The Rise - May/June 2012

Bass Pro Shops Altoona White River Fly Shop Newsletter

By: Scott Sickau, White River Fly Shop
 

Choosing Breathable Waders

In today's fishing environment, many anglers take the opportunity to fish a wide range of places...everything from Midwestern rivers in the winter months to the salmon rivers of Alaska and Russia.

One of the most critical pieces of equipment that an angler needs is a set of good waders. There are many styles of waders to be found here at Bass Pro Shops.  Everything from the old rubber boot-foot waders to the new breathable waders.

When choosing waders, two questions need to be addressed. 

#1 - How often will they be used and during what time of the year?

#2 - What type of fishing will they be used for?

For the money, the best choice would be the breathable wader.  These range in cost from $69.99 for boot-footed waders to around $450 for some of the guide-tested stocking foot waders.

For the boot-footed variety, the weight of the wader/boots combo should be considered as well as the environment in which they'll be used.  Let's face it, who wants to be slogging through muck with something that weighs over 10 pounds by itself...and then add an additional 20 pounds of mud on each foot! 

The breathable waders allow the fisherman to roll the top portion of the wader down to the waist when the weather is warmer.  On the other hand, you can leave it up to wear when the weather is nasty, staying warmer and drier.

The boots for the stocking foot waders add $40 to $130 to the cost, but allow the fisherman more comfort and mobility.
 

Upcoming Demos

Want to introduce someone to fly fishing?  Know someone who could benefit from the therapeutic benefits of fly fishing?  There are several workshops coming up over the next few months. Visit our Events page at www.facebook.com/bpsaltoona or  www.basspro.com!

Fly of the Month - Clouser Minnow

One of the most popular fly fishing patterns of all time is the Clouser Minnow. This pattern was developed in 1987 by Bob Clouser from Pennsylvania. It has been credited with catching over 86 different species of fish ranging from bass and trout in freshwater to numerous saltwater species. This pattern is one of the favorite patterns in the fly fishing world. The most common material used to tie it is deer hair, although other materials can be substituted to create unique versions for pursuing many types of fish. It can also be tied in many different sizes to suit both the tyer and fly fishermen, ranging from a size 16 or smaller all the way up to a size 1 or even larger.

It is hard to believe that there are actually 35 individual steps in tying this pattern, although many are not noticeable to the experienced tyer. I had the rare opportunity to sit down with Bob Clouser many years ago at the Hawkeye Fly Fishing Association's annual convention and watch him go through each step for tying this pattern. Scott came away with the actual fly Clouser was tying as a gift and a signature card to go along with the fly.

Kids Summer Kickoff Photo contest - Ages 13 and under - Bring in your best wildlife photo for a chance to win! First place - A pair of binoculars and $25 gift card, 2nd place - $20 gift card!

 

 

RECAP

Kary Ray - This past weekend, Kary and his dad,  Rick Ray, took 6th place  in the Central Iowa Gone Fishing Rathbun Open with 14-9 lbs. Kary says:  

"It took over 18lbs to win. There were only six limits, so the fishing was tough for some. There were 14 boats. Started out a little chilly in the morning, but by noon it had warmed up nicely. Special thanks to all the NBAA Iowa Premier Bass anglers for showing up and fishing the tourney!"

Congrats to the Ray father and son team!

COMING UP

Saturday, May 19 – Iowa Premier Bass @ Rathbun - Kary fishing, Lance Baker is co-directing.

KVD Signed T-Shirt for Charity

In 2011, Iowa Premier Bass (IPB) hosted its first Fish’n 4 Wishes charity tournament and raised over $6,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Iowa.  In 2012, they'll once again host the annual charity tournament on July 29, but they're expanding efforts to raise money all season. You can help by bidding now for this one of a kind Kevin Van Dam signed T-shirt to help them raise money for Make-A-Wish and the Pink Rack Project. Bids will be taken through the Rathbun Charity Tournament July 29. 

By Jeff Rowland

Growing up in Iowa during the mid-70s, one of the best ways to earn some extra money was to bale hay. In about a five-year span, I had worked for many area farmers -- this paid off in the early 80s when asking permission to bass fish farm ponds. There was one pond in particular that became a favorite and, out of respect for the land owner and not taking advantage of a good thing, I tried not to go there more than two or three times a year. The couple that owned the farm was elderly and just about some of the nicest people you’d want to meet. Part of the procedure for fishing that pond was to accept an invitation into their home and partake in whatever sweets “Mrs. Farmer” had made that day. Might be pie, could be cookies, but she always had something and it was a guaranteed pallet-pleasing delight. Visiting that farm was a nice event; interacting with the landowners and releasing some fat large mouth made for a truly fine day. One cool summer afternoon I went there, just as I had done many times before, but this time (after eating sweets again), when it came time to obtain permission, I was denied. The couple apologized and said that it had nothing to do with me. They went on to tell me that a small group had trespassed, pitched a tent, fished all night, and left behind trash and empty cans. The couple decided, after that experience, not to allow any fishing anymore. I was broken-hearted with their decision, but fully understood. As I was leaving that day, I recapped the events that had just taken place and started thinking about how the actions of a few can affect so many.

