Sportsman's News June 2019 Digital Edition

SPECIAL FISHING ISSUE

FREE June 2019 | Volume 15 | Issue 6

Striking Gold in Louisiana Sportsman's News Pro-Staffer Rick Rosenberg with a beautiful 39-inch Louisiana red taken with Bourgeois Fishing Charters.

Fishing Roundup

The Newest Products for the Angler Page 14

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Chad LaChance: Fishful Thinker

Fishing For Fun

Gary Lewis: PacWest Outdoors

Flood Stage Trout

See page 8.

Father's Day Gift Guide The Best Gifts for Dad

Page 22

SPORTSMAN’S NEWS 2322 W. Industry Way Cedar City, UT 84721

PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER Mike Deming President/Publisher 435-669-4624 mdeming@sportsmansnews.com

SENIOR EDITOR Kent Danjanovich 801-231-9838 kdanjanovich@sportsmansnews.com MANAGING EDITOR Dan Kidder 435-865-1680 dkidder@sportsmansnews.com EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Lisa Deming info@sportsmansnews.com VIDEO PRODUCTION MANAGERS Sam Staudt sam@sportsmansnews.com James Dobson jdobson@sportsmansnews.com Subscribers should contact Managing Editor for changes of address.

Sportsman’s News is published monthly.

The entire content of this newspaper is Copyright 2019 © All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written consent of the Managing Editor.

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June 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Send Us Your Stories And Win A Hunt Of A Lifetime With

Backcountry BackcountryHunts.com Hunts This is an outfitter we have hunted with every year for the past seven years and look forward to every March. We have been able to harvest some extremely large Aoudad on 40,000 acres. One 33” whopper, 31.5”, 31”, 29.5”, and 28” rams. ~ the Sportsmans News Team

New Mexico & Texas Hunts (575) 361•1053 17th Annual

OUTDOOR WRITING CONTEST Grand Prize Package

• Winner will be chosen to join the Sportsman's News Team on a fully guided hunt in Texas with Steve Jones Backcountry Hunts the last week of March 2020. Included is meals, lodging, 1 on 1 guided hunt for 3 days for Trophy Aoudad in west Texas. This is a free range wild sheep hunt. License is included for the winner. Camp will be shared with the Sportsman’s News team and we will film the adventure for an episode of Sportsman’s News Television.

• Contest will run from November 1st, 2018 through November 30th, 2019 with two stories selected each month and published on our website. One grand prize winner will be randomly selected from those entries and notified by e-mail.

• Every published entry will receive a knife from Outdoor Edge and will be entered into the grand prize drawing.

• E-mail stories and photos to info@sportsmansnews.com.

• Stories should be between 900 and 1500 words and be sent as a MS Word document or pasted into an e-mail.

• Photos should be high resolution JPG’s, TIF’s or PDF’s: if you have any questions regarding photos call (435)865-1680.

• Stories without photos will not be considered for publication or contest entry.

All stories may be edited for content and size. Published articles and photos become property of Sportsman’s News. All prizes are provided by Sportsman’s News Inc. Must be 18 years of age to win grand prize.

All entries must include author name, address and phone number to be considered for publication.

WORDS FROM THE PUBLISHER

By Michael Deming

WHAT’S INSIDE

Striking Gold in Louisiana 4 Fly-in fishing for big reds in the Big Easy.

Stoeger STR-9 Polymer Striker-Fired Pistol 8 Every day tough meets every day carry.

10 Platinum Approved Outfitters

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Choose a Sportsman's News Endorsed Guide for your next trip.

Fishing Roundup 14The latest new fishing products.

Pacwest Outdoors: Fly Tactics for High Water Trout 18Never let a little flood slow you down, just switch tactics.

T

he month of June means a lot of things to a lot of different people. It could mean that the kids are finally out of school. It could mean that nearly all the western states draw results are finally out and I know what I’m planning for this fall. It could mean that the longest day of the year is here and we get more daylight hours to enjoy the great outdoors. Whatever, it means to you it should definitely mean that summer is here.

We will embrace Father’s Day as well as “Free Fishing Day” for nearly every state in the union also in June. For someone like me who has a fishing license in nearly every state in the west, I take this day somewhat for granted. As a matter of fact, those of us that grew up in the outdoors fishing, camping and hunting with a father, mother, grandfather or other family member take a lot of the knowledge we have for granted.

The vast knowledge that goes into doing a day of fishing is astounding after doing it for five decades. Here is what I mean by this. So, you want to go fishing. You are going to need a fishing rod, reel, line, lures or bait to start with. What type of rod do you need? What type of reel do you need? What kind of line are you going to need to put on that reel? How do you get the line you choose onto the reel you purchased? Are you going to use bait or artificial lures? What exactly are these artificial lures you are talking about? How do I connect the bait or artificial lures to the line? How do I attach the reel to the rod?

Once you get those basics figured out, now there are these major questions you have to deal with: Where do I go fishing? What exactly am I going to catch? Is what I’m doing and where I’m doing it legal? Where do these fish live in this huge lake I’ve chosen to fish? How do I know if the stuff I’ve chosen to fish with is going to work?

Once I catch a fish, what do I do with it? Is this fish one that I can keep? Is this fish edible? How do I clean and take care of this fish so that it is edible?

The list of questions is pretty much endless for someone who didn’t grow up with a relative who trained them in the outdoors. This is true for camping and hunting as well, but I just wanted to give the example of fishing. I’m sure that everyone reading this can expand on this initial list even more. The reason to bring this up is the impact that all of us can have by sharing our vast knowledge of the outdoors with someone who isn’t quite so lucky. This doesn’t have to be a child. It can be a neighbor, friend or a coworker that has shown some interest in your fishing adventures.

Now’s the time to use this free fishing day to take someone along and experience the great outdoors. For less than $100, you can get them an entire fishing setup and get them hooked on the experience. I’m sure you all remember that some of your best memories were fishing with family or friends. It’s a great, wholesome experience and it will get those kids away from the electronic devices for at least a few hours. We all know that if you give a man/woman a fish, they will eat for a day. If we teach them to fish, they will eat for life. They might even change the next generation and I don’t think that’s a bad thing. Make the most of free fishing days everywhere.

Enjoy the great summer weather and Happy Father’s Day to all you lucky dads.

Father's Day Gift Guide 22Need ideas on what to get Dad? Check out this list..

Fishful Thinker: Fishing For Fun 26

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Don't lose sight of why we started fishing in the first place..

Pro's Tip: Beginner Tackle 28What you need to get fishing.

29Two tremendous tools for hooking lips.

Redington Grande Fly Reel and Predator Fly Rod

29

30 Video Product Reviews Outdoorsman: Know and Follow the Rules 35 The Amateur hardest part of follwing the rules is finding out what they are.

36 Trigger Time With Team Doubletap Compete For Life

41 Business Directory Pro Member Update: Joker's Wild 42Big Idaho Elk for one lucky winner.

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Wild Game Recipe: Planked Wild Salmon 44 Smoky flavor of wood and a convenient serving platter.

Adventures On A Budget: Lee's Ferry Trout 46 Year-round fishing among sandstone cliffs.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Chad LaChance Gary Lewis Beau Mason Steve Mayer Terry Clapp

June 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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Striking Gold in Louisiana

O

By Kent Danjanovich Senior Editor

k, so you call yourself a fisherman. You spend a few weekends a year at your favorite lake or stream wetting a line with your family or a couple of buddies and maybe you even venture out of your normal realm to a far-off place like Canada or Alaska periodically. Fishermen come in all shapes and sizes, kind of like the fish they are chasing after. For most, bigger is better and the thought of something exotic finds its way into our thoughts every once in a while.

Now for me, one of those exotic thoughts has always been to venture to the southern part of the country in search of redfish. Last spring, I got my first taste of the action in Louisiana at a writer’s retreat and although they call them 'reds' – in my eyes it was more like discovering 'gold'!

Captain Dave and the author with a nice trout, one of many taken with light tackle and plastics.

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June 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Here’s a little info on our highlighted species. Red drum are a dark red or almost a golden color on the back, which fades into white on the belly. They have a characteristic eyespot near their tail and their body is somewhat streamlined. Three-year-old red drum typically weigh 6-8 lb. The largest red drum on record weighed just over 94 lbs and was caught in 1984 on Hatteras Island. Red drum and their black drum cousins both make a croaking or drumming sound when distressed, contributing to their given names.

The most distinguishing mark on the red drum is one large black spot on the upper part of the tail base. Having multiple spots is not uncommon for this fish, but having no spots is extremely rare. As the fish with multiple spots grow older, they seem to lose their excess spots. Scientists believe that the black spot near their tail helps fool predators into attacking the red’s tail instead of its head, allowing the red to escape. Red’s use their senses of sight and touch and their downturned mouth, to locate forage on the bottom through vacuuming or biting. On the top and middle of the water column, they use changes in the light to spot possible food sources. In the summer and fall, adults feed on crab, shrimp, and mullet; in the spring and winter, adults primarily feed on menhaden, mullet, pinfish, sea robin, lizardfish, spot, Atlantic croaker and mudminnows.

Red drum are found along the eastern and southern Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts of Louisiana, Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, Georgia, the Carolina’s and Virginia. Immature red drum prefer grass marsh areas of bays and estuaries

when available. Both younger mature red drum (3-6 years of age) and bull reds prefer rocky outcroppings including jetties and manmade structures, such as oil rigs and bridge posts. Around this type of structure, they are found throughout the water column. Mature reds spawn in near shorelines from mid-August to mid-October.

My break into the redfish nation came about from one of those, friend of a friend of a friend associations. Ralph Crystal of the Gone Fishin’ Lodge in Alaska introduced me to Don Dubuc, a radio and TV personality from Louisiana, who was well acquainted with Bourgeois Fishing Charters, located about 35 miles south of New Orleans. Before this part of the story gets out of hand – eventually Ginger Jenne, Marketing Director for Bourgeois Fishing Charters (and wife of Theophile Bourgeois) gave me a call to invite me to the writer’s retreat and while there, the process began for their operation to become part of our Platinum Approved Outfitters family and our Pro Membership Sweepstakes.

On that first visit, we ended up being sandwiched between two cold fronts, making conditions a little less than ideal. We were still able to catch plenty of fish inshore, but because of the winds, we were not able to include a flyout to the Chandeleur Islands as to include that part of their operation in their feature story. And from the cover photo for this issue, you can see why we needed to make that trip part of the story! So now, fast forward to the last week of March 2019.

Arrangements were made and fellow Pro Staffer, Rick Rosenberg and I soon found ourselves boarding our flight to New Orleans the last week of March. As soon as we grabbed our gear, we headed to the rental car desk and a few minutes later, found ourselves headed for Barataria, Louisiana.

Forty minutes later, we pulled up to the gate in front of the lodge, a beautiful two-story restored plantation-style inn, complete with palm trees, gorgeous garden setting at its rear and located 50-yards from their boat docks on the bayou.

Two float planes poked their noses out of the adjacent hanger and a half dozen bay boats could be seen at the dock. Yes, our adventure was about to begin, one that both Rick and I had been looking forward to for a long time.

Ginger Jenne of Bourgeois Fishing Charters with another nice redfish. Fantastic fishing is available year-round, but the months of March – June and September through the first half of November are prime.

Bourgeois Fishing Charters The Finest Bayou Fishing New Orleans Has To Offer

Although they didn’t put up quite the fight, it was fun outsmarting the Sheepheads along the pilon’s and outcroppings of the Louisiana delta.

Chase Big Tailing Reds & Lunker Trout In The Heart Of The Louisiana Marsh Spin Fishing In Bay Boats & Fly Fishing In Fly Boats Just 30 Minutes South Of New Orleans

www.neworleansfishing.com (504) 341-5614 June 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS 5

Soon we found ourselves unloading our gear in our room, complete with two queen beds and two bunk style beds, designed to hold groups of buddies or families of two to six. Other guests were mingling throughout the area, playing pool, watching March Madness and some just admiring the memorabilia and antiques of fishing of days gone by scattered throughout the game room. At the end of the room, the bustle of the kitchen staff could be seen getting everything ready for our first of many great meals during our stay – and all strictly ‘Cajun Style’, of course!

