October 2007 - Lake Fork Area News
Transcription
October 2007 - Lake Fork Area News
“The Little Paper With Big Bass Results” Lake Fork Area News - 1 FREE October 2007 “The Little Paper With Big Bass Results” Lake Fork Area News Combat Aviation Brigade Fort Hood visits Lake Fork Hope wins McDonald’s Big Bass Splash Bottom row-left to right Guide Jim France, Guide Jeff Davis, Ricky (Short Round) Yates, volunteer Rick Emberson, top left to right Rich Davis, Mathew Patterson, Kevin Voldarski, name not available, Jason Martinez, Ronald Husa, Joe Axton, Fabian Scott, Roger King and guide Gary Johnson. See story on page 26. Toyota Texas Bass Classic returns in 2008 Officials for the Toyota Texas Bass Classic (TTBC) have announced that the unique team angling event will return for its second year. The Tournament will be held on Lake Fork in East Texas, April 18-20, 2008, and will adhere to the strict slot limits of the lake. The event will benefit the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and its outdoor recreation programs. “It is a great honor to announce the Toyota Texas Bass Classic will be returning to Lake Fork in 2008,” said TTBC Co-Founders Dan Friedkin and Donato Ramos. “Not only will this allow us to continue to showcase the outstanding bass fishing in Texas, but it also sets the standard for conservation practices in angling and it benefits TPWD programs.” The Toyota Texas Bass Classic is a one of a kind event in the sport of angling. The Tournament features 100 professional anglers grouped in teams of four. 2007 was the first year of the event and the team of Terry Scrog- gins (captain), Chris Daves, Frank Ippoliti and James Niggemeyer took home the $250,000 team purse. They reeled in 54 fish totaling 244 pounds 12 ounces. “Through the support and hard work of multiple organizations, this Tournament has reinvented the bass fishing Tournament format and reinvigorated the sport for many,” said Professional Anglers Association (PAA) President Mark Davis. Continued on page 19 “The Little Paper With Big Bass Results” 2 - Lake Fork Area News INNOW BUCK TEXAS TOP 50 LARGEMOUTH BASS M E E T Marina TH RANK Motel, Lodge, RV Park Bass Lantern Restaurant 903-878-2500 FAX: 903-878-7131 HWY 154, LAKE FORK E-Mail: [email protected] www.minnowbucketmarina.com •Lakeside Pavilion Perfect for Tournaments and Outdoor Events •Beautiful Lake View •Modern Store •Full Tackle •Bait • Gas •Big Fish Aquarium •Fish Cleaning Station •Boat Launches • Generous Parking •Annual RV Sites • Dump Station •RV & Tent Camping •SATELLITE TV • Wi-Fi Now Available Hunt Brothers Pizza All toppings no extra charge $8.49 Extra Cheese $1.39 GREATEST PIZZA AROUND Bass Lantern Restaurant Friday All You Can Eat Catfish $10.95 DAILY SPECIALS Lunch And Dinner Served All Day Hunt Brothers Pizza 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 28 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 36 37 38 39 39 39 39 43 44 45 46 47 48 48 48 WATER BODY Fork Fork Fork Fork Fork Fork Pinkston Lake Fork Sam Rayburn Reservoir Mill Creek Fork Fork Fork Fork Fork Gibbons Creek Reservoir Fork Fork Fork Possum Kingdom Lake Caddo Lake Fork Fork Fork Merritt (Private) O. C. Fisher Lake Amisted Reservoir Fork Fork Fork Fork Fork Amistad Reservoir Fork Fork Fork Echo Lake Fork Fork Fork Possum Kingdom Lake Fork Fork Fork Toledo Bend Reservoir Fork Fork Welsh Amistad Reservoir Houston County Lake Fork WEIGHT LENGTH LBS. INCHES 18.18 17.67 17.64 17.63 17.29 17.02 16.90 16.86 16.80 16.77 16.75 16.63 16.59 16.54 16.44 16.17 16.12 16.06 16.04 16.02 16.01 16.00 15.95 15.88 15.74 15.69 15.68 15.65 15.62 15.64 15.61 15.60 15.58 15.53 15.51 15.5 15.5 15.46 15.41 15.38 15.38 15.38 15.38 15.34 15.32 15.31 15.28 15.23 15.22 15.2 15.2 25.50 27.50 28.00 26.25 25.50 27.66 25.50 28.75 25.50 27.25 26.00 25.00 26.50 26.00 27.25 25.50 25.75 26.75 25.50 27.50 25.50 25.50 26.50 27.00 28.30 27.50 27.00 26.13 24.75 27.00 27.00 25.00 25.25 25.75 25.00 25.00 28.50 26.25 26.00 24.50 27.00 28.00 25.00 25.75 27.50 26.25 27.00 25.00 DATE 01/24/92 11/26/86 04/01/89 08/29/90 02/14/88 02/26/91 02/16/86 02/08/93 05/31/97 03/01/90 03/08/90 02/28/99 05/15/87 02/27/91 03/10/96 01/15/88 03/22/02 03/09/88 02/29/92 10/13/89 04/13/92 07/03/89 03/27/91 02/17/90 01/14/95 09/23/96 12/28/2005 05/28/91 03/22/02 05/25/99 05/08/91 03/04/93 03/11/89 04/19/87 09/23/91 02/21/06 02/07/81 02/27/92 02/27/91 03/17/89 02/14/91 08/18/90 04/25/92 09/28/91 07/03/00 03/12/94 04/12/92 12/23/83 03/03/90 03/03/88 03/15/90 ANGLER Barry StClair Mark Stevenson Stan Moss Jerry New Larry Barnes Troy Coates Earl Crawford Bryan Turner Tommy Shelton Herchel Brickey Stephen Trepkus Flo O'Brain Guy Witherspoon Bill Reed Chris Adams Troy Johnson Jim Harrell Tom Hallum Gasper Cardinale Scott Tongat Bobby Shaver John Stanley Wendall Atkinson Jim Taylor Kenneth Morris Charles Sirmons Tom Sutherland Rex Thompson Johnny Six Charles Emich Jim Gore Walt Dosher Jay Hiler Dennis Canada Boyd Walker Billy Pfeil John Alexander Jr. Bob Lancaster Dennis Bassinger Harold Stanley Don Allison Bill Howell Randy Carroll John Alumbaugh Eric Weems Lowell Morris Mark Bush William Ockerhausen Lendall Prevatt Terry Walling Scott Cupit 35 OF THE TOP 50 LARGEMOUTH BASS IN TEXAS CAME FROM LAKE FORK MEMBER OF LAKE FORK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE “The Little Paper With Big Bass Results” Lake Fork Area News - 3 LONE STAR REALTY 4100 FM 515 EMORY, TX 75440 sells more real estate than any other real estate company in the world. Call us today so we can help you with all of your real estate needs. "We show and sell ALL listings on and around Lake Fork!" You have an opportunity to purchase heavily wooded lots located in the beautiful, restricted, subdivision of Timberwood. These home sites are available from almost acre to over an acre with prices beginning at $8900. These home sites have all utilities available and even though they are not waterfront, you are just minutes to a major public boat ramp. Great location. Close to schools and hospitals and about 20 miles to I-30. Wood frame 2 bedroom home on over 4 acres of land. The home has a covered back wooden deck, WBFP, ceiling fans, nice large living room and large kitchen/dining combo. The land is about 1/3 open with scatter trees and 2/3 heavily wooded. Very private yet within minutes of downtown Emory, schools and Lake Fork. Lake Office - 903-473-1000 • Toll Free - 888-577-6767 Hope wins McDonald’s Big Bass Splash East Fork Restaurant & club HOME OF LOCKHART LURES 903-383-7663 www.lockhartlures.com The 37 fish caught over the slot in the McDonald’s Big Bass Splash not only set a new record, but made for a lot of excitement among the spectators. Stephen Hope, Ovilla, TX kicked this years tournament off with a 10.62 pounder caught in the first hour of the tournament. “I didn’t worry the first two days. I didn’t think it would hold up. It hit me about noon,” Hope said. “I didn’t listen to the radio or anything, I didn’t want to know if I got beat.” The second and fourth place winners were also caught on day one. The Big Bass Splash RESTAURANT & CLUB Specializing in Fall Crappie Fishing Jigs, Spoons and Artificials Full Service Menu Lunch Buffet $5.95 (includes Coffee or Tea) Nightly Dinner Specials Specializing in Hand Cut Steaks and Mexican Food LIVE BAND EVERY SATURDAY KARAOKE • THURSDAY & FRIDAY NIGHTS E’S OGuide Lure Manufacturer ice 903-765-3398 v r e S Home of the “Big Joe” Spoon & Flashtail Crappie Gitr’ was held at Lake Fork Marina September 14-16. There were 761 bass weighed in for a total of 1,644.88 pounds. Ovilla’s first place finish earned him an H2 Hummer and Triton boat powered by a Mercury 200 Optimax valued at $93, 550, and $1000 for the largest bass in the 7 to 8 o’clock hour on day one. Second place was earned by Jimmy Callahan, Colleyville, TX with a 10.02. His winnings consisted of a Dodge truck and a Triton TR176 powered by a Mercury 115 Optimax valued at $50,450, and $1,000 for the largest bass in the 11 to 12 o’clock hour of day one. Third place was earned FALL FEAST Bro’s Patio Located next to FISHERMANS ONE STOP Junction of Hwy 515 & CR 1970 • 903-383-7121 Club 903-383-7008 Tobacco Shop Hwy. 154 & 515 Yantis, Tx ALL PRO LAWNMOWER SERVICE ON THE SQUARE IN ALBA 903-765-3247 Beat The Rush! Service your Mower Early Mig Welding Aluminum & Steel Restaurant www. eastforkrestaurantandclub.com Continued on page 4 WE STOCK ALL PARTS 903-383-7007 903-383-7331 by Juan Perry, Elizabeth, LA took home a Hideout travel trailer valued at $9,280, and $1,000 for the largest bass in the 8 to 9 o’clock hour on day two. Perry’s fish weighed in at 9.99 pounds. The fourth place winner was Michael Lacefield, DeQueen, AR with a 9.55 pounder. His winnings consisted of a Bad Boy Buggy valued at $9,000, and $1,000 for largest fish in the 1 to 2 o’clock hour of day one. John Weatherly Jr, Killeen, TX was the fifth place winner with his 9.40 catch. Weatherly took home a Bad Boy Buggy valued at $9,000, WE REPAIR Friday & Saturday 4PM to 9PM Crab, Shrimp, Catfish •All Brands of Lawn Mowers • Tillers •Lawn Blowers •Weed Eaters •Chain Saws 4 - Lake Fork Area News Hope wins Big Bass Splash Continued from page 3 and $1,000 for largest fish in the 7 to 8 o’clock hour of day two. The first contestent to weigh-in a 2.50 exact weight bass each day of the tournament won a Triton boat powered by Mercury and equiped with Minn Kota and Lowrance electronics. Day one winner was Dan Hawthorne, Gilmer, TX. Day two winner was Daniel Gentry, Princetown, TX. Day three winner was Christopher Lide, Cluster Park, Il. The winner of the elimination drawing for contestents was Mark Fletcher, Vidor, TX. Fletcher took home a Triton boat powered by Mercury and equiped with Minn Kota and Lowrance Electronics. Ronald Jordan won a Cherokee travel trailer in the open drawing held for contestents and spectators. The 2008 Big Bass Splash is scheduled for September 1214. Berkley 2nd Annual Big Bass Tournament on Lake Fork The Berkley 2nd Annual Big Bass Tournament on Lake Fork will be held October 1314 at Lake Fork Marina. Hourly paybacks-10 places each hour. A Skeeter SX 200 will be awarded to the heaviest fish over the slot. A Skeeter SX 190 will be awarded to the heaviest fish under the slot. Contestants will use Berkley baits exclusively. Lake Fork Area News 903-885-7223 “The Little Paper With Big Bass Results” Shop Mineola Robin’s Nest We Offer an Assortment of Oddities SIDEWALK SALE Barbies • Old Toys • Antiquities & Oddities Beatle Memorabilia • Books • Hallmark Christmas & Spring Ornaments • Trading Cards • Sterling Silver and Costume Jewelry • Furniture • Cookie Cutters • Nautical • Greeting Cards • Silverplate • Crystal 903-569-9800 • 107 Commerce St. Mineola Tues.-Sat. 11-5 THE TILLEY HAT • Guaranteed for Life Not to Wear Out • Insured Against Loss • Floats • Repels Rain • 4-Page Owner’s Manual • Crushable & Packable • Secret Pocket in the Crown 113 E. Broad St., Downtown Mineola Open Tuesday - Saturday 903-569-8228 Gourmet Coffee ~ Drinks and Whole Beans ~ Espresso ~ Frozen Drinks ~ Antiques & Gift Items For The Ladies And For The Men Vintage Fishing Gear 105 S. Johnson, Mineola 903-569-2888 12 miles from Lake Fork 230 W. FM 564 903-569-1441 8-5 Mon.