I firmly believe that the majority of outdoor enthusiasts have good habits in this category and that the numbers of individuals that make the infractions are very small. However, I’m sure while you're reading this you can easily recall a time during an outdoor adventure when you came across a similar mess that a careless person left behind.

Being good stewards of our natural resources is an individual responsibility. We are very blessed to live in this beautiful country, that men and women have fought and sacrificed for to keep us free…respect for the environment is the least we can do in return, regardless if it’s public or private land.

Before my employment at Bass Pro Shops, I had a very extensive background in manufacturing. Whenever we ran into a snag, we used a method called Root Cause Analysis. We’d study the problem and get right down to the main issue causing that problem. No blaming, no chastising. We’d find the problem and eliminate it.

Let’s eliminate the issue of the endless struggle to keep our environment clean. Each time you experience the great outdoors, love it, embrace it, and leave it… as if you were never there.

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Bass Pro Shops Altoona Receiving Manager Jeff Rowland is an avid fisherman, outdoor writer, and former fishing guide. He is the author of Reel Adventures of a Marion County Angler and his expertise has been featured in magazines such as Iowa Game and Fish, Outdoor Life, and Field and Stream.  

 

Mid-Iowa Council Camp Cards

The cards are only $5 each and have a $5 dollar off a $50 purchase at Bass Pro Shops Altoona, along with many other great coupons!  Purchasing the cards helps Scouts fund their way to camp. 

Saturday, May 12, 11 a.m. - Boy Scout Troop 140 from Ames will be at our store selling 2012 Mid-Iowa Camp Cards.

Saturday, May 19, 11 a.m. - Troop 83 from Mitchellville will be here Saturday, May 19, also selling Camp Cards.

What Else is Coming up in May?

Saturday, May 19 - 2012 Carp Fest

It's the third annual Carp Fest!  This event, hosted by Des Moines Parks and Rec, gives YOU a chance to help manage the common carp overpopulation at the beautiful Gray's Lake by removing over 300 pounds of carp!

All participants age 16 and over must have a Sate of Iowa Fishing License.

Bass Pro Shops will be providing over $750 in tournament prizes awarded for both age groups in categories including: biggest carp, most carp and heaviest stringer.

All carp caught during this tournament will be donated to the SOAR, an organization dedicated to “Saving Our Avian Resources,” to help feed injured eagles and other raptors that are in the organization’s rehabilitation program.

The Iowa DNR and Des Moines Izaak Walton League will be at the Carp Festival to assist participants with bait and fishing techniques. The organizations will also educate contestants about Gray's Lake ecology including carp’s negative impact on the water clarity and well being of other fish species.

According to the latest issue of Outdoor Life magazine, the number of women hunters has seen a 36% increase since 2001.  Almost three million women bought a hunting license in 2009 and 61% of gun stores reported an increase in female customers since 2009. 

Keeping that in mind...is the mother in your life a hunter?  Mother's Day is fast approaching...you have mere days left to find that special gift for the mother in your life...a little something that shows how much you care and appreciate all she does. Sure, Bass Pro Shops has great gift ideas like candles, birdhouses, and awesome clothes. If she's an outdoors woman, what about pink? 

"Pink what?" you ask.  Pink anything!  Bass Pro Shops has experienced a steady increase in pink items in hunting ...from knives to handguns to bows to all types of hunting accessories.  She's not a hunter?  We have pink reels and pink tackle boxes for the mother who likes to fish...pink apparel, pink water bottles, pink coozies, pink flip flops, even pink pepper spray!  Some of our items incorporate donations by the manufacturer to the Susan G. Komen Foundation and the fight again breast cancer.

So, flowers are nice. But, how about coloring your "I love you, mom" with a rosy shade of pink?

SET YOUR SIGHTS WEEKEND!
MAY 4-6

Great for new gun owners and current owners who need a refresher or want to learn new information!  A $25 gift card will be given away at the end of each seminar!

Friday, May 4

6pm “Guns and Accessories for your Modern Sporting Rifle Project”
7pm “Conceal-Carry – A discussion of Laws, Permits, and Equipment” - Presented by Officer Louis Miner & Sgt. Royal Kershee - Altoona Police Department
8pm “Reloading Basics” - Why should you reload? Learn all about selecting equipment, proper reloading techniques, and tips and tricks to ensure success.

Saturday, May 5

1pm “Guns and Accessories for your Modern Sporting Rifle Project”
2pm "Conceal-Carry – A discussion of Laws, Permits, and Equipment” - Presented by Officer Louis Miner & Sgt. Royal Kershee - Altoona Police Department.
3pm “Reloading Basics” - Why should you reload? Learn all about selecting equipment, proper reloading techniques, and tips and tricks to ensure success.
4pm “What Is CCW?” - Learn what you should expect from a Conceal and Carry Weapons class, what it costs, who is eligible to get a CCW permit, and how to sign up for a class.

