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Smiles, beaming from this 14 year old, is not surprising considering she has just caughta state record that may be very hard to top.

Sarah and her step dad Scott Salchli, a guide on Cave Run,holds the monster that so many of us has dreamedof catching, I have wrote a full story about Sarah and her fish of a life time, that I hope will be publishedin one of the national publication, but I had to at lease give our members and readers a quick look at Sarahand the fish that will be talked about for some time to come.

Sarah Terry, a freshman at Montgomery Country High School in Kentucky.Told me that she has been muskie fishing for about a year, and this was her third muskie.
To put this in a little perspective, I have been fishing for 40 years and have caught hundreds of muskiebut I have only caught two in forty years that tip the 50 inch mark, and none of them even broke 40 lbs.

Sarah caught this fish on the second pass of a figure eight at the boat, let me just say, that catching a fish on a figure eight at the boatisn't something as a writer you expect to hear, since this is a fairly experience move for a fisherman, or women in this case, of course Sarah has had instruction from her step father Scott Salchli,a guide that has had his share of big muskie on the line.Salchli, a guide that works for the Toney Grant Guide Service, was all smiles as Sarah told me about her day on the water.

Sarah told me that she caught the fish on a Double Cowgirl spinner bait,she told me that she had been trolling earlier but had decided to cast a while before heading in when this fish make a swipe at her bait at the boat.


On the second pass The monster made a second lunge at the bait connecting this time.. The fight was on!

Sarah managed to get the reel button pushed and the fish made a short run as Sarah turned the reel handle over and set the hook a second time.

After playing the fish a short time it made a pass by the boat and Scott netted the fish.The bait that Sarah was using was a Double Cowgirl, this bait hooked the fish in the corner of the mouth.


Double Cowgirl

This proved to be hooked so well that it took a set of bolt cutter to remove the bait.

Sarah and Scott tried to release the fish but after it was clear that the fish was not going to make it, they only then decided to take the fish in for an official weight.

After going a few places they managed to get it on the scales at Southern States in Morehead Ky, three hours after the fish had been removed from the water, the fish hit 47 pounds even crushing the old record by Scott Flatt of Lexington Kentucky, Scotts fish had weight 44.38 lbs caught in 1998.

I'm not sure whats next for Sarah, but one thing I can be sure of, she will always remember the monsters that swim in Cave Run Lake.

Story By
Chris "Trimmer" Erwin



Christmas in Kentucky



Christmas is on the way and all around Kentucky porches and yards are lit upand glowing, the cold air, and freezing windshields bare witness to the New Year.

The outdoor world may seem to be frozen in time just waiting for the warm winds of spring, but I'm afraid that's some time off and the truth is Kentucky is a state where there is a fish biting three hundred and sixty five days a year, you just have to know where and how.

The Smallmouth at Cumberland and Dale Hollow Lakes are still willing to hit your line. Many Ohio River pools are at their best this time of year, if fishing for Walleye and Sauger is in your game plan. This is just a few examples of many we could talk about, Kentucky is truly bless when it comes to fishing opportunities.

We do plan to bring you articles on some of them, but with Christmas just around the corner I thought this would be a good time to talk about some of the great gear that I have had the chance to test this year.

We have a rule here at Kentucky Angling, we don't give reviews on anything unless you send us one for testing or you donate one or more of your products to KOPA (Kentucky Outdoor Press Association) and I buy it at the annual auction, this year I have some of both to tell you about.

As many of you know, I fish Ambassador reels most of the time and I rarely use anything else, but this year I purchased a Daiwa Magforce "Twitcher" from the KOPA auction, and since I was on the water for three days after the auction, I gave this reel a test that many bass reels will never have to go through in their lifetime.


The Reel was a Daiwa Magforce "Twitcher"
The reel is made in four models two of them are plus models, the reel also comes in left hand models.
The one we tested was the MF 100TSHMegaforce® with Twitchin' Bar™ Features:
Twitchin' Bar™ feature for ultimate finesse fishing and slack line retrieval
Lightweight, free-floating drilled aluminum spool
Five ball bearings, plus two roller bearing
Ultra-fast 7.1:1 gear ratio
Rugged six-point drive train
Magforce® magnetic anti-backlash control
Infinite Anti-Reverse
Soft Touch grips

The reel on the ATV seat is the actual reel I have, I put this reel on a 6 and half foot med heavy rod and spooled it with 40lb Berkley Fire Line "green".

The test was going to be to try and hook a muskie on this rig, a true test for any reel and maybe some would say a little over match since this reel was made for mostly bass fishing.

This is a very good looking reel and fits the left hand nicely when working a bait, in this case a top water "Ripper", a 7 inch topwater bait that weights about an once and half.

