September Express, and hunting, is on the fast track
8-16-2012
Looking down the long, dusty path that I once walked, I remember those four years long ago carrying flush-end blocks and bricks and mud for masons as a laborer; hard work years they were, that eventually shoved me back to college, journalism and an easier-on- the back life as an outdoor writer (not including the time I fell out of the tree). So when a concrete man and friend in Stevens Point called and asked if one of his young laborers might have an opportunity with this website and hunting-fishing paper following his own dream as an outdoor writer, I jumped on it.
Meet Seth Steinhauer, and one humongous crew of anglers, as they fish and camp their way back into the Sylvania Wilderness Area of the UP. These eight boys, give or take, have been there and done that before, chasing giant smallies, wallies and pike, and a little isolation too, and they’ll be back again. We posted Seth’s first story with OWO, and some fine photos under “Trips Elsewhere” and to make sure you don’t miss it, under “Inland Fishing” too.
Hmmmm, that John Luthens. He’s a very good and established OWO outdoor writer, okay. But he’s kind of snakey too you know? This week, he uses the dire need for a daughter-grandma reunion to end up waist-deep in prime trout water himself on a secluded little feeder creek. Grandma, you see, just happens to live near the famous Brule in Wisconsin beautiful northwest. Poor John volunteered, martyred himself really, to drive all the way across the state from the southeast to Grandma’s house so his wife wouldn’t have to. Who knows how the trout rods and waders tumbled into the truck? An accident, no doubt. Find out for sure under “Inland Fishing”. Poor, poor John. If he had a few more grandmas in the family he probably have them spread out on the Mississippi, The Root River, maybe Chequamegon Bay...
Also under “Trips Elsewhere” and “Inland Fishing”, veteran Outdoor Writer Darrell Pendergrass prepares for a return to Canada. Darrell tells us the most important piece of equipment not to forget on any trip away from Wisconsin lasting more than a day or two with a bunch of outdoorsmen. Here’s a hint. Darrell is not the kind of writer who will teach you tactics…how to actually catch fish. He will entertain you. This is an outdoor journalist who has to write, every week, mostly the outdoor adventures of Darrell and son, Jack. Just get it on paper and he’s been doing it for decades. It’s going to be a nice history for his family one day, and we’re glad to bring each episode to you each week. Go back and read his other adventures posted here if you have not before. I think you’ll start to look for him.
Now we do have experts who know what they’re doing on the water and in the fields and they send us their reports each week too. Check out “Fishing Reports” and “Inland Fishing” this week to read the reports and see the photos and tips sent this week from Dave Duwe, Roger LaPenter, Phil Schweik, Kurt Justice, John Carlson, Wayne Morgenthaler, Steve Suman, and others. They cover water from Lake Superior to Lake Geneva. Remember, you do not need to be a guide. We’re happy to post your photos and comments. Send them to ellis@onwisconsinoutdoors.com.
Attention archery enthusiasts. Danny Flood is kicking off our Archery and Bowhunting section on this website and he has a letter under “Wisconsin Club Directory” inviting you to get involved. We’re both members, by the way, of the Ojibwa Bowhunters in New Berlin. There will be a lot of material posted each week under our main title of “Archery/Bowhunting” including, Feature Articles,3D/Target, Tournament Results, Bowhunting, Q&A Tips and Archery Supplies. Thanks for your patience as we get things rolling. Dan though, is involved daily with the sport of archery and he will be bringing you what you want to read and see. Send your own material and photos to dan@onwisconsinoutdoors.com.
Mike Foss is upping the ante on his Bayfield County bear baiting as the September season approaches, and adding a day each week to his already regular feedings. The number of entertaining photographs Mike’s trail cameras capture at the baiting stations is really amazing and this week is no exception. Connect with “Bear Hunting” to read this week’s “Diary of a Wisconsin Bear Guide”. It’s just a few weeks and I’ll join the boys and girls in Washburn at the Foss’s Northern Wisconsin Outfitters covering the stories of the 20 Wisconsin hunters lucky enough to draw a 2012 kill permit. Expect big things, and big bears.
Connect with “Outdoor News” weekly to keep up on all the new material sent to us daily from the DNR and all kinds of wildlife organizations and clubs with something to say or an event to announce. Examples this week are the Warden Wire that comes in every few days detailing the adventures of the Wisconsin wardens in the field from Superior to the Illinois border, and the weekly news that details most things from the worlds of hunting and fishing and more. The Wern Valley Sportsmen’s Club news is an example of what we can do for you, and the Hunter’s Rights Coalition calls for no extra deer hunts in the CWD area. We also post that under “Deer Hunting”.
Speaking of hunting, the dog days of summer let go of its stifling grip on our throats over the last several days long enough to send a hint of what’s stirring just beyond the horizon; cool August air at sunrise and sunset means September hunting is not far behind. Oh, we know the dog days will return, maybe tomorrow. No complaints there. When you’re into the fifth decade of life, you really don’t want to hurry any days by just to get at the others. But we also won’t mind when the September Express rolls in again.
On this August 15 evening, I’m still on the computer after a pre-dawn introduction, with one good break in to hike with Golden Retriever Micah for 45 minutes just to get the heart going again. When this Blog is complete tonight, Lori and I are heading for Vilas County on the Chevy truck red-eye, and some late summer fishing and a first peek at the long-established deer stands.
I’ve been there and done that all over this great state and this warm weather with the promise of fall also reminds me of trips already taken elsewhere. May I sincerely encourage you to meet Polk County sometime soon and Guide Dave Hraychuck. For the full story on Butternut Lake bluegills in August of 2011, connect with “Dick’s Trips”. You’re going to want to meet this land in the northwest yourself where agriculture meets the big woods and the fishing and hunting is that much better because of it.
Regardless of where you are in Wisconsin, September means doves, early geese, bear, grouse, deer, and a load of great fishing from the Great Lakes to the potholes. It’s just the start of it all, but don’t blink. It’s all so good that we’ll be talking January (sorry) too soon. In fact, I can’t believe that I will be taking my daughter, Taylor Rae, born just last week I’m quite sure, to college in two weeks.
The new September-October issue of On Wisconsin Outdoors will also be available at 700 locations in two weeks, and online right here. Thanks for connecting. See you next Thursday.
Don’t blink.
Dick Ellis
262-549-5550