A) “Zona’s Awesome Fishing Show”

B) “Facts of Fishing”

C) “Bassmaster Elite Series”

D) “So you think you can Bill Dance”

E)  There are fishing shows?!

If you answered “E,” you might be missing out.

Okay, so I made up the title of Choice “D” but the Bill Dance Outdoors TV show has been on the air since 1968. There are many other fishing shows to choose from and, for those of us who just cannot get enough of fishing, even an entire channel devoted to fishing. WFN, the World Fishing Network “provides a daily escape for over 50 million recreational and sport fishing,” 24/7.

I prefer fishing shows that treat fish with respect, as the star of the show. Another quality I enjoy –  when the host is really having a great time, and is so enthusiastic that it makes me want to get out on the water afterwards.

Although I’m sure they don’t give away all their secrets, there are also tips and tricks galore. I frequently learn something new to try.  Maybe it is just a different time or place to use a known technique.  Sometimes just a slight change in the presentation can make the difference and really turn on the bite.

Andy Whitcomb is a columnist, outdoor humorist, and stressed-out Dad living in Oklahoma. Visit him at www.justkeepreeling.com.

Fish structure doesn’t just concentrate fish for angler success; the extra underwater surface area cultivates algae and plankton, starting the food chain and increasing the productivity of the entire system.

And who can think about natural fish structures without thinking about Christmas? No other holiday season culminates with the traditional sinking of large quantities of decorative centerpieces.

The Five Steps of the Christmas tree Season:

1. Buy tree.

2. Decorate.

3. Enjoy.

4. Take down sometime before Easter.

5. Donate to a Christmas tree recycling program for use as fish structure in a lake.

There is even the novel idea of using living Christmas trees in your family room, containerized, so that you can plant it in your yard later.  This way, you can enjoy pruning and watching your future fish structure grow for years and years.

This brings us to choosing your Christmas Reef. For the outdoorsman who has everything, the tree can be a gift – a gift of fish structure that will help some local fisheries manager. Go ahead and wire it to a cinder block as the tree stand. Throw a couple of those novelty fish pillows under the tree, if you want to make it really classy.

And you might as well go ahead and embed a couple of lures in the branches for ornaments. Just a matter of time before they rest with the tree anyway.

Andy Whitcomb is a columnist, outdoor humorist, and stressed-out Dad living in Oklahoma. Visit him at www.justkeepreeling.com.

The Pilgrims first anchored off of the Provincetown Spit, the last piece of land on Cape Cod. The curve of the land forms a natural harbor, one that is chock-a-block with striped bass and bluefish during the season and sail and power boats of nearly every size and shape.  The best view of the active harbor is from the 252-foot tall Pilgrim Monument, which is at the top of High Pole Hill.  It’s at the right of the picture. 

From there you can see Corn Hill in Truro.  The beach is named for the Pilgrims discovery of a cache of Indian corn that was buried in the sand.  That corn provided the necessary sustenance for the Pilgrims to survive the first winter.  Because of the ocean currents, a parallel offshore bar runs makes for excellent low-tide clamming as well as for sight-fishing for bass and blues.  Only a simple bronze marker surrounded by salt hay commemorates the beach’s significance.

First Encounter  Beach in Eastham is where the Pilgrims first encountered Native Americans (the Nausets).  Several tidal rivers as well as a herring run make for super hot fishing in early May.  After a few weeks of exploration in Cape Cod, the Pilgrims determined that the soil was of poor quality and that there wasn’t enough fresh water to sustain a settlement. 

The Mayflower set forth a westward tack and soon enough arrived in Plimouth (original spelling).  There they established the first colony in the New World, one that is represented by the historical village of Plimouth Plantation.  Incredible flats fishing, hot top-water fishing, and terrific night fishing is part of the area.  Just head to the public boat ramp from April through October and you’ll see for yourself.

This year I’m thankful to live in an area that is so rich in history, and has many great fishing and boating opportunities.  I’m thankful that my family and friends like to fish and they like to spend lots of time on the water.  Catching stripers in the shadows of these areas and then pushing forward the throttle to return to port reminds me of how fortunate I am to be able to fish and boat in this wonderful region.  I am thankful to all who have helped preserve this rich, maritime tradition.

Here’s wishing you and your families a Happy Thanksgiving from the Pilgrim State. 