-Fri. • 9-2 Sat. Klassy Kreations Now at Broad Street Mall "New" Flappin Hog Talk of the town. Re-designed flaps 118 E. Broad increase motion & vibration 903-569-1686 Try a Swimming Senko or Shad Shape Worm New Split-Grip Bait Casting Rods available in 7 & 7-1/2' Quitman 4 Hwy 15 Hwy 37 Wal Mart Gary Yamamoto Hwy 69 op Lo Mineola 4 56 "New" Flappin Hog Talk of the town. Re-designed flaps increase motion & vibration “The Little Paper With Big Bass Results” Lake Fork Area News - 5 Budweiser Sharelunker season 22 begins Oct. 1 been promising.” Bister added, “This research project would not be possible without angler participation in the ShareLunker program.” Program manager David Campbell is looking forward to a good year for the program. “For the first time in many years, most lakes in Texas are full,” he noted. “The 18 entries last year was below average, and our records show that years with a low number of entries are usually followed by a year with a better-than-average number.” Anglers entering fish into the ShareLunker program receive a free replica of their fish, a certificate and ShareLunker clothing and are recognized at a banquet at the Texas LAKE FORK TACKLE - NORMAN - STORM - RAPALA - ARBOGAST - VIPER MUSTAD - GAMAKATSU - EAGLE CLAW - VMC er offspring and their parents following stocking. A. E. Wood geneticist Dijar Lutz-Carrillo said the new technology will be instrumental in evaluating the success of the ShareLunker program. For the last two years, ShareLunker offspring have been raised to 6 inches at TFFC prior to stocking as part of a research study to compare their growth to the growth of wild largemouth bass in six public reservoirs. “So far, ShareLunker offspring have been bigger than wild fish of the same age in all of our study lakes,” said Timothy Bister, TPWD fisheries biologist. “Even though we’re waiting to see how big these fish are when they’re four years old, results so far have OWNER - JOHNSON’S - BOMBER - MANN’S Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will begin accepting entries into the Budweiser ShareLunker program October 1, 2007. Anyone legally catching a 13-pound or bigger largemouth bass from Texas waters, public or private, between October 1 and April 30 may submit the fish to the Budweiser ShareLunker program by calling program manager David Campbell at (903) 681-0550 or paging him at (888) 784-0600 and leaving a phone number including area code. Fish will be picked up by TPWD personnel within 12 hours. The fish are used in a selective breeding program at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (TFFC) in Athens. Offspring from these fish are then stocked, in a limited manner, back into the water body from which the ShareLunker was caught in an attempt to increase the overall size and growth rate of largemouth bass in Texas’ public waters. As part of this project, TPWD’s A. E. Wood Laboratory recently identified and described more than fifty genetic markers that will help TPWD biologists identify ShareLunk- Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens following the close of the season. In addition the Texas angler who catches the largest entry of the year receives a lifetime fishing license. For complete information and rules of the ShareLunker program, tips on caring for big bass and a recap of last year’s season, see TPWD’s Budweiser ShareLunker Web site. The site also includes a searchable database of all fish entered into the program along with pictures where available. The Budweiser ShareLunker program is made possible through support from Anheuser-Busch, Inc. Since 1991, AnheuserBusch, in partnership with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, has contributed millions of dollars in funding to support conservation causes and fishing, hunting and outdoor recreation programs in Texas. * http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/ spdest/visitorcenters/tffc/budsharelunker/ Mustang Ranch -Land Services (972) 386.5555 353 CR 1885 Yantis Best selection of tackle at Lake Fork Phillips 66 Gas - Fishing License - Deli Junction of Hwy 515 & CR 1970 7933 W FM 515 Yantis, TX 903-383-7121 Owners: John & JoAnne Heimgartner REBEL - YAMAMOTO - ZOOM - BERKLEY - GENE LAWREW - MOBY RODS and Farm Tires • Full Service Oil & Lube • Experienced Staff • Tire Repair All Major Brands of Tires & Oil 2 Miles South of I-30 on Hwy. 19 Mon.-Fri. 8 to 5:30 Sat. 8 to 12 903-439-0010 Lone Star Embroidery (Formally Embroidery Express) NOW OPEN on Lake Fork Custom Logos & Heat Press Services Caps, T-shirts etc. 903-383-2109 353 CR 1885 Yantis Owner Paula Bevill “The Little Paper With Big Bass Results” 6 - Lake Fork Area News ACCORDING TO JIGGY........ By Joe Spaits As the days grow shorter and the nights get longer, it is apparent that fall will soon fill the air and we all know what that means.......GREAT CRAPPIE FISHIN’ CAN’T BE FAR AWAY. We are rapidly approaching my personally favorite, time of the year for fishing. October will produce a few cold fronts and lower water temperatures. This, in conjunction with shorter days, will trigger the shad population to seek a comfort zone in deeper water. For those of you who don’t know, the thread fin shad require water temperatures of 50-55 degrees to survive. As the temperature drops, our lakes cool, this traps a warm layer beneath the surface cool layer....thus the “THERMOCLINE”. A sudden cold spell “BLUE NORTHER” and cold rain generally causes the lake to flip or “ROLL OVER”. This is when the cold water forces it’s way to the bottom and pushes the warmer water up. When this occurs, the bottom of the lake is churned up, causing the fish to suspend, making the fishing tough. As a general rule, this only last’s a short time and things settle down for winter fishing. As water temperatures drop, shallow portions of the lake cool first, pushing the bait population to deeper water. This is most apparent when you see the crappie fishermen stacked under the bridges on the North end of the lake and the bridges of small creeks, where the water is shallow. As temperatures continue to drop, fishing will pick up under the mid-lake bridges and eventually the humps and points close to the dam. Crappie and Yellow Bass are much like humans in that they like to be comfortable and of course, they like to eat. Shad just want to survive....... A FEW SIMPLE RULES........ 1. Shad move deep to survive. 2. Crappie and Yellow Bass follow the Shad. 3. Bass follow the Crappie and Yellow Bass. 4. Fishermen follow the fish. While I am not an expert, these are a few ideas I have picked up during my time on Lake Fork. 3910 W. Hwy. 154 Yantis, Texas 75497 LAKE FORK, TEXAS Come see the NEW 2008 Z520! 06 ALL 20 ’S & 2007 GO! MUST Come Check Out These GREAT DEALS! Sales & Service It is important to establish a pattern early and learn to adapt as this patter changes. By this I mean “MATCH THE HATCH” and habits of your prey. Start while the fish are shallow (5-15 ft.) and move deeper as the water temperature drops. I generally start with small jigs(1/16 oz.) vertically, as well as swimming the jig at the edges of grass beds and timber. Of course brush piles and bridges are also productive while the fish are moving. Crappie are nocturnal and most often move at night, so early mornings are best on bridges. When the fish quit biting, you have probably caught those fish that moved in the night before and it is time to find a new spot. As temperatures drop and fish go deeper, I generally increase the weight of my Jig to 1/8 oz. It drops faster and is easier to fish. Eventually going to 3/16-1/4 oz. Crappie Gitr’s, 1/2 oz. Flashtail Spoons and 1/2 oz. Spinner Bugs. If fishing is tough I will resort to a smaller bait. I ALWAYS fish the heaviest bait I can that fish will eat.......this saves my patience. Don’t forget the 10” minimum length-25 limit. On Lake Fork ONLY, from December 1st. through the end of February, you MUST keep the first 25 Crappie you catch. Next month I will talk more on size, color and technic. Until then - BE SAFE BE COURTeOUS - GET JIGGY..... Joe Spaits (JIGGY JOE) is a guide on lake fork specializing in fall crappie trips and lure manufacturer on Lake Fork, Texas. (903) 765-3398 BAIRD CONSTRUCTION Custom Homes Steel Buildings Commercial or Residential CLOSE OUT PRICE S! 903-383-7829 • Fax 903-383-7859 [email protected] Mercury Yamaha Pontoon Evinrude Deck Boats MARK BAIRD General Contractor 903-395-2577 • Mobile 903-491-7577 “The Little Paper With Big Bass Results” Lake Fork Area News - 7 Heritage Square Rod Run “The Little Paper With Big Bass Results” 8 - Lake Fork Area News Call about All-American Detailing •Wash •Wax •Roof Treatments www.mcfaddensrv.com On Site Service Is Our Specialty! 903-474-9448 • 1-866-474-9448 • FAX 903-474-9588 299 S. Texas St. Emory, Tx. Open: Monday-Saturday 8:30 to 5:30 Fishin Lake Fork with Jimmy Everett October should bring some much welcomed cool w e a t h e r. With this, expect the fishing to get better and better as we head towards November. With the cooler weather you will start to see fish turning on in the shallow all the way out to the deep water haunts. For the shallow water anglers try staying around the back of the creeks and out on the main lake. The big key will be finding grass, which will not be a problem. My go to bait will be a 1/8 ounce Texas rig with a number of soft plastics. My main baits will be a Gary Yamamoto Swim Senko, a Gary Yamamoto Lizard, or a Net bait baby paca craw. My best colors will be the greens, browns, and pumpkins with chart. dyed tails. I will fish these with a quick retrieve over the top of grass beds located in 2 to 6 feet of water. This will be a great search tool to find those active fish in certain areas of the grass. Some good baits to catch a few extra fish in the grass will be a Gary Yamamoto Senko or Kut Tail worm. I will fish both of these Texas rigged with no weight or wacky style with a small insert weight inserted into the worm. I will fish these bait’s a little slower in the same areas to pick up fish behind the fast moving plastics I was throwing first. I will stick with the same colors for good results. For those looking to catch the fish of a lifetime now is the time to break out those Strike Work Tackle Wood Jigs and work the edges of the creek channels located in 2 to 14 feet of water. My best size is a 1⁄2 ounce in the colors of blue bruiser or watermelon/red with a matching Gary Yamamoto Craw. Flip and pitch your way up and down the creeks working every piece of cover very good for some great toad catching action. For that deep water action tie up a Carolina rig, a drop shot, a swim bait, and a 6 inch spoon for some good action. Turn on your graph and start graphing those deep waContinued on page 10 Photos courtesy of Jimmy Everett’s Guide Service Open: Mon - Fri 10 to 5 Sat 10 to 4 Exclusive figurine $13.95 with $30 purchase (While supplies last) CLIP COUPON AND RECEIVE $5 OFF! Receive $5 off your next Yankee Candle® product purchase of $20 or more! Special Offer Valid 09/15/07 - 10/15/07 903-474-9150 410 E. Lennon Emory, Texas Hwy. 69 South We’re ready for the Ber kle y Tour nament with large selection of Ber kle y baits and line! Selection of two protected Boat Ramps. Newly remodeled hotel and trailers with satellite television! Fully stocked tackle and bait store including bait room kept at 67 degrees to provide the healthiest minnows possible A Brewer Lake Fork Estates, Inc. Property locally managed by Mark Perkinson (903) 765-2385 Just off FM 17 and CR 1550 195 PR 5551 Alba, TX 75410 “The Little Paper With Big Bass Results” Lake Fork Area News - 9 “Your Lake Fork Area Connection” WATERFRONT REALTY 903-474-2031 800-413-5200 [email protected] www.c21waterfrontlakefork.com 9967244 - AWESOME WATERFRONT. 4 bedrm, 3 bath, 1/2 ac lot, mature trees, large leaseback, gourmet kit, river rock fp, huge sunroom, wood/slate/carpet flrs, 200+ ft of shoreline. 3300+ sq ft of beautiful living area. Need to see! $374,500 9966772 – CLOSE TO LAKE FORK on 3.61 acres. 3-2 with detached gar/workshop. Has subdivision boat ramp to Lake Fork. Very nice 2001 manufactured home with 2016 sq ft, 2 living areas, split master & big kit has lots of cabinets. $138,000 9961939 – LOG HOME ON 3.3 AC. 3-2 with a 30x36 det gar/workshop, A/C, bath & attached 30x30 carport & a 15x20 stor building. Beautiful open Kit with loads of counter space, big liv area with wbfp, dining $265,000 area & split master. 9963853 FISHERMAN’S DREAM! 