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Darren Gallaher is a friend from Chattanooga, Tennessee, or pretty close to there. He’s been fishing competitively since he was just a little kid, kind of a bass prodigy. As an adult he guides and fishes competitively, he’s a spokesperson for a number of brands like Berkley and Bass Pro Shops, and has even held a tournament director title. But the reason we wanted to have him on the show more than anything is that he’s a great guy who loves to fish and has a million good stories. Plus I just like the way he talks.

Brian / Moldy Chum News

Patagonia Eco Catalog

Tripod Fish

Daiwa / A Fishing Ape

Teeg / Recycled Fish News

Fun with Counting Crows

Around the World of Fishing – August 27, 2010

Good News: US Fish & Wildlife is giving $600,000 to fight Quagga and Zebra Mussels in Western U.S. Waters.

In other Good News: Louisiana has re-opened all waters to fishing following the BP Oil Spill.

Across the Country: National Hunting and Fishing day is coming up September 25th. The goal? To equip every hunter, angler and sport shooter to more effectively communicate the conservation benefits of traditional outdoor sports.

Did you know? License sales and special taxes on fishing and hunting gear generate $100,000 … every 30 minutes. That’s over $1.75 billion a year-for fish, wildlife and habitat?

It’s true.

On the Gulf Coast the Redfish and Kayak fishing tours are relocating their events within Louisiana due to “logistical issues” presented by the oil spill.

In Minnesota – It’s state fair time and August 28 is Sportsman Day. Wish every State Fair had a day like that.

This week’s Stewardship Tip – Aerate Your Lawn. Believe it or not, this helps your grass grow without needing fertilizer, and it also helps reduce runoff. That’s good for our waters.

More fishing hoopla at MoldyChum.com  – Stewardship Tips and more at RecycledFish.org.

I’m Teeg Stouffer and we just went around the world of fishing in 120 seconds.

Guest Intro / Interview

The first time I went really fast in a bass boat was with Darren Gallaher. I had been in plenty of bass boats, and I had been in plenty of fat boats, but I had never been in a bass boat going really fast, and it was an experience I will not forget. It was terrifying. My butt puckered so tight that it nearly swallowed my cheeks.

What’s fishing been like this year?

Where do you do most of your fishing?

You told me a story about fishing some of these local tournaments once – how’d that go?

Who have you gone fishing with that we know?

I know that you like Deadliest Catch better than Orange County Choppers…

You’re actually going to be on MTV’s “Teen Mom” or “16 and Pregnant,” aren’t you?

You’ve been at the fishing game a long time, tell us about that.

Ever had an animal try to get in the boat with you?

Ever fallen out of the boat?

You do some work with a bunch of brands and products, I know you do some stuff with our friends at Pure Fishing. Anything new or cool happening over there?

Where’s your next fishing tournament?

Conservation

You’ve seen Chickamauga go from excellent to awful and now back to excellent – what happened?

You’re a tournament angler so obviously you’re okay with fishing tournaments, but what do you think about fishing pressure, both sport and commercial, and how is that effecting the lakes you fish?

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Guest Intro

Curt Redden lives in Hattiesburg, Mississippi and loves fishing, art, and promoting catch & release for trophy fish. It was a natural combination to produce a gallery of beautiful fish art and to give anglers who wanted to hang a trophy on the wall an opportunity to do it through original painted art. Curt is involved with conservation, fishing and art in a handful of different ways – and he’s had time in the media, too. We’ll dig into his story today on The Fish Schtick.

Brian / Moldy Chum News

Tell us about Matt Labash
Sensational SOTMs right now! A pending world record? Wow.
Gawker / NY Times buzz
Rogue flows free

Teeg / Recycled Fish News

Backwaters of the Mississippi River Trip
Counting Crows Concert!
24 Hour Fish A Thon full swing

Around the World of Fishing – August 18, 2010

Good News: With the Deepwater Horizon well capped in the Gulf of Mexico and cleanup and recovery efforts continuing, all estimates suggest that the fishery and environment will be able to make a relatively quick recovery.

Bad News: Many believe that the oil hasn’t actually dissipated, and we’re going to be paying a tremendous toll for decades, and some fish may be driven to endangered status. The local economies are in awful shape, and neither BP or the Federal Government are pitching in.

