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Steve Sarley

Steve Sarley: Fishing or hunting, we’re all beginners at some point

Featured, Fishing, Hunting, Illinois /

I am occasionally asked why I rarely write about hunting. I don’t consider myself to be an expert on the sport of hunting. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy hunting and I do love the shooting sports, it is just that I am really just an amateur when it comes to the shooting sports.
I hunt and I shoot, but I don’t feel qualified enough to write about the subjects.

Steve Sarley: Fishing or hunting, we’re all beginners at some point Read More »

Steve Sarley: Keep or release? It should be up to the ‘catcher’

Featured, Fishing, Illinois, Opinion /

There are some words and terms that are so basic, they really don’t have to be explained. I am sure that you have all heard the term “catch and release.” It refers to the concept of catching fish and putting them back in the water to live another day, grow larger, and be caught again.
Simple, isn’t it?

Steve Sarley: Keep or release? It should be up to the ‘catcher’ Read More »

Steve Sarley: I’m still in a wrestling ring with governor over Illinois fishing licenses

Featured, Fishing, Illinois, Opinion /

I recently woke up in the middle of the night tossing and turning from being terrorized by the most incredibly vivid and realistic nightmare that I had ever had. I woke up covered in sweat and shaking. I noticed my alarm clock read 3:08. I sat up and shook myself back to a state of wakefulness. I slowly remembered that it had been quite a dream and thankfully I was safe in my own bedroom.
What was this terrible nightmare?

Steve Sarley: I’m still in a wrestling ring with governor over Illinois fishing licenses Read More »

Steve Sarley: New fishing lure craze has been a thing since my childhood

Featured, Features, Fishing, Illinois, National Fishing /

How much would you pay to catch a fish? I’m not talking about the cost of the best rod and reel, the cost of a boat, the cost of a fly-in vacation, or even the cost of a local guided fishing trip. I just want to know the maximum cost you would pay for a lure to tie on to your fishing line that will give you a shot at that fish of a lifetime.
There was a huge buzz for the Flying Lure when it came out and splashed all over our television sets. It wasn’t expensive, but everyone had to have one.

Steve Sarley: New fishing lure craze has been a thing since my childhood Read More »

Steve Sarley: Jim Tostrud is an artist – on the water and on canvas

Featured, Fishing, Illinois, Opinion /

I know I have said this before, but I sure wish the state of Illinois would annex the part of Wisconsin south of Route 50.
Wow! I can hear those keyboards pounding away as Wisconsinites are writing hate mail to my editor right now. I am proposing this for purely selfish reasons. If we could annex the part of Wisconsin that contains Lake Geneva and Lake Delavan, I would never have to buy a Wisconsin fishing license again.

Steve Sarley: Jim Tostrud is an artist – on the water and on canvas Read More »

Steve Sarley: By the end of our fishing day, Seelhoff was true teammate

Featured, Features, Fishing, Illinois, National Fishing /

In my last column, I was telling the tale about my initial entry into the world of tournament fishing. It was a PWT event on the Illinois River out of Spring Valley.
Do you know how embarrassing it is to head to the weigh-in with nary a fish in the livewell? I do. As a matter of fact, out of 165 boats, a mere seven could say they knew that feeling. Yes, 159 had caught fish and seven pairs of inept anglers scored a big fat goose egg for the day.

Steve Sarley: By the end of our fishing day, Seelhoff was true teammate Read More »

Steve Sarley: Tournament anglers have different styles – and tolerances

Featured, Features, Fishing, Illinois /

I still follow the comings and goings about the various professional fishing tournament trails. I have come to the realization that my tournament days have come to an end.
To be honest, my tournament days never really began. I have fished a number of bass and walleye tournaments as a co-angler. I have fished as a “celebrity” in some charity events. That is about the extent of my tournament career.

Steve Sarley: Tournament anglers have different styles – and tolerances Read More »

Steve Sarley: Options for Illinois anglers wanting to try fishing from a rental boat

Featured, Features, Fishing, Illinois, National Fishing /

Many fishermen dream of owning their own boat and launching it on various waterways where they dream about fishing. Unfortunately, the skyrocketing cost of boats is putting them out of reach of many people.
A good alternative is to find a spot that offers boats for rent. Many forest preserves in northern Illinois rent boats to the public, but unfortunately, these watercraft have to be propelled by oars. There are a few places I know of that offer boats for rent that have motors and are located on very good fishing waters, too.

Steve Sarley: Options for Illinois anglers wanting to try fishing from a rental boat Read More »

Steve Sarley: Illinois Gov. Pritzker quiet on fishing licenses; Copi hunt continues

Featured, Fishing, Illinois, National Fishing, Opinion /

It’s time to clean up a couple of issues that I still have open and brewing.
Issue No. 1 – I am receiving mail from readers asking me whether or not I had received an answer from Gov. JB Pritzker in regard to my letter requesting he act on Stacy Green-Fenlon from Chicago’s Park Bait Shop request for a change in the law on getting a fishing license.

Steve Sarley: Illinois Gov. Pritzker quiet on fishing licenses; Copi hunt continues Read More »

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