Tom Keer is a freelance writer who lives on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. He regularly writes for over a dozen magazines, and is the contributing editor of Fly Rod and Reel and Fly Fish America and a columnist for The Upland Almanac. His book a “Flyfisher’s Guide to the New  England Coast” was published by Wilderness Adventures Press in 2010. Visit him at http://www.tomkeer.com/ or at www.thekeergroup.com.

A few of the kids had never picked pumpkins from a pumpkin patch. So we went. Two of the kids had never picked apples from a tree. And we did that, too. We carved pumpkins at night and we made apple tarts and pies. We were having a great night until my son’s friend shocked the heck out of me. “I never knew that you could just go out, pick some apples, and make a pie. That’s really cool,” he said. “It’s like from farm-to-the-table.”

At the risk of sounding like my dad, I was surprised at how disconnected from nature some kids are these days. There is a rapidly increasing number of kids who don’t have anyone to get them away from the computer or to hold their attention like an incoming text.

Truth be told, I take fishing, boating, and other outdoor activities for granted. It’s what my wife and I like to do. We’ve brought our kids up in an atmosphere of understanding fishing and boating and outdoor adventure.  My daughter loves to fish, and my son likes it. My son likes to run the boat but my daughter doesn’t want the responsibility. At the end of the day what matters is that they’re outside and learning how everything connects together. What I observed first hand this weekend is what I already knew, that a lot of those kids don’t have anyone to show them the ropes (pun intended). 

Last week, the Take Me Fishing Team and Discovery Education hosted an in-school event at Charles Barrett Elementary School in Alexandria, Va. to educate teachers and students about the importance of on-the-water activities and aquatic conservation, to hopefully spur some of that thinking about how nature connects. Many of what the students, teachers, and Discovery Education presenters discussed can be found at ExploretheBlue.com. It’s truly a fantastic (and free) program that provides a variety of resources for K-5 teachers and parents that they can use to help students learn about the importance of outdoor recreational activities, such as boating and fishing, and the value of clean and healthy waterways.

My hat goes off to all of you who make that extra effort to create a memory and experience for a child by getting them off the couch and outside. What I will do next year is to make sure that I devote more of my time to my kids’ friends who don’t have someone to take them fishing or boating. And if we all do that then we’ll have a group of kids who understand that pumpkins come from a pumpkin patch and that apples come from an orchard. And hopefully, they’ll also understand that by interacting with nature – by getting outdoors and fishing or boating – we are becoming better stewards of our environment.

Tom Keer is a freelance writer who lives on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. He regularly writes for over a dozen magazines, and is the contributing editor of Fly Rod and Reel and Fly Fish America and a columnist for The Upland Almanac. His book a “Flyfisher’s Guide to the New England Coast” was published by Wilderness Adventures Press in 2010. Visit him at www.tomkeer.com or at www.thekeergroup.com

March is known as the Worm Moon.  As the ground thawed the earthworms moved to the surface.  That movement marked the return of the robins who feasted happily after a long migration.  If you’re creating a worm bed for a season’s worth of fishing, check it after March.

April is the Fish Moon.  It’s the time when the shad swim from the salt water through river estuaries and into the sweetwater to spawn.  If you’re looking to catch some shad, head out on the April Moon.  On the Fish Moon you’ll also find herring and alewives, and that means the striped bass aren’t far behind.

July is the Thunder Moon, appropriately named for the violent summer storms.  If you’re heading out to fish, make sure you pack your rain gear and get off the water when the lightening strikes.

Recently, as in about 20 years ago, noted Rhode Island angler Ken Abrames renamed the September Full Moon the Striper Moon.  The biggest migration of the striped bass occurs on that moon, and it’s the best time to be out on the water. 

And if you’re like me and you like that kind of traditional fishing wisdom, check out his website www.stripermoon.com.  It’s a treasure trove of practical experience.

Tom Keer is a freelance writer who lives on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. He regularly writes for over a dozen magazines, and is the contributing editor of Fly Rod and Reel and Fly Fish America and a columnist for The Upland Almanac. His book a “Flyfisher’s Guide to the New England Coast” was published by Wilderness Adventures Press in 2010. Visit him at www.tomkeer.com.

As my family continues the quest for the perfect boat, we have reflected on some fun boating memories. I have been on the water in an assortment of vessels and, as strange as it may sound, a significant part of my boating experience has been on a “shock boat.” In fact, I met (caught?) my wife electro fishing.

Perhaps you have seen one of these flat-bottom heavy-gauge aluminum boats with the railings at the front. This isn’t for herding cattle during high water conditions; these specialized boats serve as a valuable method for the assessment and management of a fishery.  In addition, electro fishing is for licensed researchers only.

