BEST LAID PLAN...NOT!

Usually, I'm pretty good about planning things out when it comes to traveling during one of my outdoor adventures.  Although it's easy to forget things when you're hauling boats, dogs, kids, gear, etc., I generally have it covered.  But every once in a while things don't go according to plan.  My recent weekend was one example. 

I went to Melvern Reservoir this weekend to fish with a buddy in a small gathering of Kansas Walleye Association members, friends and family.  We planned to spend the night Saturday and fish Sunday, too.  So after a delicious meal Saturday evening of fried fish with plenty of fixin's, I decided it was time to blow up my bed I'd use in the back of my truck.  It was a new one and prior to leaving home I tried to find the dimensions on the box to make sure it would fit between the wheel wells of the truck bed.  There were no dimensions and I reasoned...surely, it will fit.  NOT! 

As it inflated it I knew I was in trouble.  It would barely fit the bed, let alone between the fender wells.  Plan B was to throw it out on the ground and sleep under the stars.  But as the wind picked up and the sun set, I thought that might be a bit too chilly.  So at about 9:30 p.m., and darker than dark, I decided to put up the tent I brought. 

The tent was also new and I'd never put it together.  I positioned my truck so the headlights would help illuminate my work space.  The tent was a pain.  After 10 minutes or so my truck lights would go off automatically to keep the battery from running down.  That's all fine and dandy but I had to turn them back on three or four times to get the stupid tent up. 

Next order of business was to put my nice, new blow-up bed in the tent.  Well I can tell you from experience a queen size blow-up bed will not fit through the door of a Coleman Expedition 2-3-person tent (which is a misnomer...you could share it with ONE person, but it better be someone you're intimate with as there's a good chance you'd have body parts touching all night long).  So, I had to partially deflate the bed enough to fold it to get it in the door of the tent and then inflate again once inside.  It's getting late by now and my mood isn't good. 

I go to start my truck to move it and it won't crank.  Yes, I was too stupid to simply start and let my truck run while I needed the headlights.  Dead battery.  Another guy in camp has a battery charger and we hook it up and let it go overnight.

I sleep rather well despite my troubles.  But when I woke up at 6:30 a.m. I tried to figure out every way possible to avoid getting out of a really warm sleeping bag to pee.  When it got to the point I couldn't roll over in my cozy bag without feeling like I'd pee my pants I crawled out into the cool, brisk air.  

It was a wonderful morning. I went to start my truck to head to the restroom and it wouldn't crank.  The charger connection continued my wonderful string of good luck.  NOT!  After jumping it I was good to go and fortunately made it. 

I tore down the tent and deflated my air bed.  I may have cussed both a bit as I threw them in the truck.  And then we went fishing and things got better.  Although the fishing wasn't fantastic, we did catch nearly 30 keeper-sized crappie.  But I won't remember the fishing as much as I will my screwed up sleeping arrangements.  Sometimes the best laid plans aren't even close.      

   

GROWING UP RIGHT

More and more kids today are often far removed from the natural world.  Rural Kansas has given way to urban existence in many cases for one reason or another.  Many of today's youth aren't afforded the same exposure to the outdoors as decades ago.  It's sad, really.

But there are still kids who grow up in the country.  Their backyard is the world's coolest playground where they're free to roam woods and waters.  They learn about how nature works actually being part of it rather than something they see on the Disney Channel.  They're more comfortable with a fishing rod or .22 rifle in their hands rather than a video game controller.  That's reassuring to me.

I got the pleasure to meet one such youngster last weekend.  A buddy and I were fishing at Melvern Reservoir as part of a small get together of Kansas Walleye Association members, friends and family.  Although generally hardcore about toothy critters most were chasing crappie this weekend.  On Sunday young Zach Larson jumped in the boat with us.  He was impressed with my buddy's Ranger boat and looked forward to going "really fast."

Over the next few hours I got to know Zach.  He lives in the country with plenty of room to fish, hunt and trap.  He was more at ease with a fishing rod in his hands than many adults I've seen.  And his knowledge of the outdoors was even more impressive.  We talked about trapping, duck and goose hunting, deer hunting, squirrel and rabbit hunting and fishing for many species of fish in ponds and creeks.  He knew his stuff and was articulate, polite and knowledgeable well beyond his years. 

Zach caught the first crappie and it was a good one.  I caught the next one and teased him that mine was MUCH bigger, although in reality they were nearly identical.  He had a good sense of humor and laughed at my good-natured ribbing.  Our day's tally was 27 keeper-sized crappie.  We had a good time and although fishing was slow Zach seemed to have a good time.  I did, too. 