After a great meal and a little interaction with some of the other guests, as we filled out our lunch requests for the next day, Theophile and Ginger filled us in on our planned adventure for the next day. With the wind a determining factor for our flyout, our departure time would depend on the wind doing an about face, therefore allowing us to land safely along the isolated sandy outcroppings of the Chandeleurs.

Friday morning found us at the breakfast table at 6am, with fishermen and guides preparing to head out for the day. Theophile informed Rick and I that the wind was not cooperating and that we would have to wait it out in hopes that it would swing in the next few hours. So, our next target was set at 8am, ten, then 11am and finally, Ginger came in and told us to grab our gear and head out to the plane. The time was finally at hand – it was going to happen. Big bull redfish, here we come!

Here’s a little info on our flyout destination. The Chandeleur Islands are a chain of uninhabited barrier islands located 50 miles east of New Orleans and 35 miles south of Gulfport, Mississippi in the Gulf of Mexico. The Islands were formed over 4,000 years ago and are the remnants of the St. Bernard Lobe of a former Mississippi River delta.

The Islands were discovered by explorer Pierre Le Moyer d’Iberville around 1700 while searching for the mouth of the Mississippi River. He named the Islands after a Christian feast day – La Fete de la Chandeleur – in honor of the event.

The Islands are described as a crescent-shaped archipelago. President Theodore Roosevelt was so impressed with the Islands that he designated them the second national wildlife refuge and today most of the Chandeleur Islands including Curlew, Gosier and Breton Island are part of the Breton National Wildlife Refuge.

The Chandeleur Islands serve as a buffer zone between the Gulf of Mexico and the mainland protecting New Orleans and the surrounding area from wind and storm surge associated with tropical systems. Yes, Katrina comes to mind as her forces ripped through this area unmercifully.

The Islands are prolific environments where hundreds of species of finfish, crustaceans and wildlife flourish. The heavily vegetated interiors of the fragmented islands are sanctuaries where juvenile fish, crabs and shrimp crab find protective cover increasing their chance of survival. For this reason, the Islands offer some of the best coastal fishing for redfish and speckled trout.

As we approached the slender slices of sand, we started our slow decent.

We then began circling to lose a little more altitude and as we did, schools of fish could be seen everywhere below us. Theophile made a couple more passes on other sections and all were just covered with fish, so he picked the best place to land and seconds later, he was softly easing the pontoons along the blue waters of the Gulf.

We each quickly donned our waders and wading shoes as Ginger and Rick grabbed spinning outfits and I grabbed my camera. They would be throwing soft plastics, rigged on jig heads. It didn’t take long, as Rick found himself hooked up on his first cast and the battle was on. Line started singing from his reel as the big bull red headed for deeper water. The smile on his face was truly priceless as he eventually fought his foe to the net. A beautiful 32-ich Louisiana redfish was his prize and just the first of over fifty that our group would catch on this afternoon.

After watching Rick, Ginger and Theophile put on a show for 30 or 40 minutes and getting plenty of photos, I worked my way over to the float plane and rigged up my Redington 9wt. I decided to use floating line and started with a yellow and white clouser minnow pattern. I made a couple of blind casts into the deeper water, but it looked like I wasn’t quite getting down far enough. So instead of going back over and putting on my sink tip line, I decided to change to a double-eyed pattern with a little more weight to see if it would do the trick.

The next cast produced a violent strike on the second strip, as my 15lb leader snapped on the set. Quickly, I tied on another fly and two casts later, I was fighting my first redfish of the trip. Theophile waded to my side and

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June 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

soon eased the net under the most beautiful golden-backed redfish you can imagine. After a quick photo and a quick release, it was back to casting, but this time, Theophile and I would be searching the shallows, watching for shadows.

The next two hours produced fish after fish, both for me on my flyrod and Ginger and Rick on their spin cast outfits. The amazing thing to me was that every single fish was in the 30- to 40-inch range and I was even able to throw in a black drum for good measure. I’m told that the speckled trout fishing can be just as good around these islands as well, so next time and yes there will be a next time, I may just have to force myself to tear away from the redfish to spend a little time chasing them as well.

The next morning found us hopping on Captain Dave’s boat and heading out to do a little inshore fishing along the seemingly endless marshlands and estuaries. With the fog hovering in the early morning hours, Captain Dave decided to be on the safe side and not venture too far out into the fog to start, so we stopped along a breaker wall to make a few casts. Rick and I grabbed spin cast setups and Dave topped them with shrimp. Our first few casts produced some subtle takes and we soon found out that those rat-atat-tats were sheephead’s looking for a free meal.

We slowly worked our way down the long wall that served to protect the shoreline in this area and intermingled with the sheephead, we started to pick up a solid redfish here and there. Finally, the fog lifted and we headed out to a few of Captain Dave’s favorite spots.

The rest of our morning was filled with plenty of red’s in the three- to sixpound class and we even managed to throw in a couple of small black drum for good measure. After a short break for lunch, we headed to another spot to pursue some trout. Dave positioned us adjacent to some poles sticking out of the water and instructed us to cast our rubber-tailed jigs all around them, retrieving them with a quick, jerky motion. Captain Dave would even get in on the action with us on this final stop on this day and I will have to say – He was not only a good guide, but a pretty darn good fisherman as well!

Well, as you can see, our trip down south to Louisiana was a rousing success with Bourgeois Fishing Charters. Theophile Bourgeois and his wife, Ginger run an exceptional operation in the Cajun Bayou and we are proud to welcome them as one of our newest Platinum Approved Outfitters. Their accommodations are great, the food is excellent and the fishing, well let’s just say if the weather cooperates, it is about as good as it can get! We will be adding this trip to our Pro Membership Sweepstakes in 2020, so a lucky member and their guest will be able to see for themselves just how good this operation really is.

In the meantime, if you are looking to book a trip, give them a call at 504341-5614. Fishing is available year-round, but primetime is late March through June and September through early November. You can also check out their website at neworleansfishing.com to see all of the other great adventures they also have in store during your visit if you choose to partake. And with downtown New Orleans only 35-minutes away – well, need I say more!

Kent Danjanovich with his first fish of the trip, a big bull redfish ‘on the fly’ with Bourgeois Fishing Charters.

MARK

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Simple, ONE BUTTON Takedown

While the heavily redesigned Ruger® Mark IV™ maintains the same classic outward appearance as the Ruger® Mark III™, it incorporates a significant improvement customers will love – a simple, one-button takedown for quick and easy field-stripping. A recessed button in the back of the frame allows the upper receiver to tilt up and off of the grip frame without the use of tools. The bolt simply slides out of the receiver and the barrel can be properly cleaned from chamber to muzzle.

Accurate, Adjustable Sighting System

Available in a Variety of Grip Configurations

Available in Hunter and Target Barrel Configurations

Ambidextrous Manual Safety Positively Locks the Sear When Applied

Simple, One-Button Takedown for Quick and Easy Field-Stripping (No Tools Required)

© 2017 Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. 013017

RUGER.COM/MARKIV Find Ruger:

June 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

7

K

Polymer Striker Fired Pistol

nown for their quality, rugged, yet inexpensive sporting shotguns, Stoeger firearms has released their first striker fired polymer pistol.

Chambered in 9mm, the STR-9 provides excellent ergonomics with the proven reliability of the striker-fired design at an excellent value.

Featuring the same 22 degrees off-square grip angle of other striker fired pistols on the market, the STR incorporates an aggressive texturing into the grip surfaces for positive control with gloves or when wet. Wider finger grooves on the grip face suggest finger placement rather than locking your fingers into position, which is a great approach for those with larger hands. A wider trigger guard undercut doesn’t rub your finger causing blisters or calluses.

The aggressive texture transfers to the slide, with deep slide cuts that angle forward to provide even more engagement when pushing the slide against the force of the recoil spring. A 4-inch barrel provides the perfect balance of optimal velocities and concealability.

The manual of arms for the STR is familiar to anyone who has operated a striker-fired pistol and is easy to learn for those unfamiliar with the popular style. The internals are also familiar, but also include a solid steel full length guide rod capturing a stout flat recoil spring.

Other features like solid three-dot steel driftable sights, with a flat face on the rear sight for one handed cocking, make aiming easier and you won’t fear shearing them off.

A reversible oversized magazine release is optimally placed for easy activation. A loaded chamber indicator lets you easily identify whether the gun is loaded. Takedown is easy and familiar but does require the trigger to be pulled to disassemble. An accessory rail on the dust cover is channeled for a larger variety of accessories, lights, and lasers.

The pistol is rated for Plus-P ammunition and is compact enough for concealed carry. Stoeger also has holsters available for this new handgun. Multiple internal safeties ensure that the gun can be carried fully loaded with a round in the chamber without fear of a negligent or accidental discharge.

The trigger is a standard double blade curved trigger that was firm and crisp.

Pretty standard for self-defense pistols. The trigger guard is roomy enough to accommodate even bulky gloves.

The base model comes with a single magazine, but a version is also available with three magazines and a set of three interchangeable backstraps to adjust the grip size. A third configuration provides three magazines, the backstraps, and steel tritium night sights.

The gun shoots exceptionally well and performs flawlessly with a wide range of both factory target FMJ ammunition as well as specialty hollow point selfdefense loads. It has a natural point of aim, is comfortable in the hands, dissipates recoil nicely, and just plain feels great to shoot. The sights are easy to see, even in low light, and the accessory rail will accept a wide variety of lights and lasers, and even performs well with training aids that attach to the dust cover.

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June 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Designed and marketed as a value option for self-defense, Deep Slide Serrations the Stoeger STR 9 doesn’t scrimp on quality or functionality. It is well designed, well made, and provides far more value and performance than its low price tag might imply.

Accuracy from a gun is a factor of many things. The inherent accuracy is a function of the fit and finish, proper barrel crowning and rifling, grip angle, bore axis, and how the gun is assembled. On top of that, the ergonomics of the pistol can help guide the shooter to better precision. Add in the skill of the shooter and the consistency of the ammunition, and you get a benchmark of performance. This gun is well fit, machined cleanly, and has all of the elements needed to make the holes appear where you point the sights. In that regard it provides excellent shootability and accuracy.

As a target pistol, for home defense, daily carry, and even competition, the Stoeger STR 9 is an excellent gun for a new shooter and seasoned veteran alike. It does everything you ask of it and is a reliable choice for a handgun.

Specs: • Action: Striker-fired Semi-auto • Weight (unloaded): 24 ounces • Trigger: Double blade safety • Caliber: 9x19MM • Barrel length: 4.17” (10.6 CM) • Overall length: 7.44” (18.99 CM) • Height: 5” (12.7 CM) • Width: 1.06” (27 MM)

• Finish: Black Nitride slide, black polymer frame • Capacity: 15+1 • Loaded Chamber Indicator: Yes • Reversible Magazine Release: Yes • Ambidextrous Controls: No • Adjustable Grip: Yes

Rugged and Reliable Protection The all-new STR-9 from Stoeger

Every day tough meets every day carry Stoeger brings an earned reputation for durable, dependable shotguns to the world of semiautomatic pistols with the new STR-9. This striker-fired 9mm comes packed with features you'd expect in a pistol costing twice as much. Its integrated rail, internal safety, reversible magazine release, optimized slide serrations, three-dot sight system and enhanced ergonomics deliver consistent performance and comfort. Three interchangeable backstraps offer a custom fit to get you on target quickly. To experience its fit, feel, balance and quality first hand, ask your firearm dealer to show you the new Stoeger STR-9. For more information, please visit StoegerIndustries.com.

STR-9, 9MM 15+1 CAPACITY

Shotguns • Pistols • Air Guns

The Sportsman’s News Platinum Approved Outfitter is an outfitter book. These are outfitters you would be proud to refer to a friend. that has excelled in every aspect of their business. They put We know this because we are proud to endorse each one of these people and customers before profit. They do what it takes to make sure that they will be outfitters based upon our staff members personally visiting each one of these in business for the long haul and ensure that they have repeat customers. They practice operations. These outfitters have proven to us that they have what it takes to be good game management, which will ensure a top quality trip with them every time you “Sportsman’s News Platinum Approved.�

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www.itchamtn.com June 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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Stillwater Outfitters is Colorado's oldest and largest Waterfowl Outfitter. We have exclusive hunting leases on over 50 farms on the beautiful Front Range of Colorado. Our goal is to provide the trip of a lifetime without any drama. We also offer Turkey and Trophy Whitetail Deer hunting.

