world and personalized options,” Don says. J.O. specializes in custom blended seasonings for pizza companies, pit beef stands, butchers, potato chip companies and more. We are more than seafood seasonings. “My children, the fourth generation, and our amazing team work side-by-side to make all of this happen,” Ginger says. “At J.O., we are all family who enjoy working with so many other family businesses. We are blessed.” Please visit us at jospices.com.

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FISH BEWARE! CHawk 23

Idaho Producing Monster Yellowstone Cutthroats

Models Available 18-29 Feet

ellowstone cutthroat trout longer than 30 inches are exceedingly rare, but that hasn’t stopped Idaho anglers from besting that mark twice in the last few months. On Sept. 8, Nate Burr, a fly fishing guide from Rexburg, Idaho, caught a 31-inch Yellowstone cutthroat that beat the 30.5-inch state length record set in August. Both fish came from the Snake River. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game reported that Burr and a buddy had been fly fishing the Snake River for three days, looking for big trout without much success. As evening set in on the third day of slow fishing, their luck changed as a huge trout smashed Burr’s fly. “It was one of those brutally slow days,” Burr said. “Hunting big trout on streamers means a day on the water can go from zero to 100 in a split second. That was exactly the case with this fish.” After chasing the hooked trout for nearly half a mile downstream in a driftboat, the pair managed to finally scoop the fish with a landing net. After taking a quick photo and reviving the fish, Burr released the huge trout back into the Snake River, securing his name in the record books.

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NATIONAL 19

FORCE ISC™ 10K B2

BIG BASS AT CLEAR LAKE, CALIFORNIA

PHOTO COURTESY OF CHRISCHILDERSBASSGUIDE.COM

ass anglers looking for a destination fishery worth travelling to would be hard-pressed to find a better one than California’s Clear Lake. With all the historic bass fishing powerhouses in the South and the rise of awesome Northern smallmouth fisheries like the St. Lawrence River, it’s worth asking why anyone would travel to the West Coast to go bass fishing. The answer is simple: Clear Lake is home to an abundance of large bass, and its location in California’s gorgeous wine country makes it worth a visit even if the fishing wasn’t so great. And the fishing is great. According to California studies, Clear Lake has more fish per acre than any other lake in the country. Couple that with tournament data from B.A.S.S., and the fishery looks even more attractive. Tournament statistics show the average Clear Lake fish weighed 5 pounds in competition sacks last year. With high catch rates and average fish that weigh 5 pounds, competent anglers can expect to target lots of large fish. A 16-plus-pounder was the highlight of 2019. The lake record is 17 ½ pounds. Clear Lake is a 43,000-acre natural lake about two hours north of Sacramento. Stockings of Florida strain largemouth along with northern largemouth has created a fishery renowned for quality and quantity. About 100 miles of shoreline are littered with docks, piers, pilings and other manmade structure. Humps, boulders, brush piles and an abundance of aquatic vegetation provide plenty of natural cover and structure. For information, go to www.californiasgreatestlakes.com.

20 NATIONAL

NOVEMBER 2020

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AR IA

GULF SNAPPER Three Times More Abundant Than Previously Thought

ou can bet there are a bunch of Gulf charter captains out there right now bellowing an emphatic, “I told you so!” In early October, preliminary findings of the Great Red Snapper Count were presented to Congress with results that indicate up to three times as many red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico than was previously thought. This unprecedented study was led by the Harte Research Institute and provides an independent and robust assessment of Gulf of Mexico red snapper stock abundance. It shines an additional spotlight on how inadequate data was used to all but shut down one of the most popular recreational fisheries in the world. The state-of-the-art study was funded through a $10 million Congressional appropriation, championed by Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) in 2016 and awarded by Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant. The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) was an early proponent of this study. Over a two-year period, 21 scientists used a comprehensive suite of methods on high relief areas, like natural and artificial structures, and low relief areas, such as sand or mud bottom, to arrive at the absolute abundance estimate. Approximately two-thirds of the Gulf red snapper population was found to inhabit these low relief areas, which have not been historically sampled. “The Great Red Snapper Count results validate what the recreational fishing community has long said – that there are a lot more red snapper in the Gulf than have been reflected in recent stock assessments,” said Kellie Ralston, ASA’s Southeast Fisheries Policy director. “We are grateful for the excellent scientific work by the Harte Research Institute and its partners, as well as Senator Shelby for recognizing the need to fund such a ground-breaking study.” With an interim analysis of stock abundance expected for the Gulf in early 2021, NOAA has indicated it will incorporate the Great Red Snapper Count’s findings into its interim stock assessment. Hopefully that will lead to off-the-charts snapper fishing next summer!

