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Steve Sarley

Steve Sarley: The common carp certainly has its place among the fun to be had fishing

Featured, Features, Fishing, Home Page News, Illinois, National Fishing /

You set the hook and begin to reel. Whatever is on the other end of your line must be a monster, because it is fighting so hard. You win the battle and bring the fish to the surface. You snatch it from the water. You smile as you hold your trophy up so a quick photo can be taken.
You proudly look at the fish and think, “That’s a real beauty!” Is it really? Beauty is subjective, isn’t it? What if your fish is a carp? Are you still going to proclaim the beauty of that swimming creature? I’d venture a guess that the answer to that question is a loud, “No!”

Steve Sarley: The common carp certainly has its place among the fun to be had fishing Read More »

Steve Sarley: Live bait has its place in a fishing world where artificials often rule

Featured, Features, Fishing, Illinois, National Fishing, Opinion /

A hot-button subject in the world of fishing is the use of live bait.
I’m talking about minnows, worms, leeches, and all of the other critters that fishermen use to try to coax an unwary fish into their grasp and eventually into a meal. Why is it a topic of discussion? I’m not exactly sure, but mention that you use live bait to catch fish on social media and you’ll get attacked almost as badly as if you said you enjoy eating muskies.

Steve Sarley: Live bait has its place in a fishing world where artificials often rule Read More »

Steve Sarley: Lake Michigan a good bet for spring coho action in Illinois

Featured, Features, Fishing, Home Page News, Illinois, National Fishing /

If you have never had the pleasure of going out on Lake Michigan to experience the great salmon and trout fishing that is available, I’d recommend that you book a trip right away.
There are many fine boats run by many fine Illinois charter captains out of numerous ports on the big pond. Most of them bring in fine catches. One of my favorites is Captain Caleb Weiner of Migrator Charters out of Winthrop Harbor, just south of the Wisconsin Border.

Steve Sarley: Lake Michigan a good bet for spring coho action in Illinois Read More »

Steve Sarley: Angling trends in Illinois, and why I believe fishing license sales slump

Featured, Fishing, Illinois, Opinion /

Who is and isn’t fishing in Illinois? What are the ages and gender of current anglers? Where do anglers live throughout the state? Why are fewer people buying fishing licenses over time?
According to a recent article in the Outdoor Illinois Wildlife Journal, DNR has found that the average license holder is getting older, and the average age of people going fishing has increased. Another finding is that men have purchased about 80% of licenses since 2006.

Steve Sarley: Angling trends in Illinois, and why I believe fishing license sales slump Read More »

Steve Sarley: Pick your spring spot – and know your fish

Featured, Features, Fishing, Illinois, National Fishing /

Lately, I’ve written about some things to help you catch some fish now that the weather is telling us that the open-water season has arrived in Illinois. I am receiving e-mails thanking me for the tips, but questioning why I haven’t given any tips as to where people should be going fishing.
Let me explain upfront that I will never tell you specific places to go fishing. If I mentioned that walleyes were biting like crazy on a specific lake, it could get over-fished by the hordes of fishermen who read this column.

Steve Sarley: Pick your spring spot – and know your fish Read More »

Steve Sarley: What to choose when it’s time to hook up your reel with fresh line

Featured, Features, Fishing, Illinois, National Fishing /

Happy March! What the heck happened? Did I sleep through the ice-fishing season?
It was the absolute shortest hard-water season I can ever remember. It’s a tough break for those guides and tackle and bait dealers who were counting on a much longer season. That said, we all need to get our open water gear ready much faster than we may have been planning.

Steve Sarley: What to choose when it’s time to hook up your reel with fresh line Read More »

Steve Sarley: Joining a fishing club benefits conservation and can help you catch more fish

Featured, Fishing, Illinois, Opinion /

It’s between fishing seasons, due to the weather, right now. A great way to help fill that void is to attend a meeting of a local fishing club. As a matter of fact, fishing club meetings are beneficial to attend the entire year around.
There are plenty of choices available if you care to attend a meeting. There are general interest clubs, as well as clubs that are species-specific, like for walleyes and muskies.

Steve Sarley: Joining a fishing club benefits conservation and can help you catch more fish Read More »

Steve Sarley: Youth attendance at sports shows is vital

Featured, Fishing, Hunting, Illinois, Opinion /

It’s a pretty good time of year for me. Mixing in a little ice fishing with all the outdoors shows that are happening is what I consider to be a good time. That is, even though the ice fishing season appears to be only a couple weeks long this year, although I’m sure the ice will return.
I love attending the shows, but this winter I am enjoying the shows for different reasons than usual.

Steve Sarley: Youth attendance at sports shows is vital Read More »

Steve Sarley: Recent Chicago Bulls’ ceremony a sad but nice reminder of Jerry Krause’s love of fishing

Featured, Fishing, Home Page News, Illinois, National Fishing, Opinion /

The Chicago Bulls held a ceremony on Jan. 12 to establish their Ring of Honor. The Ring’s purpose is to honor players and management members who have contributed to the Bulls’ greatness over their history.
It was an enjoyable event, and it was good to see so many of the people who have been with the team through its history. I was very disheartened to watch as a group of fans booed when former General Manager Jerry Krause was introduced.

Steve Sarley: Recent Chicago Bulls’ ceremony a sad but nice reminder of Jerry Krause’s love of fishing Read More »

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