• Colorado's Largest and most productive waterfowl Outfitter • Exclusive Leases on over 50 Farms on the Front Range of Colorado • World Class Guides and Equipment • Hunts are conducted in spacious in-the-ground pit blinds

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LOUISIANA FISHING The Finest Bayou Fishing New Orleans Has To Offer

Chase Big Tailing Reds & Lunker Trout In The Heart Of The Louisiana Marsh Spin Fishing In Bay Boats & Fly Fishing In Fly Boats

12 June 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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Mike Deming National Advertising Manager Sportsman’s News • 435-669-4624 mdeming@sportsmansnews.com June 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

13

FISHING Products Abu Garcia Revo X

The Revo family of reels from Abu Garcia has been developing a solid reputation for a long time and one of the newest additions to the family is Revo X. Available in both spinning and low-profile casting versions, the Revo X casting reel features the proven X2-Craftic alloy frame, eight stainless bearings, and MagTrax brake system, while the spinning version has seven bearings, IM-C6 body, and the Rocket Spool Lip design. Both come with fast retrieve speeds and the proven Carbon Matrix Hybrid drag system.

St Croix Rod Avid X series

Over their 70 year history, St Croix Rods, has become synonymous with quality. One of the most popular rod series they produce is the Avid and it’s a staple of anglers worldwide. Well, check out Avid X; the hot rod Avid. Avid X features the legendary Avid blank but notches up performance with a split-grip cork handle and Kigan Z micro guides. The result is a very light, sensitive and responsive rod. It’s available in a range of lengths, powers and actions, both casting a spinning versions, to cover all your presentation needs, and they’re made in America.

The hottest fishing spot for information:

TakeMeFishing.org PowerBait MaxScent Flatnose Minnow.

Fact: big fish eat little fish, so you might as well use little fish for bait, right? The MaxScent Flatnose Minnow is the latest minnow rendition of a minnow from the soft plastics leader, Berkley. MaxScent is an extremely soft and porous material that won’t dry out yet holds a ton of scented and flavored liquid, much like a sponge. When molded into the universal shape of a 4” minnow and combined with PowerBait’s attraction, you end up with a potent multi-species fish catcher. The Flatnose Minnow comes in a wide range of natural matte finish colors and has subtle yet lively action perfect for drop-shotting, split shotting or on a light jighead.

Onyx A-24 In-Sight Inflatable Life Jacket A life jacket is only effective when actually worn and you’re far more likely to wear one if it’s comfortable. The Onyx A-24 is extremely light weight, nonencumbering and comfortable enough to encourage all day use. It will inflate automatically upon immersion in water, or whenever the wearer pulls the large pull tab. The neckline is padded with neoprene and it’s fully adjustable to wear over a T-shirt on hot days or a big jacket in the cold. The sight window allows you to quickly confirm the PFD is charged and ready and of course it’s US Coast Guard compliant. The Onyx A-24 is perfect for any type of fishing.

14 June 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

UNFORGETTABLE Fi s h i n g I n Hells Ca nyo n A n d Th e Salmon R i ve r STEELHEAD · STURGEON · SALMON · BASS · TROUT

G re at fi s h i n g w i t h u n m at c h e d s ce n e r y, u n t a m e d w h i t e wat e r & k n ow l e d g e a b l e g u i d e s fo r t h e t r i p o f a l i fe t i m e.

W H I T E B I R D, I DA H O

TOU FROM RS $69 & FISH FROM ING $199

FISHING Products Trilene Professional Grade Braid

Braided fishing line has revolutionized the sport, allowing longer casts, stronger hooksets, and much increased durability. But not all braided line is created equal. Trilene is by far the number-one selling line in the country so it stands to reason that their Professional Grade braid would live up to its name. Woven with eight bomb-proof Dyneema fibers, which are then finished with a proprietary coating, Professional Grade braid is smooth and quiet yet extremely strong. The low-viz green color is durable, and the line is available in pound tests from 20 to 80, perfect for bass and other line-intensive applications.

Spiderwire Soft Tackle Bag

Transporting all your favorite tackle need not be complicated or expensive with the Spiderwire Soft Tackle Bag. Like its namesake, this bag is very durable and designed to be versatile. The main compartment holds up to four large plastic tackle boxes, two of which are included, so you can mix and match your boxes as needed for the day’s adventure. It has zippered side and secondary pockets for tools, line spools or whatever as well as a front stash pocket perfect for quick access. The top handle makes for easy grab-n-go while the shoulder strap adjusts for comfort on longer treks. The Spiderwire Soft Tackle Bag is available in two colors to match your fishy style.

Outdoor Edge Edge-X Pro Sharpener

Serious anglers know the value of sharp tools. If you want to eat fresh fish, you first have to hook them and then fillet them. Well, the diminutive Edge-X Pro sharpener will not take up much space in your tackle box but may lead to a fuller cooler! The versatile sharpener features three sharpening slots to repair or maintain the edge on your favorite fillet knife, a tapered diamond coated rod for serrated edges, and even a fish hook sharpening slot. It’s all housed in a durable Zytel base with the company’s distinctive orange rubberized handle.

Berkley Half Head Jig

Dig into any serious angler’s tackle box and you’ll find an ample selection of jig heads because the jig is the most versatile presentation of all. Jigheads can be tipped with any sort of soft plastic bait from grubs to minnows to craw shapes to create the desired look. Since Berkley, the company behind PowerBait and Gulp!, is the industry leader in soft plastics, it stands to reason that the Half Head jig would be well thought out to pair with them all. The head itself has a very durable, high quality coating in a bunch of colors with no paint in the hook eye, and the hook is extremely sharp. Best of all, the collar style holds plastics solidly without tearing them, allowing you to fish without going through as many baits.

June 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

15

FISHING Products Lowrance Hook 5 Triple Shot

Pretty much all modern fishing boats have sonar and GPS and anglers have come to realize their importance in catching. Problem is, they can be cumbersome to learn and use.

Enter Lowrance Hook 5 Triple Shot, a full feature unit with GPS, sonar, DownScan and SideScan Imaging only it’s much easier to learn and use. The menus are greatly simplified with easy access to key features and the screen can split views to see what you need. Most importantly, Hook 5 Triple Shot features Autotuning sonar allowing you to focus on fishing instead of adjusting your sonar. It comes pre-loaded with US Base map and mapping options include Insight Genesis, C-Map and Navionics. All these features and simplicity can be had for only about $400!

Ugly Stik GX2 Microspin Combo

No product round-up would be complete without something for the young anglers, and the Ugly Stik GX2 Microspin rod and reel combo is perfect for just that. This little combo starts with the ohso-durable Ugly Stik rod in 4’8” size, perfect for smaller anglers that may be hard on equipment.

Even better, the reel is an underspin design, which is much more natural to use than the old thumb style we’re all familiar with. The underspin design also makes the transition to open face spinning reels infinitely easier as the young angler grows up. Want my advice? Skip the Snoopy pole and go straight to the GX2 Microspin combo. They’ll be better off for it.

Rustic Ridge XT Breathable Wader

Designed by fisherman for fisherman. The fabrics that make up this wading pant are carefully selected for the best combination of breathability and durability at an affordable price. Take the Rustic Ridge XT Breathable Wader down the river on your next trip out fishing and decide for yourself.Every Rustic Ridge Wader is thoroughly tested before leaving the factory to ensure the waterproof integrity of the product. When you buy a Rustic Ridge wader, you are assured of high performance, great value and most importantly a dry fishing experience.

FREE FISHING DAYS State

Dates

Alaska

None

Arizona

June 1

California

July 6, August 31

Colorado

June 1 - 2

Idaho

June 8

Iowa

June 7 - 9

Kentucky

June 1 - 2

Louisiana

June 8 - 9

Minnesota

June 7 - 9

Mississippi

June 2 - 3, July 4

Montana

June 15 - 16

Nevada

June 8

New Mexico

June 1, September 28

North Carolina

June 4

North Dakota

June 1 - 2

Oregon

June 2 - 3, September 1 - 2, November 23 - 24

South Carolina

May 27, July 4

Tennessee

June 8

Utah

June 8

Virginia

June 7 - 9

Washington

June 8 - 9

West Virginia

June 8 - 9

Wyoming

June 1

This chart only contains states where a Sportsman’s Warehouse store is located. For the full list of states go to www.takemefishing.org

16 June 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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020516

Fly Tactics for High Water Trout Salvaging a fishing trip victory from flood stage defeat.

By Gary Lewis

M

ike Carlson pushed away from the primitive launch and dug in an oar to allow the current to turn the boat in the muddy water. Brown water swirled at the blade of the oar.

“If this wasn’t your only chance to fish it, we’d have canceled today,” Carlson said. Aaron Bible and I strung our rods and poked through our fly boxes.

I tied on a Stimulator, but quickly switched to a streamer called the Sex Dungeon, an olive baitfish imitation with lead eyes and two hooks. Then Carlson said something that stuck with me.

“These are the laziest trout I’ve ever seen.”

Aah. Lazy trout like to hang out in slow water. And the only slow water I could see was in the shoreside grass.

Ready for clear water with stonefly dries and tungsten beadhead droppers, the anglers had to change strategies when faced with muddy water. Sculpin imitations saved the day, drawing trout out to do battle from the flooded banks.

At the mouth of a clear spring fed tributary, John Snow does battle with a nice trout.

Photo by Gary Lewis Running through low pastureland that at one time had been beaver marshes and willows, the river wound back and forth with sometimes no more than five yards of dry land between one twist and another.

Standing in the bow, I hammered casts to each inside corner, to each downed tree or tangle of beaver-chewed saplings. Out of a tangle of limbs, I coaxed an 11-inch cutthroat.

When I lost the Sex Dungeon to a willow branch, I tied on a heavy black streamer with blood red gills and UV mylar.

From a grassy bank, I hooked a fish that ripped line off the reel, bulling downstream in the fast, brown water. When it showed itself for the first time, it thrashed at the surface, its yellowed flanks showing big dark spots – a brown trout. When its head was up, Carlson stabbed for it with the net.

If we had put the tape to it, the fish would have measured 20 inches or better. I cradled it alongside the boat. When it was free, it splashed water in my face.

Streamers in Brown Water Photo by Gary Lewis

18 June 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

When heavy snows begin to thaw in the mountains, when a week of spring rains muddy up the creeks, the visibility drops to a few inches. The

Don’t overlook spots right next to the bank. This trout took a swung sculpin imitation on a short line. It was one of nine fish that grabbed in ten casts.

Photo by Gary Lewis chances of a trout keying on a dead-drifted mayfly or stonefly are almost nil. That’s when it pays to tie on a streamer. And if the fish are lazy, like I hope they are - big, fat and lazy - they want maximum payoff for their effort. That’s why I went with the big olive sculpin imitation to start.

Sculpin make a living on the bottoms of rivers and when they get caught up in the Contact File current, they are vulnerable. Sculpin know it and trout know it. With erratic evasive Rockin’ M Outfitters action, they can get back to the bottom and Rockinmranchwyoming.com to safety.

307-654-2288 Start with a rod that can throw a heavy fly. A 5-weight or a 6-weight is a good Pioneer Anglers choice. I was using a 9-foot, 5-weight with a Pioneeranglers.com fast action to the tip. The fly had sufficient 307-654-3330 weight to take it six to 12 inches below the surface.

For throwing streamers, a longer leader may not be necessary and in brown water, fish are not leader-shy. Cut down to a length of five- to seven feet with sufficient strength in the tippet to turn the fly over on the cast.

With a shorter leader, it is easier to hit a target with a big fly. The targets are along the banks. Mouths of creek tributaries. Log jams. Boulders. Empty spots in a bank of tules or cattails or in the willows that line the banks of a brushed-in stream. Such voids hold trout when there is a back eddy to slow down bits of protein swept along with the current.

