THE NEW LAKE EFFECT ON FISHING THE NEW LAKE EFFECT ON FISHING

• CATCHING CRAPPIE • CATCHING CRAPPIE • CATFISH RECIPES• CATFISH RECIPES• BETTER BANK FISHING • BETTER BANK FISHING

HUNTING HUNTING AXISAXISDEERDEER

ISSUE II

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THE OUTPOSTGorilla Marketing, LLC • Marietta, GA 30062 • 770-675-7200Jason Martin, Partner • Jim Zegers, King of the Jungle • Art Young, Editor in ChiefContributing Writers: Art Young, Jason Martin, Patrick MeitinPhoto Credits: Tony Eckler - Poot McFarlin - Sandy Earle - Jeff Van Buskirk Jeff Brockette- SNA Members - Marc Montochi - Ronnie Wright

Editor’s Letter:Spring and fall are my two favorite seasons because the weather is so nice. This issue of The Outpost of-fers some food for thought on some fun things you can do outside during this great time of year – fi sh-ing for crappie, how to take advantage of those new lakes, tips on better bank fi shing and hiking in the great states of Texas and Louisiana – as well as some real food in the form of some of the best catfi sh recipes you have ever wrapped your mouth around.

Also in this issue, we’ve got a story about my acci-dental meeting of a giant Axis deer, what to do about storing all that hunting gear in the offseason to keep the scent au natural, a boatload of outdoor photos and a couple of laughs. It’s all here.

Since we’re just getting the hang of this digital magazine thang, we’d love to hear what you think. Send us your ideas on what you’d like to see in future issues, your photographs of you and your buddies/family/dogs out enjoying Mother Nature, your high school picture of you with a mullet or anything else that shows you’re just as goofy and as passionate about the outdoors as we are. We always love a tall tale.

In the meantime, hurry up and read this issue and then get the heck outside and play!

Email us at: The-Outpost@comcast.net

THE OUTPOST© is produced and copyrighted 2012 by Gorilla Marketing LLC, Marietta GA 30062. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is expressly forbidden.

“It’s a Jungle Out There!”

TABLE OF CONTENTSTABLE OF CONTENTS

• TAKING ADVANTAGE OF • TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE NEW LAKE EFFECT THE NEW LAKE EFFECT

• STORING HUNTING GEAR• STORING HUNTING GEAR

• GREAT HIKING IN LOUISIANA • GREAT HIKING IN LOUISIANA AND TEXAS AND TEXAS

• BACKPACKING FOR BIGGER • BACKPACKING FOR BIGGER WESTERN GAME WESTERN GAME

• THE BACK PAGE• THE BACK PAGE

• CATCHING CRAPPIE• CATCHING CRAPPIE

• CATFISH...IT’S WHAT• CATFISH...IT’S WHAT FOR DINNER FOR DINNER

• FISHING TIPS YOU • FISHING TIPS YOU CAN TAKE TO THE CAN TAKE TO THE BANK BANK

• HUNTING AXIS DEER• HUNTING AXIS DEER

CATCHING CRAPPIECATCHING CRAPPIETab Benoit is a nationally known blues guitarist and singer who grew up and continues to live in Houma, Louisiana. In addition to being a great performer, he is a well-known supporter of the Wetlands along the Gulf Coast and an avid fi sherman. When introducing one of his most popular songs – Sac au lait – he usually talks about the fact that some people call this fi sh “Crappie”, but the Acadian folks in Louisiana prefer a more appetiz-ing name. “What would you rather eat, something called ‘crappie’ or something called “Sac au lait?” To see and hear Tab talk about fi shing, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0QxWggayzs) There are few activities more exciting than catching aggressive fi sh and if they happen to taste great, then that is an additional bonus. This describes fi shing for crappie or (if you prefer) Sac au lait perfectly. While they can be caught any time of the year and many fi shermen prefer the summer and fall seasons, the prime time for catching crappie is whenever the temperature of the water reaches 65 degrees in the spring - when annual spawn begins.

• CATCHING CRAPPIE

• CATFISH...IT’S WHAT FOR DINNER

• FISHING TIPS YOU CAN TAKE TO THE BANK

• HUNTING AXIS DEER

In order to have success in catching crappie, it is necessary to understand how crappie survive. They are ambush predators and they rely on concealment for fi nding food. If the fi sherman can fi nd the concealment, present a credible prey in a tempting manner then the next thing you know… it’s crappie time! Fishing for crappie is great sport because they can be caught by the beginner angler and they offer a challenge to the most experienced fi sherman. Crappie have been called “nomads” because they cruise a wide area, especially after the spawn. They avoid the noon heat by going deeper and they tend to follow creek channels from deep to shallow water where they will feed in the late afternoon.

Black or White? It’s Hard to Tell the Difference

There are two types of crappie, white (Pomoxis annularis) and black (Pomoxis nigro-maculatus). They are often found schooling together and unless the angler is a marine biologist or has a great deal of experience, he/she won’t be able to tell the difference when one is caught.

Black and white crappie are the same colors ranging from dark olive to black on top with silvery sides and black blotches and stripes. The pattern of the dark blotches is differ-ent. On black crappie, the spots are irregular and scattered. While on white crappie this coloration is clearly arranged into 7 to 9 vertical stripes. Also, black crappies have 7 or 8 dorsal spines and white crappie have only six.

Even though they are fun to catch and even more fun to eat, crappie are not that large. Wikipedia notes that the world record black crappie is 5 pounds and the record white crappie is 5 pounds, 3 ounces. Most crappies that make it to the stringer are in the half to one pound range. In terms of minimum length for keeping or releasing them, most states, including Texas, have a 10 inch size limit on crappie.

