A recent study showed that Americans spend roughly $70 a month on a hobby. That means in a year we would roughly spend $840 doing something we love. With that in mind I started thinking about something that I have always wanted to get into. Archery!

The only two things I know about archery are this: 1- There is a hole in my mother’s hallway from when I was little and got a hold of her longbow. 2- I prefer my Robin Hood characters to be portrayed as a fox.

I went over to our Archery Department and asked them, “What should I get to start practicing archery?”… “Oh and I only got $840 to spend… college, man.” After a few seconds of pondering they sprang into action.

Archery, like most things in life, all comes down to personal preference. What is great about our Archery Department is that they will take the time to help you find what works best for you. It is completely free to try out any of the bows, and all work done in-store is also free. I can afford free.

They let me know all I need to get into archery is the following: a bow, arrows, tips, a release and a target. The target is optional as you can always find a local range to practice, but if you have the room at your home… why not?

After testing out a number of options here is what I left with:

Bow: Red Head Toxik XT Compound Bow Package – Just go with a package. It’ll come with most everything you’ll need. This bad boy comes with 3-pin sight, Hostage® capture-style arrow rest, 5-arrow quiver, 5" stabilizer, and wrist sling. I like how it felt and the price point didn’t merit me selling a kidney. $500.

Arrows: Red Head Black Out X5 Envy Carbon Arrows – Besides the name being awesome they let me know these arrows will stand up for a while and do me right. $35 for a half dozen and $60 for a full dozen. Splurge for a full dozen.  Just remember, I do not intend to take a 425 point Elk with these. (I’d love the chance though!)

Tips: Martin Archery Tapered Hold Field Points – These are basic practice tips. At $10 for a dozen, who could resist?

Release: Cobra Pro Caliper Loop Lock Release – It felt good around my wrist and the leather look to it satisfied my “man”nerisms. $37? Not bad…

Target: Field Logic The Block Gen Z Archery Target – These are new and I was doing a favor for the boys in Archery by trying it out. This company has received good marks for the animal targets. $35

So roughly $642 later I had myself good to go. (Note that I still had roughly $200 to spend on something to distract the fiancé with.) But like I and the guys at Archery said, it is all personal preference. Take the time and talk to one of our associates if you are serious about picking up a new lifetime passion.

Sleep is one of the most important things for the human body. Without proper amounts of it, we begin to notice a decline of overall health. It has long been stated that people need 8 hours of sleep. Some studies suggest that an hour of sleep before midnight is worth two after. Unfortunately due to the high-activity rate most people endure throughout their day, people are suffering from sleep deprivation.

Some of the most fun when camping happens at night. Ghost stories, stargazing and eating delicious smores are half the fun of camping. But when it is time to turn in, campers want a good night’s rest. That’s when it is essential to have the right sleeping bag.

Now depending on the exact trip a person is on, will determine what kind of sleeping bag they are looking for. My best friend told me about a specific sleeping bag he picked up at the Bass Pro Shops in Denver. He absolutely loved it. (He had higher praise for the bag than he did his girlfriend’s cooking and she uses real butter.) He had snagged the Bass Pro Shops Oversized Sleeping Bag . Since it is colder in Colorado than Arizona, he went with the -20°F model. Since extreme cold wasn’t a big concern for me, I snagged the 0°F model.

Just like my buddy, I absolutely love mine as well. (We won’t mention my fiancé’s cooking because it is a sore/flavorless subject.) It has an attractive Red and Black Buffalo pattern cotton-flannel lining that just makes it look manly and comfortable. The exterior is a rugged cotton duck cloth shell. You can unzip the entire thing to make a large 40” x 84” area to sit on or to cuddle up under as a comforter. Realizing that I could zip two of these together to make a massive sleeping bag, I went and had me another (as Boss Spearman from Open Range would say)!

Honestly these things rock. I have been using one of mine as a comforter for the past few years. It is a proud symbol of the love of my outdoors… and the fiancé hasn’t insisted on me getting a real comforter. Simply put, if I were homeless I would beg for change until I had enough to buy one of these and never have to worry again. But I’m not homeless, and I have two so I am set. Rawhide!

From John Wayne’s “Pilgrim” to Sheriff Woody’s “There’s a snake in my boot!” western jargon has had a place in popular culture. There just simply is something incredibly fun when using western slang and phrases. Even people from other countries know the term “Yee Haw!” and can recognize a cactus.