Sunday, May 6

1pm “Guns and Accessories for your Modern Sporting Rifle Project”
2pm “Conceal-Carry – A discussion of Laws, Permits, and Equipment”  Presented by Officer Louis Miner & Sgt. Royal Kershee of the Altoona Police Dept.
3pm “Reloading Basics” - Why should you reload? Learn all about selecting equipment, proper reloading techniques, and tips and tricks to ensure success.
4pm “What Is CCW?” - Learn what you should expect from a Conceal and Carry Weapons class, what it costs, who is eligible to get a CCW permit, and how to sign up for a class. 

The Iowa Firearms Coalition will have a table setup all three days and the Iowa DNR Shooting Sports Program will also have a table setup on Sunday with lots of free giveaways!

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On a cold April morning, 26 hunters from four states gather in the Northwest corner of Iowa and head out into the wind and rain to track down gobblers. It's the first time for some, others are experienced, but for all, it's a challenge...but, a relatively small challenge compared to what they've already faced.

The Special Youth Challenge Ministries of Iowa (SYC) has been providing fall and spring hunt weekends for young people with physical challenges for 11 years. This nonprofit, Christian-based ministry brings together hundreds of volunteers to assist youth with special challenges participate in shooting sports in God's great outdoors.

The hunt camps give the youth a chance to enjoy a sport new to some and thought of as an impossible dream to most. But, dreams come true at the camp, where the hunters learn they CAN do the impossible. With 8-10 volunteers per hunter providing the land to hunt on, guiding, food prep, special equipment, training, and endless encouragement, they gathered the weekend of April 28 for the annual spring turkey hunt.

They were assisted by people like Chad Williamson, 17, now training to be a guide, but once an SYC hunter. Just a few short weeks, and still on crutches after he lost his right ankle and foot in a bicycle accident, he went on his first deer hunt with SYC and got his first deer.  He killed his first bird next...this year as a junior guide, he's helping other kids and serving as a tremendous role model of the "you can do it" mentality that overflows throughout SYC. 

Jessica Wosika, from Minnesota, brought down a bird...but not just any old tom. Her trophy has just been verified as the second highest scoring turkey of all-time in Iowa with a score of 86, including two-inch spurs.  Not bad for the little lady in a hot pink wheelchair!

Teen-ager Mitch Tuttle has attended the camp for a couple of years, and has two guides he is attached to. The parents also attend the camp cost-free, of course, and participate in all aspects, including sitting in the blind. However, Mitch didn't want his parents along...he wanted to hang with the guys, as a teen would, with the parents along. He got the first bird of the hunt Saturday morning.

Taran Back got his first bird, a jake, that came in through a freshly-planted field...blocks of mud on his feet. Taran made sure everyone knew he was wearing his lucky Bass Pro Shops hat when he got the bird!

Through the generosity of donors the hunt camp has 30 set-ups for blinds, including permanent blinds that hold four adults, with room for wheelchairs, heaters, etc., portable and pop-up blinds. They modify and design equipment, with the help of people on their board, so that all physical challenges can be overcome. SYC currently has a capital campaign for purchase of property; they're halfway to their goal and hope to reach it by the end of July.

Nick Bassett, a student at Iowa State University, hunted deer here before, but never had a turkey.  Sunday morning, April 29, he had a bird talking back and forth to him and his hunt group. He never saw the bird because of the divider in the blind, but killed it at 12 steps away, only seeing it through the specially-built scope on his gun.

Nick, a vocalist, knows the importance of the SYC organization, expressing it through an a capella solo at the closing ceremonies:

"You raise me up so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas
I am strong when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up to more than I can be."
 (You Raise Me Up - Loveland/Graham)

As in any hunt, there were near misses. Zack Olson, 27, didn't get a turkey...he had five toms within 25 yards, shot and drew feathers. But, for Zack, his success came before the hunt.

After a severe car accident in his late teens, the prognosis was a parent's nightmare. He won't live, he'll never be able think again, won't walk.  Zack held that close in his mind and heart as he surprised his SYC hunting family and walked across the stage during the opening ceremony.

Through the help of SYC, Zack and the other hunters know:

Disability is not a limitation. It's just another big step. 

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Photos provided by Bass Pro Shops Hunting Lead Dan Stephany, who was guest speaker during the hunt program. The 26 hunters each received a  "lucky" Bass Pro Shops hat!  For more information, or if you know someone you think would benefit from the Special Youth Challenge program, contact:

A weekly feature to keep you posted on Bass Pro associates and pro staff competing in fishing tournaments around Iowa!

