Weekly Outdoors
Column Archive for 2003
By: Ron Wilson & Tim Paes
December, 2003
FAMILY,
FRIENDS AND THE WHOLE KENNEL!
December 18, 2003.... Saturday the Central Valley Chapter of Safari
Club International held A Pheasant hunting outing at the Kistler
Ranch near Woodward Reservoir.
TIME TO HUNT WATERFOWL, THEY’RE MOVING!
December 11, 2003.... Hunting Ducks in the grasslands has finally
started to pay off! My son Donald, grandson Derick and I had a
reservation at San Luis National Wildlife Refuge this past week.
DUCKS SLOW IN ARRIVING BUT IT WON'T BE MUCH LONGER
December 4, 2003.... So far this year hunting ducks in California
has been miserable! I have hunted nearly every weekend since opening
day and done a lot of looking and not much seeing!
November, 2003
JUST ANOTHER GOVERNMENT BLUNDER
November 27, 2003.... After several years of hunting game refugees I
decided to get into the drawing for a spot to hunt ducks and geese
at Modesto Reservoir. I got a few friends together and we filled out
5 cards, at $35 a piece, for our chance.
FINDING LAND
GETS TOUGHER EVERY YEAR
November 20, 2003.... The Ringed-necked Pheasant is a bird that
was imported into America from Asia and therefore has no place in Audubon's
Birds of America, which is comprised exclusively of wild birds native to
North America.
THIS WEEKEND IS FOR THE KIDS
November 13, 2003.... Last weekend the Central Valley Chapter of
Safari Club International, of which I am a member, held their annual
youth hunt at Mapes Ranch.
FINALLY STARTING TO FEEL LIKE DUCK SEASON AROUND HERE
November 6, 2003.... The storm last week finally brought the ducks
down from up north. I spent Saturday watching until well pass noon
as flock after flock of ducks flew overhead.
October, 2003
DO SOME FISHING WHILE WAITING FOR THE DUCKS
October 30, 2003.... I finally got out on the water last Saturday to do
some duck hunting, well duck working anyway. You now, fixing up the
blind and making things look a little better in hopes the ducks like
what they see
DUCK OPENER IS HIT & MISS
October 23, 2003.... Hunting Ducks and Geese in California may not
be in the best interest of your pocketbook. It may be cheaper and
more productive to take a trip or two to Canada to bag your
waterfowl.
THE SALMON RUN IS ON!
October 16, 2003.... California's Salmon migration to their annual
spawning grounds has been going on for a few months now.
September, 2003
MACY IN CHARGE
September 25, 2003.... I spent last Saturday with Al Autry, his son
Bear and Macy, Al’s spoiled rotten beagle. We went to Lake Don Pedro
to do a little fishing.
DINNER FIT FOR A KING
September 18, 2003.... When I was first asked to join the Central
Valley Chapter of Safari Club International (SCI), My first thought
was, “I don’t hunt exotic animals so what business do I have
belonging to an organization such as SCI.”
BIG BREAK AND BIG WINDS MAKES FOR A WILD RIDE
September 11, 2003.... Nor-Cal Bass held its 5th
tournament of the year last Saturday at Big Break Marina on the
California Delta. When I left Modesto at 3:30 a.m. the wind was
already blowing, so I knew I was in for a rough day on the water.
SLOW OPENER FOR DOVES IN THE CENTRAL VALLEY
September 5,
2003.... A month ago it looked like we would have a great dove
opener. I saw several 10 to 20-bird flocks flying around.
NOW IS THE RIGHT TIME FOR TUNA
September 4, 2003.... For catching some really nice size Albacore
Tuna you should think September and October off the coast of
California.
August, 2003
Blame
progress for declining Sierra deer herd
August 28, 2003…. Since 1953, the deer herd has been on a
steady decline in the High Sierra.
VISIT
WHISKEYTOWN FOR SOME GREAT KOKANEE ACTION
August 21, 2003.... Bruce Hamby, owner of Sierra
Sportfishing recently informed me that some of the largest kokanee
in the State of
California were being caught at Whiskeytown
Lake.
THE
WEATHER ISN'T THE ONLY HOT THING AT DON PEDRO
August 14, 2003.... As an outdoor writer I have an opportunity
to meet everyday people with the same passion and love of
hunting and fishing as I do.
GOOD
FRIENDS, GOOD FOOD & GOOD FISHING
August 7, 2003.... Last Thursday I went to Lake Don Pedro to
check out the trout and kokanee fishing and partake in the
annual Keeper Worms pro-staff tournament and campout.
July, 2003
SCI
DINNER A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE
July 31, 2003.... Jane and Harold Armstrong of Modesto recently invited
members of the California Central Valley Chapter of Safari Club
International (SCI) to a dinner at their home.