In the Media: The River Why trailer is up on YouTube if you want to have a look. It might be good. I might want to see it. I might be able to tell already why David James Duncan was so pissed off about the way the story was handled.

In professional fishing, we give lots of attention to the bass guys. What about the crappie guys? The redfish anglers? The walleye guys? Well, Completing a remarkably consistent 2010 season, Cabela’s pro Paul Meleen won the FLW Walleye Tour Angler of the Year award. Way to go, Paul.

Congratulations, coast to coast, to this year’s Take Me Fishing Grant winners – there are a ton of them, way too many to list here, but from Hawaii to Virginia, local organizations got their slice of a $300,000 pie to get kids and families fishing.

In Georgia – Bobberthon is on. Anglers fish for bluegill – they call ‘em Bream down there –and could win a brand new boat! One month left in the contest, check it out at GoFishGeorgia.com.

In Massachusetts  Boaters and anglers near the tip of Cape Cod now have a reliable helping hand to call when they break down on the water. TowBoatUS now has tow and support boat out of Provincetown.

This week’s Stewardship Tip – Fish lead free. Lead is a known carcinogen – that means we know it causes cancer. For pennies more, you can still catch fish without putting a carcinogen in our drinking water supply. Why wouldn’t you?

More fishing hoopla at MoldyChum.com  – Stewardship Tips and more at RecycledFish.org.

I’m Teeg Stouffer and we just went around the world of fishing in 120 seconds.

Guest Intro / Interview

Curt Redden

I came to know Curt Redden through our 24 Hour Fish A Thon. He saw an article in Game & Fish publications, contacted us, and said he wanted to help. That tells you something about the kind of guy he is. He’s an artist, and he emphasizes the color hidden in fish like crappie and bass, not just the fish we think of as colorful like trout. Rather than killing a fish for a skin mount, he offers anglers an affordable way to preserve a trophy catch, and he’s got stories to tell from a life around water.

BrownTrout World Record - Copyright Curt Redden

Let’s hear it – what have been your best fishing expeditions this year?

There’s a photo of you holding a giant bass on your website, what are the stats on that fish and the story behind catching it?

Also, I see a giant redfish – you chase the bull reds, also?

Being from Mississippi, you’ve probably had a shot at some big fish – what are some of your most memorable catches?

Where did the idea for the fish art come from?

You do original work, and you were telling me about finding signed series on eBay – that’s crazy – what’s that all about?

No two pieces come out of your studio alike – why is that?

You sketched the world record brown trout …

You’ve got experience in the media, what’s the story there?

Curt’s Website

Primary website
http://Redden.artspan.com
secondary Website
www.YouCatchWeSketch.com and www.FishPortraits.com

Conservation

The gulf oil spill situation is near to you – have you seen it firsthand?

With the spill contained and reports being that it isn’t as bad as was feared, what’s your take?

You’re doing something special to help Gulf Recovery efforts – tell us about that and how people can get involved.

Quote of the Week

That’s the Schtick for another week, remember that our lifestyle runs downstream . Good Cheer, Blessings and Great Adventures.

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It’s been a busy summer and we are just getting a chance to catch up.

Click here to view the embedded video.

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“Catfish” Sutton hails from Arkansas, but he’s fished waters from Canada to Brazil, and everything in between. He’s written thousands of articles for every fishing magazine you’ve ever read – unless it’s a fly fishing publication. He says, “that’s outside my bailiwick.” He’s an award winning writer with over 70 awards to his name, he’s a television host and a great storyteller. We’ll have fun just making our way through a bunch of fishing stories today – but we’ll also talk about getting kids fishing, because he also serves as Executive Director for the Future Fisherman Foundation.

Brian / Moldy Chum News

Fishing in California
The Niger Delta has endured equivalent of the Exxon Valdez oil spill every year for the last 50 years.
The Mighty Boosh
Art & Cartoons Week

Teeg / Recycled Fish News

Fishing this afternoon in epic waters
24 Hour Fish-A-Thon building steam

Around the world of fishing in 120 Seconds

Good News – Nationwide, the YMCA is adding fishing classes thanks to RBFF Education Grants, teaching kids in urban areas how to get outside and connect with nature – and some fish.

Bad news – Hurricane Alex is pushing more oil up against the Louisiana Gulf Coastline, which has led to more fishing closures and puts more beach at risk. It also appears that whales, including the endangered sperm whale, are ingesting oil through their blow holes when they surface to breathe.