Direct casts close to shore, splashing down in the grasses and bouncing off boulders.

Then let the fly swing.

When a rainbow, a brown, a brook or a cutthroat chases down a swung or a stripped streamer, it makes the grab then turns to seek once again its place in the current. It’s easy to set the hook at the strike and pull the fly out of the fish’s mouth. Especially when the fish has shown itself.

Instead of striking when the fish eats, drop the rod tip toward the fish or let it take a bit of line. My rule is to give a fish at least 50 percent of its length when it takes a wet fly. For instance, if I expect a 24-inch trout, I let the fish take 12 inches of line on the grab.

Set the hook toward the bank to pin the fly in the corner of the mouth.

June 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

19

The Change-up

Back in the boat again after a shore lunch of “street” tacos on a Camp Chef stove, we found the only tributary that In road distance, our first day float might have been four miles from put-in to take-out, but it took us eight didn’t have a wall of mud in it. This hours to fish our way downstream with one quick stop for a shore lunch. called for the backup rod, which was In our boat we carried the grill and the fixings. Brooks Hansen deployed the propane, the Camp Chef Everest rigged with a floating line, ten feet of leader and 18 inches of light tippet. A few stove and the last of his whitetail backstraps for street tacos a long way from anything that could be called a street. mayflies struggled on the water and we Street tacos are supposed to be fast food. No lettuce. No discovered we had their imitations - gray cheese. Tortillas are small, soft corn, and the meat is grilled drakes in No. 12.

This tributary was clear because it or pan-fried - chicken, shredded beef, marinated venison, bubbled from a spring and ran only about spiced pork or fish - bedded with chopped onions, cilantro, 200 yards before it hit the main river. salsas or grilled green onions.

This is when it pays off to have a second rod rigged up for whatever action Carry the fixings in Zip-lock bags, bring oil for pan frying might be encountered. We hoped for dry and plan three tacos per person. Serve open-faced, crowded fly action and we found it, even though on the plate, garnished with a wedge of lime. the fish were few and far between, we saw rises and stalked them in the drift boat, taking turns to tempt the fish with -Gary Lewis our offerings.

The clear spring water tributary drew us in. Mike Carlson, on the oars, worked us ever upstream as the banks closed in on each side. stream, then began to turn micro-mends left and right, to let the current pull the fly After Bible and I had each taken one and lost another, we dropped back to the main this way and that. Lengthen the line to back fish down then micro-mend again. In this river. manner, a run can be fished for 50 yards up and down on a single cast.

When retrieving the fly, strip it in like a baitfish getting away. With erratic pulls, Slack-lining on the Seam the streamer simulates a baitfish fighting the current. Trout will follow and strike at Entering the river again, we found another circumstance that an angler often direction changes. encounters in June when the water is high. When a clear-running trib empties into I finished our float with three good fish brought to hand and a few that threw the brown water, the two flows of current run parallel, before the waters are mixed. The hook after short battles. result is a place where trout can hold in one flow and feed out of the other. That hyWindy and blustery, with a bit of rain blowing sideways, it was a day we could draulic curtain that divides the two streams, often for hundreds of yards downstream, have stayed in camp. Instead, we went out and earned our fish. can hold a lot of hungry trout.

That’s the way to salvage a fishing trip from muddy water defeat. The other way If the boat can be positioned on the upstream side, or an angler can find a spot on is to go high in the system where the fast-running creeks clear up first. We had good the bank to fish downstream along the seam, a good choice in this instance is a sculpin maps and we had a full tank of diesel to explore for two more days. The other guys imitation. talked about mayflies and hopper/droppers, but I could only think about the slashing This method of prospecting is called slack-lining. Throw the fly directly downstrikes I’d had in that brown water.

Photo by Gary Lewis To contact Gary Lewis, visit www.GaryLewisOutdoors.com

Shore Lunch Street Tacos

Off color water is a challenge that can be met with more flash, more movement. Brooks Hansen used a rubber legged, beadhead nymph to catch this cutthroat’s attention.

Empies Pearl Deadly Shiner. Photo courtesy Rainy’s Flies

20 June 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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for s t f i G

d a D

W

e polled the Sportsman's News Team for a list of things they would enjoy getting for Father's Day. If you are stuck for an idea, any of these products available at Sportsman's Warehouse would be a welcomed addition. Of course, the best gift for Father's Day is always your time. If any of our kids are reading this, this is a really great list. Hint, hint.

Canyon Cooler Quest Sage Green 25 Quart Soft Cooler The 25 quart soft-sided backpack cooler with tough-as-nails, raft grade 800 denier RF welded PVC shell, closed cell AirCore insulation and lined with a newly upgraded, closed-cell IceSkin, provides days of ice retention in an easy to transport, comfortable backpack. The thickly padded shoulder straps, and back support pads make for comfortable hiking even on tough terrain, and a cold (or hot!) lunch wherever your trail takes you.

Camp Chef 14-inch 12-quart Deep Dutch Oven The 12 quart Dutch Oven is made with Camp Chef Advantage Cast Iron. The lid is easily reversed for use as an excellent skillet or griddle to fry up some eggs, sausage, or pancakes. The classic Dutch Oven base is perfect for potatoes or cobbler as well. Whatever you're cooking, it will come out with that one-of-a-kind Dutch Oven flavor. Cook up your favorite healthy meals in a Dutch Oven too. Features a Commemorative Edition Grand Canyon National Park cast on the lid.

Dot’s Homestyle Pretzels These are not just any pretzel. Sprinkled with a blend of spices to give them a savory pop, these snacks will quickly become Dad’s favorite treat.

The unique flavor experienced in each crunch of a Dot’s Homestyle Pretzel comes from the heart of North Dakota. “Dot” began experimenting with a seasoned pretzel recipe to fit the tastes of her husband Randy, and herself. This is how Dot’s Homestyle Pretzel was born. Dot’s pretzel is a delicious gourmet snack that will complement each and every holiday, special family gathering, or late-night craving! Better get some for yourself, because once you try them, you too will be hooked.

22 June 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Outdoor Edge 10 Piece Cut-n-Que BBQ Set Designed for easy transport and storage, these sets are ideal for both home use and everything outdoors from camping to tailgating, hunting, fishing, RVing and catering. Professional grade chef’s knives that are perfectly balanced and crafted from German 4116 stainless steel with soft, non-slip TPE handles. Three full-size colored cutting mats provide a variety of surfaces for preparing meat, fowl, fish, fruits and vegetables. Each grill tool features a sliding shaft that telescopes and locks to a full-length of 17 inches for safe grilling, and then retracts to 14-5/8 inches for easy storage. The ends of each grill tool are removable for easy cleaning. The kit includes a 6-inch utility knife, 8-inch chef’s knife, a ceramic/carbide sharpener, silicone marinade brush, 3 cutting mats, extendable tongs, extendable spatula, in a hard-side case.

Klean Kanteen Vacuum Insulated Tumbler Klean Kanteen’s Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Tumbler and Cup is a prime example of their quest to make high performance multi use products. This tumbler out performs plastic and paper and is not only more durable but it actually does more. Anything a single-use paper or plastic cup can do, the stainless steel vacuum tumbler can do much better, insulating hot and cold beverages. From iced tea, IPA or Caramel Latte; the vacuum insulation and electropolished stainless steel combine to protect the taste and temperature of whatever you put inside. A quick rinse or wash is all it takes to go from your morning pick-me-up to staying hydrated at work to a smoothie at the gym to whatever you drink in your daily life. Electropolished interior. Laser-etched exterior. Doesn’t retain or impart flavors.

June 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

23

ALPS Outdoorz Bino Harness X Odds are, Dad has his favorite binos and they weren’t inexpensive. The Bino Harness X is the perfect companion for dad’s optics. Designed to keep the pocket close to the chest and reduce the amount of movement felt from your optics while walking. Constructed using 1680D ballistic nylon fabric, the Bino Harness X is as tough as you and ready for any hunting environment. Attachment straps allow an optional rangefinder pocket to be strapped to the side, and includes an elastic pocket for a windicator, so everything he needs will be instantly accessible.

Lew’s Laser SS Speed Spinning Combo The Lew’s Laser SS Speed Spinning Combo has a premium IM7 graphite blank and quality stainless steel guides. The split-grip EVA handle will help with weight reduction and be more comfortable for fishing all day on the lake. The reel on this combo can be adjusted to be right or left handed and features a smooth 8-bearing system, an aluminum spool with a graphite body, and a thin compact gear box.

Nite Ize Inova STS Powerswitch Dual Power Rechargeable 280 Lumen Headlamp For nighttime adventures or emergency situations, no other headlamp provides the versatility and functionality of the 280 Lumen INOVA STS PowerSwitch Rechargeable Headlamp. This first ever rechargeable, dual-power, waterproof, two-color LED, multi-mode headlamp with Swipe-To-Shine technology can run on its included Lithium Ion battery, or on three AAA batteries while the other recharges. That means no delays in waiting to use your light while it recharges. The waterproof, impact-resistant body of the PowerSwitch is designed around the innovative Swipe Pad. This Swipe-To-Shine (STS) technology allows you to activate the light, easily change between the white or red light, or change between the four modes: high, variable dim, strobe, or lock-out. When lock out mode is activated you don’t have to worry that your light will turn on while being transported or stored.

Work Sharp Knife and Tool Sharpener Ken Onion Edition The Work Sharp Knife and Tool Sharpener Ken Onion Edition is designed to sharpen every knife you own. Using a fully adjustable precision sharpening guide, variable speed and wide flexible abrasive belts it sharpens pocket & hunting knives, serrated knives, kitchen knives and any other shape or type of blade you own. The 3/4 x 12 inch premium, flexible engineered abrasive belts sharpen virtually any shape or type of knife blade and uses a precision sharpening guide to ensure that you get a consistent angle every time. The sharpening guide is fully adjustable in 1 degree increments from 15 degree to 30 degree so you can sharpen any knife to the angle you desire to best meet your needs. The variable speed control (1200 SFM to 2800 SFM) provides you with the optimal belt speed for the task at hand. The versatility of the Ken Onion Sharpener makes it an invaluable tool for keeping all your blades in razor sharp condition and ready whenever you need them.

24 June 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Tilley Men’s Nylon Mesh UPF 50 Hat Tilley lightweight Mesh Hats are ideal for outdoor enthusiasts looking to keep their cool in a broader brimmed hat. This Hat is lightweight, breathable and comfortable because the crown is made of strong, unique 3-D polyester mesh which blocks sunlight, but allows air to pass easily. The LTM8 has been engineered with a water-repellent, sun protection 3 mesh crown with a lightweight Supplex nylon brim. Designed to be very lightweight & breathable the Tilley Lightweight Mesh Hats have been tested and certified as having a UPF 50+, the maximum UV protection rating given. Every Tilley hat is guaranteed for life and even insured against loss. Keep Dad around a bit longer with excellent sun protection. The fabric of all Tilley Hats have been certified to block 98 percent of harmful UVA/UVB radiation and deliver a ultraviolet factor (UPF) of 50+, the maximum rating given. The Nylon Mesh hat repels rain; not perfectly but usually quite adequately. Happily, the brims of the cotton-duck Tilleys actually become stiffer when they get wet, not floppier, helping to protect your neck, face and glasses.

Machine washable so it won’t shrink.

Otterbox LT 20 Soft Cooler Go prepared, whether it’s a day on the river, an evening around a bonfire or an afternoon soccer match. LT20, the lightweight, soft cooler, is the perfect pack-along for day trips. This 20-quart cooler keeps ice up to three days, so food and drinks are always refreshing. The top opens wide for easy access and it’s leakproof for safe travels. It includes a bottle opener that can be attached to the side in the built-in slot and is the perfect size to fit in dad’s favorite fishing kayak.

Sportsman’s Warehouse Gift Card You will never get the wrong size with a Sportsman’s Warehouse gift card. You can purchase them in-store or online at Sportsmans.com and they can be redeemed for whatever goody Dad’s heart desires. Even if Dad doesn’t live near a Sportsman’s Warehouse, he can redeem his gift card online and have his presents delivered directly to his door.