CHASING
KOKE’S LIVE ON AIR
July 24, 2003.... Hurray,
after two weeks of trying, I finally got to check out the Kokanee
fishing at Lake Don Pedro last Saturday. Its been reported as red
hot most of the summer but I have just had to many irons in the
fire or cancellations to see for myself.
FINDING
THE RIGHT BAIT IS THE KEY
July 17, 2003…. Saturday
Guide Bruce Hamby of Ripon, Dave Graham of Oakdale and I went to New
Melones to fish for kokanee. The goal was to locate concentrations
of fish and see what they wanted to eat.
Bruce and Dave were fishing a Kokanee tournament the next
day.
DEALING
WITH HOLIDAY WEEKENDS
July 10, 2003....
Friday was a planned outing at Lake Don Pedro to see if all
these trout and kokanee catching stories I've been hearing were
true.
BACK-TO-BACK
AT MELONES FOR THIS TEAM!
July 3, 2003.... Guide Bruce Hamby of Ripon, Warren Cooper of
Elk Grove and myself fished the Kokanee Power Tournament last
Saturday at New Melones.
June, 2003
DOG
DAYS OF SUMMER
June 26, 2003…. As the dog days of summer approach and our
lakes and waterways become clogged with boat traffic, you only
have two choices, fight the crowds or leave the boat in the
garage and take care of the honey-do list. WHAT
FATHERS DAY IS ALL ABOUT
June
19, 2003…. Saturday I started celebrating father’s day early
by taking my grandson Derick black bass fishing at Lake McClure.
For me one of the benefits of being a father is having grandkids
to enjoy in the outdoors! TESTING
LINE & CATCHING FISH
June 11, 2003.... I spent last Sunday with Progressive Outdoor
Marketing manufacturers' sales representative Mark Vejar. JUST
WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED
June 10, 2003.... For
the past 3 months I have been going to physical therapy at 1400
Florida Avenue. I've been dealing with an old injury I received
at work. NIGHT
TOURNAMENTS CAN BE GRUELING
June 5, 2003....
Night black bass Tournaments, while they are nice to fish
without all the heat that we have during the day, the one thing
that I hate about them is that they ruin the weekend. Instead of
two days of playing in the outdoors a night tournament angler is
limited to one grueling night of fishing!
May, 2003
KELSEY
OFFERS AN AFTERNOON GET AWAY
May 30, 2003.... I spent Sunday smoking all the fish I’ve been
catching lately and then Monday mowing the lawn (front and back)
and working in the garden. BACK
TO CAMANCHE FOR THE BIG'UNS
May 29, 2003.... Memorial weekend is a time for avid
fishermen to stay away from our waterways. This seems to be the weekend that
most people kick off their summer water sports.
I usual spend this weekend working on boats and fishing equipment. FISHING
PARADISE IN OUR BACKYARD
May 23, 2003.... For
the last few years I have been fished many lakes and reservoirs
in central California, trying to locate one that can
consistently produce the quality trout that I like to catch. HUGE
TURNOUT FOR KOKE DERBY AT PARDEE
May 20, 2003....
Saturday Bruce Hamby and I fished the California Inland
Fisheries Foundation kokanee derby at Lake Pardee. Wow they had
a record turnout we were entrants 256 and 257 and there was
still a line of guys to sign up behind us! TAKE
A SPECIAL PERSON FISHING
May 15,
2003…. There were no losers at this event as every special person got
trophies, a rod and reel and a
tackle box to take home. LOUSY
WEATHER AGAIN!
May 8, 2003....
Saturday Norval Pimentel and I fished the Annual Fish Sniffer
Black Bass Team Fishing Tournament held at Kelsey Bass Ranch. 5TH
ANNUAL GLORY HOLE FISHING SEMINAR A HUGE SUCCESS
May 1, 2003.... Last
weekend I helped Dan & Melanie Lewis, owners of Glory Hole
Sports, with their 5th Annual Free Fishing Seminars and Customer
Appreciation Days.
April, 2003
FROM
HONEY-DO'S TO CHEESE & WINE TO BLACK BASS "WHAT A
WEEKEND"
April 24, 2003....
Saturday I met Guide Bruce Hamby at his Ripon home at 5 a.m. We
were planning a days outing at Lake Camanche. THE
B.A.S.S. EXPERIENCE
April 17, 2003.... BASS founder Ray Scott established the Bass
Anglers Sportsmen Society in 1967; I have to wonder if he could
have imagined what it would become in the 21st
century. FISHING
WITH ONE OF THE STATES FINEST
April 17, 2003....
Department Of Fish and Game Warden Tim Galas, guide Bruce Hamby
and I went to Lake Camanche last Saturday to catch trout. TOUGH
TO FIND THE BIG ONE'S AT McCLURE
April 10, 2003.... Lake
McClure is still full of spotted bass, but a lot of them are
skinny! Years ago there used to be lots of nice fish in the 2
pound class, but for the last few years it seems the majority of
them are just plain underfeed! CAMANCHE
KICKS INTO HIGH GEAR!