In Vermont – anglers can now get “Master Angler” recognition for unusually large fish caught in Vermont waters. Many states have “Official Big Fish Registries” or “Master Angler” awards, now Vermont does too. The program allows big fish to be caught, photographed and released – and anglers still get some recognition.

Looking for a boat ramp on your summer vacation? Take Me Fishing has launched the “Boat Ramp” app for iPhone and Droid. It includes 3500 ramps nationwide.

Fishing and Music mix with a FREE concert from Lifehouse following the BASS Elite Post-Season event on July 31.  Montgomery Gentry headlines this year’s Toyota Texas Bass Classic on October 3. Pro Bass Angler Casey Ashley just signed with Buddy Lee talent management out of Nashville, the same agency that has handled Garth Brooks and Willie Nelson. Finally, Songs from the Tackle Box featuring 13 songs about “fishing and the outdoor lifestyle” is now available for ditigal download – visit PatriotRecords.biz.

Arizona is stocking lakes with giant trout to add some explosive fishing across the state for the 4th of July holiday weekend.

From the Gulf to DC – The Bluefin Tuna battle rages on with the Center for Biological Diversity calling for an ESA listing for the fish, and The Recreational Fishing Alliance fighting back. I’m afraid I’ll have to err on the side of preservation on this one – the Recreational Fishing Alliance may have lost me here.

On your TV – the Outdoor Channel is now the first and only outdoor content provider broadcasting in full time native HD. The outside, inside – even clearer.

This week’s Recycled Fish Stewardship Tip: Keep fish in the water. As much as you can, a fish should be held underwater through the land – photo – release process. Especially during hot summer days when dissolved oxygen in the water is low, keep them in the water as much as you can if you want them to live when you let ‘em swim.

Be safe out there this Independence Day weekend, boat sober and watch out for the other guy – pack out a few gallons of trash with you if you can.

More fishing hoopla at MoldyChum.com – Stewardship Tips and more at RecycledFish.org.

Guest Intro / Interview

"Catfish" Kieth Sutton

“Catfish” Keith Sutton has literally written the book on catching catfish. In fact, he’s written four of them, and has been called “The Dean of Catfishing” and “America’s #1 Catfisherman.” He’s also written “The Crappie Book: Basics and Beyond,” “Fishing Arkansas” and “Hunting Arkansas,” “Out there Fishing,” and a recipe book called “Duck Gumbo to Barbecued Coon.” Listen to this: as of last fall, Keith Sutton has published 3,120 articles and more than 2,500 photographs in 156 different magazines and 193 newspapers.

You were out on the Arkansas river last night – tell us how it went.

Many of our listeners are fly fisherman or bass fisherman, what’s the allure of the catfish?

There are a bunch of different kinds of catfish, give us a personality profile on each one.

Catfishing often happens at night, the same night that things go bump in. You’ve probably encountered some ‘critters’ out there in the dark, right?

What’s your take on grabbling or noodling?

What’s the closest you’ve ever come to dying while chasing fish?

What about all those other fish – let’s hear some of your favorite trips chasing:

- Smallmouth in clear rivers in Arkansas and beyond
- Bowfin
- Flyers – what is that?
- Crappies

Give us a few tips – you’re full of clever ideas, let’s hear a few on:

- Repurposing – reusing stuff
- Organization
- Survival

Catfish Website

Catfish’s blog

Conservation

Tell us about the Future Fisherman Foundation – what does it do?

“Take a Kid Fishing” has become a catch-phrase, why does it matter?

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Ryan Roberts is the National Fish Habitat Action Plan Communications Coordinator for the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. If I lost you somewhere in there, he’s one of the guys in Washington, DC who is working to make sure that our fish have the habitat they need, which is good for us who like to fish for them. Every year, they come out with their “10 Waters to Watch” list, and we asked Ryan to come on the show to talk about them.

Brian / Moldy Chum News
Where have your travels taken you?

Father’s Day Gift Idea: Thank God for the Trolling Bobber
Crazy French Video Guy
A sneak attack with the Friday Pin-Up

Teeg / Recycled Fish News

24 Hour Fish A Thon – c’mon, you should do this
Waterfest in Lincoln, NE
Annual Report

Around the world of fishing in 120 Seconds

Good News – WFN, the World Fishing Network, is dedicating an entire day – June 30 – to programming and commercial airtime to support anglers affected by the Gulf Oil Spill. If you get WFN, tune in June 30. If you don’t, you gotta check out WFN.TV/Donate.