I personally have yet to find a situation where some form of western jargon has not been appropriate. Whether it be while pumping iron at the gym, saying grace or commenting on a lovely lady’s sundress, western slang just works. It’s kind of like a nice suit coat in that sense. (You’ll find an excuse to bust it out every now and then.)

Unfortunately some people are not up to par with their western slang. In the attempt to make society better (or at least more interesting) I have come up with a way to improve one’s western phrasing capabilities.

Using the lists below, first choose from Column 1 and then Column 2 (Extra points are given for alliteration. i.e: Leapin’ Lizards!). Soon you’ll be in “Apple pie order to have yourself a hog-killin’ time!”

Go ahead and try a few out. I can promise this next Thanksgiving family dinner will be one for the record books. Ya’ll might even make gud ol’ Gabby Johnson proud! Giddy-Up!

*Side note, these lists made Spell Check have a heart-attack.

Prepping has become a part of mainstream society in way many have never thought possible. Shows like Doomsday Preppers have brought this way of life to thousands of new people. People are beginning to think about the future in a way not just about IRA’s and retirement homes. And with the Zombie Apocalypse headed our way, it is a good thing! (Just kidding, but seriously I’m ready for it. Anybody with gangrene and a limp should not walk by my place.)

One thing that is really catching on is freeze-dried foods. Hunters and campers have been using these products for years. Now with the prepping craze, more people are investing in them. And for good reason! You can get breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert choices. Most of them only need hot water and a little bit of time to be ready to eat. They last for years and are much lighter than canned foods.

Bass Pro Shops has carried brands such as Backpacker’s Pantry®, Mountain House® and Heater Meals® for years. Their options run from BBQ Beef to Chicken Teriyaki with Rice to Huevos Rancheros. They have everything in-between as well. (My personal favorite is the Mountain House® Beef Stroganoff with Noodles.)

Bass Pro Shops is proud to announce that we will begin to start carrying Wise Company food products, here at our Mesa store. These guys are serious about their freeze-dried foods. Their products last for 25 years. They range anywhere from a simple snack to yearlong supply options. Tons of experts have featured this company over the past year. They even have the married couple of Man, Woman, Wild do the commercial for them. (And he has chiseled arms and a sweet voice, so you know he knows his stuff. The fact that he was a Green Beret and is a survival expert might also have something to do with it, but this is not confirmed.)

As part of our Go Outdoors Sale and Event- 2013 here at Bass Pro Shops, we will be sampling some of the Wise Company food products. Food demos will be running from noon to 5:00PM on both Saturday, May 18^th and Sunday, May 19^th. Feel free to stop by and check this prepper’s delight out along with all the other great events going on in our store.

I’ve got a fever, and the only medicine… is more trout. That’s right I am addicted to fishing and have been for quite some time. My mother used to wake up in the wee hours of the morning and find me sitting right in front of the TV. Like the creepy little girl in Poltergeist I would be surrounded by the ominous glow of the electric hearth. And what would be on? Fishing programs.

Make all the puns and jokes you want (“Snagged on fishing” “Reel-y love to fish” “Make my own stink-bait”) but getting hooked into fishing is simply awesome. A great way to get kids into fishing is through one of my favorite species to catch, rainbow trout. These fish are fun, colorful and taste great with black pepper and garlic.

Here in Arizona, getting into some trout can be as easy as going to a local urban lake or an adventure to the Northern part of our state. Half of the fun of fishing is exploring. Going after trout can be as complicated or simple as one chooses. Below are our Top 5 Trout Baits. These can be argued, but from what we have experienced they rock!

1. Worms – These are a staple in the fishing world. You can catch just about every species available with this classic bait. There are hundreds of ways to rig and fish with them. (And if you have some left over just toss them to the chickens! Little Lawry and Honey-Chipotle sure love it when I do.) Sure they wiggle and squirm, but that’s half the fun.

2. Corn – A can of corn will set you back less than $1. You can feed them up a shank hook or load up a treble hook. They are simple and easy to use. Didn’t use them all? Boom! There’s a side for dinner! There’s something just classic about a pot of corn on a green Coleman stove. And cooking outdoors always makes everthing taste that much better!

3. Dough Baits – This can include home-made or store-bought. Berkely’s PowerBait TurboDough is a staple in my fishing pack. Personal preference is the rainbow pattern. I also make my own bait at home the night before a trip. The stuff is sticky and will get all over your clothes, so bring a towel. But then again, getting messy is all part of the experience.