3-22 on 2.4 secluded acres of waterfront. Large wbfp, lots of glass doors & windows, cov’d porch, large trees, det gar/workshop, boathouse with big enclosed room, pvt boat ramp & great view. Only $248,000 9966207 – WATERFRONT LOT already has a 2 slip boathouse with extra long extended pier. Trees, located on very good deep water on Little Mustang Cove, utilities at road, good building site, on .500 acre with lrg leaseback. $110,000 9954627 – AWESOME VIEW from this 34-3 with huge sunroom . Beautiful hardwood, tile & carpet. Master has huge bath. Attached worshop/gar. Lots of trees, landscaping, 2 slip boathouse with enclosed room, open water. $387,500 9964466 – WATERFRONT LOT. Large lot has single stall boathouse with pier. Treed shaded lot has electric & water meter in place. Good area of custom homes, open water, paved road. Jon boat trolling motor, mower, etc will stay. $107,500 9961563 - FISHERMAN’S PARIDSE close to Lake Fork. 2-1 on 1.65 ac is a perfect getaway. Great open liv, kit & din. Custom cabinets, corner fp, stained concrete flrs. Huge walk-in shwr. Upstairs is loft. Public bt ramp 3 mins away. $143,500 9964473 CLOSE TO GOLF. Great large pie shaped lot full of large trees. Good water and is in subdivision of nice homes & close to Land’s end golf course. Level lot with great building site, utilities at road. Need to see this one. $95,000 9946617 – COMMERCIAL ACREAGE at the corner of FM 515 & FM 2946. Prime location on 2 heavy traffic roads at Lake Fork. Excellent area for just about any business adventure you choose. Approx 3 + acres. Rare opportunity. $99,000 9968261 – GREAT FIND in subdivision with boat ramp to Lake Fork. 2 bedrm, 2 bath, det gar & attached cp. Large split bedrms, scored concrete flrs, utility has desk area, granite counter tops in kit. 24x24 insulated $169,900 shop with A/C. 9968449 - JUST LISTED. Beautifully remodeled 3 bedrm country farm home on 1.4 ac, additional 8 ac available. Top of hill setting with plenty of room for horses etc. Living has fireplace, country kit, front porch & huge trees in front. $125,000 *9965243– 3-2 MANUFACTURED HOME in Lake Fork area. This property sits on 3 acres with creek running & trees across back. Partially fenced . $45,000 *RV LOTS IN GATED COMMUNITY. Several waterfront & interior lots for sale in White Oak Shores. Sub has boat ramp, pool & rec area. Affordable great get-away,CALL for more information. *9962310– GREAT HOME ON 29.28 ACRES. 3-2 mini ranch, 2 barn’s fenced & cross fenced, spring fed tank. Nice rolling land with some trees. Cute home has some updates & nice rooms. $179,900 IF YOU DON’T SEE WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR IN THIS AD, PLEASE CALL, WE HAVE OTHERS TO CHOOSE FROM. WE WILL SHOW ANY PROPERTY THAT IS FOR SALE IN THE AREA. 10 - Lake Fork Area News “The Little Paper With Big Bass Results” WHY HUNT TEAL Teal are the smallest of the duck species that follow the ancient route of the Central Flyway each year. They are a ‘stop over’ waterfowl that are here today, gone tomorrow. The season to hunt Luke Clayton them is short in Texas: September 15-30 in the majority of the state and September 15-23 in the High Plains. With such a short ‘iffy’season, a non teal addict might ask, why hunt them? For those of us that enjoy the sport of duck hunting, there are many, many reasons for getting up well before dawn in hopes of being ‘buzzed’ by a flock of teal attracted to the ‘peep, peep’ from our teal whistle and a well placed decoy spread. Ask most serious duck hunters why they hunt teal and the reply will be something like “because they give us an early, warm weather opportunity to duck hunt.” I can add a few more very good reasons: teal usually decoy well, making them great birds for the beginner waterfowler to hunt and, when wrapped with bacon and slow smoked over hickory wood, they are one of the tasty of all the duck species. To my way of thinking, only the wood duck and mallard come close to the excellent flavor of smoked teal breasts. Continued on page 12 FOR SALE Building, lot, and merchandise. Call Charles Land 903-765-2312 Bass Boats & Pontoon Boat Rentals During Season Mon. - Fri. 8am to 5pm •Set-up & Leveling • Deck Building • RV & Boat Washing & Detail Are you looking to buy Lake Fork Real Estate? Who is representing you? Contact Jill Russell today for information regarding Buyer’s Representation the swim baits or spoon in a shad or chrome patter through the middle of the school. The best methods I have found are the count down or a cast past the fish and try to bring it through them. I Still have some October and November dates open for those wanting to get out on the water for some excellent fall fishing here on Lake Fork. I also have gift certificates available for all occasions. If you have any questions or would like to book a trip, give me a call at 903-216-1867 and I will be happy to help you out. Good luck on the water and be safe, Guide Jimmy Everett Fun-N-Sun Boating Centers, Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits, Strike Works Tackle, 2M Coatings, SDMI/ Snagfreelures, www.fishinlakefork. com On the square in Alba East side of Broadway Full Line of V.F.M. feed Jill Russell, Accredited Buyer's Representative Specializing in Buyer’s Representation “All Your RV Needs” 903-765-3209 4340 N. FM 17 Alba, TX 75410 800-657-3156 Continued from page 8 ter humps, points, ridges, and roadbeds in 20 to 35 feet of water. Look for the bass, barfish, and or shad grouped up in small areas. Once these are located it’s time to break out the tackle. For the fish near or on the bottom, pick up the rig or the drop shot. My best baits for the rig will be a Zoom Super Fluke, a Zoom Baby Brush Hogg, or a Gary Yamamoto Lizard and once again in the green, browns, and pumpkins with chartreuse dyed tails. Work these baits slowly along the bottom with short pauses for most of your bites. The fish are mainly feeding when found like this, so the bites tend to be easy to feel. If the fish you find on your graph seem to be bunched up off the bottom, such as suspended fish, try throwing LAND HARDWARE & FEED Mon. - Sat. 7am to 6pm Complete RV Service & Repair Fishin with Jimmy Everett Sackrete 80 lb bag $3.55 Floating Fish Food $12.75 JILL RUSSELL REALTY 903-765-2523 146 N. Osborn St. (FM 17) ~ Alba, Texas 75410 Jill Russell, Realtor Broker/Owner [email protected] ePro; ABR; GRI JillRussellRealty.com Full Line of Coronado Paint-can be custom matched to your satisfaction LARGE SELECTION OF LAWNMOWER BLADES 903-765-2312 Owner: Charles Land “The Little Paper With Big Bass Results” Lake Fork Area News - 11 FEATUREYantis OF THE MONTH $119,000 Lovely Traditional Style Home Within Easy Walking Distance Of The Church, School, Bank, Post Office, Restaurant, Etc. House Is Well Maintained And Is Move In Ready. Breakfast Bar, WBFP. Open Patio. Only Minutes From Lake Fork And Convenient To Area Shopping Centers. MLS 9967996 Herb Hampton ED UD ECL S Holiday Villages $79,500 Well Kept 3/2 home with 1400 SF. Relax And Enjoy The Fresh Air On Your Porch. 9965974 Eloy Garcia Yantis $179,000 New 2 Story Waterfront Home. Nice Loft / Fireplace. Large Covered Porch. 9963198 Chuck Hall Dream Hills $249,500 Lovely 2 story Cedar Home. Completely Fenced. Features A Hot Tub And An Above Groung Pool. 9963768 Chuck Hall Holiday Villages $79,000 3/2 Mobile Home, 1344 SF. Nice Starter Home Located In A Gated Subdivision. 9962685 Eloy Garcia Quitman $165,000 Well Maintained 3/2 Doublewide Located off Hwy 154. Waterfront. Large 20 x 60 Workshop 9968742 Eloy Garcia Yantis $140,000 13.25 Acres Of Pasture Land And Hardwood Timber. Barbwire Fencing. 9968109 Eloy Garcia Yantis $15,000 3 Acres Heavily Wooded. Located on CR 1917. Close To Lake Fork. 9932759 Herb Hampton Yantis $125,000 Commercial Business Located On Hwy 154. Store Sells Snacks, Artificial Bait. Live Bait. 9932956 Herb Hampton Shumate Shores $ Various Several Waterfront and Non Waterfront Lots Available in This Nice Quite Subdivision. Chuck Hall Arrowhead Est $ Various Waterfront and Non Waterfront Lots Available. Nice Area for Weekend or Permanent. Herb Hampton Fiddlers Green Yantis Several Lots Available. Some Waterfront. Nice Quiet Gated Community. $20,000 - $52,000 Chuck Hall NT RO ERF T WA Holiday Villages $70,000 Beautiful Waterfront Lot. Enjoy Fishing And Relaxing In Your Own Back yard. 9964855 Eloy Garcia 12 - Lake Fork Area News WHY HUNT TEAL Continued from page 10 Here is a ‘teal primer’ for newcomers to hunting these beautiful little speedsters of the marsh. Hopefully some of these tips will help make your teal hunt a success in the next few weeks. SCOUT FIRST- When teal find the right conditions in the northern half of Texas, they often spend a few days before continuing their migration south to the Texas coast. Some migrate into Mexico and Central America. Scouting is a must in order to find concentrations of birds. Teal prefer shallow water only a few inches deep, either still or slow moving. They will flock to areas with falling water where mud banks are exposed, exposing small crustaceans and insects along the receding waterline. Primary migration routes each ~Since 1984~ “The Little Paper With Big Bass Results” fall include major river drainages but teal will often fly up feeder creeks and tributaries in search of good areas to feed. When scouting for teal around my home, where there are many abandoned sand and gravel pits, I search out areas in the backwaters where creeks or ditches enter the ponds. Find shallow water with exposed mud along the shore and you are in prime teal habitat. Keep looking these type areas over until you find a concentration of birds. If you are hunting teal on larger watersheds, concentrate your scouting in the back of coves around feeder creeks. Once I locate birds, I back out of the area and don’t return until I plan to hunt. Then I pack in a dozen or so teal decoys well before daylight and make quick blind from natural vegetations such as bull rushes or shoreline weeds. Large decoy spreads are not necessary when hunting ‘peeps’. Many teal hunters downsize their shot size to #6 or even #7.5 shot non toxic shot. Steel is cheaper and preferred by most teal hunters. Shotgun chokes should be improved cylinder and definitely nothing tighter than modified. Most shots are teal are close, inside 30 yards as the birds work decoy spreads. Open chokes are the name of the game. Many teal hunters use the same upland shotguns they use when hunting quail or pheasant. Of course, there is often good numbers of teal present during the regular duck season but then, they are taken as an ‘incidental’ harvest when shooting mallards, gadwall or widgeon. To experience teal hunting at it’s best, plan a hunt during the special early season. A GOOD TEAL RECIPE: Marinate teal breasts in Zesty Italian salad dressing over- teal. They are usually easy to decoy. The trick is to set your spread in an area where passing teal can spot them. EQUIPMENT FOR TEAL HUNTING- Lightweight chest waders or hip boots will suffice on a teal hunt. The heavy, insulated waders need for the later duck season will be much to hot for late September. Calling can be helpful at times but it’s not always necessary. Teal are real suckers for decoys and they will usually come buzzing in once they spot what they think is a flock of their kind feeding on the water. I have found a motorized decoy such as the Mojo Mallard works well to attract teal. I have heard that the rotating wing dove decoys are also lethal for teal. If the birds ‘hang up’ and you feel you must call, use a mallard hen call and give a five noted ‘lonesome hen’ call, or using a teal whistle, give four or five night, then grill over hot coals until done. Baste occasionally with melted butter. Or, wrap marinated teal breasts with bacon and smoke until done. Teal breast, cut into strips and seasoned with fajita seasoning, make excellent fajitas. Chicken fried teal strips are also very tasty. To insure a good flavor, teal should be placed on ice as quickly