Bad news – it’s now clear that the Deepwater Horizon spill is far worse than had been reported, the dispersants being used are more toxic than the oil, and are designed only to hide the oil from public view, pushing the oil deeper where it will be worse for marine life. President Obama’s statement that “this could go on for months” – the understatement of the decade.

In other unfortunate news from Arkansas, the death toll from the flash flooding that roared through a campground in the Albert Pike Recreation Area has grown to twenty. Search teams with dogs continue there.

From Annapolis, Maryland – The Maryland DNR is testing out a new Backyard Fishing Program to get kids fishing in and around urban areas. They’re hoping to provide learning experiences to inspire natural resource stewardship.

The Southeast – that’s where all of next year’s BASS Elite events will take place, the furthest north they get is Arkansas. Mostly a Florida / Alabama / Louisiana circuit next year.

Washington State has joined the many others who have check stations to look for Aquatic Nuisance Species – don’t be surprised if a WDFW officer wants to have a look at your boat before you hit the lake.

From Indiana – how do Muskies and Bass interact? A new study from a small northern Indiana natural lake say fewer, but bigger, largemouth bass are now present after introducing muskies. They’ve seen a 20 percent reduction in the overall number of bass but a doubling of the number of 14-inch and larger bass since muskies were first stocked in the lake.

In Ohio – they’re cracking down on drunk boaters next weekend. U.S. Coast Guard is pitching in to help local officers, for Operation Dry Water June 25-27. The goal: get drunks off the water.

Great Lakes – look for new billboards. Our friends at Wildlife Forever came up with $80,000 to buy billboards that encourage people to join the fight against invasive species.

This week’s Recycled Fish Stewardship Tip: Be careful how you handle gas on your boat. Even your own little spill can wreak havoc on small local waters.

More fishing hoopla at MoldyChum.com  – Stewardship Tips and more at RecycledFish.org.

Guest Intro / Interview

This guy’s bio reads a lot like mine. Ryan Roberts started out as a TV guy, working for NBC and CBS affiliates in Pennsylvania. He was a videographer and a reporter, but left TV for a PR job for a minor league baseball team. Today he’s fulfilling a life-long dream – connecting his passion for fish and wildlife with his experience as a communicator to help save our waters and wild places.

http://fishhabitat.org/

Ryan – how are things in DC?

What’s fishing like in your neck of the woods, had any good outings this summer?

Doing what you do, does it afford you chances to travel to some cool places to fish?

As far as fishing goes, what’s your passion – what gets your blood pumping?

So you help manage the National Fish Habitat Action Plan – that sounds very governmental. What is it to a simple guy who wants clean water that grows big fish?

Part of what you do has to do with this 10 Waters to Watch list. What’s this list all about?

What are some of the past “Waters To Watch” that have a really good story to tell?

Walk us through some of the focus waters on this year’s list.

As far as habitat goes, what are things that anglers do that is either very good or very bad?

Conservation

There are some habitat issues going on right now in the Gulf of Mexico – talk to us about that.

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Jackie Smith may be most well known as a  professional football player and NFL Hall of Famer. He played tight end for the St. Louis Cardinals and the Dallas Cowboys from 1963 to 1978. His career included 480 receptions for 7,918 yards, and 40 touchdowns. At the time of his retirement, Smith’s 7,918 receiving yards were the most ever by an NFL tight end, and would remain so until narrowly surpassed by Ozzie Newsome in 1990. Aside from being in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Jackie was inducted into the St. Louis Walk of Fame in 2001. Today he’s more often found with a fishing rod in his hand than a football. Jackie Smith is involved with Hobie Kayaks – he helped design the award-winning Pro Angler boat, which is more of a pedal-powered battleship for fishing than it is a kayak.

Brian / Moldy Chum News
Brian’s trip to Baja

Brian Bennett - Roosterfish

Brian Bennett - Jack Crevalle

Slab award winner
Spill news
Pole Dancer

Teeg / Recycled Fish News

Moved!
Video shoot in the rain
Carp Fest in Des Moines – Saturday
End of the Line & Road Trip with a Mission – Sunday
24 Hour Fish A-Thon: 1 month to register

Around the world of fishing in 120 Seconds

Good News – In Florida, an effort to heal Everglades National Park and help Florida Bay took a big step forward this week. National Park Service wants to lift the Tamiami Trail with a bridge – a new proposal extends the bridge by five and a half miles. Raising the road will restore water flow currently blocked by the road that connects Tampa and Miami, and that will help fish and wildlife thrive.