RECAP

Bass Pro Shops Altoona Pro Staff

April 21 – Kary Ray and teammate Dirk Henle took 5^th place with 12 lbs at the Iowa Premier Bass Tournament at 3-Mile Lake.  The 42-boat field had only six teams bringing in a limit...14.28 lbs took the top honors. Kary reports the weather was changing so much during the day it had the fish in a negative feeding mood. It started out partly cloudy in the morning with calm conditions then it clouded up with a few light showers and the winds picking up out of the south. As the day ended the sun came out and the winds blew pretty good out of the south around 20 mile an hour or so. All of their bass were caught on XPS Flourocarbon and Kary was fishing with a carbonlite rod and reel combo.

April 29 – Kary and Lance Baker teamed up for their first river tournament on the Bass World Sports circuit....and finished in the Top 10! Just 1/2 pound out of the money, according to Lance.

Bass Pro Shops Altoona Associates

Cory Cogley, Marine Lead, took the Longest Bluegill prize at the Story County Conservation Board 2012 Spring Fishing Tournament on Saturday, April 28.

Cogley and Marine Associate Gabe Goluboski placed 15th in the Bass Pro Shops Employee Buddy Bass Bash Tournament at Table Rock on April 22.  General Manager Jason Truman, Merchandising Manager Todd Godfrey, and Fishing Manager Brady Bruning also fished that 87 boat tourney.

Jamie Renshaw, Fishing Lead, fished the 3-Mile Tourney on April 21.

COMING UP THIS WEEKEND

Lance Baker heads to Okoboji this Sunday, May 6, for the Iowa Great Lakes Boji Open!  He'll be fishing this tournament with Carl Vogel (also a BPS Facebook fan!).

Bass Pro Shops Fishing Lead Chris J. Grocholski and Fishing Associate Brad Rockhold team up in the Bass Angler Sportsmen Society (BASS) spring state tournament on the Mississippi River on Pool 9 and Pool 10.

"Teams from around the state of Iowa compete with six team members, which is three designated boaters, and three co-anglers.  All six members weigh in their fish, and go to a running total for the six-person team. The team with the most weight is the "team champion" of the spring tournament.  Individual weights also go towards a spot on the Iowa state team for the divisional tournament, where you are fishing against teams from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and South Dakota.  If you then win your "division" then you can go on to compete in the Bass Federation Nation national championship, with gives you a chance to fish in the Bassmasters Classic."

We'll keep you posted each week on tournament results from our pros and associates throughout the summer and fall.

Spring in to Summer

FAMILY FASHION SHOW!

Saturday, April 28

11:00 a.m.

Main Aquarium Stage

Spring and summer fashions for the whole family, featuring:
• North Face
• Under Armor
• Columbia
• Ascend
• Bob Timberlake
• Natural Reflections
• RedHead
• World Wide Sportsman
• 5.11 Tactical Gear
• Men’s and Ladies’ Camo
…and more!
Bring your family and enjoy the show!  Free drawing for gift baskets!
(Modeling provided by Bass Pro Shops associates, families, and friends.)

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Free Outdoor Skills Workshops

Outdoor Cooking Series - Dutch Oven Basics

Walleye Tactics & Techniques

 Sat., April 28, 2 p.m., in the Fly Shop.

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 Guthrie County Pheasants Forever will be in the store, 1-4 p.m., Saturday, April 28, with information about their organization and selling raffle tickets for their gun giveaway.

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The first time catching a fish is a momentous occasion for any child. Recently, a local family shared this wonderful story and photo about their daughter’s first catch and eye-opening experience.

The story starts with dad, Mark, buying his 6-year-old daughter, Hope, a pole at Bass Pro Shops in Altoona.

 “I purchased her pole at Bass Pro the weekend before this trip. She was so proud and so was I. I put my old trusty Zebco reel on the pole and she went out and caught her first fish."

Mom, Jenn, adds that their daughter's first fish was an exciting event for the whole family! Jenn says their child had often wanted to go fishing, but never got to. But, finally, the big day came…Daddy wanted to go fishing, so he took her along.

“It was late afternoon getting towards evening. She cast out and a couple minutes later started yelling for daddy who said, ‘Well, reel it in.’ At first he had her hands on it with his on top showing her how to do it and then he stopped and let her do it. She got it reeled in and was so excited.”

When their daughter found out the next step was to take the fish off the hook, she let dad take over...she was not going to touch it!

Jenn says since that first catch, now 7-year-old daughter has become even more interested and can't wait to go fishing this year.

“Our plan is to try to buy her a bow within the next year, so she can start deer hunting with daddy. She is so stoked to learn new things and to do them with daddy. She has been seeing people out fishing and keeps asking him when they are going to go fishing again."

The experience with fishing has now sparked interest in another outdoor activity…hunting! After watching dad bring home deer, she is now interested in bow hunting…an idea that mom is still getting used to.

A new generation experiences the thrill of the catch…another child gets outdoors…a future fisherwoman and/or female hunter...is born.

