ÿþ<html> <head> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html" charset="windows-1252"> <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css"> <meta name="description" content="Tom Cannon, OUTDOOR-Z.com Outdoor Writer Photographer Outdoorsman"> <meta name="keywords" content="Ducks and Geese Aplenty, Finesse Fishing, Preparing for and out-of-state hunting trip, Ducks Unlimited Great Outdoors Festival June 2004, Hunting Articles, Fishing Articles, Quick Archery Tip, Peacock bass, ultimate gifts for sportsmen,The Full Moon and its affect on Wild Game: part 1 waterfowl and part 2 bass, Deer decoy tactics, Spring Cleaning, Surviving Summer Doldrums"> <title>Outdoor-z: Surviving Summer Doldrums</title> <link rel="shortcut icon" href="images/outdoor-z.ico"> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="css/contractable.cs" title="style"> <!-- All javascript files here --> <script src="jss/contractable.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <script src="jss/menu.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <script src="jss/archive.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> <!-- var self_name = self.name = "Surviving Summer Doldrums"; 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<table border="0" width="90%" bgcolor="#FFF8DC" class="fsx08"> <tr> <td> <table border="0" class="fsx08" width="100%"> <tr> <td align="center"> <table align="center" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5" class="fsx08" width="100%"> <caption class="fsx07" style="font-weight:bolder;">Surviving Summer Doldrums</caption> <tr> <td style="font-weight:smaller;"> By Tom Cannon </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <hr class="menu"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p align="center"><img border=0 src="photos/surviving_summer_doldrums/jack_trout.jpg" height="400" alt="Jack trout"></p> <p align="justify" style="text-indent:2em;">Quite possibly the toughest season for a sportsman to weather is summer. Blistering heat, high humidity, along with mosquitoes, ticks and poison ivy; make it difficult for folks like me to get much done. Nothing feels better than lounging around the house like a fat dog soaking up the air conditioning. Sure the A/C feels good, but not much was ever accomplished inside. Besides there are tons of projects and  chores that need to be completed as well as some fun activities to pass the time before fall hunting season arrives.</p> <p align="justify" style="text-indent:2em;">Typically, one of the first things on my summer  to do list is to go Trout fishing. What better way to get the summer heat off my back than to go somewhere cool? Here in Missouri we are blessed with several cool water streams harboring good populations of Trout. I prefer the rich, frigid, fast flowing waters of Lake Taneycomo near Branson myself. Here at Branson, family activities abound. Besides fishing, there are a couple cool Bass Pro Shop s stores (Branson & Springfield), go cart tracks, music and shows for everyone. Lodging is affordable and varies from budget to all inclusive.</p> <p align="justify" style="text-indent:2em;">There is nothing like being in one hundred degree heat, yet floating downstream on fifty degree water! Nice damp air relieves much of the summer attitude and when that Rainbow or Brown Trout bites, you have absolutely no stress left in your body. Fishing for these Trout can be as simple as tossing out a night crawler or as complicated as matching the  hatch to the proper fly and presenting it in a good roll cast while wading in the crystal clear water. Either way, anglers normally have a great time and bring home a few  bows for the freezer.</p> <p align="justify" style="text-indent:2em;">Of course, what would summer be without a trip or two to the lake or river for some Catfish? Nothing bites better in the hotter months than Cats do. Just about anywhere in the country there is a stream, pond or impoundment brimming with whiskered fish waiting to be caught. Although it is best after dark, plenty of limits are caught during the daylight hours as well.</p> <p align="justify" style="text-indent:2em;">Once I have a mess of fish in the freezer, I can rest easy. Slowly, I begin to casually think about the hunting seasons that are approaching. Do I have all my gear in order? What needs to be repaired or replaced? Are the leases I have still good, or do I need to scout for new locations to hunt? These are just a few of the thoughts that begin to consume my mind as I sip a cold beverage.</p> <p align="justify" style="text-indent:2em;">I like to go through my gear first hand, and take an inventory of what is in poor condition. Then I will watch the upcoming sales and seminars to see what the best replacement is. I always need to do some apparent work on my decoys. Every year they need mending whether it is new anchors or line. Since I switched to the Higdon foam filled mallards I no longer have to inspect them for holes either! These decoys will float even with a .50 caliber hole in them! Awesome is the only way to describe these dekes.