Insist on Only the Best Cast Net for Grabbing Your Bait America’s #1 Cast Net Choice, Year After Year America’s Best

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NOVEMBER 2020

NATIONAL 21

DESTINATIONS FOR WINTER TROUT

Karl Eckberg with a delayed harvest trout from South Carolina’s Chauga River.

By Nick Carter

or trout anglers, the next few months offer some of the best catch-andrelease fishing of the year. Delayed harvest (DH) waters are regulated by the states to carry us through to spring with heavy stockings and catchand-release, artificial-only fishing geared toward fly fishers. Here’s a look at a couple good DH options.

About an hour and a half west of Greenville, the Chauga flows a ridge east of the well-known Chattooga River. That’s part of what makes the Chauga such a great option during South Carolina’s Nov. 1-May 14 DH season. The Chattooga draws most of the fishing pressure, allowing the Chauga to fly under the radar. The Chauga fishes just like the Chattooga, only a little smaller, said Karl Eckberg of Chattooga River Fly Shop. The river’s ledges, drop-offs, deep river-bend holes and an abundance of riffle water hold rainbows, browns and brookies. There are only two access points to the DH stretch. Despite a good trail, Ekberg said the middle portion of the specially regulated water hardly gets touched. Early in the season, freshly stocked trout are suckers for the “big flashy and rubbery stuff,” said Ekberg. Load your box with Mop Flies, Y2Ks, Squirmy Worms and Gummy Worms. Micro streamers become more important as the season progresses, but fall and winter also offer hatches of midges, bluewinged olives and little black stoneflies.

NANTAHALA RIVER, NORTH CAROLINA

The upper Nantahala River’s 4-mile DH section is like a high-elevation trout stream without the hike. About 20 minutes southeast of Bryson City, Wayah Road hugs the upper Nantahala, giving no-hassle access to miles of riffles and pocket water, big bridge holes, gorges and deep plunge pools. The drawback to this situation is fishing pressure. Roadside pullouts fill up when the weather is nice during the October into June DH season. Stocked trout learn to spot a fake pretty quickly, so the fishing can be challenging. There are good numbers of standard hatchery-sized rainbows, browns and brook trout. Big fish are known to stake claim to the best holding water. For a few days after a stocking, the usual flashy “junk food” flies are effective, but Nantahala fish switch to more natural behaviors in a hurry. Fall and winter bring out winter stoneflies, blue-winged olives, midges and maybe even a few small caddis. Spring ushers in a riot of bug life and excellent dry fly fishing.

The Return of a

CHAUGA RIVER, SOUTH CAROLINA

The Chauga River is one of several good backcountry streams in Upstate South Carolina. It features some 20 miles of remote, lightly pressured water known for brown trout. This time of year, the Chauga’s 3-mile-long DH stretch is where it’s at.

Nick Carter is the author of “Flyfisher’s Guide to North Carolina & Georgia.” It is available on Amazon.com, and autographed copies are available by emailing the author at nsc8957@gmail.com.