4. Marshmallows – These delicious treats beat out salmon eggs to make it on this list. People do swear by salmon eggs and they are great bait. Personally though, marshmallows are better bait for Arizona trout. They are easier to find in a pinch as well. You can also snack on them while fishing and make delicious smores at the end of the night. And as everybody knows, making smores is one of the many joys of the great outdoors!

5. Velveeta Cheese – Even though it is not really cheese, but a cheese product. This stuff works like magic for some of the areas I fish. It is easily rolled into a ball to put on a hook. The color also seems to attract the fish. Keep it cool to stick better to the hook, hot Velveeta tends to fall off the hook easier. And here’s a little situation: Fishing one minute, raining the next. Head indoors and warm up with some tasty Velveeta and Shells! Scientific evidence has not been tested but would probably prove that warming up with tasty Velveeta and Shells after getting rained out is a great way to salvage the day.

Go ahead and take a number of these baits with you on your next trip. Trout tend to switch up what they are hungry for throughout the day, so a plethora of options will serve you well. Giddy on up and go get ya some trout! Yeehaw!

Summer is on the way and everyone seems to have a new priority around this time of the year. Lookin’ cool in the heat! (Sure escaping the heat is also at the top of the list, but we pretty much do that all year long in Arizona.) I’m a big summer time person. I don’t even care that my vehicle does not have air conditioning. Windows down and sleeves off, or as I call it “AZ-A/C”.

Right now our hot ticket item is our Bass Pro Shops Flag Tee.  And for only $5 you can be looking good too!

The best things about these shirts are their simplicity and pure awesomeness. They come in white, gray and pink. They come in all sizes, even kids! (3XL Shirts are $7)

The logo is pure America. BOOM! Bass Pro Shops! THE YE-KA-KA-KA-KA OF AN EAGLE! Bald Eagle above the American Flag! WHIZ OF A FISHING REEL! Two fishing poles pointed out in pure patriotic positioning! If it doesn’t say “Land of the Free” then I don’t know what does. (Then again this does come to mind.)

For those of who know that there was never as classy of a fashion trend as there was during the 1980’s these shirts will easily fit into your style. From fish gills to off-shoulder cropping, these bad boys can handle any 80’s alterations. Personally I’ll be cutting the sleeves off of a few I picked up for a family trip this month (my future father-in-law might just have the whitest arms in history). I’ll also be marking the backs of them to represent the event, “Team Suns Out, Guns Out! Minnesota -2013!”

Come on by and snag a few for yourself while they are still here. Get ya some!

I am going to put out two situations and you can decide which one pertains to you more.

It is Friday afternoon and you have only two hours before your uncle’s birthday party starts. And it is not just any uncle either; it is your favorite uncle. It is the uncle that taught you how to bait a hook and where not to take your vehicle to get an oil change. (Way better than the uncle that almost set your hair on fire during a Fourth of July get-together gone wrong.) And you don’t have a gift…

Or:

You just realized company is coming over tonight and your dining table does not have enough rustic flare to it. Sure, the pinecones and random burlap do make a statement but it is not enough! (I know it is hard to pick just one, as these two situations are quite common where I come from.)

What these two situations have in common is the solution. A do-it-yourself “Pet Fishing Lure”!

With just basic household/tackle box items and a pair of scissors you can make your own in less than twenty minutes. Here is what you will need: a mason jar, rocks*, a “sticky” label*, a small washer, fishing line and a sinking fishing lure.

(* = Optional, but recommended.)

For the fishing lure we are using a Rattlin’ Rapala - Sinking. They come in multiple sizes and colors.  Of course, many other companies make similar lures. (This one just happened to be hanging out in my tackle box.) The lure needs to be a sinking one, as you do not want it to float and hit the lid.

First, puncture a small hole into the top of the mason jar’s lid.

Second, attach a small length of fishing line to the washer. Make sure you have enough line to work with, and that the washer will not fall through the hole in the lid.

Then, slip the line through the hole with the washer sitting on the top of the lid. Adjust the line so when you tie the knot onto the lure, the lure does not hit the bottom of the jar. (Do not rush this; it may take a couple tries to get it at the right height.)

Once you have the lure hanging high enough finish the knot and snip the excess line.  Wash the rocks clean. Fill the bottom of the jar with the rocks. Fill with water. Slip the lure in and screw the lid on tight. To hide the washer, use the “sticky” label. Write a cute phrase or put your pet fishing lure’s name here. (Personal favorite shown below.) Place label over washer and press down.