as possible after harvested; temperatures are usually warm in late September. The Dallas Duck Unlimited Banquet is scheduled for Thursday, October 4 at Eddie Deen’s Ranch 944 South Lamar, Dallas. Doors open at 5:30 pm.; dinner at 7. $100 per person (includes dinner, open bar, and one-year membership. For more information, call 214372-3825 or online at www. dallasducks.org Listen to Luke Clayton’s Outdoors Radio Show at www. catfishgold.com SARTIN MARINE ~Since 1984~ 2008 Models In Stock Why Buy Used, when you can SAVE more on new boats All 2007 Models At REDUCED Prices 2008 21XRD 300 XS Mercury www.sartinmarine.com HWY 154 N I-30 Sulphur Springs FM 1567 FM 514 FM 515 Quitman S SARTIN MARINE • DEALER SINCE 1984 AUTHORIZED SALES - SERVICE & PARTS • Three Certified Technicians On Staff IN RT INE A S AR M 290 FM 1567 West • 8 Miles South of Sulphur Springs off Hwy 154 FINANCING AVAILABLE 903-383-7726 OPEN: TUES. - SAT. “The Little Paper With Big Bass Results” Lake Fork Area News - 13 SAVE THOUSANDS OFF MY ORIGINAL BELOW BOOK PRICES N.A.D.A HIGH RETAIL VALUE $33,290 My Original Price: $29,900 SALE PRICE: NOW $25,900 THIS BOAT IS LOADED!! FEATURED BOAT 2003 Skeeter ZX250 2003 Yamaha 250 EFI EXCELLENT CONDITION SAVE $2,200 2000 Javelin Renegade 19 DC Evinrude 175hp EXCELLENT COND. Old Price $14,500 SALE: $12,300 SAVE $2,700 SAVE $2,600 2002 Alumicraft Navigator 16’ 2002 Yamaha 60hp EXCELLENT SHAPE Old price: $10,500 SALE: $7,900 ASK ABOUT EXTRAS SAVE $2,000 2005 Sea Fox Mercury 150hp LIKE NEW New Trolling Motor LOW HOURS Old Price: $19,500 SALE: $17,500 SAVE $2,000 2000 Javelin F/S Venom17’ Johnson 115hp SAVE $2,000 1999 Avenger C. C. 18’6” Yamaha 115hp SOLID BOAT Old Price $10,500 SALE: $8,500 SAVE $1,200 2002 Voyager 20’ Pontoon Mercury 50hp Restroom Old Price $10,900 SALE: $9,700 Old Price: $35,500 SALE: $32,800 EXCELLENT CONDITION Old Price $10,300 SALE: $8,300 SAVE $1,600 2000 Crest 25’ Johnson 90hp NEW SEATS & CARPET Restroom-Sink Old Price: $13,500 SALE: $11,900 SAVE $1,400 NEW ARRIVAL 2006 Bullet 21XD Mercury 250 XS VERY NICE! N.A.D.A. Value $32,715 Old Price: $29,900 SALE: $28,500 2003 Xpress X54 2003 Yamaha 60hp Hummingbird 987C (cost $1,999.99 new) VERY NICE RIG $10,100 2005 Gambler 2100 DC Mercury 250XS N.A.D.A. Over 40K NOTHING RIDES LIKE A BULLET 2008 Bullet 21XRD Mercury 250 XS UPGRADES!!! 5OK plus boat LOADED!!!!! $47,500 NEW ARRIVAL 1999 Gambler 2200 DC 21’7” Mercury 225 EFI Lowrance X15 LOADED $17,995 SEE ALL BOATS IN COLOR AT WWW.BOBSBOATBIZ.COM 903-383-5055 290 Farm Road 1567 W., Yantis TX.Just 10 minutes to “Lake Fork” CALL US AND WE WILL GIVE YOU THE EASIEST WAY TO GET HERE 14 - Lake Fork Area News “The Little Paper With Big Bass Results” Micheal’s Marine Boat-Motor Repair Service SERVING LAKE FORK ---- LAKE TAWAKONI And Surrounding Areas Fisherman, why haul your boat to the shop for repairs? If your boat malfunctions and you don’t have time to get it repaired, call us. WE MAKE HOUSE CALLS! We come to you. NO HASSLE, NO WORRY. Most repairs can be made at your location. SERVICES WE OFFER • We come to the boat and repair it on site if possible. • We are a complete repair service from motor repair to boat and trailer repair. • We offer 48 hour repair in most cases. • If your boat is in storage, we offer a call ahead service to make sure your boat is in working condition when you get there. • We have a consignment service to help you sell your boat or to find you one to buy. • We buy and sell good used boats. Our technicians are factory trained and certified by OMC, Mercury/Mariner and Mercruiser. Is your boat broke? Don’t leave it tied to the dock! CALL MICHEAL’S MARINE REPAIR (903) 383-3406 [email protected] MC/VISA ACCEPTED www.lake-fork-guides.com A.J.’S FISH HOUSE 5375 N. Hwy. 17 903-473-4198 Call Today To Schedule Your Special Event! ALL YOU CAN EAT BUFFET Southern Fried Catfish “With All The Fixin’s” Fried Shrimp • Boiled Shrimp Chicken Tenders • Hush Puppies & Fries Dessert Included • Menu Items Available Catering Available OPEN: Thurs., Fri. and Sat. 4:00 to 9:00 PM Sunday 11:00 to 2:00 • B.Y.O.B. • NO WAIT • SEATING FOR 400 • PLENTY OF PARKING • PRIVATE BANQUET ROOM • SENIOR CITIZEN DISCOUNTS ON MUSTANG COVE LAKE FORK TX A Fresh New Place to Stay on Lake Fork All cabins beautifully nestled along the waterfront FREE NIGHT Stay for 3 nights, pay for 2 New reservations only Good September 1, 2007 thru January 31, 2008 1 & 2 bedroom cabins/bunkhouse fully furnished with full kitchens or kitchenettes & Direct tv. Boat launch and fish cleaning station. 100 foot fishing pier with boat hook-up 3434 N. FM 17 2 Miles S. of 515 on FM 17 Email: [email protected] Website: www.bigmouthlodge.com 903-765-4422 • 877-260-4422 Lake Fork Area News - 15 “The Little Paper With Big Bass Results” 2002 Chevrolet LT 2500 2001 Chevrolet Silverado LS Z71 $13,900 Ext Cab Short Bed 4x4 White Stock# 1544 $18,500 2004 Ford F250 XL HD Crew Cab Short Bed Diesel White Stock# 1623 $13,900 2005 Ford F250 XLT 2005 Dodge Neon SXT 4 dr, 4 cylinder $7,950 2003 Honda Civic LX 4 dr Sedan Dark Blue $9,800 2004 Ford Expedition XLT SUV 4 Dr Silver $13,900 2004 Dodge Intrepid SE 4 dr Sedan White $6,950 2006 Ford Focus ZX4SES 4 dr Sedan, Black $10,800 Stock# LD SO 2004 Chrysler Sebring Limited 2 Dr. Coupe, Black $10,900 2004 Jayco Featherlight LGT, 29 ft Travel Trailer $14,500 $18,500 2006 Chevrolet LT LOW MILES $17,800 Super Duty Crew Cab Long Bed Powerstroke Diesel 4x4 White Crew Cab, Short Bed Maroon ONE OWNER! 2002 Honda 750 Shadow $3,950 2002 GMC Savana SLT Regency 1500, 8 Passenger Van $11,900 1980 Camaro Race Car, Full Cage all Chromoly $9,500 $21,800 Stock#1613 Super Duty Super Cab Short Bed 4x4 White Stock# 1597 Super Crew (4dr) Short Bed, Black Stock# 1584 2002 Ford F150 XLT Eugene Edwards Used Cars 2006 Ford F150 LXT LOW MILES Super Crew, Short Bed, V8 White ONE OWNER! $21,500 Stock# 1606 2004 Dodge SLT Stock# 1603 Q-Cab Dually Lone Star 600 Edition ONE OWNER! $22,900 1946 Ford Convertible $37,500 2006 JohnnyPag "Spyder" Chopper $3,495 To view more vehicles VISIT US ON THE WEB: www.edwardsusedcars.com 2002 Honda 750 Shadow 211 Gilmer$3,950 Street, Sulphur Springs • 903-885-1236 “The Little Paper With Big Bass Results” 16 - Lake Fork Area News Bow season opener at hand Luke Clayton With whitetail archery season on the horizon (opener is September 29), we bow hunters are making last minute plans to arrow that mossy horn old buck or fat whitetail doe. I plan to begin the season in a ladder stand strapped to an isolated oak tree situated on a little spot of whitetail heaven.. The “work” part has all been done, thanks in large part to my two bow hunting buddies that live close to the property. Stands are set; feeders have been slinging a mixture of corn and peas for several months. We even supplement the deer’s nutrition with high protein feed. A couple of trail cameras strapped to trees tell the story: there are some bruiser bucks in the area and they are still running in bachelor groups. In a month or so, when the hormones begin to flow and rut begins, these “good old boy” bucks will break away and actively pursue does in estrus. When this annual breeding ritual begins, the whitetail herd, especially the bucks, can be likened to dominoes being shuffled. The bucks abandon their pre rut patterns that were so easy for we bow hunters to decipher a few weeks earlier. For the first few weeks of archery season, the bucks will be in pre rut and much, much, easier to pattern. Their daily habit of traveling from bedding areas to staging areas to feeding areas will remain almost as constant as the Polar Star. I like hunting bucks during the rut but I LOVE the pre rut when things are a whole lot more pre- BENT TREE MOTEL 903-473-0061 381 LENNON DRIVE HIGHWAY 69 NORTH EMORY, TX. 75440 CLEAN SPACIOUS ROOMS FISHERMEN ALWAYS WELCOME Family Owned & Operated Since 1975 C & M BUILDING SUPPLY (903)765-2770 - 765-2773 fax:765-9045 ALL BUILDING MATERIAL F0R NEW & REMODELING DOWNTOWN ALBA Mon - Fri 7am - 5pm • Sat 8am - 12noon MEMBER OF LAKE FORK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE dictable. The invention of the trail camera has revolutionized the way many of us hunt whitetail and educated a bunch of us ‘old’ hunters as to when deer truly are up and moving. Granted, the moon does play a big part in predicting when to be on stand. Ive learned this, through osmosis if nothing else, after hunting deer more than four decades. When the moon is shining brightly, it’s a good bet that deer hunting will be best during the first thirty to forty-five minutes of daylight; when the deer are heading back to their staging and bedding areas to digest the food they spent the night eating. Close scrutiny of our Bushnell trail camera proves that, when the moon is bright at night, deer bed up earlier in the morning but, they are often back up feeding around mid day. Hunters that remain on stand during mid day often harvest the biggest bucks in their camps. I have a real problem with setting all day in a deer stand. I can stay put until around mid morning but by 10:30, I’m ready to head back to camp and enjoy a cup of coffee. I just HAVE to be on stand well before first light, regardless the moon phase. When hunting during a full moon, I am convinced hunters like myself would do better to sleep in and get in their stand around 10 in the morning and stay put until early afternoon, then head back to camp, relax and get back on stand in time to catch the deer when they get up to feed during late afternoon. We that love to hunt deer with archery tackle are sticklers for practice. All aspects of good shooting form are per- fected through practice. Its one thing to pick up a center fire rifle that’s properly been sighted in once every month or so and achieve accuracy. Shooting a bow is different. The muscles in the back and arms used to draw a bow are usually not used in other endeavors. Shooting regularly is the only way to keep these muscles strong and to prefect the skills of settling the sight pin on the proper spot and releasing the arrow. Even if you have not had time to practice much lately, you have plenty of time to get ready for the opener. Shoot as often as possible and make sure and practice from positions you will encounter under actual hunting conditions. If you will be hunting from a tree stand, make sure and spend plenty of time shooting from elevated positions. Know where to place that sight pin under every conceivable angle and distance that’s practical. AFTER ARROWING OVER 60 HEAD OF BIG GAME ANIMALS THROUGH THE YEARS, HERE’S A FEW TIPS THAT LUKE CONSIDERS IMPORTANT: MAKE POSITIVELY Continued on page 17 Emory Self Storage GATED ENTRY 10x10 Climate Control 10x10 & 10x20 Ins.Top Also Available: 5x8 • 8x15 • 10x12 Highway 69 South 410 E. Lennon, Emory Tx. 903-474-9150 903-348-5300 “The Little Paper With Big Bass Results” Deadline nears for Big Time Texas Hunts 2 AUSTIN, Texas — Some of the finest hunting anywhere in the country can be found within Texas borders, and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Big Time Texas Hunts offer hunters a chance to experience the best of the best. The Big Time Texas Hunts program offers the opportunity to win one or more top guided hunts with food and lodging provided, as well as taxidermy in some cases. The crown jewel of the program is the Texas Grand Slam hunt package, which includes four separate hunts for Texas’ most prized big game animals — the desert bighorn sheep, white-tailed deer, mule deer and pronghorn antelope. There are several quality whitetail hunt packages available, as well as opportunities to pursue alligator, exotic big game, waterfowl and upland game birds. Entries for the Big Time Texas Hunt drawings are $10 each and are available wherever hunting licenses are sold or by phone (800) 895-4248. More information about the hunts, as well as purchases online, is available at (http://www.tpwd. state.tx.us/dreamhunts/). There is no limit to the number of entries an individual may purchase, and entries may be purchased as gifts for others. Purchasers must be 17 years of age or older. The deadline to apply for this year’s Big Time Texas Hunts is Oct. 15, two weeks earlier than in previous years to give the winners more time to prepare for their trips. The Big Time Texas Hunts generates hundreds of thousands of dollars each year, with proceeds dedicated to providing more public hunting opportunity and to funding wildlife conservation and research programs in Texas. * http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/ huntwild/hunt/public/btth/ Bow season Continued from page 16 SURE YOU KNOW WHICH PIN TO USE AT EVERY DISTANCE FROM 5 YARDS OUT TO YOUR MAXIMUN SHOOTING RANGE (USUALLY AROUND 30 YARDS) KNOW WHERE TO SET YOUR SIGHT PIN FROM ELEVATED POISTIIONS, AS WELL AS GROUND LEVEL. CONSIDER SETTING ONE SIGHT PIN DEAD ON AT 25 YARDS. ON MOST MODERN BOWS, THIS SETTING WILL SUFFICE FOR A ‘CENTER OF SHOULDER’ HOLD ON GAME FROM POINT BLANK OUT TO 30 YARDS. MAKE SURE AND Handyman Services 903-383-7891 USED & RECONDITIONED REELS QUALITY SERVICE SALES & SERVICE OF SHIMANO SCORPION REELS Small or Large Jobs Lawns Inside and Outside Jobs Garage Cleaning Household Jobs Odd Jobs Don Coley 903-382-3535 Call me for those “Piddlin Jobs” Ardent Reels & Lubes (made in the USA) Joe Armold Lake Fork Area News - 17 CHECK YOUR POINT OF IMPACT AT ALL DISTANCES. WAIT 30 MINUTES BEFORE TAKING UP THE TRAIL. THIS CAN BE TOUGH TO DO BUT IT’S THE BEST POLICY TO AVOID SPOOKING GAME. The Dallas Duck Unlimited Banquet is scheduled for Thursday, October 4 at Eddie Deen’s Ranch 944 South Lamar, Dallas. Doors open at 5:30 pm.; dinner at 7. $100 per person (includes dinner, open bar, and one-year membership. For more information, call 214-372-3825 or online at www.dallasducks.org Luke is on the Mathews Bows Pro Staff and loves bow hunting. Listen to his outdoors radio show at www.catfishgold. com Lake Fork Area News 903-885-7223 Email: Yantis, Texas http://ets-systems.com/reelrepair [email protected] Lake Fork Resort On the web www.lakeforkareanews.com 5004 N. FM 17 Alba, Texas 75410 800-230-4367 • 903-765-2987 lakeforkresort.com Email: [email protected] 27 ROOM MOTEL • RV PARK Motel & Park Have Access to Swimming Pool & FREE High Speed Wireless Internet ANNUAL SITES AVAILABLE GAS • CONVIENCE STORE • BOAT RAMP • BOAT SLIPS • GUIDE SERVICE • RESTAURANT • PLAYGROUND AREA • TACKLE • FISHING LICENSE Hwy 69 Emory 1/2 Block West of Brookshires 903-765-2322 • Treated Drinking Water 25¢ (bring your own container) • Best Value in the Area • 16 Lbs in a Bag or 20 Lbs in Your Cooler All For $1.25 • Open 24/7 • No need to drop bag on ground to separate cubes 18 - Lake Fork Area News “The Little Paper With Big Bass Results” Stan Kuhn’s Lake Fork Catfish Report By Stan Kuhn-Catfish Gold Pro Staff So far September has been a tough month for me. I’m not going to lie and tell you I’m catching a ton of fish because I’m not. The fishing has been tough all month for me. I guess the catfish took the month off for the McDonald’s tournament. Thank god that has come and gone. Let the lake settle down from all those boats in the McDonald’s tournament. There were more boats on the water than Bass Pro Shop has in their inventory. I got to work on the Live Release Boat that was donated by The Lake Fork Sportsman’s Association. Which now my wife Carol and I are members. I got to learn how to fizz the bass that were in bad shape and floating in the tanks, due to air in their bladder. By sticking a needle just off to the side of their throat, you release air bubbles thru the needle for about 5 or 6 seconds underwater, so the air releases out of his bladder. 99.9% of the bass we did this to survived to live another day. I was impressed to see all of the bass that survived the tournament. There were 37 bass over 24 in. that were brought in that broke the previous tournament record of 27. All of the big ones over 24 in. were able to make it thru the Live Release Boat. As I was telling you how tough September was on me, I still have managed to catch 142 catfish for the month with 1 week to go as of this writing. Last September was my best month of the year for catfish with 275 coming in to the cleaning table. On Sept. 1st,2nd, and 3rd Joe Axton of Axtons Bass City invited some Military Men from Ft. Hood to come to Lake Fork and have a good time. Mr. Axton really did a fine job of doing what he did for those men. He took care of them for 3 days, all weekend long he showed them a good time. Joe asked for volunteers to take these men fishing. I had previously booked a fishing trip on the 1st, so I couldn’t help out on Saturday. Gary Penny from Lake Fork Baptist Church donated his time on Sat. and I came and took 3 of the military personel out on Sunday. My neighbor , Glen Smith who is an ex-marine wanted to use his pontoon boat so we could get more on board. We had a tough morning of fishing. They missed at leat 10 to 12 fish that were just a little quicker than we were. We still put 14 in the ice chest that weighed 28 lbs. We all had a good time and Joe Axton made sure we all were’nt hungry. Thanks Joe for taking care of us during that Labor Day weekend. I’m still catching some catfish out in 32 ft. of water, and also up in 27 ft. of water. The weather has still been warm and the water temp. is still 82.5 degs. It should start cooling down soon and that will cool the water down. I think the catfish will turn back on in October. I’m still doing the same thing with baiting out some holes and fishing with Danny King’s Punch Bait. You can order this a www.dannykings.com and they will ship it to you. Hopefully the catfishing will get HOT as the water starts to cool. I just added a 21 ft. Pontoon boat to my business and now can fish 6 to 8 people on a trip. If you would like to go out and catch some catfish and have a good time, please give me a call at 903-383-2921. Until next month, be safe and catch a lot of fish. Fred and Lagene Howard and Carol Kuhn with a good catch of catfish with guide Stan Kuhn. Chris Russell from Ft. Worth with a good catfish caught on 9-22-07 with guide Stan Kuhn. Mark Pennington and Guide Stan Kuhn with 23 catfish that weighed in at 40 lbs on 9-3-07.. John Hagar from Dallas with a nice catfish caught on 9-607 with guide Stan Kuhn. John also caught 14 Black Bass that day. Mark Pennington from Keller, with a nice catfish caught on 9-3-07 with guide Stan Kuhn. Soldier Ronald Husa from Ft. Hood with a nice catfish caught with guide Stan Kuhn on 9-2-07. “The Little Paper With Big Bass Results” Lake Fork Area News - 19 Toyota Texas Bass Classic The 100 contestants, all of whom are qualified members of the PAA, will be arranged in four-man teams for the Tournament’s first two days on Friday and Saturday, with five of those teams qualifying for the finals on the Tournament’s third day. The four-man teams will consist of two pairs of anglers, one pair fishing in one boat for four hours each morning and the other pair in the afternoon. “Toyota is thrilled to be on board again with this tremendous event and to be able to support TPWD and its efforts,” announced Toby Hynes, President, Gulf States Toyota. “It is great to put the spotlight on Lake Fork but even better to see the positive impact that this event has on the programs sponsored by TPWD.” Through the TTBC, the TPWD will receive a $250,000 donation that will be used to benefit their first-class youth fishing and outreach programs. “The focus of these programs is to expose kids and non-traditional users to the great fishing and the conservation of the TPWD’s Freshwater Resources upon which good fishing depends,” said JC Fassino, President, Texas Bass Classic Foundation. In the Toyota Texas Bass Classic, all fish caught above 14 inches will be weighed and the top five caught each day credited to each angler. Fish will be weighed in the boat by a certified and independent observer, and then returned to the lake immediately. This avoids having fish held in live wells for long periods of time and will set precedence on how fish are to be handled in future professional bass tournaments. Contestants will be allowed to keep one fish larger than 24 inches, which will be weighed at the lake-side weighin scales, then turned over to TPWD for proper handling and release back to the lake. The Tournament’s format is designed to appeal to spectators, and includes a kids’ area with outdoor activities, live music and a Jumbotron showing continuous action to the audience. Morning and afternoon weigh-ins will assure high levels of activity during the day. While half of the anglers are on the water fishing, the other flight of anglers will be on shore giving clinics, signing autographs and interacting with the public. A fishing industry expo will feature instructional seminars and the latest in fishing equipment, gear and accessories. In 2007, over 27,000 people attended the events at Lake Fork over the course of the Pro-Am and TTBC tournaments. An hour-long national network broadcast is scheduled for the event. The 2007 Lucchese Toyota Tundra Big Bass Award went to angler JohnSappington for his largest Tournament catch, weighing in at 11 pounds 2 ounces. The big catch earned him a custom pair of Lucchese Boots, Stetson hat and a Lucchese edition Toyota Tundra truck. The Toyota Texas Bass Classic is sanctioned by the Professional Anglers Association with technical assistance and support from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Inland Fisheries Division. Title sponsor for the event is Toyota. Continued from page 1 VISIT US ON THE WEB www.lakeforkareanews.com Bob Harwell from Greenville and son-in-law Roy Rhodes from Sugarland Tx. With 23 catfish that went 46 lbs. caught with guid Stan Kuhn on 9-4-07. 22-07 with guide Stan Kuhn. UNIT MAKE NO Chris Russell and Rene Simone from Keller, Tx. With some nice catfish caught on 9-22-07 with guide Stan Kuhn. Call Today To Place Your Ad In The Lake Fork Area News 903-885-7223 Lake Fork Open Door Church If the fish ain’t biting, why not go to Church 1 mile East on 182 toward CR 1560 Sign on road All Welcome • All Ages • Non Denomination Services: Sun. Morning 10:00 Sun. Evening 6:30 Wed. Evening 6:30 Rev. Randy & Debbie Bohannan Dewayne Bishop - John McDonald 903-765-2601 Call Today To Book Your Trip On Lake Fork Jimmy Everett’s Guide Service 903-598-2505 www.fishinlakefork.com MODEL UPGRADES “The Little Paper With Big Bass Results” 20 - Lake Fork Area News BIG JERKS Striped bass and hybrid stripers get big and bite hard - and you can find them in a lake near you. By Larry D. Hodge Steve Hollensed powers the 9-foot, 8-weight fly rod forward, and the black head of the shooting taper line rockets through the guides, gobbling up the yellow loops of lighter line coiled at his feet. The blue-andwhite bucktailed deceiver fly plops onto the surface of Lake Texoma, floating briefly before the weight of the tungsten in the head of the line drags it down. Hollensed lets the fly sink to the bottom 15 feet below, then begins to strip line as he jiggles the rod tip. A member of the mass of striped bass we can see clustered beneath a ball of baitfish on the fish finder decides to eat and picks the wrong victim. Fish on! A few minutes later, Hollensed releases the fish and explains why he routinely does what many people think can’t be done. “When I started fly-fishing for stripers on Lake Texoma, people told me you couldn’t catch them on a fly,” he says. “But fly-fishing for striped bass is very popular on the East and Guide Stan Kuhn and Jackie Steward from Ft. Worth with a nice mess of catfish caught on 97-07. Jim Pollack and son John Pollock and friend Richard from Dallas with a good mess of catfish on 9-1-07 with guide Stan Kuhn. Lake Fork Fisherman’s Cove Marina 2712 N. FM 17• Alba,Texas 75410 903-765-2943 • 888-818-3675 email: [email protected] www.ets-systems.com/fishermanscove PRIVATE CLUB (FREE MEMBERSHIPS AVAILABLE) Kevin Bacon from Dallas. 