Fishing guides say that black crappie tend to need slightly clearer and deeper lakes or ponds to fl ourish and white crappie hold in more shallow water. However, both are found in ponds, lakes and rivers. Anglers tend to have more success fi nding crappie under bridges, near pilings and areas that have submerged trees, stumps and tires.

How to Catch Crappie

This type of fi sh requires the angler to master the art of brush fi shing. With brush fi shing, there is a constant challenge of losing hooks, jigs and weights. Expert guides have a wide range of high tech electronics that help them fi nd the exact depth where the crap-pie are congregating, but for the beginner, it seems logical to apply the famous KISS principle.

The simplest way to catch crappie is to use a tandem hook, rigged with a heavy weight on the end and two hooks tied to the line. With this confi guration, it is possible to feel the weight as it bumps into anything substantial (a stump, old tire, a scuba diver) in the water.

Another simple technique it to tie a 1/32 ounce white or yellow jig to the main fi shing line, which is usually 12-pound test, then tie a separate drop line of less strength (6 pound test) and cinch a split-shot to this line. The light drop line should extend 6 inches or so below the jig so that the fi sherman can feel the stumps or other hang-outs for crappie. If the drop line snags and is lost, it is easy to replace the split shot.

Many fi shing guides suggest trolling with a jig and minnow combination. In this scenario, it is recommended that the angler uses a drop line with a light weight - maybe even something as simple as a nail. One can also use this technique to catch crappie at night. It helps to use fl oating lights for night fi shing. Just make sure that they are wired to a separate battery from the one that is used to start the boat!

The Jig is Up

The best baits for catching crappie are jigs, plastic grubs, marabou, spinners as well as good old fashion minnows. If minnows are used, it is best to hook the minnow through the lip for trolling, through the eye socket for jigging and behind the dorsal fi n for bobber fi shing.

A jig is a type of fi shing lure that consists of a lead sinker with a hook molded into it and usually covered by a soft body to attract fi sh. Jigs are intended to create a jerky, vertical motion, as opposed to spinner baits which move through the water horizontally.One well-respected guide in Texas, Wally Marshall (aka “Mr. Crappie”) notes that jigs are far superior to minnows because “they don’t die, you don’t run out of them in the middle of catching a bunch of fi sh, you don’t have to worry about them being too small or too large and you can get back to fi shing quicker after catching something!” Needless to say, Mr. Marshall doesn’t use minnows to catch crappie.

For successful jigging, the fi sherman needs to use a rod which is good for feeling a strike, and needs to stay in contact with the lure and get it to where the fi sh are. Most fi sh caught by jigs are on or near the bottom. On his website (www.thecrappieguy.com) Marshall suggests using a chartreuse or pink colored jig with a weight of 1/16, 1/8 or 1/4 ounce.

Knit, Purl and Catch

One of the most important tricks to snagging crappie is to develop a fi ne tactile sense. If you think “tactile” is something you put on a bathroom fl oor, think again. Crappie tend to be nibblers and more than a few have been caught by fi sherman who have a keen sense when their line is moving. Interestingly, women and young children tend have a better tactile sense because their hands are more sensitive than hands that have been involved in working on car engines and sawing tree limbs for years!

One cool technique that can be used to get a better feel for crappie to be more inclined to take the jig or minnow is called the “knit and purl” approach. Rather than using an up and down jigging motion, an angler can try lifting and pulling the line with a forefi nger while twisting the hand holding the rod around. By handling the rod this way, it is possible to feel even the gentle nibbling of a crappie and it makes it easier to anticipate a crappie strike.

Whether you have a tripped out boat with a side imaging sonar depth fi nder and a tackle box full of jigs in every color of the rainbow or you’re 10 years old and have a cane pole with a string, a couple of hooks and a bobber, you can have a blast catching this game fi sh. And whether you call it crappie or Sac au lait, all it takes is some patience, a little luck and the good sense to change strategy whenever they’re not buying what you’re selling.

Catfi sh: It’s What’s for DinnerWhether it’s farm-raised, caught from the river or hand-grabbed by a Noodler, catfi sh is one of the most healthy and tasty of all fi sh. It’s also amazingly versatile. Here are some easy-to-make catfi sh recipes from The Outpost.

Southern Fried Catfi sh

Everybody needs a least one great recipe for southern fried catfi sh and this is it.

Prep Time: 20 min • Cook Time: 40 min • Serves: 8

For the fried catfi sh:• 1 liter canola, approximately, as needed for deep-frying• 3 cups cornmeal, approximately, as needed for breading• 2 tablespoons Irvine Spices Cajun Blackfi sh spice (you may need more if you use more cornmeal for breading)• Salt and freshly ground black pepper• 4 pounds catfi sh fi llets• Lemon wedges, for service

Directions:In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, mayonnaise, scallions and relish to make a tartar sauce. Re-frigerate until needed. Heat oil in deep-fryer to 350 degrees F. Combine cornmeal, Blackfi sh Spice and salt and pepper, to taste. Dredge catfi sh fi llets in seasoned cornmeal. Deep-fry coated pieces in batches until they are cooked through, about 10 minutes. (For basic reference, use the manufac-turer’s instructions for your deep fryer for similar foods, then test the fi sh see that it is fork tender.) Al-low to drain on paper towels and serve with tartar sauce and fresh lemon wedges (to squeeze lemon juice over the fi sh).

For the tartar sauce:• 2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil• 3/4 cup mayonnaise• 2 scallions (white and tender green parts only), minced• 2 teaspoons drained sweet pickle relish

Blackened Catfi sh with Sautéed Vegetables

If you like your catfi sh blackened, here’s a good way to do that.