And there you have it, your very own “Pet Fishing Lure”! Other things can be used to decorate the bottom of the jar. Spent ammo casings and bottle caps work great as well. (Unfortunately, shotgun shells float.) Let your rustic-creativity flow and have fun!

A few years ago I found myself at my local Bass Pro, with my buddy’s girlfriend. She wanted to surprise him with a new backpack for all the outdoor activities we enjoy. (That’s a lady to marry right there!) She settled on a Red Head backpack that had a lot of space and a built in hydration pack. Within two days I received the call from my buddy wanting to break it in. Who am I to deny such a request?  We met at the determined spot and time, strapped on our packs and began our desert trek. I quickly noticed how much more room the new backpack had than mine (a converted high school backpack) and how nice the hydration feature was, especially in the desert. After the hike, I decided it was time to upgrade my pack and headed back to the Bass Pro.

              As man-code goes I could not get the same pack as my friend’s so started going over my options. I settled on the Red Head Hybrid Pack . It had a lot more room than my previous pack, and was hydration-system compatible. It has the perfect amount and sizes of pockets for specific storage for most outdoor activities. Another little bonus is that the pack can come apart into two sections. This lets us have a full sized pack, good sized back pack, or a waist pack that can carry a decent load. (The term fanny will not be used, except for right there.)

                Over the past few years I can easily say I have gotten my money’s worth out of this product.  Whether I am hiking the local trails, fishing small creeks for trout or heading to the range, this backpack fulfills all carrying needs. I especially enjoy the use of the waist pack separate from the main part. Not every situation requires a full sized pack, which makes this quite convenient. Most of my activities really only require the use of the top half. For example, for fishing it will hold a standard sized trout net, my three piece rod (broken down), reel, all necessary tackle, bait, tools and more. When I hit the range, I easily fit my two full size pistols, eye protection, ear protection, ammo and targets. There is always plenty of room to stash my wallet, phone and keys in a pocket as well.

As far as the waist pack goes, I typically have it converted to a survival bag that carries what I have assembled for my kit. (I would like to add that I will be throwing in this comprehensive survival kit, just as extra precaution.) Keep in mind; this is just the waist portion, leaving the upper portion available for more use. I can also toss this pack in the back of my truck, just in case something was to ever happen. Also for those with kids, having them carry the waist pack would be a great way to include them and make them feel like an essential part to whatever activity is going on.

With my first big-game hunt coming up last November, I began wondering if I would need to upgrade my pack. I loaded the main pack with the basics for whitetail hunting, and attached the waist pack as well. I locked the buckles across my chest and slung my rifle over my shoulder. Then using the waist buckles, strapped in over the rifle. It secured the rifle firmly and comfortably, leaving me completely hands free. Between the waist straps and the most comfortable sling ever, hiking with my rifle was a breeze.

If you are looking for a new backpack for yourself or a gift, I am sure by now you know which one I would suggest.

Congratulations to the winner of the First Place Prize Package of our Spring Fishing Classic Sweepstakes, Bruce Regnitz!

Bruce, or King of the Kayak (should he accept this moniker), beat the odds to win this sweet collection of prizes. His prize package included: a Plano® Kevin Van Dam Tackle System , a Bass Pro Shops® Stainless Steel Tool Set, a Bass Pro Shops® Enigma Smart Cast Baitcast Reel, a Strike King® Kevin Van Dam 11-Piece Angler of the Year Kit, a Coca-Cola Package, and two tickets to a local NASCAR race.

Bruce has already made great use of his prizes. Check out the great looking bass he caught on Canyon Lake!

Once again, congratulations oh mighty King of the Kayak! May the gods of fishing keep shining down upon you.

I am sure there are many places and times in any of our lives where we can look back and wonder how we used to be like that. The time that always sticks out into my mind was how I used to function without coffee. Coffee is one of those few things most people cannot live without. I truly wonder how I was able to graduate even middle school with the stuff. Even Jase Robertson from Duck Dynasty has a strong opinion on the matter.

Now for the past two years I have been a proud user of the Bass Pro Shop’s Deep Woods dinnerware set. I absolutely love them, and there may be some jealousy between them and my dog for my attention. They are dishwasher and microwave safe. They are sturdy but not too heavy. They even have enough style to satisfy a (previously) young bachelor’s desire for a first set of dishes and to make a recently engaged fiancé not register for new dishes for the wedding.