The reel took me two casts to adjust the breaks and drag, very quick and easy, the reel cast like hot butter making very long cast with this braided line.

The reel handle is the right size and has nice easy grip knobs that makes it easy to hold on to the handle, one of the flaws I see in some reels are the grips are hard plastic and slick, which makes it easy to loose the handle while using baits like buzz baits or jerk baits, this reel seems to have this under control.

The reel also has a 7.1 to 1 gear ratio, so it picks up a lot of line for its spool size another plus for a topwater rig, and I can tell you this will be my new topwater rig!

The reel has a Twitchin bar feature; I can see where this might come in handy at times working lures where you can add the twitch without lifting the rod or when it come in handy to be able to add the action with one hand. I have to admit, I really didn't use this feature other that to play with it.

I changed lures a few times to see what the reel felt like using crank baits and spinners baits, I was impressed with the easy casting and backlash free session I had using this reel.

After about two hours of using the reel I hooked a muskie, the drag did its job and didn't stick or grab, after some playing the fish came to the boat, not a huge fish but a good test for a reel that was mostly made for bass.



To summarize my feeling about this reel.

I give it 4 ½ stars out of a 5 star rating, the one thing that would have been nice is if this reel had a little larger line capacity, this reel will hold 150 yards of 14 lb test, this is fine for 14 lb test, but I rarely use line that light for bass or muskie using a bait casting rig, if I go down to 14 or lighter I usually go to spinning gear.

All in all this is a great reel for the money, the price point on this reel starts at about $59.00 dollars and $99.00 dollars for the Plus model, if you're looking for good solid reel that is modestly prices you might want to look closer at the Dawia Magforce "Twitcher".

Till next time...

Good Fishing!

Chris "Trimmer"Erwin

The information for this article was provided by On site reporting
Questionscan be directed to: Chris "Trimmer"Erwin



News Briefs:


Kentucky Business Conservation Partnership Award Winners Announced

Frankfort, Kentucky - Three Kentucky businesses recently won Kentucky Business Conservation Partnership Awards for 2008 from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources for their efforts to help manage wildlife on their property.

"Through sound management of our wildlife resources, these three businesses exemplify the goals of the Kentucky Business Conservation Partnership Program," said Ben Robinson, small game biologist for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife.

More than 200 businesses joined in partnerships with Kentucky Fish and Wildlife since the inception of the Kentucky Business Conservation Partnership in 1997. Each year, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife honors the best business in each wildlife region that exemplifies the goals of the program.

The Kentucky Business Conservation Partnership formed when seven businesses in Daviess and Hancock counties approached the KDFWR regarding habitat projects on their property. A statewide partnership program grew out of these interactions to promote practices by businesses, churches and city governments that positively impact wildlife and the environment.

This year's winners:
Overall State and Southeast Region:
Clint Voils
Voils practices precision agriculture on his 2,400 acre property in Russell County and utilizes multiple Farm Bill programs. He cooperates with the Kentucky Division of Forestry to manage woodlots on his property. Voils also educates local farmers on ways to incorporate wildlife habitat improvements into production farming. His Kentucky Fish and Wildlife private lands biologist is Chris Mason.

Purchase Region:
Tradewater Outfitters:
Russell Edwards of Tradewater Outfitters implemented multiple federal programs to improve wildlife habitat on 3,300 acres in Crittenden and Webster counties. Tradewater Outfitters enrolled 175 acres into the Wetland Reserve Program to improve scarce bottom land hardwood habitat. Edwards participates in Kentucky Fish and Wildlife's Dove Lease Field program. His Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Private Lands biologist is Philip Sharp.

Bluegrass Region:
Kentucky Utilities - Tyrone Power Plant
The Kentucky Utilities Tyrone Power Plant manages 280 acres in Woodford County. The business converted 50 acres of fescue into native warm season grasses and conducted timber stand improvements. Kentucky Utilities allows Kentucky Fish and Wildlife to use the property for educational and other uses. The company's private lands biologist is Joe Lacefield.

-30-
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources manages, regulates, enforces and promotes responsible use of all fish and wildlife species, their habitats, public wildlife areas and waterways for the benefit of those resources and for public enjoyment. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, an agency of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, has an economic impact to the state of $4.5 billion annually. For more information on Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, visit our web site at fw.ky.gov.



Natural Bridge State Resort Park
2135 Natural Bridge Road
Slade, KY 40376-9701
Telephone: (606) 663-2214
Toll Free: (800) 325-1710
Park Manager: Ron Vanover

Exploring Arch Country Guided Hikes
1/10/2009

For the adventurous only! Enjoy a day of hiking throughout Kentucky's Land of the Arches! On these guided hikes you will get a good look at the area's rugged cliff lines, rock shelters, rhododendron and natural arches. Destinations include both well-known features as well as some little known secrets! Each trip is different. Total distances vary from 6 to 12 miles. Pre-registration is required and space is limited. $10/person registration fee. Adults and children ages 12 and up welcome.