With great caution and protective features, a portable gas-powered generator provides the electrical current that is passed through the water via electrodes, generally several dangling cables and a metal basketball-sized sphere. Fisheries biologists then follow the shoreline and sample the fish population at timed intervals. Because this is a shallow fish sampling method, electro fishing is often done at night, when some fish may be more active and near shore.

What happens next depends on many variables such as the amount of dissolved minerals in the water, the type of bottom, vegetation, and temperature.  Different types and sizes of fish react differently to the current as well. On the Missouri River (sampled during the day for safety issues), most fish rolled over, stunned, just a few feet from the boat. However, tiny flathead catfish would feel the electrical current further away than most and looked like someone skipping a pebble 30 feet away. On the polar opposite were the grass carp, which would launch like a torpedo, sometimes right into the boat.

Stunned fish were netted and placed in large tubs of water.  By the time the fish were in the tub, most were already starting to recover. When we would meet a school of gizzard shad,  it reminded me of a game show where contestants were placed in a glass tube full of dollars fluttering all around and they were suppose to stuff as many bills in their shirt as they could in 30 seconds… too many fish to net. When the time was up, data such as lengths and weights were recorded and the fish were released.

If you ever get the opportunity, I recommend tagging along an electro fishing study. In previous years, the Oklahoma Wildlife Expo (September 24-25) has had electro fishing field trips, but this year’s event will have alternative clinics and seminars.  You may not find the catch of a lifetime (as I did), but you will obtain a better grasp of the fishery and some of the science behind its management.

Andy Whitcomb is a columnist, outdoor humorist, and stressed-out Dad living in Oklahoma. Visit him at www.justkeepreeling.com.

Nothing beats a dinner of fresh fish, but with many anglers practicing catch-and-release, here are some tips that will help fish survive to fight another day.  

Catch and release nets: Catch and release nets are designed to help anglers release fish in good shape.  The frames are rectangular so that there is more room for them to get in (and out) of the net.  Shallow baskets with smaller holes mean fish don’t get tangled.  And, basket materials are no longer made from cotton which removes a fish’s protective coating or scales.  They’re made from either soft PVC or nylon that protects the fish’s skin. 

Tame the beast: If you’re having a hard time subduing your quarry, turn him upside down.  Wet your hand and run your hand down the dorsal side to flatten the dorsal fin.  Then, rotate your hand to turn the fish upside down.  Other fish, like largemouth and striped bass, stop moving when you grab their lower jaw.  Be sure they don’t have teeth when you grab their mouth, and use both hands on a big fish!

Like going to the dentist: Have the right gear for removing the hooks.  A Bogagrip properly holds toothy fish like bluefish or pike, while long, thin forceps are best for fish with small mouths, such as bluegills or sunfish.  The right tool shortens time in captivity. 

Selective use of gaffs: Gaffs cause bleeding and should be used selectively.  One positive example is a hand gaff that goes into a tarpon’s bony mouth.  Gaffs that penetrate a fish’s side should be exchanged for simply cutting the terminal gear as close as possible to the hook/lure. 

Jump-start some fish: Some fish, like bonito, false albacore, skipjack, football tuna and other pelagic fish will die if they are rocked in the current.  Instead, these fast swimming fish need to be jump-started as the rush of water over their gills provides them with the necessary oxygen to swim away.  Hold one hand under their gills, one hand on their tail, and propel them head first into the drink.  Their color comes back immediately.  For medium-sized fish, put the boat in gear and hold them into the current.  The faster speeds will revive them for release.

Keep ‘em in the water: If you’re not going to keep the fish, you can at least take a picture, right?  Sure, just remember a few things.  First, limit the out-of-the-water time.  Not only can’t the fish breathe in the air, but its organs are used to living in a gravity-free environment.  Next, hold one hand below the gills and one hand on the tail.  Don’t squeeze, just cradle.  Finally, keep the fish in the water until you’re ready for the shot, then lift, shoot, and replace. 

Tom Keer is a freelance writer who lives on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. He regularly writes for over a dozen magazines, and is the contributing editor of Fly Rod and Reel and Fly Fish America and a columnist for The Upland Almanac. His book a “Flyfisher’s Guide to the New England Coast” was published by Wilderness Adventures Press in 2010. Visit him at www.tomkeer.com.