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• The upcoming month of May at Bass Pro Shops is the More Fish Campaign Donation month. Bass Pro Shops and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation partner in this campaign to raise awareness and funding to protect, conserve and enhance the nation's fish populations and their habitat, create more fish, more fish habitat, and more fishing opportunities for you, your kids and grandkids.
•  For more information on how to get your child, family, or grandchildren involved in fishing, visit www.takemefishing.org.
• For more information on youth hunter education courses, and other outdoor skills programs for kids, contact your local natural resources offices.

Boats are already on the water. Unseasonably warm weather has put people in the mood for fishing and pleasure boating even earlier than usual.

Thinking about buying a boat? The Bass Pro Shops Altoona Tracker Boat Center offers these tips on what to consider...especially helpful if you're a first-time buyer!

• How are you going to use the boat? Skiing, tubing, fishing, pleasure? The motor size for the boat will be determined by the activity desired on the lake or river.
   
• How many people will be on the boat (capacity)?
   
• What's the towing capacity of the vehicle that will be towing the boat?
   
• Horsepower - The maximum rated horsepower on a boat will give you the best performance, stability to maneuver and steer, efficiency in fuel consumption.
   
• Which boat will provide the best safety in the water for you and your activity?  Why?
   
• Consider your short-term usage plans, but also your potential future use. For example, your immediate use may be on a "no wake" lake, so you would only need a smaller motor for that environment. However, could that change in the next few years?

Okay, you considered all the factors and found the boat that fits your needs. Now, what else do you need to buy?

•  First and foremost, there are items REQUIRED BY LAW to be on every boat:
  • Life jackets
  • Throwables
  • Fire extinguisher and paddles
  • Horn
  • Iowa registration numbers for the side of the boat
  • Ski flag, if skiing
     
•  Insurance costs - Taking a boating safety class will reduce insurance costs and provide valuable boating knowledge. You can even take a boating education course online!
   
• Maintenance costs
   
• Winter storage and winterization costs

Other items you might need or enjoy having on your new boat:

Fish finder, trolling motor, anchor, anchor and dock line, boat cover, first aid kit, boat cleaner and wax, motor flusher to run the motor on, spare tire for the trailer, dock bumpers, VHF marine radio, battery charger, skis, tubes, wakeboards, tow ropes, etc.,

Did you know you receive a VIP Owner's Discount card with a new boat purchase at Tracker?  Save up to 20% discount on most Bass Pro Shops® merchandise for TWO years. Buy any new boat before December 31, 2012, to receive this special offer, valid on ALL NEW and PRIOR YEAR boats. Some restrictions apply. Contact BPS Altoona Tracker Boat Center for details.

Last, but not least, where will you use your boat? Where are the closest county lakes, streams, and rivers with boating accessibility? Here are some additional resources to help you get started!

Lake Red Rock

Saylorville Lake 

Take Me Fishing 

Polk County Conservation Parks Maps (Check with your local conservation office for facilities in your area)

MEET THE STARS OF THE PBR!

The Professional Bull Riders, Inc. (PBR) will be here this Saturday, April 21!

10 a.m.-3 p.m. - FREE fun activities for the kids including stick bull riding and bull roping,

Autograph session from noon-1 p.m. with some of the top PBR bull riders in the world on hand, such as Justin Koon, Luke Snyder, Dusty Ephrom, Ty Pozzobon and Cord McCoy! (Appearances subject to change).

The always popular mechanical bull will also be in the house from 10-3.

PBR announcer and experienced angler Clint Adkins will hold a fishing seminar from 1:00 - 1:30 p.m., followed by a hunting seminar with PBR announcer and host of the Outdoor Channel, "The Elk Chronicles," Brandon Bates from 1:30 – 2:00 p.m.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the founding of the PBR, the world’s premier bull riding organization. 

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Kids' Challenge Weekend 

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Choosing the Right Camo for Spring Turkey Hunting

Saturday and Sunday, April 21 and 22
2 p.m. - Hunting workshop area by the Optics Counter

It's the final weekend for our free turkey hunting seminars.  Ever wonder what pattern to use or what vest will accommodate your hunting style? Join our expert hunting staff as they walk you through the pattern that works best for your needs.

By Jeff Rowland

Throughout the years, I’ve been astonished more than once at the size of a meal that a bass will attempt to take.

The first time, I was bass fishing an abandoned clear water rock quarry. There were no boats allowed in this pristine and secluded body of water and it had to be fished from the shore. This place had a reputation for producing nice, largemouths and was always a fun and special place to fish. Using an eight-inch, purple Mann’s Jelly Worm, rigged Texas-style, I was pitching into a fallen tree, when I hooked up with a nice little bass in the two-pound range. My cast had gone over a fallen log, so to get the fish in I had to hoist it over the obstacle to prevent a snag or line break. Just as the fish cleared the log, another largemouth came over that log and attacked my catch. This fish was probably pushing seven or eight pounds; it had my catch sideways in its mouth and was trying hard to turn it to swallow it down. I popped the bail open to see what would happen next and after several seconds of being jaw-clamped the smaller bass worked its way out of the bigger fish’s mouth and the predator swam away. I couldn’t believe that the larger bass would even attempt to quench its hunger with a fish about a quarter of its size. I weigh in at about a buck seventy and if you compared this event with proportions of a human level, it would be like me eating 42 pounds of food at one sitting.