As anyone can clearly see these dishes are great ways to add some rustic flare to the kitchen. The only problem would be the size of the coffee mugs the set comes with (Not pictured). They quickly became too small to fill my early morning habit. I honestly found myself using filling up two to satisfy myself. Now you could point out that this is a personal issue and maybe I should have cut down on my coffee intake, but this is America and we handle things differently here!

That is correct; we make bigger mugs to go alongside our dishes! Bass Pro Shop’s has just recently released two new mugs in much more “coffee appropriate” sizes. These two mugs have quickly become my favorite ones to fill up with that “black gold that is not crude oil” (as some people may or may not been known to call coffee). These two even have their own names; Dr. Drink-It-Down Deer and Mr. Make-It-A-Large Moose. And for those of you who are worried about what to do for normal drinking glasses to accompany these dishes, have no fear that is what Mason Jars are for!

Yesterday I went bass fishing at Saguaro Lake just a short drive from Phoenix. When I was leaving the dock, a couple of bass fishermen were coming into the dock to load their boat up because they were quitting.  I asked them how they had done and why they were leaving so early in the morning.  Their response to me was, "We hate this lake, we never even got a bite, let alone caught a fish.  This lake has always been a tough lake to fish."  I asked, "What were you using?"  They said, "We drop shotted and were using Roboworms 'Morning Dawn'."  I asked, "Did you change colors?" They answered, "No, this lake sucks."  I said, "That's news to me, because I took a friend of mine from our Bass Pro Fishing department here two days ago and we caught (31) bass; I think the lakes on fire."  They looked at me as if I were nuts and must have thought I was lying to them, as they turned their backs toward me and continued to tie onto the dock to get their truck.

 As I headed out to start my day fishing, I had to shake my head at their unwillingness to search for a solution to their fishing delima and just give up.  I thought back to a conversation I had with my friend, AZ Nitro Bass Pro, Gary Senft, who's been a top placing tournament pro for over 40 years. When he and I had gone out fishing together one time last year to Bartlett Lake outside Phoenix, we came across a similar scenario. Gary told me about the time he came back to the dock to load up his boat after a day fishing and some other boaters saw Gary and recognized him saying, the fishing sure was bad today, they had only caught 2 or 3 fish all day.  They asked Gary how he had done, and Gary replied to them that he thought the fishing was great, he had caught 25 bass.  They looked at him in total amazement.  They must have been thinking to themselves, how is that possible that two of them had fished all day and only caught 2 or 3 fish and what the heck was Gary using to catch so many?  Gary said to me, "Dave, that happens to me all the time where guys come back to the dock with nothing to show for a days fishing and I've had a great day on the lake.  You have to remember something, somewhere on the lake someone is catching fish.  Your job as a fisherman is to figure out what the bass want that day, what color bait are they hitting, and what presentation do they want.  If you do this, you'll be able to catch fish when others can't." That story has always stuck with me because I've learned that what Gary said to me was absolutely true.

When Gary starts fishing, his go-to technique is usually a Texas Rigged Worm.  He'll lay out 5-6 colors of worms and then a few creature baits in different colors usually a Green Pumpkin or something Watermelon with/black flake in it. The worm colors might be a red, green, blue, brown or a shad color.  He'll start working a bank with one of the colors and start his Texas rig technique.  If after a while he doesn't get a bite, he'll change colors and keep changing until he finds a color that's working. The next thing he'll do is adjust his technique.  He's told me that you have to find out how the bass want it worked from day to day.  Sometimes they want it jiggled a lot and some days they hardly want it moving at all.  It changes from day to day, you just have to figure out the presentation they want that day.

As to Gary's presentation, I think he has a wonderful technique for working a Texas Rig and the numbers of fish he catches will make your jaw drop, he's so good at it.  Gary rigs his Texas Rigs this way.  First he puts on a bobber stopper and runs it up the line.  Next, he puts on a 3/16th  tungsten weight if it's not windy or he'll put on a 1/4 ounce if it's a little windy.  He likes Tungsten because it's smaller, heavier and denser than lead and let's you feel the bottom and what your worm is doing better. Lastly, he ties on a 1/0 worm hook.  He then rigs his worm on which is usually a Roboworm and then drops the weight down to the hook and then brings the bobber stopper back down the line to about an inch and a half from the nose of the weight.  He does this so that when he throws the rig toward a target he intends to fish, the weight will fall nose first and stop at the bobber stopper.  This allows that inch and a half of line to now be behind the weight when it goes to the bottom of the lake.  Once that weight lands on the bottom, the line that is now behind the weight allows the Roboworm to float upwards in an upright position.