11.25 pounds, 25.25 inches long. DAILY SPECIALS FROM 4:00 to 7:00 Domestic Longnecks $2.00 Well Drinks $2.00 16-oz. Draft Beer $1.50 “The Only Waterfront Resort on Lake Fork That Has a Restaurant And Club!” We Have It All... Restaurant • Sports Bar/Private Club (with FREE Memberships available) • Motel • Boat Storage • RV Park • Guide Service • Game Room • Extended Boat Launch • Tackle • Boat Slips • Convenience Store Our Sirloin, Ribeye & T-Bones are Certified Angus Beef 903-765-2943 10% Senior Discount (60 +) 1-888-818-3675 3 miles S. of FM 515 on FM 17 or 2 miles N. of Alba on FM 17 West coasts. I’d caught a lot of stripers on live bait and lures, and I wanted to try something different.” Conditions could hardly have been worse the April day we spent on Texoma. A strong north wind raised 3-foot whitecaps on the open water, and torrential rains only days before had washed what seemed like half of West Texas into the lake, creating a stunning contrast between red, muddy water and isolated pockets of clear, green water. Fortunately, clear water and ar- KARAOKE Tues., Fri. & Sat. NIGHTS eas protected from the wind by striped bass program for three islands or shoreline go together, decades. “Striper eggs have so we are able to find fish and to remain in suspension long enough to hatch, about 48 hours, catch them. “Even though most of so they like rivers with a lot of the stripers have gone up into the flow. And since they are marine river to spawn, there are always species, they also like water that some resident fish in the lake,” has high salinity.” Only three rivers in TexHollensed explains. “During this time of year, avoid muddy water. as are known to have the right The fish will range through the conditions for stripers to reproold river channels and gather on duce in the wild: the Brazos, the flats and points next to the river Trinity and the Red. Almost all channel. You can also find some the stripers and hybrids caught in the backs of creeks.” We do in Texas are produced in TPWD find stripers in Mill Creek, along hatcheries using female stripers with largemouth bass, small- taken from below Lake Livingsmouth bass and pairs of spawning ton Dam. TPWD brought the first spotted gar. “One of the things I stripers into Texas in 1967 and like most about Lake Texoma is stocked them into lakes Navarro the diversity of species you can Mills, Bardwell and Texoma. fish for,” Hollensed says. Striped bass, like Later, biologists learned to hysalmon, live in the ocean but Continued on page 22 move into freshwater rivers and streams to spawn. “As far as Photos courtesy of we know, they go to the same Jimmy Everett’s place annually to reproduce, like Guide Service salmon,” says Roger McCabe, a retired Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Inland Fisheries biologist who headed the Texas Lake Fork Area News 903-885-7223 VISIT US ON THE WEB www.lakeforkareanews.com J.R. Simpson Office 800-254-7541 Fax 903-763-4487 Hm 903-383-3324 Cell 903-850-3324 EMAIL: [email protected] Lake Country On the web at c21lakecountryrealty.com Farm & Ranch, Commercial, Residential, Rural Acreage, Lots and Land ASK ME ABOUT FREE BUYERS AGENCY AND FREE MARKET ANALYSIS OF YOUR PROPERTY “The Little Paper With Big Bass Results” Lake Fork Area News 1669 CR 3502 Sulphur Springs, Texas 75482 J C Outdoors Tournament Lake Fork Area News - 21 Photos courtesy of Jimmy Everett’s Guide Service 903-885-7223 Email: [email protected] Visit Us On The Web: www.lakeforkareanews.com J C Outdoors 2007 fall Lake Fork team tournament trail TOURNAMENT DATES SEPTEMBER 8, 2007 SEPTEMBER 29, 2007 NOVEMBER 10, 2007 DECEMBER 1, 2007 DECEMBER 29, 2007 JANUARY 19, 2007 NO ENTRY FEE CHAMPIONSHIP FEBRUARY 23, 2007 Boat Safely $150.00 TEAM ENTRY INCLUDES BIG BASS 85% TOTAL PAYBACK PAYING 1 PLACE PER 5 ENTRIES $10.00 OF EACH ENTRY TRANSFERS TO NO ENTRY FEE CHAMPIONSHIP SAMPLE PAYOUT 40 ENTRIES 1st.....$2000.00 5th.....$250.00 2nd.....$800.00 6th.....$200.00 3rd.....$450.00 7th.....$175.00 4th.....$350.00 8th.....$150.00 1st Place Big Bass.........$200.00 2nd Place Big Bass..free entry..$150.00value Transfer to championship fund $400.00 Mark Howard-214-773-5451 www.basintips.com/jcoutdoors/ Echo Publishing Company, Inc. www.lakeforkareanews.com Commercial Printing Division Quality Printing at a Low Price Typesetting, Layout & Other Services Available 903-885-0861 FAX: 903-885-8768 401 Church St. News-Telegram Building. Sulphur Springs 22 - Lake Fork Area News BIG JERKS Continued from page 20 bridize striped bass and white bass, which are closely related. The fish that result from crossing white bass males with striped bass females are called hybrid striped bass or hybrid stripers and have been stocked into more than two dozen reservoirs across the eastern two-thirds of the state. Striped bass can be found in about half as many reservoirs, including Amistad, Buchanan, Livingston, Possum Kingdom, Tawakoni, Travis and Whitney. (Information on where to find stripers and hybrid striped bass and how to fish for them can be found at www.tpwd.state.tx.us/ fishboat/fish/recreational/lakes) Ironically, TPWD can’t take all the credit for the outstanding striped bass fishery in Lake Texoma. “Oklahoma stocked the first striped bass in Texoma in 1965,” McCabe points out, and “The Little Paper With Big Bass Results” Texas has not stocked stripers into the lake since 1985. However, natural reproduction maintains a strong year-round striped bass fishery in Texoma. “Post-spawn stripers act just like ocean fish and quickly move to the main lake,” says Hollensed. “The big females go all the way to the dam and can’t go any farther - and they’re hungry. They disperse over the lake to flats and points where they can find shad. That’s when the big schools begin making runs on top.” Topwater action intensifies in July and August. “This is a fantastic time to catch them,” Hollensed exclaims. “You can catch them on top and below the schools. It’s fast, exciting fishing.” Fall striper action varies with the lake condition. “When the lake turns over, it’s rough on fishing,” Hollensed says. “But right before the turnover, when the first few fronts come through, is a great time to fish rocky points and shallow flats adjacent to deeper water. After the lake turns over, schooling action will often resume in the major coves. You can often stay on one school all day, because they don’t move as fast. The school will begin at the mouth of the cove and slowly move all the way to the back as the stripers follow the shad.” In winter you’ll also often find stripers in the backs of coves. Hunt ’em and Hook ’em Stripers and hybrids are voracious, aggressive feeders, and finding them is often the key to catching them. Ken Milam has been guiding for stripers on Lake Buchanan for 26 years, and he knows how to hunt ’em down and hook ’em. We’re within sight of Buchanan Dam with 10 poles baited with live gizzard shad 5 to 6 inches long resting in rod holders around the boat. Kurt Hintze, Scott Johns, Milam and I watch the rod tips for the jiggle that means a striper is menacing the bait. “That front pole is nervous - they’re under us right now,” Milam says. He shows me jagged lines on the fish finder left by stripers running through the baitfish. But they’re not biting. “They’re just not ready to eat yet,” Milam says. He picks up his binoculars and spots birds diving into the water a quartermile away. We head that way. It’s pandemonium. The water boils. Fish fly through the air, mingling with birds diving into the melee. Ken eases the boat into casting range, the school of feeding stripers stretching a hundred yards on either side of us. Hintze and Johns step to the front of the boat and cast, Kurt a Rat-L-Trap and Scott a Top Dog. Both hook up immediately. As soon as a lure hits the water, a striper grabs it. I’m torn between taking pictures and catching fish, so I do some of both. Fish after fish flops aboard. Milam is catching fish, too, and he’s not even fishing he’s just dangling a lure in the water while removing a tangle from the line. “I’ve run about 400 trips so far this year, and this is one of the best if not the best,” he says. We can’t argue. In less than an hour we all have limitsand sore thumbs from taking fish off the hook. “This is how I measure a successful fishing trip,” Hintze jokes, holding up a thumb raw from striper tongues. Ray Williamson also guides on Lake Buchanan, and like Milam he’s a believer in live bait for stripers. “Bigger bait Continued on page 23 McKenzie Lake Works “Adding Beauty and Value to Your Property” All Aluminum Floating & Stationary Boat Docks Lifetime Warranty Maintenance Free Steel/Wood Docks, Pier, Decks, Fences, Retaining Walls Remodel and New Construction Ph.#1 903-356-2300 Ph.#2 903-269-6173 E-Mail [email protected] www.aluminumboatdocks.com BIG JERKS “The Little Paper With Big Bass Results” equals bigger fish,” he says. Williamson uses yellow-tailed and gizzard shad he catches with a cast net well before daylight in the backs of coves. We let the wind drift us across schools of fish with rods set in holders. Typical of striper fishing, there’s no action for a while, then bam-bam-bam, rods bend and stripers go on ice. “Don’t set the hook on a striper, just reel,” Williamson advises. “Setting the hook hard can rip it right out of their mouth. For the same reason, keep pressure on the fish when reeling it in, and always use a net to land it.” When birds don’t guide you to stripers feeding on the surface, look for travel routes the fish use when moving around the lake following shad. Williamson proves that works by picking a spot on a flat beside the river channel where an island on one side and the shore on the other form a funnel. It’s a natural fish pass, and we catch stripers there, though the school is moving and we only have time to land a couple before they’re gone. Lake Belton offers similar spots for hybrid stripers, and guide Darrell Nowlain is an expert at finding them. “The river channel has lots of brush, and if you fish there, you’ll get hung up,” Nowlain says. “The hybrids come out of the river to feed, then go back into the deeper water. I anchor or use the trolling motor to fish humps and flats with 4- to 6-inch gizzard shad. If you use smaller bait, you’ll catch white bass. I key on hybrids - they are very fast-growing, aggressive fish. Put a 4- or 5-pound hybrid up against a striper, and the hybrid will out-pull it. I call them white bass on steroids. They will tear up light tackle. Many people can’t get to the coast to fish, and this is the closest you can get to coastal fishing without going there.” In March and April, Nowlain chases the birds, following the top-water action. “At that time the water temperature is in the high 60s, right at the point where the fish are going to go down and suspend,” he says. “They move out of the river and feed on the flats. The shallow water warms quicker, and that’s why the shad are there, and where they are is where the stripers will be. In spring they will bite anything you put out there - popping lures, lipless crankbaits, topwater lures.” Using live bait, you will catch stripers, but you may also catch a surprise or two. Hybrid striper fishing with Nowlain, Zoe Continued on page 24 Ann Stinchcomb reels in an Continued from page 22 Lake Fork Area News - 23 LAKE FORK LAND Less Than $100 Per Month Waterfronts Lakeviews R.V. • MOBILE HOME • CABIN Owner Financed Gated Entry Central Water • Sewer HOLIDAY VILLAGES Hwy 154 Military Group from Ft. Hood Ronald Husa, Ricky Yates, John Colwell, Guides Glen Smith and Stan Kuhn with a mess of catfish caught on 9-2-07. 