Prep Time: 10 min • Cook Time: 20 min • Serves: 4 servingsIngredients• 3 cups conventional white rice• 1/4 cup canola oil, divided• 3 stalks celery, diced• 1 medium green bell pepper• 1 medium yellow onion, diced• 1 teaspoon freshly chopped garlic• Salt and fresh ground black pepper• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper• 2 teaspoons lemon juice• 2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley leaves• 5 catfi sh fi llets, about 1 1/4 pounds• 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning

DirectionsIn a large pot, bring 5 1/4 cups of water to a boil over medium heat. Add the rice, turn the heat down to low and simmer until rice has absorbed all the water and is light and fl uffy, about 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer the rice to a serving bowl and set aside.

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add 2 tablespoons of canola oil. Add the celery, green pep-per, onion, garlic, and season with salt, pepper and cayenne pepper. Sauté until slightly tender about 5 minutes. Add the fresh lemon juice and chopped parsley and cook for another minute. Transfer the vegetables to a serving bowl and set aside.

While the vegetables are sautéing, heat a cast iron skillet or griddle over high heat. Brush the catfi sh with the remaining canola oil and then sprinkle both sides with Cajun seasoning. Place the catfi sh onto into the hot pan and cook, about 2 to 3 minutes on each side. Arrange the catfi sh on a serving platter and serve with rice and sautéed vegetables.

Catfi sh Sandwiches with Cajun Remoulade

A catfi sh sandwich with the best Cajun Remoulade you’ve ever put in your mouth

Prep Time: 10 min • Cook Time: 6 minCatfi sh:• 1 1/2 pounds catfi sh fi llets, rinsed and patted dry• 1 box (8.5-ounce) corn muffi n mix• 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning • 1 egg• 1/2 cup all-purpose fl our• Canola oil, for frying

Remoulade:• 1 scallion, fi nely chopped• 1 1/4 cups mayonnaise • 1 tablespoon capers, fi nely chopped• 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning • 1/2 teaspoon crushed garlic • 2 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice

Sandwiches:• 1 loaf store-bought garlic bread (bake per package directions)• Butter lettuce• Sliced tomatoes• Sliced red onions

DirectionsCut catfi sh fi llets in half; set aside. In a pie dish or plate, combine corn muffi n mix and Cajun seasoning; set aside. In a pie dish lightly beat egg with 1 tablespoon water to make egg wash; set aside.Dredge each catfi sh fi llet in the fl our; dip into egg wash and coat with corn muffi n mixture. Set aside on a plate. In a deep-fryer or large pot heat oil over medium to medium-high heat to 375 degrees F. Fry catfi sh until golden brown, about 6 minutes. Remove to plate lined with paper towels. Cajun Remoulade:In a small bowl, stir together all ingredients. Set aside. Sandwiches:Spread warm garlic bread with remoulade sauce. Build sandwiches with fried catfi sh and remaining ingredients.

Art’s Smoked Catfi shIf you like grillin’, try this one.

Prep Time: 10 min • Inactive Prep Time: 1 hr • Cook Time: 45 minCreamy Orange Dill Sauce: • 2/3 cup plain yogurt• 2/3 cup sour cream• 2 tablespoons orange juice• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper• 1 clove garlic, fi nely chopped• 1 tablespoon fi nely chopped green onion• 1 tablespoon fi nely chopped parsley• 1 tablespoon fi nely chopped dill• Dash hot sauce• Salt and freshly ground black pepper * Add all the ingredients to a serving bowl and serve with the smoked catfi sh. DirectionsCombine the buttermilk and hot sauce in a 13 by 9-inch casserole dish. Add catfi sh fi llets and cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour. After 1 hour, remove the catfi sh from the refrigerator and pat dry with paper towels. Set up your grill for indirect heat at a medium-low temperature, about 275 degrees F.

Mix together the oregano, lemon peel and salt, pepper, in a small bowl. Lightly coat the fi sh with olive oil and sprinkle the seasoning evenly over the catfi sh fi llets. Put the catfi sh on the grill away from the hot coals. Smoke the catfi sh until it is fully cooked through and golden brown, about 45 minutes. Remove the fi sh from the grill to a serving platter and serve with the Orange Dill Cream Sauce.

Ingredients• 1 quart buttermilk• 2 tablespoons hot sauce• 4 large catfi sh fi llets• 2 teaspoons dried oregano• 1 teaspoons dehydrated lemon peel• 1 teaspoon kosher salt• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper• Olive oil• Special equipment: Apple wood chips, soaked in water for 1 hour.

FISHING TIPS YOU CAN TAKE TO THE BANK

Most fi shermen don’t have a boat but they still want to catch fi sh. This means that most fi shing is done from the bank. With a little planning, this can be just as much fun as fi shing from one of those dou-blewide boats. Since the techniques for bank fi shing are different from those where a boat is used, here are some tips that you can take to the bank.

The ideal time to fi sh from the bank is in the spring or early summer. This is because with winter recently over, many fi sh are still hanging out in the shallow water. In the heat of summer, they tend to migrate to the deeper, cooler depths. However, any time of year an angler is likely to fi nd fi sh if he knows where to look.

Fish Like a Little Structure in Their Lives

If fi shing for game fi sh such as bass or crappie, it’s important for the angler to work around structures such as submerged stumps or bushes and weeds. Most fi shermen avoid these areas because of the potential for losing lures and tackle if they get entangled in the undergrowth. Unfortunately, these areas are where the fi sh live and its better to risk a hook or two than to try and fi sh in non-productive places.

A great place to fi nd fi sh is under bridges. This is due to the very logical reason that a bridge spans a river or creek and the deep water near the pilings supply shade and rock used for their foundation slows the erosion of the area making it an ideal spot for most fi sh species. Piers are also excellent structures to fi nd fi sh in spite of the fact that there is usually a lot of other fi sherman with the same idea.

The type of bank will also affect where fi sh might be lurking. The best type of bank is one with a rela-tively steep drop-off. If this can be found, more fi sh will likely be in casting range.