They can be purchased in any amount. And best of all, you get the loyalty points.

GHP Waterfowl Fire Pit w/ Cooking Grid Nothing puts a smile on Dad’s face like staring deeply into a campfire contemplating his choice to become a dad. With an extra-deep 12-inch fire bowl perfect for nights in the backyard, this deep fire pit includes a fire bowl that features the CirculAir system which raises the firewood and allows oxygen to circulate for a consistent fire. The mesh panels help reduce escaping sparks. This unit includes a poker to tend the firewood, and a chrome plated cooking grid to BBQ. The rubbed bronze finish accents the decorative waterfowl styling on the sides, adding to the view of the fire.

Triumph Woodie Masters Plywood Bag Toss What Dad really wants for Father’s Day is time with his kids. This two 48x24 wooden board bag toss set includes eight all-weather, durable 6-inch x 6-inch bean bags; four red and four blue. Enjoy long-lasting quality and stability with the sturdy frame constructed of 9mm birch wood for a weather-resistant and good-looking addition to your yard. Convenient storage compartment design for easy transportation of the bean bags. Easily store and transport boards using convenient carrying handles, for years of time together.

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First-Class Fishing Lodge

ONE OF THE FEW OUTFITTERS THAT CAN

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Nite Ize Dual CamJam Tie Down Systems The gizmo Dad didn’t know he couldn’t live without.

The Dual CamJam Tie Down System has been masterfully engineered to secure and lock down your equipment and gear. The innovative Dual CamJam buckle features not one but two cam locking mechanisms, one on each end of its zinc alloy body. The system also includes a high density 1” polypropylene webbing strap with an integrated bar tacked loop on one end. With the buckle independent of the strap and completely adjustable, this innovative system is the most versatile tie down you’ll ever use.

6-7 NIGHT ALL-INCLUSIVE PACKAGES. OUR GUIDES WILL TAKE YOU TO ALL THE BEST PLACES FOR SOCKEYE, KINGS, SILVERS, HALIBUT, MULTI-SPECIES, AND TROUT. OUR EXPERIENCED GUIDES RUN OUR BOATS AND PROCESS YOUR FISH IN-HOUSE. We Take Care Of Everything For You! SPECIAL FOR SPORTSMAN’S NEWS READERS MAY/JUNE/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER:

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June 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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Fishing For Fun

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hy do you fish? I recently posted that seemingly simple question on social media and got bombed with responses. Some of them were snide, others very simple and yet others were long, drawn out dissertations of some innate drive or instinct that needs to be satisfied.

The most common answer is the correct one; fishing is fun. Yes there is something primal about pursuing fish and game and sure we may get some dinner out of it but, at least in terms of modern times in the good ol’ USA, we do it because it’s fun. Well, if some fun is good, more fun is better, right? Yep, but how do we inject more fun into our fishing? Well, that has a multi-faceted answer too. Let’s look at it.

The obvious way to add more fun is to fish more. That sounds easy, unless jobs, kids, and life in general get in the way. In that case, how do you fish more? You fish more local.

Despite what your TV or The Web tells you, fishing doesn’t have to be exotic, expensive or complicated to have fun. Even the most seasoned traveling anglers can have a blast fishing a tiny neighborhood park pond loaded with smallish bass or panfish. It comes down to mindset; set realistic expectations of what you might catch and don’t lament over the lack of scenery or some random dog running around the pond. You’re fishing - for fun. You have a minimal time or emotional investment so enjoy an hour trying to catch a 10” largemouth and if you don’t, who cares? It’s low risk, low reward, but a reward none the less.

Sizing your tackle appropriately makes it even more fun. Tiny fish are a blast on tiny tackle. Ultra-light rods, hair thin line and diminutive lures can lead to big grins with puny fish. Want to learn nuances? Perhaps consider carrying only a single lure and figuring what action you must impart to get them to bite it. If you typically fish conventional tackle, try a fly rod instead, or vice versa. If you’re a fly angler that typically fished for trout, you may find a 3 or 4wt and pond full of panfish is a welcome change. When it comes to fishing small neighborhood ponds, it’s not about where you’re fishing or what you catch;

Chad LaChance

26 June 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

you’re fishing and that alone should be fun.

For the record, I keep a single rod and small box of tackle in my Tundra at all times for just such occasions.

I kind of already mentioned it but choosing a different genre of tackle is another way to increase the fun in your angling adventures. Hardcore derby bassers used to fishing with 20 casting rods on the deck may find that a day on their favorite lake with an 8 weight fly rod and modest selection of poppers and streamers is a welcome change and loads of fun.

Similarly, a dyed in the wool fly guy used to focussing on the perfect drift might find that a light power spinning rod and few marabou jigs feels all new and is tons of fun. In both cases, there is a learning curve involved and, for open-minded folks, that in and of itself is invigorating and fun.

Another way to have the most fun is to fish for what’s biting. You may have your heart set on catching walleye but when a school of white bass is biting mid-day while your walleye are snoozing, forget the walleye and plunder white bass for a while. Your bass have the post-spawn blues? Why fight it? Go catch some of those spawning bluegills or crappie.

Fishful Thinker TV is built around the concept of fishing for what’s biting because we like to have fun.

A really great way to add fun to your angling is to take somebody brand new to the sport, or at least way down the experience and skill ladder from yourself. Teaching others about your passion is automatically fun and it’s even more so when you see them light up over things you take for granted. Battle-hardened anglers get jaded and can end up simply going through the motions and expecting success. Newbs and kids, on the other hand, find the joy in every bite and every catch. That simple pleasure is seriously contagious.

Even if the other person has some angling experience, they will be thrilled to fish with somebody they view as an expert. I know that for a fact because as a professional guide and fishing show host, I fish with lots and lots of different people and I still get excited to fish with someone more experienced than I am at whatever aspect of angling we’re doing.

My emotion is not lost on the expert and it wouldn’t be on you either. If nothing else, you can find personal satisfaction in putting somebody on your fish, that much I know for sure. It’s one thing to catch fish, it’s a completely different thing to get somebody else to catch fish.

Here in June where angling opportunities abound, finding ways to have more fun with your fishing is easy. It’s only a matter of mindset, open-mindedness or imagination. Step outside your comfort zone, set your ego aside, fish local and take somebody new. Remember, we’re only fishing for fun.

LOWER YOUR OVERHEAD.

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Beginner Tackle PRO'S TIP

By Chad LaChance

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ou’ve thought about it for a while but haven’t taken the plunge. The weather is nice and the word on the street is that now’s the time; you’re finally going to dabble in fishing. But wait, you don’t have a rod and reel or a tackle box or waders or any of that other paraphernalia you see other anglers draped in. Don’t despair oh fledgling fisher, I got’cha covered in this very column. And in case you’re not independently wealthy or possibly fear commitment, we’re going to outfit you at your local Sportsman’s Warehouse for a hundred bucks.

Before we get into details, let’s make some assumptions. First, you have nothing; no rod, reel, line, bait, lures or anything else specifically fishing related. Furthermore, this same advice may apply to a kid, say 10-15 years old, that may be inclined to try fishing, perhaps having been invited to fish with a friend or, as was my personal case, was drawn to fishing even though my single mom didn’t fish. She didn’t understand my desire, but was smart enough to support me in it as a youngster. I get emails along those lines from parents commonly, so this column applies to that scenario as well as an adult that has become fish-curious.

But what kind of fish will you try to catch? I always encourage newbs young or old to start simple; at first you just want to catch fish. You can worry about catching big fish later. My recommendation is a local pond. If that is not available, perhaps a smallish reservoir. The idea is find a place with panfish (bluegills, green sunfish, pumpkinseeds or crappie) and bass, or a place stocked with rainbow trout. Small bass, panfish and trout can all be caught with the same gear and they are typically willing participants in our fishy game. A quick visit with a fishing associate at your Sportsman’s Warehouse, a Web search or call to you local DNR will yield local places to fish.

Remember, we’re not looking for Shamu-sized trophy fish, we just want to get our string pulled.

So, what do we buy with our $100? Let’s make a list of requisite items; Rod, reel, line, hook, sinker, bobber, a few lures, needle nose pliers, and something to carry it all in. Anything extra is classified as a want, not a need.

Fishing tackle 101: match your rod/reel/line such that it is a balanced package and sized appropriately to cast the bait you will fish with and handle the fish you will catch. Since we’re just getting started and simply want to catch fish, we’re going to start small. The easy answer to getting a balanced set-up and solid value is to buy

28 June 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

a pre-assembled rod/reel/line combo. I’m going to spend half our budget here and get an Abu Garcia Abumatic SX 10 spincast rod and reel combo. At 6’ long and medium power (I’ll spare you rod rating details for now) it’s well suited for pond fishing.

It comes pre-spooled with Berkley Trilene XL in 8 pound test; again a very versatile and easy to fish with line. This combo is sized and of sufficient quality to grow with you as an angler, and could easily be used to fish The Abu Garcia Abumatic ponds, rivers or lakes with bait SX 10 combo comes preor lures, and it’s very easy to spooled and ready to rock. cast. Now for the ol’ hook, line sinker, aka “terminal tackle”.

Grab two packs of plain shank offset hooks, size 6 and size 12. That’ll be about $4 total and will cover your bait bases. While you’re on that aisle, grab a bag of size 3 re-useable split shot which will be about $2. Probably also on that same aisle, you’ll see bobbers; grab a pack of 3/4” red-n-white bobbers, about $2. Now you should seek out “plain ball-head jigheads” and get a pack of size 1/8oz and 1/4oz. That’ll be about $4 total.

Now what to put on those hooks and jigheads? In a word; PowerBait. Find those little yellow jars and get one of Crappie Nibbles, one of Honey Worms and another of Power Nuggets, in colors of your choice. They’ll be about $9 total. Lastly, go find small bags of “curl tail grubs” in 2” and 3”, natural green or brownish colors. That’ll be about $4 and concludes your bait list.

Seek out the fishing tools and get a cheap pair of 6” needle nose pliers with line cutter, about $7. Use them to unhook all fish safely and also to cut line. Lastly, go check out the tackle bags. Look for the $17 Shakespeare Soft Tackle Bag. That’s your new tackle box.

There, you’re outfitted to fish for less than $100. I’d strongly recommend you wear sunglasses (preferably polarized, but anything that will protect your eyes and cut glare) and bring an old wash cloth or rag to clean up your hands. Equipped thusly, you can go chase panfish, small bass or stocker trout.

Before heading out, Google “Palomar knot” and learn to tie it with a piece of string or rope at home. It’s a very simple yet effective knot and will serve you in all your fishing days. Use it to attach your hook or jigheads. The bobber and split shot can be clipped or pinched on the line, most commonly with a split shot 6”-12” above the hook and the bobber 1’-3’ above that. If you are fishing on the bottom, skip the bobber and add two or three split shot about 12” above the hook instead. Use the smaller hook for a Honey Worm or Crappie Nibble (commonly with the bobber), the larger for a Power Nugget (with or without the bobber).

Also Google “how to rig a grub on a jighead” before heading out. Rig the small grub on the small jighead and vice versa. These can be cast out, allowed to sink and swam, jigged, or hopped back to you. They can also be suspended under the bobber and very slowly reeled in.

Viola, you’re bass fishing!

Yes, there is a lot more to fishing that I’ve detailed, but there doesn’t have to be. Practice the knot, jig rigging and perhaps a few casts at home, ask around for simple local spots, and get after it. Be careful though, before you know it fishing may occupy a huge percentage of your daydreams!

Redington GRANDE Fly Reel

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edington offers some of the most functional and dependable fly reels on the market. From small trout on your favorite local stream to big, exotic species in far away places, they offer a little of everything when it comes to the fly fishing scene.

Back in 2015 they introduced the BEHEMOTH, a large arbored, biggame dominant reel to their line and it became an instant success, not only for its workability and design, but also for its pricing. It fit perfectly into our arsenal for chasing big pike in Canada and high-flying salmon all across Alaska.

