Reel Doc

Looks like you got the first "LOU" buck of the year. I would say you set a nice bar for all of us to aim for. Congratulations. Greg

Andy, Interesting article to read...their conclusions match yours, ie spend more time afield....every year I ask my wife to fire me in mid-October...she won't do it, but barring any cow calls, she let's me run to the woods a bit during bow season so I'm not complaining. Speaking of the woods, did get out yesterday afternoon for a bit and enjoyed two does hanging under my stand for 15-20 minutes. I could have pulled a Rambo on one and jumped on her back, but too much fun just watching. There will be more in the weeks ahead.... Greg

Anyone who enjoys hunting for more than just the "Brown its Down" approach would enjoy going to an Alsheimer seminar. I saw him a few years back; engaging guy who is passionate about whitetails to hunt and to learn about their behaviors. He has a fenced in area near Bath where he can monitor the behavior of some whitetails each year, and has been doing so for some time now. I think the moon phase connection to the rut is real, just as it can affect weather, it's Mother Natures way of telling does when to cycle and giving a hint of when the following Spring will be amenable to having those new fawns. Alsheimer's theory is the peak rut occurs 1 week after the second full moon after the Fall Equinox. This year the Fall Equinox landed on a full moon, so it is a rare occurrence to try and predict. He admits he's not sure how it will work out in 2010. The thought is there will be a trickle rut, one happening late October and the second stating about the 21st of November. Those of us who like to engage in animal biology, patterns, theories, quackery? can ad lib to this all we want. Raising seasonal breeding livestock, (sheep for me), you find groups of females will cycle in a tight window, not spread out a few at a time over a 3-4 week cycle. So, depending on where you live, you could get a stronger late October rut and lighter in November or flip it around. But if your does are quiet in late October, and 2-3 miles away a batch of does are hot, the bucks may be hard to find on your property. As always, it adds up to a good excuse to tell the family you need to spend more time in the woods this Fall. Good luck to all out there. Greg

Out scouting over the weekend and found some fresh rubs and a scrape. Seems early, but Alsheimer and LaRoche say this year is a once in a lifetime event based on the moon cycle.....they are thinking we could have 2 primary ruts, but with fewer does in per rut so the bucks may not be as quick to wander away from one hot girl. One in late October, the second around the start of gun season. Anyone else seeing rub/scrape activity? I'm surprised to see 2 big boys photographed together if does are that close to cycle. Greg

I would love to see a photo of your 8 pt if you can post it. Clients in the area that hunted in there have mounts of some scrawny bucks. You are right about the draw too. Some have told of getting to hunt inside but could only take a brown one. I'm going to see if I can get a permit to bowhunt in Kremer's backyard instead. Greg

If your connected to the right people locally you might get a chance to hunt in the Depot. Sadly, forage there is poor and the coyote numbers are high so the deer population inside are not conditioned as well as those outside the fences. I've seen a few mounts of bucks taken out of there and even on 3-4 year olds the racks are pretty skimpy. Some of the smart ones inside have found holes in the fence, so that helps them out a bit. Last week driving down the East side on Rte 414 there were 3 white does enjoying some soybeans across the road from the Depot. Just my opinion, but the groups trying to "Save the White Deer Herd" need to get some food plots in there. Otherwise, those white deer in Horseheads that someone posted photos of here last year will be better looking animals. Greg

A nice tease to transition us from surf to turf. By the way, how much zoom on your camera...that is a really nice photo. Greg

Exactly who makes up the US Venison Council?! Greg

biglaker, Thanks for the report. My guess is the thing you saw in the water at the point is the red marker at Sheldrake Point. I don't know if the bottom around there is conducive to lake trout spawning, did you keep the fish and if so, male or female? The kids have Monday off school, so maybe we can get some water time the next few days. Greg

If you're talking about Henry, I'm guessing the fish cooks pretty quick. Greg

I've heard the Skinny Lakers are just that. How big can they get? Greg

Here's Andy and my son Spencer with Saturday's catch less Monster Al. If you guys are cooking up fish and want an easy bake that can taste like fried try this: Preheat oven to bake at 550. It'll take longer to reach temp than the fish prep time. Soak fillets in milk with Sea Salt added for a couple minutes, drain and pat in your favorite bread crumbs or crushed crackers, and for a little heat add Old Bay seasoning to the crumbs. Melt 1 to 1 & 1/2 Tablespoons butter per fillet and pour over the fillets. Put in the upper third of the oven for 5 minutes, then shut off the oven and check till browned the way you like, 3-5 more minutes depending on fillet thickness and prefered amount of crunch. I picked this up out of a Salt Water mag a few years ago, and it was named Spencer's Fish, so sure enough, we cooked his catch of the other day that way. It works great on any white fish fillets and judging by how the kids eat it, is good on the medium Lakers as well. Oh, and Andy, I'll pair it with a Corona in the summer and Talisker in the winter, but around here many would say a local Dry Reisling is the ticket. Greg

No problem Andy, I've got to be careful bleeding with young eyes watching. With the weather as it was, kind of hard not to enjoy the water yesterday. The only downer is Spencer really wanted a photo of you and that MONSTER alewife you landed. Greg

That Willis looks easy enough. Playing with the core in the store it seems once it has any kind of kink it will snap pretty easy. Thanks for the input, we may give it a try for a different look. Greg

Was looking at some Lead Core line over the weekend and wondered what is the best way to tie to leaders and backing. Greg

Thanks, we'll give it a go and let you know.

Can I ask you what you're putting on the copper, flasher fly or spoon? I have a setup to run down the chute next time out. Thanks, Greg

Nice fish. That second one has a funky twist for sure. Can fish swim with a limp? Greg

Thanks for the tips. We're trying to clear the book for a morning run this week...crossing the fingers for no emergencies. If not, an afternoon can work in this great weather. The gang does a good job of chumming with crackers, bread, and grapes; we have the no bananna rule for the boat, but the pee thing is a new one. My boys will be up for it, but convincing my wife and 7 year old daughter might be a challenge unless we're on the water before first light. Greg

Great job for a Sunday afternoon. We found earlier this summer that Sunday PM can be slow...I attribute it to all the pleasure boat traffic of the weekend. What depths were you working? Our August has been high and dry with other events and the Weather Gods against us, but maybe we'll get to test the water this week. Greg

You forgot to add can tow anything. Mine's a '99 with 165 K and still loves to tow. Greg

Nice Brown, I agree

Great report Sean. You sure do know how to dial them in Greg

Congatulations Captain Kade

Sounds like you had a nice afternoon on the water