Everyone loves water. Clean water. And we want to protect it.  As anglers and boaters, we recognize the importance of water quality and preservation.  We are careful with fuel and clean our boats to prevent the spread of invasive aquatic species.  We follow fishing regulations and pick up litter, leaving the lake shore cleaner than when we found it.  And our licenses and boat registrations are up-to-date which help fund  other conservation operations.

Most of these conservation practices occur while on the water.  But what about the down time between trips to the lake? Perhaps improved water quality can start right in your own back yard.

Consider that most yards are essentially a part of your neighborhood watershed. When the lawn has reached saturation point from irrigation or a rain event, water then needs to go somewhere, hopefully not in your basement. That excess water racing down toward the curb and on into the street storm drain can carry fertilizers, pesticides, and sediments and find their way into your favorite fishing hole.

Beyond scolding the dogs for not considering erosion as they dig up the marigolds, what can be done?

“Buffer strips” are vegetative zones near water that slow runoff and act as a filter to improve the water quality.  To some extent, even the average backyard lawn can begin acting as a buffer, by increasing the efficiency of irrigation and chemicals applied. Better water quality means better fishing and boating.

Another way to start helping your local waterway is not to bag lawn clippings. Horticulturalists with the University of Missouri point out that “25 percent of your lawn’s total fertilizer needs are supplied by clippings left on the lawn” in an article, “Don’t Bag It Lawn Care.”

Additionally, Dr. Carl Whitcomb (Dad) says that if you set the deck of the mower to cut grass a little higher, you will encourage deeper roots.  Because grasses already have a fibrous root system, with deeper soil penetration grass will have access to more soil moisture and require less irrigation, and thus there will be less of a water demand on your local reservoir.

By increasing the efficiency of landscape maintenance practices, what happens in my backyard stays in my backyard. And my fishing and boating waterways are cleaner because of it.

Andy Whitcomb is a columnist, outdoor humorist, and stressed-out Dad living in Oklahoma. Visit him at www.justkeepreeling.com.

The contest was extremely exciting from our end. We loved reading the essays and seeing the enthusiasm as expressed in each child’s words. Although the most exciting part may have been  sharing the news of who won with the winners!

Fifth grader James C.’s essay “Our Special Pond” was chosen from hundreds of entries as the grand prize winner. At the end of his essay, the Barnsdall, Oklahoma student imparted a key lesson learned: “I want to take care of my ponds, lakes, and rivers, so one day when I grow up I can enjoy fishing with my kids.” As the grand prize winner, he and his family have been awarded a trip to Yellowstone National Park including airfare, lodging, $650 in spending money for fun on-the-water activities and a $250 Sports Authority gift card.

Fifth graders Colton W. and Tommy L., third grader Lillian K., second grader Jackson W. and first grader Aidan H. were each awarded first place prizes of $100 Sports Authority gift cards for their thoughtful entries as well.

Though the contest is complete, kids and parents can still take advantage of the tools, games, and resources designed to enrich their knowledge of the water, the outdoors, fishing, and more at ExploretheBlue.com. There, you can search more than 12,000 places to boat and fish, find local services, activities and events, or learn more about the aquatic plants and animals in your area.  If the weather isn’t cooperating for outdoor activities, parents and children can also take a virtual underwater field trip, keep an online boating journal and play a variety of exciting games (like “Thrill of the Catch””!).

Congratulations to all of the winners!

If you are in need of a stocking stuffer idea, download the Anglers’ Legacy Fishing Trip Coupon.

If you aren’t familiar, Anglers’ Legacy is a mission of the national Take Me Fishing™ campaign which asks avid anglers to introduce someone new to fishing.

When you sign up to “Take the Pledge” (don’t worry, it’s free), you can look forward to special privileges, including discounts, competitions to win prizes and a unique e-newsletter – Anglers’ Legacy Quarterly. It features information about boating and fishing hotspots across the country and special promotions. These stories and tips are sure to improve your time on the water!

It’s so much more than a simple fishing trip.
It’s a memory-making “green” gift that will pass on the legacy of the sport to new generations.

You know, every time you fish or take someone new fishing, you’re helping to restore and protect the waters in which you boat and fish. How? The purchase of fishing equipment and motor boat fuel supports restoration, preservation and conservation.

So it’s a gift that generously provides for the anglers and boaters in your life, but also benefits the fish and their habitats.

If you have friends that would like to share the sport of fishing and boating with others, have them “Take the Pledge” and send out the Fishing Trip Coupon too!

Wishing you all a healthy and prosperous 2011!