Now, fast forward to 2019 and another ‘Big Time’ reel has hit the market, the GRANDE. The GRANDE is a fully anodized, machined aluminum reel that features their new sealed SUPER-TORQUE carbon drag system that will KO any fish you hook. After years of field testing, Redington bulked up the GRANDE with an oversized palming rim, increased backing capacity and gave it an easy to locate handle and drag knob so you can make quick adjustments in the heat of the battle.

Although the GRANDE is available in a 5/6/7 sizing for the average fly guy, it is really targeted for big fish in big waters, hence the 7/8/9, 9/10/11, 11/12/13 and 14+ models all come into play. Now when you are talking about reels of this magnitude, big price tags are also the norm. You would expect prices in the $700 - $1,000 in most cases for a reel that would get the job done, but Redington has stayed within their target market as the GRANDE’s price tag comes in under $350.

When you are looking for a reel that can handle big fish, the first thing you need to address is the drag system; can the drag provide the stopping power you need, protect tippets when you need it to and dissipate heat efficiently enough so that it doesn’t freeze-up in the heat of the battle. Well in the case of Redington’s GRANDE, the answer is a resounding ‘YES’!

The GRANDE’s fully-sealed drag is smooth as silk and virtually maintenance free.

Even if you are fishing in some of the nastiest conditions imaginable, mud, sand and anything else you can think of is no problem, even if you forget to give it a thorough rinse before you stow it away after a day on the water.

Lastly, the GRANDE is fully anodized, T-6061 constructed, offering superior durability and workmanship. The big palming surface and its sturdy, solid-feeling frame and spool will provide you with the feel and confidence you are looking for in a workhorse of a fly reel and at a price that will have you scratching your head in disbelief.

Redington continues to bring great innovation and performance to the world of fly fishing. Check out the new GRANDE and many other great Redington products at your local Sportsman’s Warehouse.

Redington PREDATOR Fly Rod

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elieve me – all fly rods are not created equal. Some are designed for delicate casts that need to present the offering with as little evidence as possible, while others must be able to stand up to not only the elements, but the lines and flies you are throwing. That’s why every fly fishing junky is usually the owner of a closet full of fly rods, assuring a rod for just about every application.

Redington is one of our favorite fly rod companies here at Sportsman’s News as we have been using their products since we started clear back in the mid2000’s. They offer a great selection of rods for just about any type of fishing situation you can imagine and all at price points that beginners to seasoned veterans can appreciate.

One of our favorite models is the PREDATOR, a rod designed for a wide range of species, but mostly for the big, tough ones. The PREDATORS’ fastaction gives you the edge you need when faced with the challenge of throwing heavy lines and big flies. This is very important when you tend to spend a lot of time chasing big and sometimes acrobatic fish, as we do, especially in our adventures in Canada and Alaska. Northern pike and all of the Pacific salmon species can tax a lesser rod and this is a place where the PREDATOR really shines.

With 16 different sized models (5wt. to 16wt.) and six handle configurations, you can get pretty specific on the rod that will be just right for your situation.

Also, all come in 4-piece builds, so transport is easy while still resting assured that your Redington rod will withstand the test. And if something does go wrong, their lifetime warranty will take care of you, with only a nominal fee for shipping.

On a recent trip to Louisiana in search of big bull redfish, the PREDATOR definitely stood up to the test. Windy conditions – no problem. Heavy lines and flies – it didn’t miss a step. One of the key things about this rod is its ability to withstand forceful strips and hooksets. There is nothing worse than taxing your arms all day with a noodle of a fly rod when the action is hot

and heavy on your favorite water. The smooth casting and fast-action of the PREDATOR is a dream come true in the performance category for sure!

So, if you are looking for a fly rod that can handle big fish and big water, be it fresh or salt, it just might be in your best interest to take a look at Redington’s PREDATOR series. I guarantee you will like its feel and the results at the end of the day. And the price tag at around $300 will bring a smile to your face as well. Check out the PREDATOR and many other great Redington products at your local Sportsman’s Warehouse.

June 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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Video Product Reviews

Lost Creek Angler 12 Sit-On-Top Pedal-Drive Kayak

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or anglers looking to free up their hands for pole work, the Lost Creek Angler series of sit-on-top kayaks is an ideal companion to get you away from the bank and out where the fish are.

Utilizing the Impulse Drive pedal motor and a conveniently located rudder controller, the Anglers allow fishermen to move and navigate with minimal effort and less need to tie your hands up with a paddle.

The Impulse Drive utilizes large pedals for movement and the 8:1 gear ratio means that you will have the perfect sweet spot for speed and ease of pedaling. The drive also has a clear splash guard so you can see if your prop gets tangled in the weeds or that big lunker lurking under your boat.

The Impulse Drive will propel the Angler 10 up to 5 MPH/4.3 knots, and the Angler 12 up to 6.2 MPH/5.4 knots, so you can quickly get to where the fish are biting with minimal effort. The drive is easy to lower and stow and is held in place by rock-solid aircraft aluminum mounting blocks that won’t crack or deteriorate from UV radiation in the sun.

The Anglers come in either a 12.4-foot long design, like our test model, or a shorter and lighter 10.4-foot model.

Both feature the Impulse Drive, YakAttack compatible accessory rails, fully adjustable seats, a full-length anchor trolley, and storage compartments fore and aft.

The Angler 12 provides a roomy front deck with bungee lashing large enough to store camping gear, or even a pet or small person, such as a child. The rear storage deck is perfect for a small cooler or a tackle box. The Anglers come with an adjustable track mounted rod holder, perfect for trolling, as Scan this QR Code with well as four additional flush-mounted holders so your favorite your smart phone to view stick is always within reach and you can carry a spare for t h e S p o r t s m a n ' s N e w s those times where you may break off and want to quickly get YouTube Channel. back in the action.

Removable scupper plugs attach to the deck and can be used to plug every scupper or open them up to sit lower in the water for more stability for stand-up casting and to keep you cooler on a warm day.

The Angler 12 weighs just 76 pounds, making it one of the lightest sit-on-top fishing kayaks on the market, and the four handles, positioned on the sides, stern, and bow, make it easy for a single person to move and transport.

Both Anglers come in a camo patterned green heavy-duty polypropylene material that will stand up to launching on even the rockiest of beaches.

The Lost Creek Anglers are packed with features, but the best one is that they are hundreds of dollars less expensive than other fishing kayaks in their class, so they are a great value as well.

All told, there are just too many features to mention, so be sure to scan the QR code with your smart phone to watch the full video review of the Lost Creek Angler 12 Sit-OnTop Fishing Kayak. Or check them out at Sportsman’s Warehouse, the exclusive dealer of the Lost Creek Anglers.

Leupold Freedom RDS

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uilt for recreational shooters and hunters alike, the Freedom RDS will be available in two distinct models: One features capped precision ¼-MOA click adjustments, and the other features a precision exposed BDC elevation turret that ships with adjustments out to 500 yards for a standard 55-grain .223 Rem. round.

Designed to function just like Leupold’s popular CDS (Custom Dial System), the BDC turret makes longer shots a whole lot easier. Once you’ve zeroed your rifle, you’ll be able to reset the dial and then make shot adjustments in yards rather than MOA. So, if your target is 500 yards away, simply turn the dial to 5 and aim dead on. This allows you to make precise, close quarter shots and then quickly dial out to 500 yards for accurate, longer shots if necessary, all without worrying about holdovers. It’s as easy as that.

If you decide to mount your Freedom RDS to a rifle that’s chambered in other popular AR-style calibers like a 6.5 Creedmoor or .300 Blackout, the Leupold Custom Shop can burn you a new dial for a nominal fee.

But the Freedom RDS doesn’t stop there. If you’ve used other red dots in the past, you might notice that they tend to distort colors or have blurry edges. Not the Freedom RDS. Leupold’s Twilight Red Dot System not only helps you see more in less light, it also delivers great color consistency and premium lens clarity.

For better accuracy, a push-button activated 1-MOA red dot delivers a clear and precise aiming point. This smaller dot is great for longer shots where a bigger dot may cover up too much of the target. As an added bonus, the RDS features Leupold's Motion Sensor Technology (MST), which turns the illumination off after five minutes of inactivity. When the MST detects motion again, it instantly turns the illumination back on, so it's ready when you are. A manual mode also allows the sight to be shut off when not in use. You can Scan this QR Code with also toggle through eight illumination settings, making your smart phone to view the dot easily visible in low-light conditions or the mid- t h e S p o r t s m a n ' s N e w s YouTube Channel. day sun. On the RDS’ medium setting, you’ll get up to

30 June 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

1,000 hours of battery life, which, thanks to the aforementioned Motion Sensor Technology, truly equates to 1,000 usable hours.

The Freedom RDS is lightweight, compact, and ready for any purpose you’ve got in mind. It features a 34mm objective lens and maintube, measures a little over five inches in length, and weighs just under 7 ounces without a mount. For simplicity, it comes with a mount that sits at the optimal sight height for ARstyle rifles. That said, you can remove the provided mount and use any 34mm rings instead.

Check out the Freedom RDS at your local Sportsman’s Warehouse today.

OtterBox Trooper LT30 Soft Cooler

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oft sided coolers have carved out a new market in the outdoor community over the past couple of years and when you spend a lot of time in the outdoors, you know they have a purpose. One thing is for sure, they are definitely here to stay.

OtterBox, which is the same company that has been protecting those thousanddollar mobile devices for decades and is right here in the good ol' United States of America is also known for their outdoor gear as well. In this case we are talking about their soft side coolers and specifically their Trooper LT30, which is truly one of the best in its class.

The Trooper LT30 has a 30-quart capacity and will literally hold ice for multiple days.

The overall design of the soft cooler in general is more ease of use and day and weekend trips where a full-sized hard cooler which takes up a lot of room is just overkill. The LT30 knocks it out of the park when it comes to these types of trips.

First off, loading this thing up with all of your snacks and drinks as well as enough ice to keep it cold is done easily with the extremely wide opening. Once done and you close it up, the compound latch and the leakproof seal keeps your content and melted ice inside the cooler where it belongs, even if it tips over in the backseat.

When you have a cooler loaded down with the weekend’s necessities, it could be fairly heavy, but the well-designed carrying strap is second to none. If the shoulder strap works for you on a short distance, you are good to go. However, a minor strap adjustment and you have a full backpack strap over both shoulders. This keeps the unit from sliding off of your shoulder as well as leaves both hands free to carry fishing rods, tackleboxes, or all your wife’s stuff. It has a durable Scan this QR Code with inner frame and the abrasion resistant bottom is going to your smart phone to view endure years of punishment. The soft sides on the cooler the Sportsman's News provide enough give to keep the paint intact on your boat, yet YouTube Channel.

Video Product Reviews

still keep its shape. It has two water resistant exterior pockets to store your phone or other important items. It is equipped with OtterBox’s accessory mounting system as is on all of their coolers which consists of items like drink holders and bottle openers. OtterBox has included a bottle opener with this model, so you are already to hit the woods. It comes in numerous different colors and can be found on the shelves of your local Sportsman’s Warehouse in Alpine Ascent color. In the event you ever have a problem with your cooler, it is covered by OtterBox’s limited lifetime warranty.

June 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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Video Product Reviews

Camp Chef Sportsman Pellet Grill

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ot only is the Smoke Pro Deluxe Sportsman from Camp Chef the most versatile pellet grill on the market, it is a thing of beauty to behold. It sports a grayish silver Vain Finish that not only makes it a piece of art, it makes it easy to clean up and maintain.

The Sportsman provides all of the features that are found on the SG model, including the Slide & Grill Technology to provide either indirect heat or direct flame, just by sliding a conveniently placed handle. Jets cut into the grease tray allow flames from the firebox to directly lick your meat, providing the flavor of flame broiling or slide the guard in place and slow-smoke your food, capturing the flavor of your chosen hardwood pellets.

Camp Chef pellet grills provide a superior pellet grill experience because they use a larger auger for more reliable and consistent feeding resulting in fewer clogs.