Bad News – You’ve already heard that the Deepwater Horizon oil spill is probably ten times what was originally reported. Horrific. And now headed into the Atlantic ocean. Shrimp, birds, sea turtles – oiled fish and wildlife all beginning to be recovered. Another unofficial report we’ve gotten is that the dispersant they’re using may be even more toxic to marine life than the oil itself. It’s time to sell your SUV.

In Nebraska and a bunch of other states, it’s Free Fishing Weekend – most states have a free day or weekend, they all tend to fall around this time of year. So no excuse – get someone new out on the water.

Kentucky – the Lady Bass Anglers Association has formed, filling the void created when the WBT closed its doors in January. More at LadyBassAnglers.com.

Des Moines, Iowa – Gray’s Lake Carp Fest is on. It’s a youth and adult fishing contest with other fun stuff to do like a fish tasting: no carp on the menu though.

Washington State – Fishing is CLOSED at Anderson Lake due to the presence of toxic algae. Blooms are producing a dangerous neurotoxin, and it’s doubly bad news, because the bite had been pretty good too.

Round Lake, Randall Minnesota – Two-year-old Ella Haag was fishing her first Minnesota Walleye Opener. Until the opener she had never caught a fish. Her first one: a 30 inch, 20-pound muskie on her Barbie Rod n’ Reel. She caught a sunfish, the sunfish caught a muskie, and the muskie was landed, photographed and released to swim another day.

This week’s Recycled Fish Stewardship Tip: Don’t print, “Green Print.” It’s an app that eliminates blank pages and makes two-sided printing possible. Less paper, more trees, better fisheries, better fishing.

More fishing hoopla at MoldyChum.com  – Stewardship Tips and more at RecycledFish.org.

Guest Intro / Interview

JACKIE SMITH / Hobie National Fishing Team

Before Jackie Smith became a star football and track competitor at Northwestern Louisiana, long before he became a fixture in the NFL and a professional football hall of famer, he was a southern boy who loved to fish. Today he’s in St. Louis, Missouri and he’s back to his roots through his role at Hobie Kayaks.

Jackie – been on the water much already this year?

For some of our listeners, football is a vauge concept, it’s something for people who don’t fish. But we also know that a majority are going to kill us if we don’t at least touch on your career in the NFL. When you look back now, what are some of your favorite moments?

So how does a guy who is one of the all-time greats in professional football wind up involved with a kayak company?

Do you make connections – is there crossover – between fishing and football?

Tell us where it all begins – what got you interested in fishing in the first place?

Your work with Hobie has probably taken you to some interesting places – what are some of the destinations that you’ve enjoyed fishing?

For people who haven’t fished out of a kayak and imagine that it’s tippy, what do you tell them?

Any favorite fishing moments from inside the kayak, or the boat you helped design, the Pro Angler?

We shot a video at the Fly Fishing Retail show with Morgan from Hobie last year, he walked us through the Pro Angler. People can catch that on the Mauro Media page on YouTube or in our show notes, but walk people through what makes this boat more than a fishing kayak.

Conservation

The Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico grows more horrific by  the day, and it highlights our need to end our nation’s addiction to oil. For those of us who want to be out on the water, talk to us about what makes paddle fishing more environmentally friendly.

Click here to view the embedded video.

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Guest Intro

Jim Hudson is the man behind the Learn 2 Fish Fishing Schools – you heard about those a couple weeks ago on our episode with Pete Maina. He’s also the man behind the Ice Roads “On Ice” Clinics – we talked about those during our Ice Fishing Spectacular. If you saw our Ice Fishing 301 video, you saw Jim talking about new products from the Clam Corporation. When he’s not running one of these schools, he’s guiding on Chequamegon Bay and the Apostle Islands on Lake Superior out of Bayfield, Wisconsin. They’re chasing lake trout surpassing 30 pounds, walleyes well over 10, and smallmouth bass over 5 are not uncommon. Jim is on the water when it’s 90 degrees in August and 20 below in January, so there’s a lot to learn from him.

