Preferring a quiet, inconspicuous life, the American bittern stalks the shallow marshes with deliberate caution, relying more on stealth than pursuit in foraging for fish, crayfish, amphibians, rodents and insects. With reed-resembling plumage, the medium-sized heron often freezes in a cryptic, concealing pose with its head and bill upturned. In the dense vegetation, neither sound nor line of sight travels far, creating a challenge to the solitary birds in breeding season. To reveal both ... [full story]

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - Months of shaping the 2007 Indians reach a conclusion Friday. The team will play its final spring training game in Florida, then fly to Memphis for Saturday's first Civil Rights Game against St. Louis. An optional workout Sunday will be followed by Monday's Opening Day game against the White Sox in Chicago. "These guys have done a good job," Manager Eric Wedge said Thursday. "They've worked hard to get through some ... [full story]

Do you have a youngster who can’t wait to pick up a pole and go fishing?  Then go to St. Louis Ponds near Woodburn, Oregon Saturday, April 7 and let ODFW bring the poles.   The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) is stocking approximately 300 larger rainbow trout ranging from 16-18 inches in addition to over 1,500 legal size rainbow trout as part of the Youth Angling Enhancement Program. The department is also supplying ... [full story]

Clackamas, Oregon - Based on recent catches, sturgeon retention will close at midnight, Wednesday, March 28 on the Columbia River, from The Dalles Dam to the John Day Dam. The retention closure remains in effect through the end of the year.This stretch of the river is managed for a recreational harvest guideline of 100 white sturgeon. Sturgeon retention in tributaries of The Dalles Pool also closes starting at midnight March 28. Catch-and-release angling for sturgeon ... [full story]

Sometimes it seems like the fish you lose are more memorable than the ones you catch. Such was the case on one of my first outings at Lake Billy Chinook several years ago. On the fifth cast toward shore, a big bull trout hit the Rapala and the fight began.   John Garrison with his 14-pound bull trout from Lake Billy Chinook – photo courtesy of Garrison’s Guide Service After several minutes of playing the fish (or ... [full story]

  Tee ball lower for better accuracy – There are two factors that affect how high you hit your driver: club head speed and launch angle.  [full story]

An area of interest that has followed me during my career and one that I feel strongly about is boating safety. When out on the water with family or friends, safety should never be left behind on the dock.  One of the simplest and smartest things that boaters can do is to wear a personal flotation device (PFD) and use a safety stop switch that is a regular feature on most outboard boats. Research continually ... [full story]

With its bright blue back and sweet simple song, the eastern bluebird has long been known as the harbinger of spring: Its return north is always a welcome and cheery sight in the muddy month of March. Watch for its heralded return: The courting male sings and flutters in front of a female, tail feathers spread wide, then perches beside her and attentively preens her. They then assemble a loose nest in an abandoned woodpecker den ... [full story]

For all of golf's traditional trappings, the business that surrounds the sport thrives on innovation. Each year, golf companies such as Callaway, Nike and TaylorMade attempt to come up with new equipment that helps players hit the ball farther and straighter - all within the rigid technological guidelines of the United States Golf Association. The industry has been buzzing about the emergence of the square-head driver, with Callaway and Nike introducing their own versions. The ... [full story]

You know the local lake that you spend all your time fishing? The one with all those houses that line the shore - the houses with all the boat docks? Those docks might be clogged with people loading and unloading boats and having all kinds of fun, but some of the best crappie fishing can be found directly below them at almost any time of year.  So what is it about these docks? It doesn't matter ... [full story]

When fishing a tournament or just for fun at any of the great fisheries we have across the nation, there's undoubtedly more than one way to catch some fish. With that many fish and that many surface acres of water, it's not uncommon to see two different people have great fishing days while doing completely different things. Some people like to cover a lot of water and rush from spot to spot, but I prefer ... [full story]

Are you looking for opportunities to catch trout in local lakes and streams? Then check the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) website for the weekly statewide Trout Stocking Schedule.   The site contains the most current stocking schedule for 2007 in the Northwest, Southwest, Willamette, Central, Northeast and Southeast Zones. Stocking occurs during the week of the date listed.  Anglers in the Northwest part of the state are invited to call (971) 673-6000 and ... [full story]

New Legislation Will Restore Sound Science and Fiscal Responsibility to Federal Salmon Recovery Efforts Representatives of a broad-based coalition of fishing businesses, conservation groups, and taxpayer and energy advocates this week lauded new bi-partisan Congressional legislation that would restore sound science and fiscal responsibility to failing federal salmon recovery efforts in the Pacific Northwest.  Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA) and Rep. Tom Petri (R-WI) introduced the Salmon Economic Analysis and Planning Act (SEAPA) in the House of ... [full story]