Some other features of Camp Chef pellet smokers that set them apart include, an angled grease tray that catches drippings and diverts them to a bucket to prevent slick stains on your patio or a greasy mess in the bottom of your grill. Also, with a Camp Chef, you will never need a shop vacuum to clean out your grill. Over time, the fire box will fill with fine ash and needs to be emptied. On Camp Chef grills, this is accomplished by pulling a handle that activates a scraper and opens a chute to dump the ash into a metal cup located under the fire box. It simply dumps out the ash so it can be easily discarded.

Scan this QR Code with Another feature that sets apart a Camp Chef Pellet your smart phone to view t h e S p o r t s m a n ' s N e w s Grill is the ability to open a chute on the back of the pelYouTube Channel. let hopper to quickly dump your pellets. This means that

if you last used mesquite pellets in your grill and want to switch to a milder flavor, such as alder, you can quickly empty the hopper and replace your pellets. No more vacuuming and scooping to change flavors.

The Sportsman includes all of these features as well as a few extras that are unique to the Sportsman’s Warehouse exclusive grill. A 17.5-inch wide by 5-inch high glass window lets you keep an eye on your food without opening the cover and releasing heat. Dual temperature probes let you cook different meats at the same time and gives you an instant readout of their internal temperature. A probe inside the cooking chamber gives you the chamber temperature.

The Sportsman also features a window so you can see at a glance how many pellets remain in your hopper. The hopper on the Sportsman will hold 18 pounds of pellets, so you spend less time refilling it and don’t have to worry about a flame out from lack of fuel.

Overall, the Sportsman provides a 3,778 cubic-inch cooking chamber with 776 square-inches of cooking surface.

The Sportsman is only available at your local Sportsman’s Warehouse or online at Sportsmans.com.

SMOKEPRO DLX The SmokePro DLX Pellet Grill & Smoker brings you an easy, reliable smoke every time.

Features like the patented Ash Cleanout system make cleanup easy. With a simple pull of a lever, empty the ash from the firebox. That means less time fumbling with a suction hose and more time enjoying the beautiful day and delicious food.

Check it out at your local Sportsman’s Warehouse store.

32 June 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

For the best performance, use Camp Chef Premium Pellets.

Video Product Reviews

Nikon Monarch 2000 Laser Rangefinder

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rangefinder is an essential piece of gear for today’s hunters and shooters.

The new Nikon Monarch 2000 will get you ranges from 8 yards all the way out to 2000 yards and it is going to do it for less than $300, which makes it an affordable piece of gear for just about everyone.

You might expect a piece of equipment at this price to be lacking in features. However, Nikon has delivered a quality product with all the necessities to get you on target out past a mile. It has a 6X zoom which allows you to see targets well out to about 1000 yards, but past that a deer sized target is pretty small. It delivers half yard precision up to 700 yards, 1 yard up to 999 yards and 1.5 yard accuracy when ranging 1000 yards and beyond. Ranges are displayed in a highly visible red OLED display which has five different intensity levels. Intensity levels can also be set to automatic mode for selfadjusting intensities if desired for maximum contrast in virtually any lighting condition.

Nikon has integrated advanced technology into this unit which includes Hyper Read which calculates distance measurements in approximately 0.3 seconds regardless of distance. It will do this with a single push of the range button.

The rangefinder will continue to measure automatically until it succeeds or for up to four seconds. You can also activate the scan mode by holding down the range button, which will generate you ranges for up to 8 seconds as you track a target.

It also has what is called ID Technology, which measures and corrects for incline/decline at +/- 89 degrees. You also have the ability to set the measurement for straight line of site. It also has what is called TruTarget Priority which allows the user to Scan this QR Code with choose between first target and distant target when rangyour smart phone to view ing. This works well when hunting herd animals that might t h e S p o r t s m a n ' s N e w s be mingling in and out. At long ranges or with a bow, a few YouTube Channel. yards count.

This is a fairly small and compact unit that fits in the palm of your hand. Its rugged rubberized housing makes for an extremely durable unit which is also waterproof. The Monarch 2000 weighs just a hair over six ounces and operates on one CR2 battery. It is backed by Nikon’s full 5-year warranty.

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Video Product Reviews

Benelli 828U Sport Over/Under Shotgun

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his world class Benelli over and under shotgun is part fine Italian art and part thoroughbred workhorse. It was designed and built with the competition shotgun shooter in mind which is going to make high end shotgun competitors like Ceasar Guerini and Blazer stand up and take notice.

When you pull the 828U Sport out of the box, the AA grade satin walnut stock with pristine checkering screams high quality. It just seems to get better from there. The right-hand palm swell of the pistol grip is barely noticeable with the eye, but when your hand wraps around the stock, it provides an amazing feel. The matte black finish on the steel receiver and barrel compliment the wood nicely.

The barrel is topped with a stepped anti-glare carbon rib which includes a sight channel and white front sight. The look is finished off with extended nickel/red Crio choke tubes.

The 828U Sport definitely looks like a top of the line shotgun, but what’s under the hood, so to speak, is what really sets this shotgun apart. You notice when you put this gun together for the very first time that it is significantly different than your standard boxlock action. Benelli’s patented steel locking system eliminates wear and tear on the receiver and hinge where your traditional over and under Scan this QR Code with your smart phone to view shotguns tend to t h e S p o r t s m a n ' s N e w s fail. This solid YouTube Channel. steel breech block

locks directly to the monoblock which contains all the pressure from a shotshell.

This prevents the transfer of pressure to the receiver and the hinge pin. This means that this gun is built to last. A competition style shotgun needs to fit its owner to get the most consistency and accuracy and this thing has a lot of adjustability. It comes with 5 drop and 4 cast shims which will get you the perfect stock fit. The trigger itself is also adjustable. It allows you to slide it forward or back to allow your finger to sit naturally each and every time. Balance of a shotgun is key to shouldering the gun consistently, which equates to accuracy as well. The Benelli engineers have implemented a very innovative system into this gun which utilizes a combination of small weights in the buttstock to achieve this perfect balance for every shooter.

Adding or removing these included weights will get the shotguns balance perfect for each individual.

Once the gun is adjusted perfectly for you, taking it to the range is the real treat. It feels like an extension of you and clay targets are in big trouble. With a price tag of just over $4,000, it isn’t going to appeal to someone just wanting an over and under type of shotgun. However, someone looking to shoot competitively and get noticed at the range is going to see this highly adjustable workhorse as a great value and a must-have.

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34 June 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Amateur Outdoorsman Says “Know the Rules”

C

ontrary to the old saying that “rules were made to be broken” it isn’t necessarily a good thing to break the rules. This is especially true when it comes to fishing and hunting. The local fish and game officer just might not accept the fact that you are an amateur and didn’t know the rules. Sure, he or she might let you off with a warning, but a $100 ticket for using the wrong kind of bait can turn a casual afternoon outing into a very bad experience.

Whether you are fishing or hunting, you need to know the rules. Each and every state’s fish and game or parks departments put out what is referred to as a “proclamation”. These may be clumped into one big magazine-style proclamation that has everything fishing by itself, or possibly fishing and hunting combined. Regardless of the output method, each and every state puts these out and makes them available at their local offices. This information can also be found online, but I recommend that you have these proclamations with you at all times to refer to from time to time. Sportsman’s Warehouse usually has the rules for the state the store is in available near the customer service desk.

Since we are in the midst of fishing season and free fishing day is this month, a bit more detail on the fishing side of things is relevant. You are going to want to read these proclamations/regulations from cover to cover, in full, the first time and then refer to it when visiting different bodies of water. Each and every body of water may have unique regulations. Examples of this are the type of bait or lures that may be used as well as the different types of fish that may be kept. If you are fishing for trout or salmon, you may be required to have a special stamp in addition to your license. You might be required to fish with artificial lures only. A section of river a mile long might be closed during certain dates, but below the Johnson Bridge it’s open. Each species of fish is going to have different daily catch limits as well as possession limits and this is very important information. A child of a certain age might not be required to have a license at all but can still catch and keep an entire limit of fish. Other states may allow this child to fish, but the fish caught fall onto the adults keep and possession limits.

These are just a handful of examples and the multitude of rules that are out there to possibly be broken. We don’t want to see anyone get cited because they are an amateur and didn’t read the regulations. Stop by your local fish and game office or pick up a set at Sportsman’s Warehouse on your way to the lake. “I didn’t know!” isn’t an acceptable excuse for most conservation officers. However, the majority of them are very willing to answer your questions and help make your outdoor experience an enjoyable one. So, ask all the questions before you are actually out there fishing. The piece of mind that you know the rules will make the trip much more enjoyable.

June 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

35

n Maso u a e pt. B trol

By Ca ighway Pa H Utah

How Competition Makes You A Better Shooter he question of why to get involved in competitive shooting is one that many gun enthusiasts struggle with if they have never tried it. Many people get turned off or have false beliefs about what competition is and how it will affect their shooting. I can’t tell you how many times throughout my career in law enforcement I’ve heard “gun guys“ or the “tactical“ guys say that shooting competition creates bad habits or does nothing to make you better. However not one time was this ever said to me by someone who had actually shot competitively. Everyone has to start somewhere and from my experience the unknown of getting into competition is what discourages most people. The guys or gals at the range that have a reputation as a good shooter or a great tactician can be intimidated by the fact they will go to the range and most likely get beat by the accountant or the computer programmer.

I started shooting competitively when I was the lead firearms instructor at the Police Academy and had many eyes on me.

To say I wasn’t intimidated would be grossly inaccurate. I was known as a good shooter by my peers, bosses, and students but when I stepped onto the competitive range I had to face the reality that there were many people, most of whom didn’t carry a gun for a living, that could outshoot me. What Competition is a great way to master the fundamentals I have learned in the past 10 years of competitive shooting is that every aspect of my shooting has improved because of it. That’s not to say shooting competitions magically made me better, but what

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The ability to rapidly engage multiple targets is a skill every defensive shooter should have.

Competing keeps you on your toes

it did was point out my strengths and highlight my weaknesses.

The competitive world brings everything the static ranges cannot. Shooting while moving, complex thought processes while under stress, decision making, arrays of small to large targets, compromised shooting positions, and many many more challenges are presented at every event.

I have trained under instructors from across the nation and learned many things, most of which were only amplified when I applied them in a competitive situation. I’m not here to tell you gamesmanship and bad habits cannot be learned or hamper your defensive shooting, but what I can tell you is it will make you think through those things and learn how to apply them in a dynamic world.

Don’t be intimidated, the word competition itself is often misleading.

Most of the club matches shot on the average weekend or weeknight have no prizes, no awards, and no recognition for performance. It really is about having fun and getting better. Because of this you will find experienced club members who will help you and be more than willing to tell you how they would shoot a particular stage, or give you pointers if you so desire. Numerous times I have seen guys show up with no equipment only to have multiple seasoned shooters empty their gear bags to make sure the new shooter had everything they needed to be successful.

38 June 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

There are many different disciplines from bullseye shooting, IDPA, USPSA, Multigun and many more. Each of these organizations have different rule sets and applications, but every one of them will do something to help you improve as a shooter. Be aware, this is something that will cost you time and money because once you go, you will be hooked.

The best advice I can give to anyone trying it for the first time is to hook up with someone that has experience in that discipline. I have shot at a number of clubs across Utah and at every location I have been welcomed and have made friends. Having someone to lean on helps ease the transition from static shooting to the more complex disciplines.

So where do you start? Start with a quick internet search of clubs in your area and make contact with a club member. Club organizers will make sure you are given all the help and information you need. After that, the answer depends on your current skill level and the availability of training in your area. Like I said earlier, the competition doesn’t hone your skills by itself, it helps you apply them and find what you need to improve on. Because of this, training with a professional is the best bang for your buck. Give up buying the next $500 or $1,000 gun and spend that on instruction and ammo. I have taken courses from instructors across the United States and have learned something from each one. For those in the western states Tactical Performance Center

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Competition is available with a variety of weapons.

in Southern Utah has some great instructors and awesome ranges. I have taken several courses from them myself and have nothing but positive to say about the quality of instruction and instructors (they don’t pay me or sponsor me). No matter your reason for carrying a gun, having outside instruction from someone who actually knows what they are doing is invaluable.