Brian / Moldy Chum News

Holy moly it’s been an awesome week on the Chum!

Mikey’s giant Nile perch.
DJD on The River Why

Do fish feel pain? – let’s talk about this in our conservation segment today

Teeg / Recycled Fish News

Fly Fishing Film Tour Omaha – good times
Grandmasters Cup – growing!
Road Trip with a Mission & End of the Line – May 23
Songs from the Tackle Box – About a month from your hands

Around the world of fishing in 120 seconds – May 14, 2010

Good News – Ohio DNR managed to catch six guys poaching smallmouth bass on Lake Erie. They were 141 bass over their legal limit. DNR took all three of their bass boats, gear and all the fish. These guys are likely to lose all their gear, boats, pay thousands of dollars – plus get jail time. Throw the book at ‘em!

Bad News – Saratoga County, New York – Didymo, or Rock Snot, makes its way into another watershed. Kayaderosseras Creek is snotty. If you’ve been in it, wash and dry those boats, boots and waders before you go anywhere else.

In the Gulf – The Deepwater Horizon blowout will go down as one of the worst environmental disasters in US History. It grows more shocking and tragic by the day, but if you’ve got a trip planned to the Gulf, don’t call it off yet. Over 90% of the Gulf of Mexico is still open to fishing – and they need your tourism dollars.

On your TV – David Letterman talked fishing this week with Michael Keaton – they chatted about the Pirates of the Flats series on ESPN. Good press for our friends at Bonefish and Tarpon Trust.

Lake Delton, Wisconsin – The First Annual Youth Fishing Jamboree is set for June 5th to celebrate the restoration of the lake and fisheries. The event has a youth fisheries biologist theme. While kids fish, they catch, measure, record and release all fish caught. As ‘‘youth fisheries biologist apprentices’’ they’re taking actual fish species surveys on clipboards for the DNR.

Colorado – Officials will be checking boats at over 200 locations for invasive species this year. That’s vigilance.

North Carolina – Tons of FREE youth fishing events going on across the state now through early June. Recycled Fish is at some of them. Prizes include lifetime fishing licenses!

This week’s Recycled Fish Stewardship Tip: Don’t print – SAVE IN THE CLOUD. There are online storage options that let you share documents without printing them. Less printing means more trees and more water, and more clean water at that.

More fishing hoopla at MoldyChum.com  – Stewardship Tips and more at RecycledFish.org.

Guest Intro / Interview

Jim Hudson has the distinct pleasure of having a wife who is a professional photographer. It’s not enough that he catches a lot of fish, and a lot of big fish, but he gets documentary evidence of it in some stunning photos. Jim and Hannah Hudson have used social media to build a following – success on the water and great photos help. But Jim’s passion is also helping others learn to catch more and bigger fish, so we’re glad to have him on today’s Fish Schtick to do that.

Learn 2 Fish

Let’s hear how your spring has gone – I know you’ve caught some big fish.

Tell us about the places you’re fishing and what you’re after up there.

We talked a lot over the past few months about Ice Roads and then last week the Learn 2 Fish schools. What are they?

You’ve gotten some big names – tell us about the fish-celebs who fish with you at these schools.

What are some of your favorite memories from past schools?

If someone wants to get in on an upcoming school, how do they do that?

Jim Hudson

Find Jim on the Web:

http://www.fishchequamegonbay.com/

Lrn2Fish, the World’s Foremost Authority on Fishing Education

Conservation

Jim – what are some of the main issues facing Lake Superior?
What do you think, do fish feel pain, and does it matter?

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Pete Maina is North America’s number one authority in Muskie and Pike fishing. Pete is one of the hosts of The Next Bite TV on Versus, and has had a guest appearance on a bunch of other shows. He has authored two books and countless articles and videos. He is also a professional photographer, guided for many years, and has spoken all across North America.

Pete founded Musky Mania Tackle, which eventually became the largest muskie/pike lure company in the world, prior to its selling in 2004. He continues to work on development of large-predator tackle and associated products, and he’s affiliated with a bunch of the best products in fishing.

He’s also got a passionate commitment to stewardship of our waters and our fisheries, so we’re especially glad to have Pete Maina as our guest on today’s Fish Schtick.