Here's how he works his Texas Rig: Once you cast your rig to your target, beside a rock on the shore line or a tree or limb. Once you worm has hit the bottom and you take up the slack, start with your rod tip in the 10 or 11 o'clock position and start jiggling your rod tip up and down at a moderate pace approximately 3 inches for 5 seconds or so and then stop.  Wait for the "Tick" of a bite.  If no bite, jiggle your rod tip again for a few seconds and stop and wait for the bite.  If no bite then, jiggle your rod tip constantly as you start lifting your rod tip continuously from a 10 o'clock position to a 12 o'clock position and then stop and wait for the "Tick of a bite".  If still no bite, jiggle your rod tip again and wait a few seconds.  If no bite is detected do this; lift your rod tip in 3 quick short hops upward from 10 to 12 o'clock.....stop and jiggle your rod tip and then stop once more and wait for the "Tick" of a bite.  Usually, if there is a bass in the area you've cast to, at some point in this description you will have felt the bite or if not the feel of a definite "Tick" a """"Pressure Bite"""" where you don't feel a definite "Tick, Tick" of a bite, but instead the feeling of pressure when you gently lift your rod tip to move the bait forward towards you.  If you feel an unusual pressure that feels like a heaviness on your line, snap your rod tip up to set the hook, it's probably a bass with your lure in it's mouth who picked it up so gently you didn't feel a usual "Tick, Tick" feel of stronger bite.  If not, continue the sequence again and again re-casting to other targets along the shore line.  This technique also works if your casting from the shore line, if your at a lake and don't have a boat.  Start fan casting from 9 o'clock along the shoreline to 10...ll...12.....1....2.....and 3 o'clock to your right.  The same technique works for shore fishermen as well.

If you work approximately a city block of shoreline and your not getting bit, CHANGE WORM COLORS TO SOME OTHER COLOR, DON'T BE LIKE THOSE GUYS ABOVE AND SAY THE FISH JUST AREN'T BITING, THEY'RE NOT BITING THAT COLOR, THAT BAIT, OR THEY'RE PRESENTATION.  You have to find the color they want today, not what they were hitting on yesterday or the last time you went fishing and you caught them.  Keep trying colors until you start getting bit.  If you've gone through your colors and they're still not biting, SWITCH BAITS!!!   If you've tried doing that and you're still not getting bit, SWITCH TECHNIQUES, TRY DROP SHOTTING.  Maybe the fish don't want to see the bait on the bottom, maybe they want to see it OFF THE BOTTOM, maybe a drop shot would change their behavior and you'll start catching fish.  That's why you need to learn different techniques and try to learn to master or own these techniques. Build confidence in each technique, doing so will make you a better fisherman and turn a bad day on the lake into a good or great day.

I went out after leaving these guys and started fishing.  I caught 12 nice bass in just over 4 hours until  it got too windy and too many skiers on the lake for me to continue to fish.  Isn't it interesting that I had a great morning on the lake and caught several fish while the guys I'd met at the dock hadn't had a bite all morning.  Same lake....Same day.

Below is a video of my friend AZ Nitro Bass Pro, Gary Senft.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=5QNRBFfFBaQ

Watch this video of him fishing a Texas Rigged Worm, it'll make you a better fisherman.

The moral of the story is not to give up, remember.......somewhere on the lake........somebody is catching fish.......You just have to find out what they want that day and how they want to see it.  Do that and you'll take a bad day fishing and turn it into a good day.

by: David Roberts Bass Pro Shops Fishing Associate

We are pleased to announce the 1^st Annual Bass Pro Shops Lake Havasu Open and Fishing Festival. Taking place at Windsor State Park Lot #4 May 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th, the Open will be a fun and festive weekend full of clinics, demos, test ride & drives, kids’ fishing derby, kids’ activities, and a tournament unlike Havasu has ever seen.

You would never buy a car without a test drive first, right? When you buy a boat, you rarely get an opportunity to test drive it first. Well, that changes now. Visit us at Lake Havasu during our Lake Havasu Open and Fishing Festival for FREE ride and drive demos of our full line of Tracker Marine boats and our Arctic Cat ATVs and UTVs May 4^th and 5^th from 9am-6pm and May 6^th from 9am-3pm.

