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 »
I like to think of myself as open-minded and reasonable. Now if you were to ask my lovely wife to describe me, you’d probably get an answer that includes the words “stubborn,” and “hard-headed.” Approaching our golden anniversary and the woman barely knows me! Go figure! In actuality, I may be a little resistant to change.
Fishing is one area that I seem to have many firm opinions on. But one subject that I’ve done a complete 180-degree turn on is that of using fishing guides.
Steve Sarley: Turns out using a guide for fishing is not so bad after all Read More »
As I write this article, it is Father’s Day. My wife, Joyce, and I are proud to acknowledge that we have three wonderful adult children, a daughter-in-law and a son-in-law. We have one grandchild, the light of our lives, 2-year-old Emmy. The sun rises and sets on that little angel.
Steve Sarley: Pure joy to pass along the family outdoors tradition Read More »
I started fishing with live bait. Didn’t we all? I recall picking fat, wiggly nightcrawlers off of my family’s driveway after a rain.
Nothing better than free bait for a young fisherman, is there? Recent developments in plastics fishing have changed my life. The use of “wacky worms” and the use of “drop shots” have revolutionized fishing for me.
Steve Sarley: We all started with live bait; some of us still tinker Read More »
I’d like to dive a little deeper into the subject of topwater fishing. That’s quite an anomaly, isn’t it? Deeper? Topwater? Ha!
To be honest, I never was a believer in fishing lures on the surface. I looked at topwater lures and couldn’t figure out what they were supposed to look like. It was about 15 years ago when I received a call from Jim Crowley, the well-known pro fisherman and educator from central Illinois.
Steve Sarley: A look below the surface of creative topwater fishing Read More »
People often debate the subject of what is the most exciting way to catch a fish.
I know what method I think is most exciting. I caught my first muskie while retrieving my lure in a figure-eight pattern right at the side of the boat. It was a good fish, just shy of 40 inches. I remember seeing it coming after my lure on a straight retrieve and it following as I pulled my Mepp’s Musky Killer into the traditional figure eight.
Steve Sarley: Adrenaline rush from strike on a topwater lure is unmatched Read More »
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