903-878-7263 24 - Lake Fork Area News “The Little Paper With Big Bass Results” BIG JERKS Traders Village Storage 903-763-2248 LOCATED HWY. 37 S. QUITMAN, TX. WHY PAY MORE Get 1 Month FREE with 6 Month Paid up Contract 5x10 - $25 10x10 - $34.77 10x18 - $39.99 10x20 - $49.97 12x30 - $115 Deposit - $25 CLIMATE CONTROL 7.5x10 - $95 11x15 - $115 Continued from page 23 eight-pound catfish and a similar-size largemouth bass. She doesn’t complain. On lakes Calaveras and Victor Braunig, guide Harry Lamb hunts for stripers using downriggers baited with a silver spoon with a yellow feather or a chartreuse 3-inch grub. Lamb monitors his fish finder constantly to see what depth to set the downriggers. Sometimes a big red drum takes the bait instead of a striper. “In March, April, May and June, you can sit off Dead Tree Point and wait for them to surface, then throw top-waters,” Lamb says. “They will hit just about anything when they are chasing bait on top. Other times, fish the hot water discharges from the generating plants using live bait, chicken livers, spoons, grubs or Rat-L-Traps. Fish where the water is moving.” Bob Holmes holds the lake record for striped bass on Richland-Chambers Reservoir (15.3 pounds), and his favorite way to catch them is during what he calls a boil, early morning schooling action on the surface. At other times he uses binoculars to find feeding birds and goes to them. There are two kinds of angling: fishing and catching. Much to the delight of those who fish for them, stripers and hybrid stripers fall into the second category. No matter where or how you fish for them, stripers and hybrid stripers offer fast-paced action followed by excellent eating. “Many people think stripers aren’t good to eat, but all you have to do is cut out the strip of red meat that runs down the center of the fillet,” says Ken Milam. Stripers may be big jerks, but they behave quite nicely on your plate. Striper Specialists • Steve Hollensed (903-546-6237, www.flywaterangling.com) • Ken Milam (325-379-2051, www.striperfever.com) • Darrell Nowlain (254-405-2500, www.centraltexasstriper.com) • Ray Williamson (512-825-8746, www.raysstriperguideservice.com) • Harry Lamb (210-633-2801) • Bob Holmes (214-728-3310, bobholmesguideserviceonrichlandchambers. com/) • Stocking information (www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/fish/management/stocking/) For more Texas Parks & Wildlife stories, visit www.tpwmagazine.com. To subscribe, call 800-937-9393. NOW is the time to join the Lake Fork Area Chamber of Commerce. Be a part of a new direction! We must All work together for the bright future of our Lake Fork Community. Please visit our web site at www.lakeforkchamber.org to join or you may join by sending your $50 membership check with the follow information. Your name Business Name Address City, Zip Phone # Email Address Web Site Mail to: Lake Fork Area Chamber of Commerce 297 County Road 1559 Alba, Tx 75410 “The Little Paper With Big Bass Results” Magnolia RV RVs & Trailers (Parts & Supplies) 1018 E. Hwy 154 • Quitman, TX 903-763-4477 FEATURING CHEROKEE TRAILERS BY FOREST RIVER CARDINAL 5TH WHEELS BY FOREST RIVER GREAT TRAILERS FEATURING ROCKWOOD TRAILERS BY FOREST RIVER Lake Fork Area News - 25 Early season hunting at the Circle T Luke Clayton I knew an old timer when I was a kid that said his health was always better in the fall. The older I get, the better I understand what he meant. With the promise of cooler temperatures comes the long awaited opener of teal season later this month, then comes the bow season opener, then quail and then...and then, there are more things to do in the outdoors than most of us can possibly find the time to enjoy but, I do try! I spent the past couple days in northeast Texas near Commerce at the Circle T Bowhunting Ranch, the guest of owner Kenneth Tallent and manager Lewis Duncan. My buddy Richard Chrisman joined me for a short hog hunt and to test some new wild hog attractant we have been working on for a long time. We had an absolute ball getting away for a couple days. The weather even cooperated with temperatures a bit cooler and a little late afternoon rain. Richard managed to shoot his first wild boar, a good eater that weighed about 145 pounds. The hog came in to the attractor ‘paste’ that we had smeared on a tree within easy shooting range of our two tripod stands situated in the boughs of a big cedar tree. I was setting on the side of the tree opposite Chrisman with the camera and spotted the approaching hogs first. The instant the scent from the paste reached their finely tuned nostrils, they threw their heads up to get a better smell, then they came straight to the tree with the paste. Lewis Duncan used some of the paste in conjunction with corn to bait a hog trap on the place and the next morning, we were rewarded with a very aggressive little boar that was lured to the sweet/sour smell of the paste. I was also scouting for whitetail during the hunt. I’m making plans to be in one of the stand situated along the Middle Sulphur River come opening day of bow season. The bucks were just beginning to rub the velvet from their antlers and I saw several big 8 pointers, as well as a couple of real “wall hanger” 10 pointers with velvet strips hanging from their antlers. A couple of the mature 8 pointers would have easily scored 130 PY. I’m always amazed at how quickly bucks get rid of the velvet from their antlers each fall; the task is often accomplished within a 24 hour period. While hunting the Circle T late this past winter, I noticed several mature 8 point whitetail bucks coming in to the corn feeder I was hunting. The ranch is offering 4 day guided bow hunts to reduce the overabundance of 8 pointers this season for $1,200, which includes lodging. To learn more about hunting the Circle T Ranch, contact Lewis Duncan at 972-814-4440 or online at www.circletbowhuntingranch.com . I am eagerly awaiting the openContinued on page 27 GREAT PRICES SUPER PRICES ON ALL LENGTHS AND DESIGNS CONTINENTAL CARGO TRAILERS BY FOREST RIVER www.magnoliarvsales.com John Colwell, Ronald Husa, Stan Kuhn, Glen Smith, and Ricky Yates with some nice catfish caught on 9-2-07. Joe Axton put up 9 soldiers from Ft. Hood that weekend. 26 - Lake Fork Area News “The Little Paper With Big Bass Results” A little R&R at Axton’s Bass City AXTON’S BASS CITY Full Service Marina On Lake Fork Nine members of the Combat Aviation Brigade of Fort Hood took advantage of Joe Axton’s offer of a little R&R Labor Day weekend. Axton is offering three nights lodging, meals, a fishing guide for two days, and a ride to and from the airport, all free, to any U.S. military personnel serving in Iraq. “We will do this ‘til they stop shooting at us or we run out of money,” Axton said. The soldiers heard about the R&R from their 1ST who read it in an article in the Dallas Morning News. There have been numerous stories in newspapers, on the internet and even on NBC Nightly News about Axton’s generosity. Many military personnel have taken advantage of this opportunity and there are more to come. “This is very appreciated, I have never experienced anything like this. In my 17 years in the service, this is the first time anyone has ever gone this far. It’s awesome, just awesome,” Rich Davis commented. During a hamburger cook-out September 1, in honor of the soldiers, Axton was given patches, coins and a certificate of appreciation for his kindness. For more information, to book a trip, or to volunteer please call 903-473-7224 or toll free 1-877-525-4698. 903-473-7224 or Toll Free 1-877-525-4698 STAY WITH US AND WIN! WIN $5000 FOR CATCHING (NEW STATE RECORD BASS) FROM LAKE FORK Current Record - 18.18 WIN $1000 FOR CATCHING A 13 LB OR LARGER BASS FROM LAKE FORK Joe Axton is #1 with these soldiers. • 30 Room Motel/Lodge • 4 Duplexes •Five - 30’ RV’s For Rent (1600 sq. ft. Suite For Groups) •Color TV’s • Restaurant •Fina Gasoline •Camping • RV Hook-Ups •RV Annual Leases • Restrooms & Showers •2 Easy Access Boat Ramps •Dry Boat Storage CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE www.axtonsbasscity.com - email: [email protected] FM 2946 - SW Side of Bridge (2 Miles north of FM 515) 2959 FM 2946, Emory, TX.75440 OWNED AND OPERATED BY ANGLERS FOR ANGLERS WE RECCOMEND ONLY PROFESSIONAL GUIDES WITH YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WE SPECIALIZE IN NIGHT FISHING Joe Axton and Kevin Voldarski shown with gifts given to him by the Combat Aviation Brigade. Patches, coins and a certificate of appreciation for Joe’s hospitality. Hunting at the Circle T Continued from page 25 er of teal season later this month and even have a couple of make shift blinds constructed from switch cane and weeds on the shores of some gravel pits near my home where I enjoy hunting ducks each fall. Blue wing numbers are up this year, according to early reports from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife biologists. Teal “The Little Paper With Big Bass Results” hunting is a ‘here today, gone tomorrow’ sport. The little birds often stop off for a day or two in north and central Texas while in route to the coastal marshes around the Coastal Bend, where they are often congregate in astounding numbers before continuing their migration. Many teal winter along the Texas coast, making for great shooting dur- ing the later duck seasons. I have found teal extremely easy to decoy and get within shoot range. Often a few ‘peep peep’ calls from the teal whistle is all it take to get their attention and have them buzzing your decoy spread. In flight, teal sound like miniature jet planes and appear to be flying faster than they really are. The biologists say mallard actu- ally fly faster than teal but prove that to a flustered teal hunter that has just been “buzzed” by a flight of teal! My long time buddy guide George Rule checked in last week and said the hybrid striper and stripers were on a great early morning bite at Lake Tawakoni. The fish have been schooling early around isolated humps and Lake Fork Area News - 27 points in the mid to lower lake. Live shad is always a good bait choice but 4 inch Sassy Shad in pearl or chartreuse will also get you bit. Rule suggests making long casts past the feeding fish, then hold the rod tip high and work the baits back through the fish just under the surface. Guide George Rule can be reached at 214-202-6641. Lake Fork Area Chamber of Commerce Members www.lakeforkchamber.org Advertising - T’s & Hats JLG Advertising 194 Private Road 5225, Quitman (903) 878-2112 Art and Antiques Alba Art & Antique Show & Sale 200 Jones Street @ Katy, Alba (903) 765-2684 Awnings Sun Setter Awnings 921 W. Hatton St., Grand Saline, TX (214) 236-3322 Banks City National Bank Yantis (903) 383-2250 Community Bank Sulphur Springs (903) 885-9444 First National Bank of Emory 170 E Quitman St, Emory, TX (903) 473-2611 Wood County National Bank Quitman (903) 763-4545 Boat Lifts & Marine Cypress Lifts & Marine Inc. 6945 Hwy 115, Scroggins (903) 860-3077 Boat Sales & Service Bob’s Boat Biz Yantis (903) 383-5055 Diamond Sports Marine Yantis (903) 383-7829 Boat Rentals J & J Marine & Boat Rental 9747 West FM 515 (903) 474-3497 Building Supplies C&M Building Supply Alba (903) 765-2770 Cabinets Ellis Cabinets 122 S. Broadway, Alba, TX (903) 765-2620 CPA William C. Webb Jr. 2556 FM 275, Emory, TX (903) 473-2450 Collection Agency Construction Companies Roger Frank Construction CO. 498 RCR 3346, Emory, TX (903) 473-1451 Convenience Store - Gas Star Mart 4080 FM 515 (903) 473-3315 Custom Home’s Burnett Construction Co. Inc. Yantis, TX (903) 383-7624 Lee Knight Custom Homes 605 PR 5990, Yantis, TX (903) 383-2520 Custom Rod’s Ron Jones Custom Rods 357 County Road 2267, Mineola (903) 569-0457 Custom Angle Rods Mineola, TX (903) 383-3410 Electrical Contractor Humphrey & Associates, Inc. 4898 W. State Hwy. 154, Yantis (903) 383-5058 Fishing Guides David Strahan Lake Fork Guide Service Alba (903) 383-2029 G & G Guide Service Yantis (903) 383-7636 J & M Guide