Appalachian Heritage Buffalo Night
1/17/2009

Natural Bridge is hosting a feast of Kentucky Proud buffalo. The selections will include Roasted Buffalo Steamship Round, BBQ Buffalo Ribs, Buffalo Meatloaf, Country Fried Chicken and Fried Catfish Filet. Side items will feature Country Fried Corn on the Cob, Green Beans, Whipped Potatoes, Soup and Salad Bar and assorted desserts. Buffet price is 16.95, Children 8.95 (12 and under). This popular annual event features live Blue Grass Music and special programs by the Naturalist Staff.Event time: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Arches Hiking Weekend
2/6/2009 to 2/7/2009

There are hundreds of natural arches and bridges within a few miles of Kentucky's Natural Bridge, and winter is the best time to see them! Join experienced guides for a day of hikes throughout the area ranging from short easy walks to long treks in the back country. Evening speakers will focus on the geology and history of the area. On site registration fee is $8 per adult and $3 per child ages 2-12.

Invasive Species Volunteer Workshops
3/7/2009

Help stop the invasion of non-native exotic plants by volunteering to assist the naturalist staff in pulling and cutting some of the worst invaders! This is a great opportunity for individuals and groups to improve the environmental health of our public lands! Each Volunteer day begins at 9:00 a.m. in the Hemlock Lodge lobby and ends whenever you get tired! Pre-registration is encouraged. Fighting off these alien invaders is an ongoing battle at Natural Bridge. If you are unable to help during these days but can come out and help some other time please give us a call. This is a great opportunity for community service for scouts and schools!

________________________________________________________

The Kentucky State Park System is composed of 53 state parks plus an interstate park shared with Virginia. The Department of Parks, an agency of the Commerce Cabinet, operates 17 resort parks with lodges -- more than any other state. Each year, Kentucky parks draw 7 million visitors and contribute $317 million to the economy. For more information on Kentucky parks, visit our Web site at http://www.parks.ky.gov.

GOT NEWS! Read This

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Using the Tackle Hut shopping cartWhen you make account with the Tackle Hut Write down your User ID and Password as you fill out your info.
We have fixed all the issues in the Tackle Hut

If you have any questions please just email me and I'll help you Trimmer

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Its packed with gifts for the whole family
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Hot Topics on the Board Click and read


• Sarah Terry State Record Muskie
• New Muskie size limit discussion
•

Story and photos by: Greg Dowdy

all/winter has arrived. The splendor of color that God created when the trees turn is now evidenced around the Ohio River. Today is a special treat for me as I will be fishing with and picking the brain of Chris Malone, from Ironton Ohio. Chris is an accomplished tournament angler, having competed on the FLW Tournament Trail as a boater and non-boater. This coming Saturday he will be heading south for Lake Norman. There he will be competing in The B.A.S.S. Weekender National Championship. First place in this tournament is ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS. (Good Luck Chris)

Before launching at the Little Sandy Ramp in Greenup Kentucky, Chris explained to me how he went about finding bass in the fall. His first statement was we are looking for bait fish. You can find them with your eyes when they are up near the surface. You can let those big Blue Herring Birds tell you that the bait fish are near when you see one sitting close to the water's edge. But the majority of the time you will need to find them with you depth finder. Throughout the day this statement was proven as to places where we caught fish.

We then launched Mr. Malone's Champion Boat and headed out to the main river. He further explained that we would begin our search for bait fish around creek mouths, drains or run ins. As we approached a creek mouth we saw a Blue Herring Bird fly from the shore line. Chris said "There is bait fish here or that bird would not be." He then put down his trolling motor, turned on his depth finder and began to move his boat over the creek mouth points. While watching the depth finder he was fan casting the area with a ½ ounce, chrome and blue back, Cordell Spot. As the screen of the depth finder lit up marking a large school of bait under the boat, Chris got his first strike. It was a swing and a miss. He immediately cast back to the same spot and this time connected with a fat 2 pound Kentucky Spotted Bass. After working the flat sand point thoroughly with the Spot, Chris then picked up his spinning rod. He stated the he first liked cover water quickly with a fast moving crankbait or spinnerbait. The he added that second he would never leave an area without cleaning it up with a shaky head jig and a 4 inch green pumpkin worm. Two casts later Chris hooked up with a keeper largemouth on that little worm.