April 3, 2003.... Its the time of year that the trout bite is
fixin' to bust wide open! With that in mind, Guide Bruce Hamby,
of Ripon, and I went to Lake Camanche last week to check out the
trout fishing. B.A.S.S.
PRO'S ARE WESTWARD BOUND
April 2, 2003....Team
Yamaha and Stratos touring professional black bass angler Mark
Menendez, of Paducah, KY, came out to fish the B.A.S.S.
California Delta tournament that is taking place this week in
Stockton, CA.
March, 2003
NOTHING
LIKE FISHING IN THE RAIN!
March 27, 2003....Great weather last week gave way to lousy
weather on Sunday. But it’s been a pretty good year so far, as
this was the first tournament that I had to fish in a rain that
lasted all day long! The steady drizzle was just enough to make
it a discomfort, but not ruin the day. CHOOSING
THE RIGHT BATTERY
March 20, 2003....
Lousy weather! Well it looked pretty bad from my front room as I
only got outside long enough to take out the garbage and do a
little work on my trout trolling boat. JUST ONE BITE AWAY!
March 12, 2003.... Black Bass fishing Pro Anthony Pimentel of
Modesto and I were paired to fish the 3rd event of the Nor-Cal
Bass Tournament Trail at New Melones Lake last Saturday. PREHISTORIC STURGEON ON
THE LINE
March 6, 2003.... Ever had an urge to catch a prehistoric fish. Well the
sturgeon is about as ugly and prehistoric of a fish as
they come. Sturgeon make their migratory swim
from the ocean to the local rivers to spawn each year.
February, 2003
SMELLS
LIKE SKUNK!
February 27, 2003.... Skunked! Well I
can't remember the last time I went fishing and never caught a fish, but last Sunday was one of those days! I know its called
fishing but that's not my idea of fun. I like the catching part of the
sport! THE
MOTHERLODE'S HIDDEN JEWEL
February 20, 2003.... The sky was a little overcast
but it looked like it was going to be a nice day. I called Tim Paes to
see if he would like to go to Kelsey Bass Ranch to catch a few black
bass. OBSERVATIONS
FROM THE 2ND ANNUAL CWA DINNER
February 13, 2003.... The California Waterfowl Association
(CWA) held there 2nd Annual Quad Cities Dinner last Thursday at
the Ripon Community Center. The evening started with the usual
duck hunting talk about how good or terrible the waterfowl
season was. WHAT'S
NEW AT THE ISE
February 4, 2003.... I
spent last Sunday at the San Mateo International Sportsmen
Exposition (ISE). I quickly hurried threw the buildings, just
glancing around checking out what was there. I must of been
going too fast, as I found out later I missed several friends
who were there! A
GREAT DAY ON THE WATER & A LITTLE CASH IN MY WALLET!
February 4, 2003.... I
went to Lake Camanche last Saturday to fish the Nor-Cal Bass
Pro-Am. My day started off at the North Shore Coffee Shop, where
Chris Cantwell, Marina Services Manager, served the angler's in
the tournament complementary coffee and fresh Danishes, donated
by East Bay Municipal Utilities District.
January, 2003
DUCK
SEASON FINALE
January 29, 2003.... I took vacation last week to do even
more waterfowl hunting. What should have been a great waterfowl
season ended as a dismal one for my hunting partners and me, as
we chose comfort over putting in that extra work it takes to be
successful at harvesting waterfowl. WHO'S
LOOKING OUT FOR CALIFORNIA WATERFOWL HUNTERS?
January 23, 2003.... This year the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (USFWS), the federal agency responsible for conserving,
protecting and enhancing wildlife, fish and plants had proposed
waterfowl regulations that would have continued the same duck
hunting season and bag limits that were offered in 1997. A 100
day hunting season and a 7 duck a day bag limit. WHAT'S
GOING ON AT DFG AND HOW DO WE GET IT FIXED?
January 16, 2003.... This week we are running a special
feature in place of our regular weekly article. This is an
actual letter written by a DFG employee to the leadership of the
department. It asks some tough questions that the public has the
right to have answers to! This should stir the anger in you to
demand answers to these questions. BACK TO THE TOURNAMENT
SCENE FOR A DAY
January 9, 2003.... Last Saturday I took
a day off from hunting ducks and geese to do a little bass fishing at
lake Don Pedro. So far this year its been more fishing weather than
hunting weather as mother nature seems to have forgotten to set the
weather temperature gauge to cold. Maybe she is waiting until duck
season is over! NOTHING
BUT HUNTING, HUNTING & MORE HUNTING!
January 8, 2003.... A couple weeks of nothing but hunting,
hunting and more hunting. I have been chasing ducks and geese
from one side of the valley to the other. It may sound crazy but
I have found that the ducks will be on the west side one day and
on the east side the next.
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