The second time I witnessed this phenomenon, I was wade fishing a river for smallmouths. One of my co-workers, who wasn’t a seasoned angler, had heard me talk about the river smallies and wanted to see what it was all about. We had been there for about a half hour when he caught his first-ever bronze back. The fish was around four pounds; after he landed it and started to remove the hook, he asked me a curious question, “Why does a smallmouth have a forked tongue?” I replied that they don’t have forked tongues to which he replied, “Well, this one does.” I waded over to look and what I saw was not a forked tongue, but the tail of a shad protruding out of the fish’s stomach. My next move was a mistake because I'm a firm believer in doing my best to preserve the mortality of caught fish to ensure a healthy release. What I was about to do could easily jeopardize the fish’s recovery, but my curiosity was high and I had to see just how big this shad was. I grabbed my needle-nose and pulled the shad out from the smallie’s stomach. It was easily over a foot long and was at least a fourth of the fish’s weight. The thought of that fish having a full stomach and still going after more food astonished me and had me creating theories in my mind about this kind of behavior.

Both instances were a few weeks post spawn and both species were female…there must be time frames when post spawn females go through gorging periods to recover. I don’t know if that theory is true, but as the years passed, I began to apply my theory during post spawn times and began to throw bigger lures. Changing to bigger lures has turned some pretty nice fish for me through the years and having these lures in your arsenal of tackle is not a bad idea.

There are a number of different lures an angler can try if they choose to go down the “big” path.

Swim Baits

Working at Bass Pro Shop, I have seen this lure become very popular and it seems every season we are stretching space to add more swim baits. There are many options in this category from soft plastic to seasoned, hard baits. These days, size is up to you. There are many very large swim baits in today’s market and don’t forget to check out the Muskie aisle. Many bass anglers are using big Muskie swim baits with success.

Worms and lizards

These lures in the 10 to 12 inch range are proven oldies, can be used in many different depths, and are very versatile. They can be dropped weightless into cover or drug on the bottom with a worm weight. They can be rigged Carolina-style and fished liked a swim bait or with a slow steady retrieve.

Bass Jigs & (the old thirty-nine twelve)

I don’t have any data to back this, but I believe this lure has probably produced more big bass than any other big lure. I like using jigs in the ½ oz. to ¾ oz. range and I like to put on the biggest honkin’ trailer I can find. Like the worm rig, you can get crazy versatile with this lure. It can be swam with a drop pause method, pitched into brush, fished on the bottom or just a slow, steady retrieve with an occasional pause. My most productive way is to count down as soon as the lure splashes and work different depths with a steady  retrieve, then pause and  use a method I call “3912.” During the pause, I give the rod three quick pulls with my rod tip moving from 9 to 12 o’clock. After the third pull, I let the lure drop for about a half second then repeat the method. Most strikes occur on the drop. If you’ve ever watched a crawfish retreat in fear it has a very similar appearance to how this lure appears using the old 3912 method.

Big Top Waters

These lures are my absolute favorite to throw. In my youth, I learned about catching largemouths fishing farm ponds from the shore and it didn’t take long to figure out that big bass love to use the shoreline to trap their prey. I started throwing top waters about two feet away from the bank with a parallel cast. This method not only proved to be productive, but a whole lot of fun, too. Of course, top waters can be used many other ways, but don’t be afraid of trying this “close to the shore” method. Casting towards stickups is also productive. Once again, there are many large top waters to try; my favorites are the Zara Spook, XPS Pro Buzz, and the Bass Pro Lazer Eye Buzz Master.

All of these lures can be productive and if you don’t already have them as part of your inventory you may be missing out on something… BIG!

Bass Pro Shops Altoona Receiving Manager Jeff Rowland is an avid fisherman, outdoor writer, and former fishing guide. He is the author of Reel Adventures of a Marion County Angler and his expertise has been featured in magazines such as Iowa Game and Fish, Outdoor Life, and Field and Stream.  

 

The thermometers and barometers are going up and down in Iowa and many other states. Are you prepared for severe weather? Do you have a plan to protect your family, your pets, and you in the event of a tornado?

As the country has experienced recently, tornados can occur anytime, anywhere, but for some places, like Iowa and other states in "Tornado Alley," we are entering high alert season. Be prepared with:

A NOAA Weather Radio. You can program them for your location.  Be familiar with how they work, know how they sound, and know how you will react when they do sound the alarm. Look for battery, solar, and/or hand-crank capabilities.

Stock up. Have first aid kits, flashlights, water purification bottles, tablets, filters, single burner propane stoves, dehydrated food, and sleeping bags readily available...add extra supplies for food, water, infants, elderly, clothing, etc.to your list and you've got the makings of a could emergency supply kit. 