Service Greenville (888) 454-7037 Joe Chancey Guide Service Rowlett (972) 951-0818 Lake Fork DSP Guide Service Emory (903) 474-0508 Lake Fork Guide Services Como (800) 533-7047 Lake Fork Outdoors Guide Service Alba (903) 780-6595 Wendell Moon Guide Service Emory (903) 473-3193 Fishing Tackle Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits, Inc. Mineola (903) 569-1441 The Tackle Factory 3205 North FM 17 (903) 765-3398 Golf Lake Fork Golf Course 252 PR 5937, Emory 903-473-3112 The Links at Land’s End 285 PR 5980, Yantis (903) 383-3290 Golf Carts Carts To Go Quitman (214) 673-1313 Hobby’s Goodtimes Hobby, Inc. 9403 West FM 515, Alba, TX (903)473-8028 Insurance Watkins Insurance Group Mineola (903)569-5115 Investment Heavey Enterprises, Inc Emory (903) 473-2614 Lake Maps Martin’s Map White Oak (903) 297-8780 Lighting Consultants Created Moonlight 921 W. Hatton St., Grand Saline, TX (214) 236-3322 Lodging (Also see Marina’s) 15 Acres Retreat - Bed & Breakfast Quitman (903) 967-3529 Best Western Trail Dust Inn Sulphur Springs (800) 980-2378 Big Mouth Lodge 3434 N. FM 17, Alba (903) 7654422 Comfort Suites Sulphur Springs (903) 438-0918 Corry’s Cabin 266 CR 1973 (903) 383-7062 Corry’s Guest House 266 CR 1973 (903) 383-7062 Jordan House 266 CR 1973 (903) 383-7062 Lake Fork Cabins Alba, TX (903) 765-2324 Sonny’s Place Alba, TX (903) 765-2956 Thee Hubbell House Bed & Breakfast 307 West Elm St., Winnsboro,TX (800) 227-0639 Trophy Lodge 2784 West Hwy 154, Quitman (903) 878-2277 Marina’s (Also see Lodging) Legend: G=Gas L=Live Bait M=Motel R=Restaurant RV = RV Park T=Fishing Tackle Fisherman’s Cove M-R-RV-T 2712 N. Hwy 17 (903) 765-2943 Lake Fork Lighthouse Resort G-MR-T 2825 N. FM 17 (903) 765-3605 Lake Fork Marina G-L-M-R-RV-T 275 CR 1558 (903) 765-2764 Lake Fork Resort G-L-M-R-RV-T 5004 N. FM 17 (903) 765-2987 Martin’s Fishermans Inn M-RV 2933 West Highway 154 (903) 878-2137 Minnow Bucket Marina G-L-MR-RV-T West Highway 154 (903) 878-2500 Mustang Resort M-RV-T Hwy 17 (903) 765-2548 Miscellaneous Bob & Barbara Williams Alba, TX (903) 765-4486 FEC Electric Greenville (903) 455-1617 Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce Sulphur Springs (903) 885-6515 Mineola Supply Mineola (903) 569-3612 Quitman Heritage Foundation PO Box 767, Quitman, TX 75783 (903) 763-2701 Sabine River Authority 353 PR 5183 (903) 878-2262 Sulphur Springs Department of Tourism 1220 Cessna Drive, Sulphur Springs, TX (903) 885-5614 United States Postal Service 240 West Holley St, Alba, TX (903) 765-2390 Mobile Fish Aquarium The Fish School Alba (903) 765-9996 Newspaper The Fisherman’s Guide, News You Can Use Yantis (903) 383-7748 Lake Fork Area News Sulphur Springs (903) 885-7223 Pest Control Lake Fork Pest Control Alba, TX (903) 765-2860 Real Estate & Acreage Century 21 First Group Yantis (903) 383-2000 Century 21 Lake Country Quitman (903) 763-2216 Century 21 WaterFront Realty 5200 FM 515 (903) 474-2031 Coldwell Banker United, Realtors 4615 FM 115 (903) 473-1003 FarmAndRanchForSale.com PO Box 972, Emory, TX 75440 Jill Russell Realty 146 North Osborn, Alba, TX 75410 (903) 765-2523 McCarty Real Estate 9454 Landmark Plaze, Frisco, TX (972) 743-5926 Prudential Preferred Properties of Lake Fork 8525 West Hwy 515, Yantis, TX 75497 (903) 383-3530 RE/MAX Lone Star Realty 4100 West 515, Emory (903) 473-1000 United Country Turn-Key Properties Sulphur Springs (903) 466-9651 Restaurants AJ’s Fish House 5375 Highway 17 (903) 473-4198 East Fork Highways 515 & 154 (903) 3837008 Moser’s Restaurant 271 CR 1558 (903) 765-2087 Pee Wee’s Pit Stop Cafe 3589 West State Hwy 154 (903) 383-7112 Tameraria’s Mexican Restaurant 4185 W. Highway 154 (903) 383-7056 Texas Grill 5353 N. FM 17, Alba (903) 4732127 The Place on The Lake (The Pizza Place) 9371 West 515, Alba (903) 473-0000 RV Parks Indian Creek RV Park Quitman (903) 447-2274 Chaney Point RV Park Alba (903) 765-2264 Lakeside Cove RV Park 5210 N. FM 17, Alba (888) 7652614 Sports Graphics R & D Sport Graphics Custom Embroidery 470 RS CO 3445, Emory, TX (903) 474-0508 Sportswear S & A Sportswear Quitman, TX (903) 763-2191 Trolling Motor Sales, Repairs, Parts On-Site Service 246 CR 1558 (903) 765-2019 Yellow Pages Your Town Yellow Pages, LLC 2996 County Road 3880, Mineola (903) 857-2456 28 - Lake Fork Area News “The Little Paper With Big Bass Results” ATTENTION BUILDERS! I Can Sell Your New Home, Call Me For Details SECLUDED HOME IN QUITMAN 4.577 fenced acres, room for horses or other livestock. 8x12 Storage bldg/wkshop & 40x36 barn w/stalls. Property has running creek scattered w/nice trees & view of pasture. Located 10 mins from Lake Fork & Lake Quitman. $169,900 BRING ON THE HORSES! Excellent hay meadows, tack barns and arena for training. Great location close to City of Quitman. Property is fenced and cross fenced with some pipe fencing and a deep pond. Home is in good shape with huge garage and nice car por t. $349,900 QUALITY CUSTOM HOME This home was previously built by a custom home builder w/quality building materials. New aerobic septic, large open floor plan w/brick fireplace, covered patio, 2 car carport next to 2 car garage. Plenty of room for your boat, toys, etc. Property is fenced w/gate at road. Located minutes to Lake Fork $119,000 LIKE NEW HOME Located close to downtown Quitman in quiet neighborhood. Carpet in bedrooms and living room, ceramic tile throughout the rest. Open dining and living concept. Nice storage room in carport area and storage building in the back yard. Super nice and clean, needs nothing but for you to move in! $85,900 COMMERCIAL WATERFRONT Commercial or residential waterfront property located on Lake Fork w/serious hwy exposure. Any business would thrive here, prime location for a marina, boat dealership or build a custom home (other custom homes in this area). Building is 42x60 w/3 overhead doors already in place. 10,000 sqft slab ready for future expansion. Paved deep water boat ramp at rear of property with a great view. $325,000 HOME ON ONE ACRE Huge living area with large stone fireplace and a 30x50 Monitored security system, new A/C unit with backup gas heat. Good location between Winnsboro & Quitman. Quitman ISD Schools. Buyer to choose al new floofing. $99,900 STORE PLUS STORAGES Formerly a produce stand/store this 40x30 building comes w/ 2-50x40 shop buildings with 2 phase electric, 1 was a welding shop. 10-12x30 boat storages & 10-10x10 mini storages. There is a septic system & 8 acres total with serious road frontage on Hwy 154. $349,900 MOTEL, CAFE & STORE Formerly Fisherman's Landing is just 1 mile to Cooper Lake. Many possibilities! All beds and necessary items in rooms will convey to buyer. 3 bdrm living quarters for owner. Partially fenced w/great stocked pond. $195,000 HOME PLUS 3 LOG CABINS Single wide mobile home with 3 log cabins and 3 pads for more cabins or RV's. Has a great pond, located in a heavily wooded area. Located in good area with excellent exposure on heavily traveled county road. Motivated seller. $224,900 LIKE NEW CONDITION Hardy board home has hardwood & ceramic tile flooring. Fenced backyard overlooks nice pasture, 2 acres. 15 minutes to Lake Fork. Open floor plan w/great eat-in kitchen & formal dining. Attached garage fits most bass boats! $113,900 J.R. SIMPSON Email [email protected] NEW CUSTOM WATERFRONT HOME New construction, custom home located on 1.2 acre + 2.9 acres of leaseback. Ceramic tile, carpet in bedrooms, brick & stone exterior, corner stone fireplace w/gas logs, split bedrooms, crown molding, beautiful light fixtures & a gorgeous open floor plan overlooking the lake. Living room, breakfast room, master bedroom, and one other bedroom have stunning views of Lake Fork. $229,999 Office 800-254-7541 Fax 903-763-4487 www.c21lakecountryrealty.com ASK ME ABOUT FREE BUYERS AGENCY AND FREE MARKET ANALYSIS OF YOUR PROPERTY Level, heavily wooded, waterfront pond lot located in one of Lake Fork's best upscale subdivisions. Boat ramp for owners. Pond is stocked so bring the kids/grandkids and go fishing. $32,900 LAKE FORK CABINS/APTS. Excellent location just minutes to boat ramp on Lake Fork these 6, income producing, cabins are currently rented as efficiency apartments. Excellent rental history with over 5 acres to expand. Property was originally set up for 12-15 cabins. Septic and deep water well will accommodate another 610 cabins easily. Nice piece of property in nice area. Motivated seller is ready to make someone a deal! $149,900 Cell 903-850-3324 Home 903-383-3324 Gorgeous heavily wooded waterfront lot on a beautiful pond inside one of Lake Fork's best upscale subdivisions. Boat ramp for property owners only. Gated, waterfall entrance and all concrete roads. $32,900 Upscale waterfront lot in gated subdivision. Some dredging will be needed for boat access but this lot is ready to build on. Quality builders in area ready to build. Community boat ramp for owners. $37,900 NEW CUSTOM HOME Located across street from Lake Fork on 1.3+ acres. 1,978 sqft of living area w/ceramic tile throughout home, still time to pick flooring for the bedrooms. Tile counters in kitchen & baths. Utility room w/storage space. Stone fireplace & very open floor plan w/vaulted ceilings. Gorgeous level lot located in upscale $199,900 community at Lake Fork Country Club Estates with private boat ramp to Lake Fork and a championship golf course. P r i m e location for $29,500 commercial/residential. Level lot w/nice view of Lake Fork. High traffic area Small acreage everyone is looking for. located across from busy Marina on Sunset Bay is a secluded subdivision Unrestricted so bring your mobile of Lake Fork. Also available, 3 acre on Lake Fork, several lots to choose build your home. Lots of timber Utilities waterfront property next door. Prime from, some with Lake Fork view. $22,900 at the highway. 4.5 acres 2 at $18,900 location for Marina, Motel or RV Park. $49,900 - $27,900. each THREE ACRES WIth BARN This large home has fresh paint and carpet with a huge barn with stalls and has some pipe fencing. Great central location, 5 mins to Lake Quitman and World Famous Lake Fork. Would be a great first time buyers home with small acreage for pets or further expansion of home. $99,999 Excellent level tract of land with approx 700ft of road frontage on Hwy 17. Owner states property produces good hay every year. Could be a great location for subdivision or secluded home with a boat ramp to Lake Fork less than 2 miles away. Mostly fenced with gates, could need repair in some areas. $104,500 Nice level unrestricted tract of land located in highly desired Harmony school district. Conveniently located 15 mins to Winnsboro or Quitman. Just 20 Minutes to Gilmer. Motivated seller says bring all offers, LET’S TALK! $44,900 Wonderful level lot located in restricted upscale gated subdivision. Boat ramp for property owners only. Concrete roads, curbs & gutters. Seller will lease adjacent proper ty to buyer, for horses/livestock. $32,900 Nice level tract of land is secluded with boat ramp to Lake Fork less than 2 miles away. Some fencing in place, additional fencing may be needed to contain livestock. Buyer will be responsible for obtaining easement to property. $12,000 GOLF COURSE LIVING & LAKE FORK Lake Fork Golf Course is Country Club living and is hard to beat. Beautiful custom home located on the golf course just across the street from the lake w/private boat ramp around the corner. Brick workshop, w/golf cart garage. Open floor plan, vaulted ceilings, sound system wiring, decorative lighting, Thermo windows, gas water heater, water filter and a wbfp w/antique mantel. $239,900 Unrestricted lots, some with view of Lake Fork. Build a home or your mobile is welcome. Water and electric at the road waiting for you. Boat ramp to Lake Fork less than 5 minutes away. $14,900 each Farm & Ranch, Commercial, Residential, Rural Acreage, Lots and Land PLUS Hunting & Recreational Properties