Articles

WILTZ: Are you ready for some mule tales?

I still feel badly about it as I don’t like making mistakes. Jerry and I were trolling Ratlin’ Raps (we’ve found these to be very effective in our Missouri on walleyes, smallmouth bass and northern pike) along the shoreline in about 8 feet of water. We had earlier fished the fastwater, but that action was slow so we decided to cover another area. In just a short time we had caught a few respectable northern pike when Jerry said, “Fish on!”

WILTZ: Scratch trophy muskie from my bucket list

The muskellunge, also spelled “musky” or “muskie,”is a large predator fish typically of, but not limited to, the north woods including southern Ontario, northern Minnesota, northern Wisconsin, Lake Champlain, and the St. Lawrence River. South Dakota has one musky lake, Amsden, east of Aberdeen. I’ve never fished Amsden.

WILTZ: Are you ready today for a blast from the past?

I don’t believe the magnitude of the deer die off, primarily caused by EHD and transmitted by the bite of a midge, can be exaggerated. I’ve read about Hutchinson County being a focal point. Based on what friends and neighbors have told me, southern Charles Mix County falls into that same category.

WILTZ: Hen chicks kicked aside in hatcheries

In last week’s column, I talked about the prognosis for the 2012 South Dakota pheasant season. I’ve received much feedback, most of which supports hot and dry conditions being better than cold and wet. In general, the ringneck hunting should be better than last year’s.

WILTZ: Some final thoughts on the Reindeer Lake trip

A few weeks ago, this column included a photo of some young men holding a flathead catfish that came from the Randall Dam tail waters. A number of readers have commented that that fish should have weighed 20-25 more pounds. I feel that their observations are correct. The fish beneath the Randall Dam are starving. Usually seagulls work the tailrace for baitfish. Not so this year.

• The guide

WILTZ: Would Ed Lemmon ‘pull our legs’ just a wee bit?

Though I enjoy watching TV anglers fish in exotic places for species I’ve never caught, I also watch the TV fishing shows to learn of techniques that might work well on my home waters. I watched such a program last night, and I’m anxious to try it in the Fort Randall Dam tailrace.

WILTZ: You’ve never seen a hearse pulling a U-haul

You don’t need to know about the internal problems in our marriage, the most common bones of contention, and the things about me that cause Betsy some real stress, but I’ll tell you anyway. After all, you readers are kind of like family.

WILTZ: An update on Kocer’s ND elk hunt

I know you’re all waiting for a report on Tom Kocer’s management elk hunt in North Dakota’s Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Unfortunately, Tom failed to qualify with his rifle.

Opinion: ROGER WILTZ: No need for a holiday to remember dad

A few evenings ago, Betsy and I walked down to the Randall spillway from the visitor’s center to watch the discharge.

Opinion: ROGER WILTZ: Northern pike can rebound

In this column two weeks ago, I was very upbeat about fishing conditions on our Lake Francis Case Reservoir. This related mostly to the phenomenal growth I’d observed in walleyes and smallmouth bass since last year. Now, I’m even more enthusiastic than I was two weeks ago. This relates to the appearance of a healthy northern pike population. I feel like a kid with a new toy.

Columns

WILTZ: If you hand load of your own ammo you've learned lessons along the way

A good friend recently told me about his latest handgun acquisitions. The new guns included a Taurus “Judge” revolver that handles both .44 mag and .410 shotgun shells, not to mention a 9 mm Glock semi-automatic. He went on to say that today’s demand for handgun ammunition is so great that he was having trouble finding ammunition.

WILTZ: Are we literally poisoning ourselves?

Having lost good hunting friends in the not-so-distant past, and having current friends who are suffering, the subject of cancer has more than touched me.

WILTZ: Have you ever heard of Pheasant City

It’s part of the wisdom that comes with age. When I’m going to spend some time outdoors, I pay attention to the weather forecast, and I put considerable thought into appropriate dress. Our vehicle is also equipped for a worst case scenario.

WILTZ: International hunters experience some big-time stress

Last night on The Outdoor Channel, I watched Jim Shockey hunt gazelle and sheep in Iran.

WILTZ: Hoping a fishing magazine calls

Like all of you, I have my dreams. In one of them, the In-Fisherman magazine people call me about a fishing technique they read about in my column.

WILTZ: Would anyone go camping today without without their iPod

As I sat down at the keyboard this morning, Betsy asked me what I was going to write about.

WILTZ: Pack extra underwear on a six-month trip

Relative to hunting or fishing adventures, I really enjoy reading about the way it was.

WILTZ: How about 'No Spin' ice fishing report?

When I went into Abby’s at Pickstown Friday for some wax worms, there was a photo of Mike on the counter with a recent 20-pound, 8-ounce northern pike.

Is Grandpa Roger too cheap or parsimonious?

Late last Saturday afternoon, we went over to LuAnn’s, our daughter, to say “goodbye” as we would head back to South Dakota the next morning. We offered to take them out for supper, and a hearty “Yes” was heard without hesitation. On the way to Culver’s, we stopped at our house to pick up some discount coupons.

WILTZ: When will our pheasants come back?

I had one fine time this past year with either a rod or a gun in my hand, and it was sweetened with the presence of grandchildren. There were also trips to new places.