Brian / Moldy Chum News

Slab of the Month
Documenting salmon in Bristol Bay watershed – way to go Sarah O’neal and crew
Triangular Rods
Washington bans copper brake pads
The dude with the 1 pound weight in his bass

Teeg / Recycled Fish News

Opening of DisneyNature’s Oceans for Earth Day
Fly Fishing Film Tour coming to Omaha
End of the Line & Road Trip with a Mission at Ak Sar Ben Aquarium
Paddling tournament in the Northeast
Fish-A-Thon is building Steam
Grandmasters Cup in Iowa – currently led by two big crappies and a bass

Around the world of fishing in 120 Seconds

Across the Country – NuCanoe and FishyKid are holding a kid’s writing contest. One Fishy Kid will win a NuCanoe, but there are a bunch of other prizes for kids who want to write about fishing.

Ohio – May 1 & 2 are the Free Fishing Days, so get someone new out on the water, Ohio.

Minnetonka, Minnesota – Rapala was honored with a “lifetime achievement” award by the IGFA. Rapala lures are responsible for more IGFA world records than any other lure manufacturer in history.

Washington, DC – The Recreational Fishing Alliance testified before congress on Earth Day. In response to a new ‘catch shares’ policy by NOAA fisheries, the RFA accuses the feds of a scheme to restrict access, choke the recreational fishing industry, and drive ownership of our public resources into the hands of private corporations and wealthy individuals. We’ll see how Congress responds.

On the Potomac – many of those senators may have been casting a fly for shad, stripers and largemouth bass this week as part of the Jim Range Casting Call. It takes advantage of the close-to-home fishing opportunities and helps connect the legislative work they do on fisheries conservation to the fun of a day on the water.

The Snake River – Save Our Wild Salmon is holding a photo contest, and it’s easy. Submit a photo of YOUR favorite river for a chance to win a pair of Mountain Khaki Snake River pants! Entries are due by April 30 – Check out saveourwildsalon.blogspot.com.

Huddleston, VA – Skeet Reese won the latest BASS Elite Series tournament on Smith Mountain Lake, and although we don’t normally do tournament win reporting here – the size of his win was huge: 14 pounds. Did it with a swimbait.

This week’s Recycled Fish Stewardship Tip: Plastic kills, and it’s doing it close to home – wherever you live. Get some reusable grocery bags and clean up any you see.

More fishing hoopla at MoldyChum.com – Stewardship Tips and more at RecycledFish.org.

Guest Intro / Interview

Pete Maina

Let me read you a little excerpt from an article, which I’ve abbreviated a little bit here:

“In a very basic sense, protecting certain species of fish from overharvest becomes more important when we move to larger fish, farther up the food chain, and as we move farther north – where fish grow slower. When we are talking about slow-growing fish like pike or muskies, or a big-fish species twice as slow-growing like a lake trout, decades (not years) are required to rebound these stocks from overharvest. Proactive fisheries management is important here. This means “protect” a tremendous resource. Sadly, still to this day, in many places regulations are reactive. This means things got all screwed-up … fisheries got damaged … to the point of angling interest diminishing or flat ending… and then, there is “reaction” with protective regulations, stocking possibly, but sadly, it’s too late. And it takes time to fix. Proactive management simply means installing protections prior to resource depletion.”

Pete Maina

The guy who wrote that? Pete Maina, a man so in tune with the “toothy critters” of the northern states and Canada that he’s been able to make a living fishing for them, teaching others how, and giving them the tools to do it. Pete, welcome to the Fish Schtick.

Pete – you pursue some of the biggest predators in fresh water – let’s hear a story.

Tell us a little about muskies, and pike too.

In the Pacific Northwest, steelhead are the “fish of 1,000 casts,” but in your neck of the woods, Muskies hold that title. How do you catch them, for someone who’s never fished for them?

Pete Maina

Heard about people chasing them with the fly rod?

Your TV Show, The Next Bite, airs on Versus – what do people find when they watch the show?

Last winter, I got to be part of the Ice Roads On Ice Clinic at Lake Okoboji – this summer you’ll be one of the pro instructors at  the open water version, the Learn 2 Fish School. Where is it, when is it, and what happens there?

There is probably no group of anglers more dedicated to C&R than the muskie guys. The fly fishing / wild steelhead crew is pretty adamant, but then you’ve still got jokers who want to bonk one for the wall. The bass world releases all of their fish, but their fish handling is horrible. The bonefish / tarpon / permit people are serious about it, but the musky guys are a different breed. You guys just cut hooks out of fish, carry huge cradles – talk about the tools you use and what you’re doing to ensure successful releases of fish.