Once you have training take it home and practice. Dry fire will never be overrated and specific drills are much more important than just pulling triggers. www.classes. tacticalperformancecenter.com/printable-targets/ is one of many websites where you can get free printable targets. I like the small multiple circle target where I can focus on trigger pull. Start with the top row at three yards with one shot each.

Repeat on the other rows until you can keep them all in the circle. Once you master that move back to five yards and try again. Difficulty can be increased by performing under time or at further distance.

Lastly, enjoy it and don’t take it too seriously. Whether it’s training or competition, if you aren’t having fun, try something different. No matter how big the competition, I do it for the release and entertainment. I have a very competitive personality but I don’t let the results get in the way of learning and enjoying myself. I will repeat my earlier warning; once you try it you will be hooked. Good luck!

About the author: Beau was raised in Salina, Utah and grew up hunting and shooting.

He has been in law enforcement for 14 years and currently serves as a Captain. During his career he has had the opportunity to run the firearms program for the Utah Peace Officer Standards and Training (Police Academy), been an instructor for his department, and served on their SWAT team. Beau is also a current member of the DoubleTap shooting team and travels the state shooting mainly USPSA and multigun competitions.

40 June 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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June 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

41

PRO MEMBER UPDATE

Joker's Wild Idaho Hunting Lucky Pro Member Sweepstakes winner Morgan Horne of Utah finally got the break he was looking for and connected on his first bull elk ever with Joker’s Wild Outdoors in Idaho

By Michael Deming

Antelope shopping is the game when you get tagged out on elk, which is common here at Joker’s Wild Outdoors in Idaho. Bret purchased this premium buck antelope hunt for himself, but then gave it to his son Cooper to make the hunt a family affair. Cooper got this great buck with good cutters on the last day.

During the prime of the rut and with so many elk in the area, it isn’t uncommon to call young bulls like this one right up to the truck. This bull was 18 yards away and wondering if there was a hot cow in the backseat of the pickup that he couldn’t see.

Bulls of this caliber can be passed on nearly every day of your archery or rifle hunts.

This was a big mature bull during the tail end of the rut who had already decided to be alone. This photo was taken at well over 2 miles with a Zeiss Harpia Spotting Scope and a PhoneSkope adapter. As hard as we tried to get on this big bull, he never gave us a reasonable shot and hopefully will be there for our lucky 2019 hunt winner.

HUNT AND FISH LIKE THE PROS

42 June 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Being from Utah, elk hunting a premium unit for a big mature bull elk only happens a couple of times in your lifetime unless you are really lucky or really wealthy. Bret is neither and decided to make the 5 hour drive to Idaho to hunt with Sparky and buy a fully guided elk hunt on 30,000 acres and get himself a bull.

The Sportsman's News Pro Membership Sweepstakes gives away $300,000+ worth of trips like this every year. A new grand Prize every 10 days. Go to www.ProMembershipSweepstakes.com for your chance to be featured here.

PRO MEMBER UPDATE Having 30,000 private acres to hunt on gives you the ability to manage your herd and let all of your animals reach their maximum potential. Joker’s Wild Outdoors runs a gamut of trail cameras to take an inventory of elk, moose, bears, mule deer, whitetails, and wolves to make sure they are maximizing their resource. It isn’t uncommon to see 200-500 head of elk on a day of hunting this area and bulls of this caliber are fairly common.

Pro Member Bret Smith as well as the employer of our lucky winner booked his elk hunt with this endorsed outfitter to capitalize on a great time. He brought his 19-year-old son Cooper along to fill an antelope tag and he also got fortunate and harvested this great bull early in the hunt.

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www.jokerswildoutdoors.com June 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

43

Presents Wild Game Recipes of Steve Mayer "The Wine Guy"

Planked Salmon Recipe

F

or those of you that have not tried plank cooking…try this! Plank cooking dates back to the native people of the Pacific Northwest, who grilled salmon over open fires on planks of cedar and alder wood. The plank serves two purposes. The fish does not fall through the grill and the wood smoke flavors the meat. The technique is really easy and there is no mess but a smoldered plank when you are done.

Ingredients

• 2 Cedar grilling planks • ¼ cup pure Maple Syrup • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard • 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest

Preparation Method

• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes • ¼ teaspoon sea salt • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper • 2 pounds skin-on Salmon Fillets

First of all you need to pre-soak the planks. They need to be soaked at least 2 hours, but overnight is ideal. You can soak them in water, but any type of wine, sake, or apple cider will lend unique flavors to the dish, and is a lot more fun. A glass baking pan is ideal. Lay the planks in the dish and add enough liquid to cover them.

Place enough weight on the planks to keep them submerged. A wine bottle works great!

In a small bowl, mix the maple syrup, Dijon mustard, lemon zest, pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Place the salmon fillets in a large zip-lock bag and add the maple sauce. Making sure the fish is well coated, remove as much of the air from the bag as

44 June 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

possible and seal. Let stand at room temperature as you prepare the grill.

You can use either a gas grill or charcoal. I really like the charcoal for this as I think it emphasizes the smokiness, and hey, it is just fun to get the plank smoking over hot coals! If you are using gas use the medium high setting. You are aiming for about 400 degrees F. On the charcoal grill, get the coals going, and spread them evenly. Open the top and bottom vents.

Drain the planks and wipe the excess moisture off. Place them on the grill for a few minutes to get them warmed up. Put the Salmon skin side down on the planks and drizzle the remaining sauce over them. If you want to get really fancy, you can add thin slices of an orange or a lemon under the fish. Cover the grill and cook for 13-15 minutes. Do not flip the Salmon during cooking, it will cook completely on the one side. Resist the temptation to constantly check the fish, as the smoke that builds under the cover and provides the wonderful flavor will escape. The planks will tend to smolder start to burn on the edges. As long as it doesn’t reach the fish and create an inferno, let it go, it is all good. If it get out of hand, tame it down with a spritz of water. Check for doneness by separating the thickest part with a fork slightly. It should still be a touch rare in the center. If you have a meat thermometer you are looking for around 125 degrees F in the center.

You can either remove the fish to a serving tray at this time, or place the planks with the fish still on them in a baking tray and serve them that way. Serve with a side of wild rice and a green salad with vinaigrette. This meal pairs well with white and red wine. My pick would be a creamy Chardonnay for a white, and a nice Pinot Noir for a red. Cheers!

Adventures On A Budget Lee's Ferry

Lee's Ferry is below The Glenn Canyon Dam on The Colorado River with Page, AZ being the nearest town. The dam controls the flow of very cold water coming from the bottom of Lake Powell. This discharge of cold water has changed a warm water river into an aquatic insect producing paradise. Hatches here change depending on how far below the dam you fish. This nutrient rich aquatic environment makes up the first fifteen miles or so of the tailwater from the dam to the Paria Riffle at Lee's Ferry. The river is famous for big, healthy, beautiful rainbows.

But also, this first section of the river has the most restrictions. These restrictions include no bait, barbless hooks and artificial fly or lure only. Daily limit here is two rainbows any size (but catch and release is highly recommended). Trout caught here are immediately released or killed and retained as a part of the daily limit. An Arizona Fishing License is required on all parts of the river. The Arizona Non-resident Fishing License is $55. You can park, camp and launch a power boat from Lee's Ferry. If you bring your own boat, be aware of the water flow as it changes often. Lower, very clear water can mean possible rock damage to your motor or boat. Boating this river can be dangerous any time, especially during your first visit. A word to the wise; play it safe, stay in the main channel.

F

By Terry Clapp

irst off, this part of Trout Heaven is about as hard to access as it is to get through the Pearly Gates. I’m just saying for the DIY person it’s as remote in as many ways as it is beautiful and unique. It’s a year-round trout fishing stream like no other. If you like to hike, rappel and trout fish in nature’s most beautiful sandstone landscapes, you have arrived. However, if you are like me, you either drive up to the Lee's Ferry boat launch area or hook up with one of many local outfitters.

46 June 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Fly Fishing

Fly fishing the tail water from the dam down river is not as fabulous as it was years ago, but it is still great. If you fly fish this section of river, it is best done below the surface. These waters are mostly nymph fishing. If conditions are right, you may wish to try dry flies. The most important insects here are blood and cream colored midges.

There are also mayflies, stoneflies, and caddisflies. The blue-winged olive mayfly appears first and is the most abundant. Hatches start in late March and peak in late May. The hatch begins again in September, ending in early November. The spawn is late fall to early November. The spawn is a wonderful time to sight fish for the fish you want. Just cast to the fish you have your eye on.

Adventures On A Budget Vermilion Cliffs. Fishing on the river here is very good.

Remember, there are no camping accommodations other than the welcome sign. A Navajo Hiking Permit is recommended.

Cost

Down River Rule Changes

From the Paria Riffle at the Lee's Ferry area to the Navajo Bridge, the limit of rainbow trout is six per day. There is no limit on other sport fish species, including trout species. Be advised that once you go down river from Lee's Ferry, there are no takeout points. If you have any problems with your boat, it may be extremely difficult to get back to Lee's Ferry. Most people use drift boats and some use jet boats going up river from Lee's Ferry and floating back from the dam area.

You can fish from the bank as well through this area once accessed. Good fishing for rainbows is a given, but it still takes some effort and fishing expertise to catch them at times.

Hiking and Fishing

From Navajo Bridge to Separation Canyon, there is no limit on any sportfish species. Given that, a fun but vigorous way to get at that wide-open fishing opportunity is to hike down Jackass Creek (Wash). It is a hike like no others. Rock obstacles and drop-offs abound. In my opinion, there is no such thing as an easy hike down to the Colorado River. The 2.4-mile hike to the river seems like double that to me! This is a nice overnight hiking and fishing experience. There is a parking area where US 89 crosses the canyon. Parking is on the east side of the Colorado, just after milepost 532. The best way to get a feel for this hike is to search for Jackass Creek, Arizona or trails into the Colorado River of The Grand Canyon.

Rocks rule Jackass Creek. There are several five to twentyfoot drops. The Navajo Fishermen have left ropes on most drops to help hikers pass through. There is one big challenge in a short narrow section of the wash where there is one thirty-foot drop to a pool in the wash below. There will be ropes available to help you descend down. Water is available only in the river and pools in the wash. Plan accordingly for your water needs. If it is raining, it is not advisable to hike Jackass Creek. Near the river you will see a sign, “Welcome to Grand Canyon National Park.” California Condors are a common sight as you will be near their home in the nearby

48 June 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

If you hike into the river to fish, then the appropriate Arizona Fishing License is needed. Motels in the area of Lee's Ferry to Page vary from season to season, with winter rates being the lowest at $80 to $100. Rates in the summer will run from over $100 to near $200. In any case, plan ahead because motel rooms are very limited near Lee's Ferry. Page offers more, but Lake Powell is a big-time summer attraction as is The North Rim of The Grand Canyon. Lee's Ferry is about three hours north of Flagstaff and a little over five hours north of Phoenix.

A good way to get a great overview of the river and how to fish it is to hire an outfitter. Cost for eight hours of fishing is about the same for most outfitters. The guide will provide boat, water and lunches for members of your group. The guide service will provide equipment to fish with if you wish.

You may use your own equipment if you wish. Things of a personal nature like waders or other gear are best to bring.

The cost for these guide services is $400 a day for one person, $500 for two people or $600 a day for three people. With three people, it may mean taking turns fishing at times while in the boat, but you will also be stopping off at sand bars for wade fishing as well. Fly fishing and spin cast fishing are the norm.

Spinners with the colors of a rainbow usually work well for the spin fishing group.

There is a ton of good information about Lee's Ferry available online. Fly fishing on the Colorado, of course, gets the most attention. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area lists information for the upper part of the Colorado River. Grand Canyon National Park has information on trailheads for canyon and washes leading hikers/fishermen down to the Colorado River. Tanner Wash, for example, is another hike-in opportunity. Planning far in advance can make Lee's Ferry fit most budgets.

If you have to go a little over budget on this trip, it will be more than worth it as this part of the country is truly breathtaking. Enjoy!

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or online at Sportsmans.com 50 June 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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