Choosing the Right Lures and Strategy for a Strike

Choosing a lure that is relatively snag-free is the best strategy for fi shing from the bank. If the angler is after bass, the best type of lure is a plastic worm or other soft plas-tic lures that are rigged with the hooked point buried in the body.

Spinnerbaits and topwater lures are also great to avoid entanglement in undergrowth and for catching fi sh. If fi shing for catfi sh, crappie or bluefi sh, it’s advisable to use live or natural bait with a slip bobber to fl oat the bait and a depth that the fi sh seem to be biting. This bobber will also help the fi sherman know when the fi sh are getting interested in making a strike.

Most anglers who are bank fi shing give up on a spot too soon. Fishing guides suggest making many casts in an area that might have fi sh. With this repeated casting, the game fi sh might get annoyed enough to strike the “fi sh” (lure) that has continued to invade his space.

The best times for bank fi shing are early in the morning and late in the evening because at this time of day the light is not so bright and the fi sh are less likely to spook. It’s also a good idea to fi sh from a bank that has the wind blowing into it. Even though it’s tough to cast into a breeze, when the wind is blowing, it forces bait fi sh toward the bank and game fi sh such as bass are sure to follow.

Keep a Record of the Honey Holes

It’s amazing how few fi shermen keep track of active spots. Fishing websites such as Earthsports.com suggest keeping a logbook listing the locations and types of fi sh that were caught in given areas. It may not be obvious, but there are always reasons why some areas have more fi sh than others and with a reference book, it makes it easier to remember where they were biting last time.

The fi rst time I saw an Axis deer was three years ago on our family farm near Brady, just a few miles from the geographical center of Texas. I was enjoying my second day of dove hunting and it was in the middle of the after-noon on September 2nd. Shotgun in hand, I had positioned myself under an ancient mesquite tree, overlooking one of the stock tanks and was patiently waiting for the appearance of more birds.

Instead of doves, I was surprised by one the most interesting deer I had ever seen. There are literally millions of whitetail deer in this part of Texas, but this was defi nitely not your standard-issue whitetail.

A Large Antler Rack and Distinct Coat ColorationHe was casually sauntering over to pond to get a little drink. His coat was very unusual. It was reddish-brown in color and marked by white spots arranged on each side of a black dorsal stripe. His antlers were also unusual. They were about 3 feet tall with 3 points on each side. I would venture a guess that this beautiful animal weighed about 250 pounds, much bigger than the whitetail deer I had pursued on this property since I was about 10 years old.

I remained completely still, fascinated by this deer, for about 5 minutes. He didn’t notice me and he sucked up a nice, slow drink of nasty stock tank water. Finally, he caught a whiff of either the burger I had for lunch or something else particularly human and he looked up, directly at me. The deer psychologists would have to confi rm my impression of his look, but it was something like “Holy Mackerel! There’s one of those up-right walkers and he’s got a gun!”

Needless to say, he high-tailed it out of there and I watched him easily glide over three fences and disappear into our neighbor’s pasture.

Time to Hit the InternetWhen I got back home I hit the Internet to try and fi nd out what kind of exotic animal I had just encountered and it turns out my new friend is more than just another deer. He is an Axis deer. His ancestors have been around Texas since 1932 when some ranchers in Kerr County (west of San Antonio) brought in a herd of these deer from Sri Lanka located in the foothills of the Himalayas.

Hunting Axis Hunting Axis DeerDeer

The Outpost editor with an Axis deer in The Outpost editor with an Axis deer in velvet, taken in West Sweden, Texasvelvet, taken in West Sweden, Texas

Since then, the Axis deer population has expanded to an estimated 50,000 animals in 92 Texas counties and it is a part of what some people call the free-ranging “Texotics.” In addition to the Axis deer, this group includes: Sika deer, Fallow deer, Blackbuck antelope and Aoudad sheep.

Back in their mother country, these Axis deer were a favorite meal of Bengal tigers who must have impeccable taste. The Exotic Wildlife Association has judged the Axis deer meat as the best-tasting of all U.S. wildlife. This is not lost on the carnivorous Texas deer hunters who have discovered that “hey, those Axis deer may look funny, but they taste good!”

Axis deer can be found in herds of 100 or more other deer, whitetails included. The Texas Parks and Wildlife re-searchers have noted that the Axis deer can out-compete whitetail deer for native grasses and can even change their normal diet if the need arises. As a result, these exotics are crowding out the native whitetail population.

Spring Forward Three YearsThe next time I saw one of these exotic deer was three years later on December 7th and the temperature was 21 degrees. This is cold by Texas standards. I was deer hunting on our family farm and was sitting inside of a temporary camo blind in almost the same spot where I had seen the fi rst Axis deer, overlooking the same stock tank and trying the stay warm and awake.

As I nonchalantly glassed the early morning, sun-dappled countryside, I saw a small herd of deer, meandering my way. There were 9 or 10 deer in the group and they were clearly unconcerned about what might await them. Need-less to say, the adrenaline kicked in. I became very much awake and began fi ddling with the safety on my 30.06!

As the herd got closer, it became obvious that the 3 bucks in this entourage were huge. It also became obvious (based on the rack and the spots on the back) that most of this group were not whitetail but Axis deer. Since my blind was positioned on the top of the bank of the pond (about 8 feet above the pasture) and I had a 180 degree vista, I got an excellent look at the herd that was slowly approaching the pond. This group had clearly made this trip to water hundreds of times and they were not expecting anyone with a rifl e to be watching them.

After about 15 minutes, the group got within 50 or 60 yards from the pond. I could see that the group was com-posed of 3 Axis bucks and 2 does, plus another 5 or 6 whitetail does. They were grazing on the stubble of my Dad’s hay fi eld and there was a stand of mesquite trees between me and the deer. There was also an ancient barbed wire fence and some waist-high vegetation between us.

