Illinois Trout Fishing Tips

Illinois Trout Fishing Tips

The 2014 Trout season was a spectacular one.  Capitol Outdoors went and recorded our adventure at South Wind Park.  You can check it out here (Trout Fishing at Southwind Park Springfield, S2E3) With 46 different sites to choose from in Illinois:  we've decided to go to Gridley Lake in Cass County this year. Below you can see what we use.

Before we show you how to trout fish. Check out the Illinois Fishing Information booklet 2016. This will tell you what you need to stay legal in the field.

Now, lets talk some fishing.  This is all what we recommend.  If you fish for the inland trout what do you use.  Share you knowledge and help people enjoy the great outdoors.  

Rod & Reel:

• We recommend that you use a light or a ultra light rod with six pound test.

Bait:

• For every person who fishes there is another who says that their bait works the best. We use the Berkley Power Bait already in the pellet form.  At the store there is a wide variety of colors to pick from, but we use the redish/pink and the neon green ones. We have found that it's not so much about the color as it is the pellet form. 
• The stores will also sell it in a paste where you are able to make the pellet yourself. But, let us tell you it's really messy and the size never seems to get right. 

Hooks & Weights:

• Size 16 treble hook. These hooks are hard to find so look early. They fit perfectly into the nugget and conceal the hook entirely. This size hook also allows your bait to float. As for your weights we recommend a size 3 or 4. Place the weight 12 - 18 inches from your hook. 

Once you cast into the water elevate your rod onto something and tighten the string, leaving no slack. Sit back and wait for the bites.  Watch for slack in your lines and your rod tip for movement.

Stretching Those Legs

This past weekend, we took Lincoln out for multiple reasons; he needed to explore new things and he needed to stretch those puppy legs. The weather was great and we wanted to get out and check how the lakes in our area we’re doing and Lincoln just couldn’t resist getting in to test the water.

Lincoln has one season of waterfowl hunting under his belt and he still has many things to work on. This season, he retrieved several birds and did so with such determination and drive. This season it wasn’t so much his drive and determination that he needed to work on, but his steadiness in the blind. During those lull moments when there are no birds in sight, all he did was cry out in desperation for that next bird to fall from the sky so he could jump in and get it.

At home, he went from a pup, running around the house barking at anything and everything to a loveable, trainable companion. This coming weekend we will be starting the next phase of our training with Lincoln, getting ready for the next hunting season. We look forward to seeing that drive and determination this upcoming season all while watching him retrieve those birds with wonder in his eyes every single time.

Remember Enjoy the Outdoors Good Luck and Stay Safe -

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5 Tips for Hunting Turkeys

 Everyone has their opinion regarding tips for turkeys hunting.  After hours of research we've come up with our 5 Tips for Hunting Turkeys.

• Research/Planning
• Weather you are a professional or a rookie; you need to do you're research.  Going online looking at maps, forums and other medias will help you come up with your game plan.  You need to visualize the hunt before you go and know where you are going.

• Scout

• Today we live in an online era of technology where information is rapid.  However, to get the Jake into your spread you'll have do some scouting the old fashion way. Get yourself in the hunting mood.  You don't want it to be opening day and not know what your surroundings are.  

•  Pattern your gun
• The reason why most guys miss a turkey is because they didn't pattern their gun.  Get out shoot some rounds and see what your pattern looks like.  We've found that our 20 gauge shoots to the right with the extra full choke in.  Being able to compensate for that will lead to more successful hunts.  

• Camouflage
• Having good camouflage is important to having a successful hunt.  Cover your face hands and stay still.  More important than having expensive camo is matching your surroundings.  If the area you are hunting is still taking its first breath of Spring air don't wear too much greens; instead wear browns. 

•  Calling
• Much like waterfowl hunting you want to practice your calling.  Getting in-tune is critical. If you're not great at calling at least you know that going into the field.  

5 Tips... It could be just as easy to make it 25 tips for turkey hunting.  If you have already searched for tips on turkey hunting and are lost in the how many there are; this list is for you.  When you break it down; these five tips will help increase your odds this turkey season.

Remember Enjoy the Outdoors Good Luck and Stay Safe -

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Hunting Dog Training Tips

Hunting Dog Training Tips

BUZZ, BUZZ, BUZZ its 5:00 AM and the alarm goes off.  Thunderstorms rolled through during the night but you push to get yourself out of bed and turn the alarm off.  You start the coffee maker and let the dogs out.  You get dressed and head off to the training grounds.  That's because you enjoy spending time in the outdoors, not a gym.  You head to that local field with your dogs preparing them for the upcoming hunting season.

It's that time of year where we need to get ready for hunting season.  We are by no means a professional dog trainer, however we do read a lot of articles and watch a lot of videos regarding dog training. We have trained our dogs and feel our methods may help some of you.

• Train Early & Train Often
• You never know what life is going to throw at you on any given day.  By training first thing in the morning you get it out of the way. Also this is good conditioning for you and your dog for those early mornings in the blind.  First thing in the morning, we feel a dogs concentration is highest and other people/distractions are at a minimal.  
• First thing in the morning is the coolest part of the day which will help you to keep heat stroke and other aliments at bay.   Remember that heat will take just as much out of your pup as it does you.  If you don't like training in the heat, why would your pup?  
• Remember your hunting dog is an athlete and you need to get them in shape.  Training everyday is crucial.  Yes, there will be those days that you take off or something has come up; but make it a priority to train your dog daily.  You'll be thankful when opening day comes around. The next several months will go by fast, the last thing you want to do is try and train your dog into shape the last two weeks. We always try to remember that its the bond you have with your pups that is just as important.  

• Have Fun & Make them a part of the family
• In several month your dog is going to be put to the test.  Blind retrieves, doubles, triples; who knows what obstacles you're going to face out there. By having fun before, after and in-between trainings your dog will know that training and retrieving is serious and not to be taken lightly.  
• Not all training has to be about retrieving, take your pup fishing.  While fishing you can work on their steadiness, heeling, and other basic obedience.  
• Our dogs are not just hunting dogs, but they are part of our family.  If we're running into town to pick up a gallon of milk, we take them with. We work them into every minute of our schedule.  We've noticed that when we take them more places they have less tendency to wander off and be stubborn. 

Hunting dogs have an important job in the field. It is our job to train them to fulfill their duties. At the end of the day all they care about is you! You don't want to push them to retrieve that bird without knowing what they are capable of. You won't know that unless you train!

Remember Enjoy the Outdoors Good Luck and Stay Safe -

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