Pete Maina Website

Frabill Website

Conservation

You’ve talked about how habitat and forage are so important to successful populations of apex predators – share some of that with us.

What are some of the main conservation issues surrounding trophy pike and muskies, and what are things anybody can do to help?

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Bruce Condello is from Lincoln, Nebraska where his time is split between his dental practice, his thriving aquaculture business, raising a handsome family, and chasing the biggest bluegills that North America has to offer. He’s also an avid angler of all things that swim, so we’ll pluck some stories out of him, but he’s known among fishing circles for the Condello Strain Bluegill, his website, BigBluegill.com, and he’s on the cover of this month’s In-Fisherman magazine holding a fish the size of a dinner plate.

Brian / Moldy Chum News

English Pete
Ty Hughes
Not a Steelhead

Teeg / Recycled Fish News

Des Moines Grandmasters Cup launches this week
Oceans opens in theaters on Earth Day
Good Press!

Around the world of fishing in 120 Seconds

Good News: A new paddle-powered fishing tournament series emerges in New York State, first event is Saturday, April 24. The catch-photo-release format is easy on fish, the no-impact nature of kayaks and canoes is easy on fisheries, and a percentage of proceeds benefits your favorite stewardship group: Recycled Fish!

Across the Country – Boy Scouts are fishing Berkley – and that’s it. Pure Fishing is providing exclusive support for the 2010 Boy Scouts of America National Jamboree.

North Carolina – There’s a new State Record White Crappie caught in the Tar River Reservoir. Ray Patterson caught the latest record-breaker, smashing the previous record by one ounce of crappie. His fish weighed 3 pounds, 12 ounces. The previous record – 3 pounds, 11 ounces – stood for only one month. Oh – and no fancy gear for this record – it was caught on a cane pole and a minnow.

Maryland – New law. Kids under 13 now have to be wearing a PFD when they’re on a boat, if it’s in motion.

Earth Day – The National Fish Habitat Plan “10 Waters to Watch” for 2010 will be announced, and this year’s Habitat Plan Award Winners will be honored. They include Scott Robinson, who collects this year’s Jim Range Conservation Vision Award for his work in the Southeast.

Also on Earth Day – DisneyNature’s “Oceans” comes to the big screen, check it out at a Rave Motion Pictures near you.

In Print – A Fish Green article in the latest Bass Times and Iowa Sportsman is out with it’s first “Green Issue” in honor of Earth Day.

This week’s Recycled Fish Stewardship Tip: Menhaden Matter. They’re being over-exploited in many areas because they’re rich in Omega 3 fatty acids. They’re an important link in the food chain, so from the paint you buy to the supplements you take, your choices could be leading to their decimation. Learn more at MenhadenMatter.org.

More fishing hoopla at MoldyChum.com – Stewardship Tips and more at RecycledFish.org.

Guest Intro / Interview

Bluegills are often looked upon around the country as the fish that got us started, but for many, they’re considered a kid’s fish, not challenging enough. We move on to the predators – bass, muskies, walleye, trout – or the trophies – wild steelhead, monster lake trout. However, there is a contingent among anglers who pursue panfish primarily, and their quest is as challenging as any trophy: the two pound bluegill. Bruce Condello has caught his share, he’s our guest on today’s Fish Schtick – from his vacation spot in Las Vegas, Nevada!

Bruce Condello

Bruce, tell us about going to North Carolina to fish Richmond Mill Lake.

What makes big bluegill interesting – who is fishing for ‘gills and why do they do it?

What constitutes a “big bluegill” how big is big?

Why don’t bluegill get more respect?

You’ve created a strain of frankengills – how did you do it? Do you have a nuclear reactor or some hormone therapy treatment?

You manage private waters – how does someone get giant bluegills in their pond?

How does one go about catching a giant – and what’s different from that and catching an average ‘gill.

Your website, BigBluegill.com, has become a meeting place for Bluegill Freaks everywhere – talk about that community.

When you’re not chasing big bluegills, I know you have a soft spot for bass with stripes, wrap us up on a good fish story!

Conservation

When we talk about ‘selective harvest’ fishing, we often talk about releasing predators and keeping panfish, but there is cause to harvest selectively even from panfish populations, right?

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