As anyone who has ever hunted knows, there comes a time in the process when you realize that you are either going to take the shot or run the risk of the deer catching a human scent and turning and running the other way. I was thinking about this possibility when I put down the binoculars and picked up my rifl e.

I focused my shot on the spot where I hoped the big deer’s heart was located - on the left-hand side, just above his front leg. I took a deep breath and squeezed the trigger. The deer stood stunned for about 2-seconds and then keeled over on his right side. He was dead within a few minutes. When we fi eld-dressed him, we found that the shot, which was a tiny entry spot on the deer’s fur, had pierced his heart.

This was the biggest deer I have every harvested. It took three of us to get him on to the four-wheeler and on to the pickup, even after fi eld-dressing him. When we got to the processing facility, they weighed him and he was a shade over 250 pounds.

Axis Deer Can be Hunted Year-RoundBecause there were once considered livestock, free-roaming Axis deer are not regulated by the state wildlife authorities. They technically “belong” to the land-owner on whose land they are walking and with permission from the owner, hunters can take an Axis deer at any time of the year and there is no bag limit.

If you hunt deer for the fun of getting outdoors and to put great tasting, lean meat in the freezer, you might want to keep on the lookout for the Axis deer. They’re likely to be around any pasture in West Texas, New Mexico and even Colorado and with their distinctive stripe and coloration; you won’t mistake them for whitetails.

Like death and taxes, there are several things that fi shermen can count on. There will always be droughts that deplete the lakes and reservoirs and at some point in time the rains will come again, fi lling them back up. The fun part comes a few years after the lake gets back to where it is supposed to be, especially if that lake happens to have a large bass population to start with. This is especially true with a recently constructed lake.

Wildlife biologists and smart fi shermen know that lakes are most fertile when they are new. Rising water covers standing vegetation and provides forage fi sh and small bass a place to hide from larger predators. When a lake level declines be-cause of a drought and then stays low for a long time, new vegetation grows in the moist soil around the lake. When the rain fi nally comes, the rising water fl oods the vegetation and creates a new lake effect.

Savvy fi shermen, on a quest for bass, know the scientifi c re-sponse for this. It’s: “Boo Yaaa! Let’s get out on the water. Now!” Or, something equally intelligent.

TAKING ADVANTAGE OF TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE NEW LAKE EFFECTTHE NEW LAKE EFFECT

Drought Prone Lakes

Case examples are in order. There are two lakes, located in West Texas, that are good examples of this new lake effect. One is Lake O.H. Ivie, built in 1990 by a dam formed near the confl uence of the Concho and Colorado rivers, between San Angelo and Brownwood. The other lake is Lake Falcon, formed by a

The lack of rain reduced the size of the lake from its normal 20,000 acres to about half that amount. This caused the fi sh to be crowded into a smaller space with less forage and habitat base. As for fi shing, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) noted that it was fi ne, mainly because the bass were confi ned to a smaller area. However, as for the long term viability of the lake it was no Bueno!

In the case of Falcon Lake, the same cycle ensued. When it is full, it covers about 78,000 acres of water and when the drought of the late 1990’s and early 2000 hit, the size was reduced to less than half that amount. As with Ivie, the same thing happened to the bass population.

When the Rains Finally Come

In the period from 2004 to 2008, the yo-yo fi nally came back up. The rains came to West Texas and the two lakes were completely fi lled. Everybody on the bass fi shing food chain was relieved; including the service stations, bait shops, convenience stores and the beer distributors. However, the group that was most pleased was the fi sh themselves.

dam on the Rio Grande River near Zapata which is about 50 miles south of Laredo, Texas. Both are in areas that are prone to drought and both have produced monster bass which, many of which exceed 13 pounds.

In the case of Lake Ivie, the bass fi shing blew up after it was opened. The nutrients that were stored in the fl ooded soil and vegetation leached into the water and this fueled a dramatic growth in both the population and size of the bass that were native and stocked. The fi sh had plenty to eat, the management of the lake didn’t allow over-har-vesting and all was right with the world, until the inevitable drought parched West Texas ten years later.

Wildlife experts note that it takes about six or seven years after the end of a drought for the big fi sh to begin showing up on stringers. This proved to be the case at these two West Texas lakes. TPWD biologists have said that it nor-mally takes 10 to 12 years for a bass to grow to 13 pounds but this year one this size was taken on Falcon and it was only 7 years old.

As predicted, the nutrients from the dry ground and vegetation that had grown during the drought found their way into the fi sh popula-tion and the bass grew extremely fast. The new lake effect resulted in an increase in both the number and the size of the fi sh on both lakes. This effect is also responsible for increasing the number of medium and smaller sized bass – those that are 5 to 10 pounds in size.

The Cycle of Life

The ancient philosophers were right. In fact, they may have been bass fi shermen. Na-ture is a continuous cycle of life, death and then life. The new lake effect can only occur when a lack of water causes the ecosystem to react. If someone lives long enough, he will likely see these amazing natural patterns and if one is lucky enough he will realize just how fascinating nature really is.

STRATEGIES FOR STORING HUNTING GEAR Since upland birds, ducks and deer hunting seasons are over, it’s time to store the massive amount of hunting gear and clothing that have been used for these hunts. Just as there are strategies and tactics that enable success in the fi eld, some thought should be given to implementing a storage strategy that will result in more hunting success next season. It starts with eliminating scent.

A superior sense of smell is a powerful defense mechanism for deer and other wild game. During the hunting season, serious and even novice hunters realize how important it is to eliminate human scents on hunting attire. This is because that 8-point buck can smell laundry detergent or your favorite after-shave from 100 yards away!

While most hunters are conscious of the need to mask the scents of civilization during the season, many forget that during the off-season these hunting clothes and other gear should be stored in a man-ner that keeps them free of the smells that will repel wild game. What can a hunter do to keep gear scent-free during the off-season?