</p> <p align="center"><img border=0 src="photos/surviving_summer_doldrums/cameron_cat.jpg" width="400" alt="Cameron cat"></p> <p align="justify" style="text-indent:2em;">Whenever possible I strive to get my retriever some exercise as well. Sometimes Elvis, my daughter and I will load up the Four Rivers Boat and head to the lake. My Lab loves to ride in the truck or boat and never misses a chance to go somewhere. Getting a good swim is just a bonus. Working on multiple retrieves and handling in the water is important stuff and one can never do too much of it. Conditioning your dog to the weather is very important. Keep a close eye on any older or unfit dogs prior to beginning exercise. I always strive for a medium pace so my Lab does not get heat exhaustion or worse.</p> <p align="justify" style="text-indent:2em;">When things get really hot, I head to the basement and check my stash of ammo. How am I set for steel shot? Do I need to pick up some more Fiocchi Speed Steel, Golden Waterfowl, or some of the new Tundra non toxic shells? Making a list is the only way for me, since I always forget if it was a case of #2 or #4 shot I needed and how many boxes of 3 ½ inch goose loads I require for the upcoming season. Be sure to ask, since some stores will offer free shipping for certain purchase amounts or during a specific time period, and this can be a huge savings!</p> <p align="justify" style="text-indent:2em;">Once I have the waterfowl stuff checked off, it s time to hit the bow hunting gear; since I am adding a new sight to my bow that needs to be setup properly. Additionally, I picked up a Fletcher release and need to get used to that as well. Thus I will be shooting my bow as much as the heat will allow. One trick I figured out that helps create some similarity of hunting  is to shoot from an elevated position. I happen to have a deck that sits twelve feet off the ground. Although most of my tree stands are higher, this still helps recreate the angles that a tree stand hunter shoots from. Plus, jogging up and down the staircase imitates the increase in heartbeat that we get when drawing a big buck!</p> <p align="justify" style="text-indent:2em;">I physically check all my stands from last year. Any slight sign of wear on supports or straps and those get replaced. Next I trim shooting lanes if needed and move stands to more productive spots, should that be necessary. Once again, preseason is a great time to buy new stands or gear. All the big outdoor chain stores have Whitetail seminars and sales. I have gotten nice stands for as little as fifty bucks (dollars)!</p> <p align="justify" style="text-indent:2em;">Since I have an emerging new huntress, I have to acquire some new hunting clothing for her. Drake Waterfowl has recently broken into the kid s apparel in a big way. Last season I got my buddy a few items from the Drake Young Guns collection and I plan to add another item or two this year. Unfortunately, kids grow so fast, that it s tough to keep up with the need for new gear! Still, having her properly outfitted in warm, comfortable clothes makes the hunt so much more fun and memorable for both of us!</p> <p align="justify" style="text-indent:2em;">Lastly, I like to check out my truck and ensure it will get the job done this fall. How are the tires, belts or other equipment that I can physically fix myself? A new battery will guarantee an easy start on the coldest of winter mornings and prevent some un-printable words. I get my batteries from Wholesale Batteries Incorporated (see their ad), and I have yet to be let down. These fine folks make and sell exactly what you need for your vehicle, boat, or device. Often they can put a bigger, better battery in your hands for less than a discount store. Plus, they have the knowledge to determine the required load rating for your application and will make sure you get exactly what you need for the job! Heck this is the best place to get new batteries for your  Mojo duck decoy. They are significantly cheaper than the outdoor stores!</p> <p align="justify" style="text-indent:2em;">Obviously, each sportsman has his or her own set of summer doldrums to cure. These are just the minimum that I do to ease my mind and pass the time until the action heats up again in the cooler weather of fall. Make your own list and ensure you are prepared for the upcoming season properly!</p> </td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <hr class="menu"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <table border="0" width="100%" cols="3"> <tr> <td align="center" colspan="3"> <a href="mailto:tcannon@outdoor-z.com" name="mail" onMouseOut="swapImage('emailimg','','linkimages/emaillinktotomcannon_start.gif',1);" onMouseOver="swapImage('emailimg','','linkimages/emaillinktotomcannon2.gif',1);"> <img name="emailimg" src="linkimages/emaillinktotomcannon_start.gif" border="0"> </a> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"> <a href="index.html" class="contract"> <img src="images/leftblur.jpg" width="16" height="12" border="0"> To OUTDOOR-Z.com Home Page <img src="images/leftblur.jpg" width="16" height="12" border="0"> </a> </td> <td> &nbsp; </td> <td align="center"> <a href="#top" class="contract"> <img src="images/upblur.jpg" width="16" height="12" border="0"> Back to Top <img src="images/upblur.jpg" width="16" height="12" border="0"> </a> </td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> </table> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </td> <td align="left" valign="top" rowspan="2" class="dfltt"> <table summary="17"> <script type="text/javascript"> <!-- document.write(advertisementArchiveHTML()); --> </script> </table> </td> </tr> </tr> </table> </div> </body> </html>