Batteries. Plan on the possibility of losing power...don't rely on television or computers for your weather and radio information. Have batteries on hand for your weather radio and other battery-powered devices.  

 

 

Let Bass Pro Shops help you and your family have peace of mind in preparing for severe weather. Visit our Camping and Gifts Departments for the above-mentioned supplies and more! has your survival supplies, so you and your family can be prepared. Visit the National Weather Service web page for even more in-depth and useful information! 

Looking for sheds are a great way for a hunter to scout an area pre-season. But some hunters are four-legged and don't care about the season...they just love to hunt sheds...shed-hunting dogs. Meet Remi (short for Remington)…a member of the Bass Pro Shops Altoona family and successful shed hunter.

Remi’s training began as a pup with Hunting Manager Shaun Bequeaith, who started training her as soon as he brought her home. Sheds were her toys. Sitting down with her and shaking an antler then tossing it a short distance made her interested. Every day they would play with sheds and he'd have her retrieve.

Bequeaith says Remi’s search lessons began in the kitchen using a dog’s favorite item…food!

“I’d cut a hot dog up into very small pieces, toss it a short distance and would say ‘search’. She’d run and find the treat and eat it. I’d call her back over, throw another  treat and say ‘search’ again.”

After a couple of weeks, training moved to the living room and the treat was thrown farther, continuing with the search/reward tactic. Soon, he began throwing the treat where she couldn’t see it, forcing her to use her nose and eyes to find it. Bequeaith says, like in all dog training, using the same command word every time is important. 

“The word can be anything you want. I used “search” but it could be bone, antler, shed…whatever you want.”

Next move to using a small shed and, just like the treat, throw the shed a short distance and say “search.” It may take a few times for the dog to figure out they should pick up the shed, but eventually  they’ll get it. Then move to a bigger area. 

“In the living room, I’d throw the shed and say ‘search’ and Remi would bring it back. After that I started to have the dog sit and stay in the kitchen while I hid the shed in the living room. I would walk back in the kitchen and give the command and  Remi would take off and search the living room until she found the shed and bring it back. After that was mastered, I’d repeat the steps but put a shirt or a object over the shed. This way you know they are using all of their senses.”

Bequeaith says the next stop is – go outside! Play fetch with the antler and have the dog retrieve. Then tell the dog to sit and stay, put the shed in tall grass and have the dog search. Bequeaith says to make it easy at first and give a lot of praise to the dog when they bring it back to you. The final test?  Place two or three sheds in the field and leave them there for a week. Come back with the dog, give the search command, and see how they do. Bequeaith says one year prior to getting Remi, he found sheds and placed them in plastic bags, trying not to touch them. He left them like that until he was ready to use them in the field for practice. This way Remi was not looking for his scent, but the scent of the antler.

“It can be a lot of fun training a dog and watching them work in the field. The most important thing is a lot of practice and being consisted in your commands,” says Bequeaith.

From there, Remi went to live with Camo Lead Michael Dodson. Michael says his desire to shed hunt comes from his passion to be outdoors. “It also gives me an idea on what size of deer are in the area that I may not know about, therefore giving me a bit of a head start on scouting come bow season. I have always shed hunted, but the idea of bringing a dog into finding them for me never really crossed my mind until I learned about it from Shaun.”

Dodson was not new to dog training.

“I’ve trained many different types of dogs - house dogs, bird dogs for waterfowl and upland, hounds for raccoons, rabbits and even bear. I also helped train a search and rescue hound, but this is my first shed dog experience and it brought a vast range of challenges to me.”

He says training a shed dog differs from a typical hunting dog, especially because of a dog’s incredible sense of smell.

 “To train a bird dog, you physically grab a wing or bird (depending on the stage of training your dog is in) and plant it in cover and take the dog down or cross wind so the dog will catch the scent and learn to use its sense of smell to find the desired game as opposed to using only sight.”

While holding a bird wing, our scent is transferred to the wing, but the wings natural scent overpowers human scent, so the dog mainly smells the bird. Dodson says the opposite comes to play when training a shed dog.

 “The antler emits very little scent for the dog to catch wind of, therefore our human scent overpowers the natural scent of the antler. So it’s a “must” that you wear rubber gloves when handling the antler you are using for training purposes. If you don’t you’ll be training your dog to find human-scented antlers."

 Dodson adds that it is important to teach the dog to use their sense of sight, too, since antlers have a low amount of scent that they emit. He says teaching the dog to use their sight, and not just rely on scent, will increase the positive results when traveling upwind. Like Bequeaith, Dodson says the main key to training any dog is patience, and remembering to have fun with the dog, so the dog has fun hunting with you.

“Working with her has made me realize how powerful a dog’s nose really is. We have a lot of fun together in the field, whether it be training or hunting. This is her first year really hitting the fields for natural sheds. She is only two years old, so she still has a lot of learning to do. But, together we are both learning day by day and we will continue to teach each other new things.

 “It has brought us closer to one another; we now have a bond that can’t be broken. She is not my dog, she is my friend.”

