I rarely write about catfish because I rarely fish for them. My mistake.
There are two kinds of cats that we normally fish for here in Illinois, and really across the Midwest. Everyone sees the channel catfish swimming in almost every river, stream, pond and lake. The blue catfish and the flathead catfish are much rarer fish, located in harder-to-find bodies of water.
Steve Sarley: My respect for catfishing continues to grow Read More »
I was thinking about the shotgun that I have and love. It is sitting in a gun safe, locked up and secure. It has not been touched in more than a year.
I have not gone hunting or target shooting since I suffered a stroke that knocked me on my keister in June 2024. I had a hemorrhagic stroke, which is one of the worst kinds of strokes, not that there is any kind of good one to have. Things could have been worse for me.
Steve Sarley: Stroke provided perspective for this outdoorsman Read More »
I knew I was going to hit a hot button when I brought up bait shops of the past. Everybody has great memories of shops that smelled like worms and minnows and were filled with racks full of the things that fishermen dream of.
I’m not just talking about kids. What fisherman couldn’t spend a minimum of an hour in a bait shop, just browsing? The stories started rolling in and here are a few that I hope you enjoy as much as I did.
Steve Sarley: Readers share memories of old bait shops, fishing in Illinois Read More »
I used to dream that I could quit my job and get in the fishing bait and tackle business. I figured that nothing would be better than to hang around my shop all day, scooping up minnows and telling my fishing tales to my endless lines of paying customers.
Of course, I imagined that I would have plenty of opportunities to leave the store to go fishing so I could learn about the hot bites and then share the info with my customers. Right?
Steve Sarley: Bait shops of our past still reel me in now and then Read More »
Are you as into watching professional fishing on television as you used to be? I am sorry to admit that I am not. That’s sacrilege, isn’t it? Maybe so.
I love watching professional tournament fishing on television or on my computer monitor. I probably always will love it, but I am sure that the hours I spend dialing it in are on the decline.
Steve Sarley: Finding a good balance of fishing on TV, Internet Read More »
There have been a lot of tough guys who have played for our Chicago sports teams. Who is the toughest athlete that you can think of, past or present?
In football, I offer the name of Dick Butkus, legendary Bears linebacker. Sports has a lot of tough guys. My No. 1 sports tough guy is a fisherman.
Steve Sarley: Butkus? Rodman? My toughest athlete is an angler Read More »
I recently reviewed a new book written by Lake County outdoorsman Mike Mitten.
I was extremely impressed by Mitten’s ability to describe the hunting experience on the printed page. The book, The Enchantment of Bowhunting, published by Herd Bull Productions, was a tale that anyone who has hunted is sure to enjoy. Mitten has very thoughtfully and generously given me a copy of The Enchantment of Bowhunting, to pass on to a reader.
Steve Sarley: Passion shown by Illinois bowhunters remains clear Read More »
I’ve mentioned before that I am the father of three grown children. I use “grown” to mask the fact that my kids are truly old enough to have kids of their own and probably should not be referred to as children at all. They are fully grown adults.
That said, I am years past the time when my wife and I were raising the kids. Times have definitely changed and the rules for child rearing are different from back in my day.
Steve Sarley: What age do you let kids take a solo fishing adventure? Read More »
I am a hunter, merely by the broadest of definitions.
I have harvested many varieties of birds and small game. I have spent time in blinds hoping to be able to get a shot at a whitetail but have been unsuccessful. I have eaten everything I have ever taken with my shotgun and have respect for hunters and the sport of hunting. I began hunting late in life and haven’t done as much as I would have liked to.
Steve Sarley: Traditional bowhunter Mike Mitten strikes a chord with new book Read More »
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