Just Add Some Dirt and Leaves

Some old-school hunters favor a more rustic approach. These hunters contend that only way to keep hunting gear such as clothing free from the taint of civilization is to store them in containers that contain dirt, rotting leaves and tree bark from the area where the next year’s hunting is to take place. While this hardcore, “mountain man” approach appeals to some serious hunters, there are other ways to keep human scents from invading your camo attire and scaring off the wildlife.

If you happen to hunt in areas where there are cedar trees, a great place to store the gear in the off-season is a good, old fashion cedar chest. While this is not as hard-core as putting the clothing and boots in a container with dirt and leaves, they will smell better when you take them out in the fall.

High Tech Way to Store Gear

One way to win in the olfactory challenge is to store hunting gear in air-tight containers that are lined with scent wafers. These are available at any gun store and most sporting goods stores. Before encap-sulating your hunting clothes, boots, caps and gloves in the “Rubbermaid,” all of the garments should be thoroughly washed with special scent-eliminator detergent. The down-side of this method of storage is that it requires a lot of room, especially if you’re like most hunters who have 3 or 4 of every type of shirt, pants, gloves, socks and caps known to man.

Another strategy for storing hunting gear in the off-season is to use the popular scent control spray – Scent Killer ®. Many hunters will keep their gear in a box in the garage or attic until they are ready to be used. Then they will wash the garments in Scent Killer and dry outside on a clothes line. It is also impor-tant to spray this product on the clothes before storing and during the season each time they are washed. Most hunters will also spray the soles and tops of their boots with Scent Killer before each hunt.

It’s the Smell That Tells

When a hunter “drops” into the natural habitat of any wild game, he is at a distinct disadvantage. Im-proving the odds of harvesting a deer or other game animal begins with eliminating the scents of civili-zation. Being scent-free will not help improve the hunter’s aim or visual camoufl age, but it will improve the likelihood of success. Being scent-free in the fi eld begins with proper off-season storage of hunting gear.

Recent research has shown that one of the best ways to relieve stress is daily walking. If that sounds about as exciting as watching the grass on your lawn grow, maybe you should think about taking that walk in a pristine or challenging natural environment. Then it turns into a hike, and that’s a completely different experience!

In the coming months, The Outpost will be introducing you to some of the coolest places in the country to take a hike. Some areas will be near rivers and streams, so you can combine fi shing with the hike and some will afford the opportunity to see some of the rarest birds and wildlife. They all offer great reasons to pack up the family or some buddies to get outside. The fi rst two states that we’re covering are Louisiana and Texas.

GREAT HIKING GREAT HIKING IN LOUISIANA IN LOUISIANA

AND AND TEXASTEXAS

The Sportsman’s Paradise

When most people hear the word “Louisiana” they usually think music and food. This is understandable be-cause the state has some of the best of both in the world. However, that’s not all you’ll fi nd here.

Louisiana’s state motto is “the sports-man’s paradise” and while these sportsmen are usually involved in fi sh-ing and hunting, the sport of hiking is also very popular. The state has an incredible ecological diversity, a year-round mild climate and many inviting trails.

As with most hiking adventures, the best time to see Louisiana on foot is in the spring. The weather is gor-geous, the magnolias and azaleas are in bloom and the woods are teeming with a vast menagerie of birds and other critters.

In the northern part of the state, near Monroe and Ruston, there are two areas with good hiking opportuni-ties. The Chemin-a-Haut State Park (888.677.2436), near the small com-munity of Bastrop, has several smaller trails along with fresh-water fi shing, camp sites and cabins. The Jimmy Davis State Park (888.677.2263), which is named after the legendary former Governor of Louisiana who also wrote the song “You are My Sun-shine,” has lush woodlands, surrounding a 5,000 acre lake. The hiking trails run through these woodlands.

A little further south you’ll fi nd the Toledo Bay area which is located near the historic city of Natchitoch-es. The 800,000 acre Kistatchie National Forest (800.832.1355) features the best hiking trails in the state – The Wild Azalea Trail. The views on the 30-mile trail are breathtaking, especially in the spring. Birders from all over the world come to the Kistatchie National Forest to search for such rare birds at the red-cockaded woodpecker.

There are several other excellent hiking areas in the part of the state. The North Toledo Bend State Park and the South Toledo Bend State Park (318.645.4715) are on their respective banks of the Toledo Bend Reservoir and both feature miles of easy-to-traverse trails, cabins, camping and the best fresh-water fi shing in the world.

The Cajun country in southeast Louisiana includes the Lafayette area and the topography is much more wetlands than that farther north. However, even with all of this water, there are ample hiking trails. The Chi-cot State Park (337.363.2403) is located near the charming town of Ville Platte and it features rolling wood-lands surrounding a 2,000 acre lake and a collection of cool hiking trails that run throughout the park.

Another great hike through Cajun country is found at the Lake Fausse Pointe State Park (337.229.6173) which is near St. Martinville. The area is on the edge of the Atchafalaya Basin and in addition to the hiking trails, it has waterfront cabins and camping facilities.

While in the area, you will want to make time for a lovely dinner at one of the dozens of world class restaurants including: “Catahoula’s (in Grand Couteau), “Café Des Amis (in Breaux Bridge) and “Café Vermillionville (in Lafayette).

Near the state capitol city of Baton Rouge, you will fi nd Tickfaw State Park (888.981.2020). This is an eco-park on the Tickfaw River and with its environmental programs and well-groomed trails; it is the perfect place for a family hike.

Cleaning up the Katrina devastation in the New Orleans area is still very much a work-in-progress. However, two parks are almost back up to their original standards. The Bayou Segnette State Park features many areas to hike among the woodlands that border the marsh. It also has campsites, cabins and a large boat-launch. Just a few minutes from the French Quarter, you fi nd St. Bernard State Park (888.677.7823). This 350-acre park on the Mississippi River has hiking trails, camping and a swimming pool to cool off in.

