SIMPLE PLEASURES

The outdoors is indeed a special place. It's even more rewarding spending time hunting or fishing with friends who enjoy it as well. Oftentimes, it's not about the catch or the kill, but the day itself. However, that said, the days when it's just over-the-top good are hard to forget. Such was the case last weekend when the duck season opened back up for much of the state.

A friend of mine, Kent, joined me for a hunt on the river. He doesn't duck hunt much but he's grown fond of it and the scenery. We've had some good hunts and he was looking forward to it as was I. Legal shooting time came and went without so much as a feather. But it wasn't long and our company showed up.

Mallards and gadwalls came in singles, pairs and small bunches. We weren't particular and I gave Kent most of the singles and he dumped them all with a single shot. The action was steady and we finished up with a 12-duck, 2-man limit by 8 a.m. Our tally was two drake mallards, a wigeon and 9 gadwalls. But even more impressive was both our shooting percentages that morning. I fired just six shells and Kent only fired two that didn't connect. That's good by any account.

As we finished up Kent plopped down on his bucket and grabbed a Dr. Pepper and took a big swig. He let out the resulting "Ahhhh...." after a big, refreshing drink and said, "Dr. Pepper and ducks....it just doesn't get any better than this."

I had to agree.

WINTER'S THREE W'S

A really don't like winter.  Or more accurately, I really don't like brutally cold, snowy winters.  I'm perfectly content hunting ducks and geese in a sweatshirt and if that's the case there's a good chance my favorite fishing holes are staying open, too.   My apologies to die-hard ice fisherman but I like my chances better on the front of my boat versus staring at an 8-inch ice hole.  This winter has been a good one for my three favorite words that begin with "W"  and that's wipers, whites and walleye.

Each of these fish species can be caught on a number of reservoirs right now and the action can get hot and heavy.  Huge numbers of fish, along with some big ones, aren't uncommon if you catch the right day without a howling wind.  Even freezing temperatures of 32 degrees are tolerable if you dress for the occasion and winds are light. 

Most fish can be found in or around brush, on river channel breaks or other changes in bottom contours like points, jetties or near standing timber.  The best news is once you find one there's a good chance it's not alone. 

I like casting or fishing vertical with a 7-foot medium-light action spinning rod.  Favorite lures include any number of 3-5-inch swim baits on 1/4-ounce jig heads and spoons.  Contact with the bottom on retrieves or jigging is crucial as many schools will stack up and cover it in 15-30 feet of water.

Just a couple words of warning for this time of year.  The water temperature is in the mid-30's right now and a slight misstep can prove deadly in minutes.  If possible, don't fish alone.  It's a good idea to wear a lifejacket.  If your boat doesn't have a ladder, tie a rope with a loop on the bottom to a cleat that you could reach from the outside to aid in getting back into the boat.  As a last resort you can stand on the motor and raise yourself up with the tilt button on the side of most newer motors.  Be careful about footing around icy ramps and rocks.  A little caution will go a long way to having a safe and enjoyable outing. 

Good luck!
        

CAT SCRATCH FEVER

My kids and I have been trapping for a few years now.  We target raccoons, mostly, but have been branching out to gain more experience with other species of furbearers.  On the list from the start has been our goal to catch a bobcat.  I've put out a trap or two specifically targeting cats but up 'til recently have come up empty. 

So with a little time over the holidays my kids accompanied me on another journey.  We put out 19 traps and all but a couple were geared primarily at raccoons.  We caught raccoons, possums and skunks, although our totals were a bit disappointing based on past history in the same place during similar conditions.

But New Year's Day brought a big surprise when I went to check traps.  My boys had friends spend the night and I couldn't haul all of them on my ATV.  So my 19-year-old daughter, Ashley, who was home from her first year of college gladly accepted the invite.  She's always game for keeping me company on many outdoor adventures and we headed out. 

Midway through our check we found a skunk in one of our traps.  We neared the end and I feared we wouldn't have anything else.  However, when I rounded the corner of the creek to check the last trap I was surprised at what I didn't see.

The large tree branch that had my trap attached to it was gone.  Drags like this are commonly used as anchors and I didn't look far and there was my trap...with my first bobcat in it!

Ashley was as excited as I was with our first cat.  Although numerous and common (Kansas tagged more than 4,800 cats last season, the seventh highest total ever) these animals aren't routinely caught by most trappers.  I was fortunate and lucky to get one and learned that only 22 cats had been caught in Harvey County last year.  The 25 pound tom was a healthy looking specimen with beautiful fur. 

Ashley called home and told her brothers of our success.  They met us at the truck when we pulled into the driveway and wanted all the details.  They had to check out the cat and kept saying they wished they had been along, too.  I did, too, but it was nice to share the outdoor experience with my daughter as well.     

BIRTHDAY FISHING FUN

I celebrated my 47th birthday last Friday.  Normally, I'm in a duck blind or enjoying the day in some sort of outdoor setting.  I've had some wonderful and memorable outings on this day over the years and I'm always looking to make more. 

It had been a mild week and fishing had been good so my daughter, Ashley, who was home from her first year at college said she'd TAKE ME fishing for my birthday.  I've missed her over the last few months and remind her of that with a text every time I hear Trace Adkin's song "She Thinks We're Just Fishing."

"Oh, are we going to take YOUR boat?" I joked.

After three days of beautiful, mostly windless weather Friday's start was different.  The forecast called for big winds which don't bode well for holding a jig steady in a brush pile waiting on a crappie bite.  Plus, it was going to be cold with the wind chill.  I pushed back our departure time to about noon hoping the weatherman was correct and the wind would subside towards sunset. 

Ashley, a buddy and I arrived at the ramp and the wind was blowing 21 gusting to 32 mph.  Ouch.  Not many places to go to avoid it so we stayed in the cove for a while and tried our luck somewhat out of the wind.  Nothing.  An hour or so later the wind calmed down a little and we headed out to the main lake where the action had been good.  But my boat was still bouncing 2-3 feet with each wave making it difficult to stay on a spot.  Ashley caught the first crappie but her feat has an asterisk as she thought she had a stick.  The wind died a little more and I was able to control the boat.  But the fish weren't there this day and we only had a handful to show for our efforts. 

I struck out for greener pastures a little after 4 p.m. and found another likely looking spot.  It wasn't long and I quickly realized I wished we'd abandoned the original game plan much sooner.  The action was steady and all three of us were catching fish, mostly crappie but an occasional white bass or two.  A blue and chartreuse plastic tube on a 1/8-ounce jig head was producing well for me and Ashley and my buddy was catching them on black and pink.  I commented aloud how nice the weather was now and said it was "balmy."

"Seriously, Dad?" Ashley quipped just a little frosty after several hours despite being bundled up like a camouflaged Michelin Man. 

But she never whimpered and we fished until dark.  In an hour's time we'd caught about 40 crappie.  Our biggest fish were 12 1/2 to 13 inches and most were just nice fish that make perfect fillets.  They'd look remarkable sizzling in hot grease.  It was truly a beautiful ending to a very fine day.      

As I waited for my buddy to back my truck and trailer down the ramp Ashley and I chatted in the boat.

"Did you have a good birthday, Dad?" she asked.

"One of the best!" I said.  "Thanks for taking me!"