Bass Pro Shops is all about families and introducing youth to the outdoors and maintaining that connection for life. So we are excited to be holding a Kid’s Fishing Derby just for those 5-15 years old May 6^th from 8am-12noon. This is for every level of young angler- from beginners to those with years of experience. The first 200 participants receive souvenirs. Prizes will be awarded for a variety of categories for different age groups. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and must bring their own equipment.

Make sure and walk around the lot to test out and learn about products from vendors, exhibitors, and demonstrations. We aim to make this truly interactive- allowing you to learn through experiencing these products and services first hand.

And don’t forget about the Tournament itself. May 5^th and 6^th, professional anglers and enthusiasts alike will pack the lake full of boats competing for a ton of great prizes and, oh yeah, a boat. That’s right. A fully rigged Nitro Z7 with a Mercury outboard. The Top 10% finishers in the tournament will be eligible to win the Z7.

To receive an entry form for this event please email jmloutdoors@gmail.com. Basic entry is $350 per team with an optional $50 big fish pot that will pay the top 3 biggest bass each day. Contestants paying by check must have their entries turned in no later than April 30, 2012. We are also able to accept credit card entries with a 3% processing fee. Only CASH entries will be accepted at Friday’s registration. Please contact Justin Locatis at 602-791-0023 if you have any questions. You can also sign up and pay online at www.jmloutdoors.com.

Time for some more spring accessories! Jewelry  can give your wardrobe a much needed pop of color from bangles in every shade and jewel tone pendants mixed in with a charm necklace.

Also look for small delicate jewelry made with unique peices- like hourglasses, anchors, or Baltic honey amber.

On Berlin: Necklaces, from top, Bold Bead Slider Necklace, $14.99, Mudpie 32" Charm necklace, $9.97. Bracelets, Emmy Wood bangles, $7.99 each.

On Caela: Necklace, Bass Pro Shops Shot Shell necklace, $19.99. Bracelets, from top, Emmy Wood bangle, $7.99, Wide Green Batik Resin bangle, $14.99

Necklaces, from top: 7 Lucky Hearts necklace, $39.99, Time in a Bottle hourglass necklace, $49.99.

Cornbread is wonderful. It's buttery, and soft, and delicious. And when you eat it warm, just out of the oven, it brings back memories of your mom making it on cold winter nights. Or maybe that's just me.

But what happens if we add more delicious things to something that's already delicious? The deliciousness should be compounded, no?

Let's find out.
 

This is Uncle Buck's Cornbread Mix. The recipe calls for milk and a slightly beaten egg. I also added minced garlic, sundried tomatoes, shaved Parmesan cheese, and Kalamata olives.

It was fantastic. The saltiness of the Parmesan was complimented by the tang of the olives and went so well with the fluffy goodness of the cornbread.

Try your own variations; see what you can come up with!

Recipe:

1 1/3 cups Uncle Buck's Cornbread Mix
2/3 cup milk
1 egg, slightly beaten
2 tbsp minced garlic
1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes
1/2 cup shaved Parmesan cheese
15-20 Kalamata olives, halved

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F
2. Combine all ingredients in a medium sized bowl until blended well. Do not over mix.
3. Bake in a greases 8x8 pan for 15-20 minutes until golden brown and springy to the touch.
4. Cut into squares. Serves about 6.












 

Appearance: Tan in color with black tipped tail and ears, this cat generally weighs in between 80-180 lbs and measures 6-8 feet from nose to tip of tail. They sport a round head with erect ears and large, powerful hindquarters. Mountain lions are the fourth largest cat species and uses its powerful legs to leap up to 15 feet and run 50 mph in a sprint. It cannot roar, like its relatives in the big cat family, but instead hisses, screams, and purrs much like a domestic cat. Babies are born with blue eyes, black spots, and a ringed tail.



Habitat:

The mountain lion, also known as a puma, cougar, or mountain screamer, is very adaptable to any environment but prefers dense underbrush and rocky terrain. They are very good climbers and will escape to into trees or high caves when threatened.



Diet/Behavior:

Mountain lions stalk and ambush their prey- in AZ that includes deer, elk, javelina, big horn sheep, and livestock- preferably from above - from rock ledges and steep terrain. Mainly solitary and highly territorial, mountain lions with cover up to 10 miles a day protecting their territory. They will kill large prey every 7-14 days and consume it over a number of days, covering the remains with leaves, brush, and dirt to prevent spoiling and poaching from other animals.