For outdoor enthusiasts, the unoffi cial motto of Louisiana is “laissez les bon temps rouler!” (Let the good time roll). The diversity of terrain, plant and wildlife all combine to make for a terrifi c hiking experience.

Everything’s Bigger in Texas Including the Views from the Trails

Because it’s such a big state, Texas has an amazing diversity of climate, terrain, plant and wildlife. These wide-open spaces make hiking in Texas a visual feast. Most of the really breath-taking hiking spots are located far away from the urban centers, which partially account for their charm. However, if you are fl ying into Dallas, Houston, San Antonio or Austin, your rental car drive to these sites shouldn’t take more than a few hours.

Here are some of the best places to take a hike in Texas!The Northwest corner of Texas, also known as the Panhandle, is extremely remote and is one of the few plac-es in the state that has a “real” winter. It gets cold here. So, if you are planning on trekking this area any time between November and April, you better bring some warm clothes. The larg-est cities in the area, Amarillo and Lubbock, both have reasonably large airports with daily commuter service.

This part of Texas has some of the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets on the planet. You can check them out by hiking in the Palo Duro Canyon (806.488.2227). The colors in the canyon are dominated by the terra cotta hues which are gorgeous in any season. The view from the top is almost spiritual. One of the best known sites in the area is the “Lighthouse” rock formation. There is a very nice state park surrounding the Palo Duro Canyon with a complete complement of camping areas, horseback riding and mountain biking.

Just south of Amarillo, you will fi nd another terrifi c hiking area in the Texas Panhandle. The Caprock Canyons State Park and Trailway (806.455.1492) has stunning, red bluffs that overlook Lake Theo. The park offers the opportunity for camping, hiking and biking. The “Trailway” within the park is 64-miles long and runs along abandoned railroad trestles. The legendary Charles Goodnight bison herd is pas-tured and protected in the lovely state park.

West Texas has lots of spaces and not too many people. If you’re a serious hiker, this is always a good thing!

The Big Bend National Park (432.477.2251) is located on the Rio Grande River, about 3 hours south of Midland/Odessa. This national park has world class hiking trails, camping, bird-watching and amazing fl ora and fauna diversity. It also has over 800,000 acres of mountain and desert. So, it is advisable to give yourself several days to really enjoy the visit.

Near Big Bend is a relatively new state park called Big Bend Ranch (432.229.3416) and it has more than 250,000 rugged acres. This area has become one of the premiere sites for back country camping and hik-ing. The state of Texas has just recently built primitive camping sites and there is also a ranch house which serves regionally-inspired meals. This is one of the nation’s best mountainous desert hiking areas.

Another beautiful hiking area is the Davis Mountains (432.426.3337), near Fort Davis. Even in the hottest of summers, this area remains relatively cool because of its altitude. It also has the Fort Davis Historical Museum and the internationally famous McDonald Observatory in nearby Marfa. If you love art or would like to see where the classic movie “Giant” was fi lmed, a day-trip to Marfa’s fl edgling artist’s colony is highly recommended.

El Paso is as far west as you can go in Texas and nearby is a very cool hiking area in the Franklin Mountains State Park (915.566.6441). There are over 37 square miles of desert wilderness and more than 100 miles of trails. At night, the view overlooking El Paso and Juarez is spectacular.

The Hill Country of Texas is located in the center of the state near the state capital of Austin. This area is a magnet for outdoor enthusiasts. One of the best hiking trails in the area is found at the Pedernales Falls State park (830.868.7304). The Pedernales River is spring-fed with crystal, clear water and post-card natural beauty. Birdwatchers from all over the world come to this spot in Texas to marvel at the ornithological diversity.

Also near Austin and surrounded by beautiful rolling hills is another great spot for hikers; McKinney Falls (512.243.1643). This area has hiking, biking, camping and swimming all under giant cypress trees on the banks of Onion Creek. During the spring and summer months, the wild fl owers are world class.

The Southeastern part of Texas has its unique spots for serious hikers. Near Houston, you will fi nd the Brazos Bend State Park (979.553.5101) with more than 5,000 acres of prairie, lakes and bottomland hardwood forests. There more than 34-miles of multiple-use trails that span an eye-popping diversity of ecology. You’re likely to see whitetail deer, alligators and more than 290 species of birds.

About 30-miles north of Houston is the historic city of Huntsville. Nearby you will fi nd another great hik-ing area – The Huntsville State Park (936.295.5644). This park has lovely loblolly and shortleaf pine trees and panoply of native wildfl owers. Hikers enjoy the extensive trail system that is around the 200-acre Lake Raven.

Texas really is a whole other country! From the sunny beaches of Padre Island to the Piney Woods of East Texas, the ecological diversity is unsurpassed. And Louisiana lives up to its title of the Sportsman’s Paradise. These are only a few of the fabulous hiking opportunities found in the two states, but hope-fully these will get you started.

Backpacking For Bigger Western GamePatrick Meitin, Sportsman of North America Contributing Writer

Unlike the average Eastern whitetail, who easily takes to a suburban existence, most Western game avoids civilization and human contact at all costs. Add only a small amount of hunting pressure and the average mule deer or elk starts packing. This generally makes hunting areas well off the beaten track most productive, areas requiring more effort, leaving crowds well behind. Accessing such areas and returning home or to camp each day, can really take its toll on even the most ambitious hunter. Backpacking, rolling out of your sleeping bag each morning to begin hunting right out of your remote camp, offers an alternative that can net bigger trophies. Backpacking is a lot of work, but the rewards can be great. GEARING UP

Modern equipment makes wilderness life more pleasant – most importantly without breaking your back. Stoves, lanterns, nesting/folding pots and pans, even outdoor food, have evolved to literally shed pounds from your pack while accessing a backcountry hotspot. High-tech materials mean sleep-ing bags, pads and tents individually hit the scales in single-digit pounds, without sacrifi cing comfort or function when weather turns nasty. Even nutritious, quickly-prepared food is lighter than ever. A quick trip to a local backpacking store or cruising the web reveals this wealth of nifty backpacking gear. Top-quality backpacking gear doesn’t come cheap. Watch for sales, garage-sale or eBay bargains, invest in the best you can afford and a comfortable wilderness experience is more likely.