Fly Fishing Weekend

Ever wondered what fly fishing is all about?  Now's your chance to learn more about the art, and technique of this unique fishing style, which requires a casting technique decidedly different from other forms of the sport.

• Learn about the nearly weightless fly or "lure" used, the right equipment needed, and necessary to get started.
• Did you know there's an increased focus on fly fishing as a form of rehabilitation for cancer survivors, wounded warriors and others facing physical challenges?

 Find out more at Bass Pro Shop Altoona's Fly Fishing Weekend event FREE seminars, April 13-15. 

Friday, April 13
6 p.m. – Intro to Fly Fishing

Saturday, April 14
1 p.m. – Fly Tying and Fly Fishing as Rehabilitation
2 p.m. – Intro to Fly Fishing for Women & Kids
3 p.m. – Choosing the Right Waders

Sunday, April 15
1 p.m. – Intro to Fly Fishing
2 p.m. – Inflatable Water Crafts
3 p.m. – Fly Tying and Fly Fishing as Rehabilitation

All seminars will be held in the White River Fly Shop.
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Training your Dog for the Spring Hunt Test
Saturday, April 14, Noon

Okoboji Retrievers Club will have a seminar/discussion at noon on training methods and an outdoor demonstration with the dogs at 1:30 p.m.
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FREE Workshop - Selecting Turkey Decoys and Where to Place Them
Saturday and Sunday, April 14 and 15, 2 p.m.
By the Optics Counter in Hunting

Join our experts as they help you make the right choice in turkey decoys. You'll also learn placement tips to help you bag that trophy longbeard.

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Check out TruVision Outdoors for more great personal stories about fishing and see more photos from Lance's recent work in Tennessee on our Facebook page!

The fun continues with FREE Easter activities for kids!
 

Free photos with the Easter Bunny

April 7 - 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Sunday, April 8 - 1-3 p.m.
Monday-Friday, April 3-6 - 6-8 p.m.
 

Free Kids' Crafts!

Sat. and Sun.,  April 7 and April 8 - Noon-3 p.m.
Friday, April 6, 6-8 p.m.
 

Free Easter Egg Hunt!

Sat. and Sun, April 7 and April 8 - 1 p.m. - one hour - registration starts at 12:30 p.m.!

A representative from HeviShot will be here to answer questions about their line of ammunition

April 7 and 8, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
 

Youth Archery Workshops

Saturday and Sunday, April 7 and 8, 2 p.m.

Kids, join us at the archery shooting range! Bows will be furnished and an adult range master will provide guidance and supervision.

With so many camo patterns to choose from, how do you know what to use to make yourself invisible to your game?

BPS Altoona Camo Lead, Michael Dodson, says when deciding what pattern to wear there are two main variables that work hand-in-hand to affect your choice -  the game you're hunting and the environment in which you're hunting.

Since turkey season starts soon, let's use turkey as the first example. 

Turkeys see color, according to Dodson, so it's crucial that the colors in your pattern choice match the environment that surrounds you.

"During spring turkey season, it's wise to use a pattern containing green to match the natural occurrence of green that spring brings to popular turkey habitats," says Dodson.

However, deer are a different story.  Deer don't see in color, they see in shades. If you're sitting in a tree with bark that's light in color, and you're wearing dark-colored camo, the deer may spot you and realize something isn’t natural with that tree. Next thing you know, the deer throws up his tail and trots away...something every deer hunter has encountered and dreads.

Different regions throughout the world bring different environments, creating the need for different types of camo patterns. For example, if you're hunting in a dry environment, such as New Mexico or Texas, Dodson says you might choose a pattern such as Mossy Oak Brush, which features no green and a tumbleweed appearance to help the hunter blend in when natural cover is scarce.

Dodson adds that Realtree Max-1 is a great pattern designed for hunting in open terrains like sage-covered hillsides, mesquite flats, open prairies, deserts, rocky terrain, and croplands. It's most regularly used in Western states, like Wyoming and Montana, to hunt game such as pronghorn.

Some common camo patterns and their purpose are:

Realtree AP

This is an all-purpose pattern, traditionally used for deer hunting. The light background of the pattern represents the sky, so it's a great treestand pattern, because it blends the hunter with the tree and the sky.

Mossy Oak Infinity:  Another all purpose pattern, also traditionally used for deer hunting. The background of this pattern is more of a yellow tint which makes it great for hunting on the ground or in a tree that is wider than your body.

Realtree APG
This pattern is traditionally used for turkey hunting. The pattern is the same as Realtree AP they just added more green color to the pattern to represent a spring look to blend the hunter in with all the new green trees and plants spring time brings.

Realtree Max-4
This pattern is traditionally used for waterfowl hunting. The pattern contains cattail leaves to blend the hunter in with weeds that naturally grow around wetland environments.

Realtree APS (Snow camo): This pattern is traditionally used for predator hunting. The pattern contains bare branches and a white back ground to help blend the hunter in with the snow environment that surrounds them.