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10/8/20 12:17 PM

Flip Flip Hooray! A perfect symbol of fun in the sun for only $79

ere’s a memorable beach moment: You’re basking in the warm sun, toes in the sand, letting the gentle turn of the foam-capped waves lull you into a state of complete relaxation. As your eyes scan the endless horizon of blue on blue, you’re rewarded with a school of dolphins making their way across the sea. There’s no denying their signature shape as they leap from the water. If you don’t see anything else extraordinary the rest of day, you can take solace knowing you’ve witnessed one of nature’s most playful and intelligent creatures in their natural habitat. Why not recreate that special toes-in-the-sand moment with our Blue Topaz Dolphin Pendant? The beloved sea mammal has been captured mid-jump in sterling silver. And, tucked into its fins is a full two carats of shimmering blue topaz. Nothing captures the shimmering color of the ocean in the midday sun like blue topaz. With its sparkling clear blue color and high refractive index, blue topaz is one of the top-selling blue gemstones. And with our special price, you have quite the catch. Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back. Enjoy the Blue Topaz Dolphin Pendant for 30 days. If it doesn’t pass the test swimmingly, send it back for a full refund of the item price.

A full two carats of shimmering blue topaz set in sterling silver

Limited Reserves. A full two carats of genuine blue topaz set in sterling silver for this price is as rare as a dolphin sighting. We cannot guarantee availability for long. Call today!

Limited to the first 1900 responders to this ad only! To show exquisite details, pendant shown is not exact size. Chain sold separately.

“Enormously popular, significantly intelligent and scientifically sophisticated, dolphins are amidst the most beloved animals among people.” — Dolphins-World

Blue Topaz Dolphin Pendant non-offer code price $395 † Offer Code Price Only $79 + S&P Save $316!

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“This sterling silver dolphin is absolutely beautiful and the blue topaz is like the color of the ocean”

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† Special price only for customers using the offer code versus the price on Stauer.com without your offer code.

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® 14101 Southcross Drive W., Ste 155, Dept. DPP292-01, Burnsville, Minnesota 55337

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• 2 ctw blue topaz; ½ ctw Ultimate Diamond Alternative®, DiamondAura® • .925 sterling silver setting • Sterling silver chain sold separately

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Bad to the Bone Full tang stainless steel blade with natural bone handle —now ONLY $79!

he very best hunting knives possess a perfect balance of form and function. They’re carefully constructed from fine materials, but also have that little something extra to connect the owner with nature. If you’re on the hunt for a knife that combines impeccable craftsmanship with a sense of wonder, the $79 Huntsman Blade is the trophy you’re looking for. The blade is full tang, meaning it doesn’t stop at the handle but extends to the length of the grip for the ultimate in strength. The blade is made from 420 surgical steel, famed for its sharpness and its resistance to corrosion. The handle is made from genuine natural bone, and features decorative wood spacers and a hand-carved motif of two overlapping feathers— a reminder for you to respect and connect with the natural world. This fusion of substance and style can garner a high price tag out in the marketplace. In fact, we found full tang, stainless steel blades with bone handles in excess of $2,000. Well, that won’t cut it around here. We have mastered the hunt for the best deal, and in turn pass the spoils on to our customers. But we don’t stop there. While supplies last, we’ll include a pair of $99 8x21 power compact binoculars and a genuine leather sheath FREE when you purchase the Huntsman Blade. Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. Feel the knife in your hands, wear it on your hip, inspect the impeccable craftsmanship. If you don’t feel like we cut you a fair deal, send it back within 30 days for a complete refund of the item price. Limited Reserves. A deal like this won’t last long. We have only 1120 Huntsman Blades for this ad only. Don’t let this BONUS! Call today and beauty slip through your fingers. Call today! you’ll also receive this

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What Stauer Clients Are Saying About Our Knives

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shown *Discount is only for customers who useNot the offer code versus the actual size. listed original Stauer.com price.

California residents please call 1-800-333-2045 regarding Proposition 65 regulations before purchasing this product. • 12" overall length; 6 ¹⁄2" stainless steel full tang blade • Genuine bone handle with brass hand guard & bolsters • Includes genuine leather sheath

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