While visiting a local backpack shop it’s also wise to get properly fi tted for a new pack. If your pack’s more than 10 years old, you’re missing out on a world of comfort. New models are that much better. A knowledgeable professional assures you purchase a pack that fi ts properly for ultimate comfort. This is as important as wearing properly-fi tted boots. Many of the best models now include internal frames. Old-style external-frame packs are useful for schlepping elk quarters from a canyon bottom, or toting Alaskan moose meat across bog, but not as comfortable over long miles, especially in brushy areas where frames snag every passing branch. Many experienced hands are also fi nding that internal-frame models will pack meat just as well as an external, but with greater comfort.

LOCATING THAT HOTSPOT

Finding productive backpacking spots can be tricky, especially when well removed from the scene. The best spots make it diffi cult to trot in for reconnaissance, though, that does make a great excuse for a summer trout-fi shing trip or an adventure with a willing spouse or child.

Maps are the best way to get started in this business. U.S. Forest Service, BLM, or U.S. Geological Survey maps can get you into desolate areas from the comfort of your kitchen table. Wilderness ar-eas are prime suspects, but any large swatch of roadless terrain should raise a red fl ag. Some basic knowledge of the game and the habitat they prefer also proves useful. Poring over maps, especially topographical maps, gives you a better idea of what you’re in for. Water’s always important, most no-tably in drier portions of the West, so permanent creeks, springs, or even man-made drinkers or tanks, are prime locations to fi nd concentrations of game.

Key contacts include US Forest Service, www.fs.fed.us/, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), www.blm.gov/nhp/index.htm, and US Geological Survey, www.usgs.gov/. Indexed to accurate topographical maps, today’s GPS units can also help take you right in, then most importantly, get you home safely.

Also seek people who might know something of the area you have in mind. State game biologists often fl y aerial surveys of even remote areas and can be helpful. Summer fi re crews are often a great well of information, spending weeks in backcountry few trod. Local cowboys often spend plenty of time riding wilderness areas gathering strays or checking fence. Drop in at a ranch house near wilderness and share a beer and you just might discover a real sleeper.

Further research may involve referencing a state game department’s annual harvest reports. Hunt units with success rates above 25 percent for deer, 30 percent for elk, and 50 percent on turkey are good places to start. Another good source of helpful information is the federal Natural Resources Conservation Service (formally Soil Conservation), who collects data on the fl ora and fauna found in particular areas across the nation. Their reports can lead to specifi c food supplies, water, and animal populations in a particular area. Get more info at www.nrcs.usda.gov/.

Another sometimes productive – and fun – way to scout is through on-line aerial photography web sites. TerraServer USA, GlobeXplorer, and US Geological Survey aerial surveys can be found at http://terraserver.microsoft.com/, www.globeexplorer.com/, or http://geography.usgs.gov/partners/viewonline.htm/.

THE ALL-IMPORTANT HUNTING PARTNER

Backpacking is hard work, and wilderness living isn’t for everyone. Choose your wilderness hunting partner with care. A lazy or out-of-shape partner, a whiner or nasty temper, can turn an otherwise enjoy-able trip into a misery. Resentments quickly build when one member of the party is forced to do all the work, or begins to feel they are being held back by a slower partner. A partner with similar wood-skills and physical conditioning always makes the best partner on diffi cult hunting forays. Better yet, fi nd a partner who makes up for defi ciencies in your own skills; one partner dealing for camp-fi re cooking while you deal with dishes and fi rewood. It’s also benefi cial for hunting partners to coordinate on need-ed gear; one partner owning a primo tent while another owns appropriate cookware, for instance.

Finding this reliable hunting partner -- or partners -- to share a hunt into remote country can be diffi cult but is highly important. Backpacking solo isn’t recommended for obvious reasons. Besides, great hunting deserves great company, someone to assure you arrive in camp safely at the end of each day, to share the burden of packing meat and antlers, and most importantly, to exchange tales around the campfi re at the end of a fi ne day. Life just doesn’t get any better than that.

PHOTO OF THE MONTH

Do you have a funny hunting or fi shing picture?

Do you have a joke that everyone should hear?

Email them to: The-Outpost@comcast.net

A man was stopped by a game warden in Northern Michigan recently with two buckets of fi sh leaving a lake well known for its fi shing. The game warden asked the man, “Do you have a license to catch those fi sh?”The man replied to the game warden, “No, sir. These are my pet fi sh.”“Pet fi sh?” the warden replied.“Yes, sir. Every night I take these here fi sh down to the lake and let them swim around for a while. I whistle and they jump back into their buckets, and I take em home.”“That’s a bunch of hooey! Fish can’t do that!”The man looked at the game warden for a moment, and then said, “Here, I’ll show you. It really works.”“O.K. I’ve GOT to see this!” The game warden was curious now.The man poured the fi sh in to the lake and stood and waited. After a few minutes, the warden turned to the man and said: “Well?” “Well, What?” the man responded.“When are you going to call them back?” the game warden prompt-ed. “Call who back?” the man asked.“The FISH.” “What fi sh?” the man asked.

THE BACK PAGE

THE BACK PAGE

Early to bed…early to rise…fish all day…make up lies.

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