Hunting:

Mountain lion hunting in Arizona lasts from Aug-May. Tags may be purchased over the counter as there is no draw. There is a limit of one lion per hunter per year.

I'm gonna keep this short, because the picture is really distracting. But our Fudge Shop makes homemade fudge daily. Erwin, or Dr. Fudge, makes new and interesting flavors of fudge- and he even takes suggestions. The latest is the Salted Nut Roll- layers of vanilla fudge, caramel, and peanut butter mixed with salted peanuts is then topped with more caramel and salted nuts. It's delicious and you need to come try it!

Meet Chad. He's the manager of the Marine and Tracker Boat departments and a super cool guy. He fishes a lot of tournaments and does a lot with the AZ Nitro Team. He makes amazing custom pens and is obsessed with It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

Name: Chad Schimmel

Age: 34

Dept: Tracker/Marine Manager

Where were you born? Lake Havasu City, AZ

Hobbies/Pastimes? Fishing, spending time with family, dabbling in woodworking

Best part of being a Bass Pro employee? Being close when I need fishing tackle.

Bass Pro reminds me of… a very good reality TV show.

Any upcoming hunting/fishing/camping trips? Roosevelt Mid-week Bass Tournament.

If you were given a $1,000 BPS gift card, what would you buy? 1,000 $1 gift cards and distribute them to my employees for good deeds.

Favorite sports team(s)? Cardinals

My hero growing up was… Dennis Reynolds

Favorite word? Fish On –or- Get the Net.

Star Trek or Star Wars? Neither

What 5 people, living or dead, real or fictional, would you invite to create the ultimate dinner party? Abe Lincoln, Harry Potter, Frank Reynolds, George W Bush, Marilyn Monroe

Ernest Hemingway famously bet his fellow bar patrons that he could write someone’s life story in 6 words. He came up with – and won the bet for- this gem: “For sale, baby shoes, never worn.” My two examples: “I was told there’d be cake.” & “Pretty in Pink with cuter dress.” What is your six word memoir?

“I never should have done that.”

Spring is looking a little monochromatic. Bold graphic prints, plaids, and stripes in black and white are popping up everywhere lately. It's an ultra modern look that looks incredibly chic and put together.

Try adding a pop of color- for this spread I chose red, but feel free to use any jewel tone from green to purple to orange.

On Caela: Dress, Columbia Pebble Skipper dress, $50. Bracelets (from top to bottom), Braid Toggle Bracelet, $19.99, Emmy Wood Bangle, $7.99.

On Berlin: Top, Columbia Super Bonehead Long Sleeve Shirt, $55. Pants, Natural Reflections Classic Straight jean, $29.97.

On Berlin: Jacket, Ascend Soft Shell Jacket, $68. Dress, Columbia Armadale dress, $60. Sunglasses, Wiley-X Abby, $146.

On Caela: Shirt, Columbia Super Bonehead LS shirt, $55. Top, Columbia C1966 SS Tee, $17.97. Pants, Natural Reflections Classic Straight jean, $29.97. Bracelet, Seashell Charm bracelet, $179.99.

On Berlin: Shirt, Columbia Saturday Trail LS shirt, $34.97. Top, Lole Zen top, $50. Pants, Bob Timberlake Slimming Pant, $35.97.

On Caela: Shirt, Lole Essential Cardigan, $90. Top, Columbia Reel Beauty SS shirt, $40. Pants, Natural Reflections Classic Straight jean, $29.97.

There are some things in this world that are just better explained in pictures. The Rednek Wine Glass is one of them. So here you go...



See what I mean?

These babies are selling like hot cakes. And I can see why, it's a humorous way to enjoy wine, or any other beverage and it's also convenient because it has a lid. They make great gifts- especially if you have friends that enjoy boxed or screw cap bottles of wine.



Even though these are sometimes bought for gag gifts, they are not cheaply made. They use Ball mason jars and Libbey candlesticks to make the wine glass.

So it's fun, funny, convenient, and well made? Count me in.

(Yes, I do own one. I love it and I don't care what anybody thinks.)

And we just got in a whole new collection of Rednek glasses!

Aren't they pretty?

We have a Margarita glass.

A Champagne glass.

And the cutest Martini glass you ever did see.