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Valley anglers possess truly unique characteristics

Youngstown and Warren have many distinguishing features and successes that add up to differentiate our corner of the world in a uniquely satisfactory way. From GF desks, Sheet & Tube steel and Lordstown Chevies to Penguin football, Brier Hill pizza and Mill Creek Metroparks, the Mahoning Valley is unique in our nation, our world and, most of all, our people. To be a Mahoning Valley native really is a pride point. We are special in a way that nobody from elsewhere can claim. We have our own pizza, our own dialect, and our own gritty determination about hard work and fair play. I ...

Buckle up Ohio, sports betting is here

At 12 a.m. this morning, sports betting officially became legal in the state of Ohio. At 12:01, I placed my first bet of the new year — Bills money line. As a New York native, and a Pennsylvania resident before moving to Ohio, I was more than excited about this moment. It just brings another layer of excitement to sporting events that wasn’t present before. No rooting interest in a game between UCLA and Washington tonight? Place five dollars on the Bruins and see what you can win. Do you have some confidence in DeShaun Watson today? Throw a few bucks on the over for his ...

Take time to reflect on 2022’s successes, failures

The new year is a welcome change as we look to a fresh start for a long run of days filled with promise and opportunity. Hope, optimism and enthusiasm reign supreme on New Year’s Day. Everybody is jumping to get going — including the anglers and everyone else who reads this column. But not so fast, people. Before we charge headlong into the unknown, let’s take a moment to reflect on 2022’s experiences, successes and, yes, flops. I’ll get the conversation started with a few of my own favorite and not-so-favorite experiences while fishing my way around Northeast Ohio and ...

New Year’s wishes from the couch

Here are some New Year’s wishes for our Mahoning Valley sports fans: The Cleveland Browns and the Pittsburgh Steelers will both have a better 2023 season than 2022. NFL fans around here haven’t been excited about football unless there is a bet riding on it. By the way, let’s hope for success at the new sports betting venue at the Mahoning Valley Race Course and Hollywood Casino in Austintown. A big party is set for 9 p.m. New Year’s Eve in anticipation of the first Ohio sports bets at 12:01 a.m. Sunday. For Browns and Steeler fans, that means interest in Sunday’s games can ...

Successful walleye hatch a great Christmas gift

Gale winds and sub-zero temperatures this Christmas weekend are not exactly putting us in the mood to go fishing, but Lake Erie has done her best to gift wrap a present Ohio anglers are sure to love. Ohio Division of Wildlife and Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry surveys confirmed another successful walleye hatch in 2022 in the western basin of Lake Erie. As a matter of fact, it’s possible walleye aficionados may be getting spoiled as Lake Erie has gifted us with great hatch news for several years. This year’s western basin walleye hatch produced 83 fish per ...

Fishing a year-round passion for all to enjoy

In the spirit of the season (and to paraphrase Cousin Eddie in the popular 1989 movie “Christmas Vacation”), fishing is the gift that keeps on giving the whole year. Truth is, it is a lifetime of giving for those lucky enough to have been gifted with the art, science and unparalleled pastime fun of fishing. Avid anglers extend their fishing trips across the seasons. During winter, we typically have good ice for those who like to jig for crappies and walleyes. Come spring, the walleye fishing kicks in first with crappies and largemouth bass close behind. Summer and autumn are ...