As we were stowing rods and gear I asked Zach if he liked video games to which he replied, "Nah, I think they're pretty boring...I'd rather be fishing or hunting."

Now that's my kind of kid.  He's growing up right.  I wish the world had more kids just like him.      

THAT'S A FAIR QUESTION

Well, I've been absent for a couple weeks now but I have a good excuse.  I've been busy with the 2011 Kansas State Fair and our KDWPT display in Hutchinson.  It pretty much ties up the first few weeks in September for me.  It's one of the more popular displays and staffed primarily by our law enforcement division and employees from Pratt and other areas.  

I really don't mind the fair, but after 22 years hanging out there for the majority of the time, I'm really glad to see it go by the time it's over.  I enjoy chatting with people for the most part and visitors are genuinely interested in many of KDWPT's programs and projects.  Most questions are informational in nature, and some even offer up the occasional "atta boy" for something the department has done or is doing.  And of course, we get plenty of complaints, too.  That just goes with the territory. 

Questions run the gamut.  The two most popular are likely about hunter education requirements and license requirements for those 65 years of age or older.  This year there were plenty of questions about blue-green algae concerns as well as how the drought has affected the upland bird populations.  Sitting at the fair talking to landowners I get a bit of a feel for the latter and many areas may be down this year.  But the good news is bird numbers are resilient and under the right conditions don't take long to bounce back. 

And of course there's always mountain lion sightings and stories.  I would imagine over the years I've got reports from every corner of all Kansas' 105 counties.  People still seem upset that KDWPT won't "admit" their stories are true.  I don't know we've ever said they weren't, just that they couldn't be substantiated with any concrete evidence.  I don't know a single KDWPT employee who ever said Kansas had no mountain lions.  Fortunately, several lions have been documented in the last couple years and much of the talk of their presence, transient or otherwise, has died down.

One of the funniest questions I've ever received happened years ago.  We used to have live animals and would feature quail, fox, pheasants and even a fawn deer most years.  The animals were always popular and the young whitetail was always a hit.  Only a few months old it would generally still have spots and a gangly look to it.  One year a guy walked by and said, "Is that the same fawn you had here last year?"

And he wasn't kidding.  Now that's a fair question.

     

    

DOZENS OF DOVES

September 1st is here and that means the initial kick-off to the fall hunting seasons.  Dove hunters will be out in full force the next couple days.  Interest is high as it's been a long summer waiting on fall.  Dove numbers look good this year and if this morning is any indication there shouldn't be any problem finding a few doves.

A buddy, Jim Reid, and I took advantage of a Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism managed dove field.  They're scattered around all over the state and dove hunters can find out where and how to get to various ones by checking at http://www.kdwpt.state.ks.us/.  Managed dove fields typically include sunflowers or wheat and either can be incredible under the right conditions.  Much of the success or failure of some of these plots is at the mercy of Mother Nature.  This year it seems she's cooperated and rain hasn't been an issue, at least in south central Kansas.

We arrived at 6 a.m. and there were already 22 vehicles in the parking lot and on the road.  We picked up our survey cards and eased into the darkness knowing more hunters would be rolling in as shooting time approached. We donned bug spray and shooting glasses and waited for it to get light.

A few shots signaled the start of the 2011 season and it wasn't long and the barrage began.  Doves came from all directions and I had to pass on dozens of shots where the doves were too low resulting in a dangerous shot under crowded conditions.  But picking and choosing my angles and options I began to knock a few doves from the sky.

The morning was beautiful and as peaceful as could be under the circumstances.  More doves kept coming and before long I needed to count to double-check my mental tally.  I was just easing into a second box when I killed my 15th dove at about 7:15 a.m.  I picked up my stool, hulls and doves and made my way to Jim's location.

He was excited and happy about the morning's prospects.  We marveled at the number of doves we'd seen and still flying.  He had about 12 birds in his pile when I arrived and I told him I'd play bird dog and retrieve his remaining birds.  It wasn't long and he had his limit, too.

We talked over a big breakfast back at town.  The morning was a huge success and despite the crowded conditions everyone seemed to get along.  I have to think if you could hit your butt with both hands you could have shot a limit of doves with as many birds as were flying.  It was a perfect plan on a beautiful morning and KDWPT personnel should be proud of their efforts on behalf of Kansas' sportsmen and women.    

