Locals assisting paralyzed veterans

May 16, 2026

There is a code among those who venture out on the water that they are obliged to assist those who are in distress. Since ancient times, masters of vessels were bound to assist those they encountered on the water who required assistance. Mariners, including we who go to the water to fish, are duty-bound stop to aid disabled boats and their crews. And so it is that a flotilla of captains will set sail May 30 and 31 at Mosquito Lake. Their mission will be to skipper boats for U.S. military veterans who love to fish but have suffered spinal cord injuries during their service. The ...

Know which tool will get the job done

May 9, 2026

Anglers know that size matters when it comes to deciding which lure to tie to the end of their fishing lines. Lure-makers recognize the size question, of course, as they make their baits in a variety of sizes, providing anglers with options they consider likely to tease the fish they seek to catch. Many believe that big fish prefer big baits, which is true to some extent. But those of us who have spent years and years out on our favorite lakes know that big lures sometimes fool little fish and tiny baits often are eaten by giant fish. Recent advancements in fishing’s sonar ...

Plastic worms have changed, they but are still a go-to lure

May 2, 2026

Plastic worms have evolved over the years from the basic nightcrawler-shaped wigglers crafted by inventor Nick Creme in his kitchen in Akron to an array of lures engineered to fit a variety of tactics. Whether fished Texas-style with a small bullet weight; weightless on a wacky rig or any of a dozen other presentations, plastic worms are perhaps the fish-catchingest artificial lures in anglers’ arsenals. They likely have accounted for more bass catches than any other class of lures. We are hard into worm season here in northeastern Ohio. My boat is loaded with an assortment of ...

How do the draftees fit?

April 28, 2026

As a Browns fan growing up, the NFL draft was one of the only things to look forward to on the league calendar. Hours were spent as a kid looking at draft profiles and big boards, while thinking of potential trades that could shake up the selection process. The 2026 draft is over. So, let’s look at what the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers did through the first three rounds, because those are the draftees more likely to make an impact. Additionally, there will also be a Day 3 player for both teams that should be the most intriguing to watch when camp breaks. BROWNS – ...

Adjusting to changes at favorite spots

April 25, 2026

Change. It’s inevitable. Nothing stays the same for long. Just when we are getting cozy with an idea, a place or a thing, along comes a change. That includes the lakes where we go fishing. From time to time, I think back to the days when Barb and I first ventured out to Mosquito, West Branch, Berlin, Lake Milton and Shenango in our brand new Arrowglass tri-haul. It was 1977 and we had been married only a year when we made a snap decision to buy the boat on display in the concourse of the Southern Park Mall. Thus began our up-close-and-personal experiences on our local ...

The sounds of spring are filling the air

April 18, 2026

Every day as we advance toward May, the wetlands around our region’s lakes play a symphony of songs that enchant those of us who love our outdoors. Springtime music fills the air around Mosquito, Pymatuning, West Branch, Milton, Berlin and Shenango. Songbirds play the high notes, while spring peepers set the background beat and woodpeckers tap out the percussion. Anglers’ ears are tuned to the performance day after day. To me, the music means good times and productive fishing. I especially love the playlist as I work the shallows bordered by cattails, willows and spreads of ...