Tennessee residents have spoken. Yesterday (election day), Tennessean’s voted to amend the state constitution by saying “the citizens of this state shall have the personal right to hunt and fish”. The citizens of this state have always had the right to hunt and fish, this just reassures that we will always have this right. This is a big win for the different habitat and hunting organizations of this nation. I am really glad that the people of the state have spoken and that they believe we have the right to hunt. Did your state pass a consitutional amendment during the recent election?

August

Early August is when most lake water temperatures peak, so you want to be mindful of creeks and inlets that are pouring cooler, more oxygenated currents into the lake, especially if the bottom drops at that spot. Also understand that in most lakes, baitfish (and the bass that follow them) like to school on structures below the thermocline (where water temperatures transition from warm to cool). For water 15 feet deep or more, try a drop-shot rig, where you have a heavy weight at the end of your line, and suspend a smaller-sized soft plastic worm on a hook above that. You want to use eight-pound to 12-pound test line and a medium- or light-action spinning rod in this situation, because finesse and feel are important.

Tip courtesy of  Anglers’ Legacy

June

In June, before water temperatures approach their peak (especially in northern states) you’ll still find good numbers of bass cruising in water less than 10 feet deep. This is a great time of year to try different baits and lures. Among the favorites are spinnerbaits, especially in the mornings. If you get an early start, try fishing buzzbaits, or even a surface-riding swimbait. In the warmest hours, you might try throwing jigs and soft plastics. With these options, concentrate your casts around points and drop-offs, and try flipping into weed mats with a weighted “green pumpkin” colored jig.

Tip courtesy of  Anglers’ Legacy

Learn How To Fish.

Free Fishing Clinics are held at more than 33 local parks statewide, beginning in mid-June and continuing through mid-August.

Trained instructors conduct the 2.5-hour clinics twice daily, Monday through Friday. The clinics teach safety, proper angler ethics, the aquatic food chain, fish identification, knot tying, the importance of becoming good stewards of natural resources and the importance of choosing good friends.

Most of each clinic is spent actually fishing a stocked lake. Additional information on sites hosting Free Fishing Clinics is available.

Here is a great event held by Lake Geneva Fishing Club at Big Foot Beach State Park in Wisconsin. FREE fishing day for 15 and Under.

When: June 7, 2009  from 9am-2pm                      

Where: Big Foot Beach State Park    Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

This will be our 19th annual Kids Day event held at Bigfoot Beach State Park. All kids 15 and under are welcome, though registration is not required it will help us to better plan and make sure there is enough for all the kids. We will supply equipment to use, bait & lunch (hot-dogs, chips & drinks) for the kids. Prizes for all kids entered (free registration), no fees to use the state parks & no license required to fish in Wis. on that weekend. Club members and volunteers will be on hand to assist those that need it. The only requirement is that you have a good time with the kids.

For more information call 847-524-8623 or go to http://lakegenevafishingclub.com

If you go send me pictures of the fish you catch and I will post it on the site for everyone to see. abrentzel@pheasantsforever.org