The success of this project won't last too long as is the case with Kansas' dove season in general.  A majority of the birds are killed the first week or 10 days of the season and then our harvest figures fall way off.  But by then I'll have my fill and it will be time to look forward to the next item on fall's hunting calendar.

 

GETTIN' CHUMMY WITH IT

Catfish anglers are a unique bunch.  Many aren't fancy and there's not near the glitz and glamour of gear or gadgets associated with more "prestigious" species like bass or walleye.  But in the same breath catfish anglers are some of the most dedicated anglers out there.  Catfish remain near or at the top in angler preference so there's no doubt they're popular.

One technique catching on in recent years is chumming.  Long thought to be illegal by some, chumming involves placing an attractant in the water with hopes of attracting fish.  Some "chum holes" have fancy names like the "Hawg Trough" at Perry Reservoir.  Peak days may find dozens of boats in the same area.  Other reservoirs have their own and it can work on most any body of water.

I've been chumming for a few years now and enjoy it.  I was never a fan of sitting and watching lines but fishing from a boat we fish vertical, much like we do for walleye or crappie.  I like that approach and the smallest of "ticks" occasionally results in the biggest of fish. 

Rotten grain like soybeans, milo, wheat or corn are popular choices for chum.  Placed in a bucket covered with water for a few days in the summer will have your neighbors to the north crying foul.  Be careful when you take the lid off as the stench could gag a maggot.  But that's exactly what catfish love and I'd bet they'd come running if they had legs.

Some of my hardcore walleye friends laugh at me when I talk about catfishing.  But I often have nieces and nephews, my kids, neighbors and others in the boat when we chum.  It's a great way to catch a bunch of catfish.  Now is the perfect time of year to do it.  I went last Sunday and even on a slow day two buddies and I ended up with 14 nice channel catfish up to about 8 pounds.  It's a great, although somewhat smelly, way to enjoy the Kansas outdoors.

YOU CAN HAVE THIS RECORD

Typically, when talks turn to breaking records it's a good thing of sorts.  But in the case of the sweltering summer heat many Kansans have been experiencing I'd just as soon not drag this out any longer.  It's getting old and it's time for a change.

We've tied a record in south central Kansas with 46 days over 100 degrees.  That hasn't happened since 1980.  I've forgot about that summer and I would like to forget this one, too.  But all Mother Nature needs is the roaster on high for another five days and we break the all-time record that's stood since 1936.  

While it's never too hot to fish, this heat takes a toll on anglers.  If there's no breeze you can forget seeing me on an all-day fishing trip.  We like to go early and wrap things up by lunch or so.  Beyond that it's not much fun to me to sit and roast.

And even evening fishing can be brutally hot.  On several camping trips this summer the temperatures were still in the high 90's after the sun set.  That should be illegal.  Regardless, my two boys were down on the bank having success catching plenty of channel catfish fishing from shore.  But it just didn't seem right to see them drenched in sweat at 10 p.m.

It looks like by weekend's end we may have a shot at the 1936 record of hottest summer on record.  Fine, whatever, let's get it over with and get on with it.  It's time for fall.  Thank God we have a change of season in Kansas and I'm ready for it.  Bring on the ducks, a little frost, a morning when you can see your breath and let the leaves fall where they may. 

Now let's hope we don't set any records for most days below freezing.  I wouldn't be a fan of that record, either.  I'm good with average, run-of-the-mill temperatures and these are records I can do without.       
 

SHE THINKS WE'RE JUST FISHING

Trace Adkins' latest music video shows him and his youngest daughter, Trinity, fishing and the song is aptly titled "She Thinks We're Just Fishing."  Trace admits the song is about being a Dad and spending time with your children.  Fishing is just an avenue to do it.

I'm lost in her there holding that pink rod and reel...
I say Daddy loves you baby one more time...
And all this laughing, crying, smiling, dying here inside...
Is what I call living...
She ain't even thinking 'bout what's really going on right now...
But I guarantee this memory's a big'un...
And she thinks we're just fishing...

These are just a few lines of a song that hits really close to home.  My daughter, Ashley, was 2 1/2 years old when she caught her first fish and I remember it like it was yesterday.  Over the years we've been on many fishing trips together and they've all been special. 

But in just the blink of an eye she grew up.  Last weekend I moved her and a truckload of her stuff off to her first year of college.  I wonder where time went.  I miss her already and she's only been gone a few days.

Looking back I'm thankful we spent so much time together.  Those memories are tucked away and will always be there. I get choked up every time I hear Adkins' song now and Ashley teases me about it.  They're powerful words about the relationship between a daughter and a Dad.  I'm really glad we went fishing.