On the last drain we searched with the depth finder, Chris found a large ball of shad. He called my attention to his graph to show me how you could actually see bigger fish in and around the small bait fish. The water was 22 foot deep on the tip of this sandy point. I promptly cast a dropshot rig to the bottom. For bait I was using the new Berkley Gulp Alive 3 inch leaches. Before I could click the bail over on my spinning reel, a fish was already running away with it. My hook set was greeted with a solid pull at the other end of the line. At that depth I really expected that fish to be a Sauger of a Walleye. I was pleasantly surprised to land a solid 2 pound Largemouth. Chris then told me that all summer long he had been catching bass in the 15 to 20 foot range. He felt that because there was work being done to the Greenup dam, that they had not been generating current. Therefore the entire river has been like a big lake. He added that had there been current that the bass would have been tighter to the banks rather than the deeper structure.

The day had played out exactly as the first stop. Every creek mouth, drain or sand flat point, where we found bait fish had game fish present. During that day I saw Largemouth; Kentucky Bass come in to the boat. We also watched another boat fishing the way that we were; catch Largemouth, Hybrid Bass, a big Shovel Head Catfish and a double limit of Sauger and Walleye. Chris stated that this fall pattern in not specific to this pool of the river, but will work on any big river in the country.

Give Chris a call to talk fishing. He can be reached at Freedom Outdoors Marine, in Wheelersburg, Ohio (1-866-574-5600). Don't be surprised if while you are talking fishing, He does not try to sell you a boat. You see, when Chris is not fishing tournament, he sells boats at Freedom Outdoors. They service and sell Triton, Champion, Stratos, Skeeter, Phoenix and Glastron boats. They are also a full service repair center Yamaha, Evinrude and Johnson motors

As Chris and I parted company he told me that he loved to fish, but what he really loved was competition. He said that he really was thankful to his sponsors of Champion Boats, Yamaha Motors, Pro Marine Battery Chargers and Freedom Outdoor Marine. For without them he would not be able to enjoy his passion of competitive bass fishing.

Thanks Chris for the great information!



NEWS FLASH - NEWS FLASH Reported by Greg DowdyOn Monday November the 3, the Army Corp of Engineers began a dredging operation at the Little Sandy Boat Ramp, in Greenup Ky. Due to a silting problem on the river, launching had become difficult for most boats and impossible for some larger vessels. Now that the project is complete, there is an 8 foot deep passage way from the boat ramp all the way to the channel in the Little Sandy River.

Questions on this article can be directed to:
Greg Dowdy



In the Deep Freeze


As I look out the window and see my bass boat just sitting there with a skiff of snow and ice dripping from the cover, I find myself wishing for spring already, I know Christmas is on its way and the New Year is shaping up to be a true wild card for the up coming year.

In the last four months we have seen our country slide down hill in ways that for this old bird have been unprecedented, I'm not just talking about the things that we all see on the news, banks wanting to get billions to cover bad loans, the big three auto companies finding that this summer's high cost of gas made them appear to be out on a limb with poor business plans.

All of this is bad enough, but there is another bit of news that you're just beginning to hear about that may change forever the way you get your dose of news.

Newspapers have been the way many of us hear about the local and national news on a daily bases, we read the paper each morning as we start our day and take it for granted that it will always be there.

Today the AP wire service ran a story about one of the largest newspapers in the country "The Chicago Tribune" today it has filed for bankruptcy protection, The Tribune Company; own 23 TV stations and the La Times along with the Chicago Tribune.

It is, as one business writer described it, "the latest sign of duress for the newspaper industry…companies have struggled to cope with declining revenues and mounting debt woes." In short, the Tribune Company's problems are NOT unique.

It's been reported that the Miami Herald is for sale and that both newspapers in the Minneapolis area could find themselves in the same shape as the Tribune if things don't turn around soon.

This trend is not limited to newspapers; in fact, all print media may find that this down turn could effect your favorite outdoor publication.

Magazine publishers trying to figure out how to consolidate operations, outplace employees who either are being released or refusing to move in consolidations. Last week, longtime writers were quietly released from Outdoor Life. The cuts were, by the company's admission, financial decisions. It's no secret in the industry that some OL managers believe the magazine's future is the internet. The skepticism that accompanies that position isn't much of a secret, either.

Across the outdoor industry, we're seeing a contraction in spending for advertising that will more than likely mean the end of some television programs and might sentence other media to lingering deaths.

The outdoor industry is, after all, based on discretionary income, despite the fact that hard-core participants might disagree. Over the weekend, president-Elect Obama told reporters "we've not seen the worst of it yet".

So what does all this mean, will it all go back to normal or will we see changes that will forever effect how we get our news, and how we get news about our favorite past time. Well the answers are not that easy to come up with, one thing is for sure the internet will play a big role in the way this whole thing shakes out.

Many old time writers talk about the internet privately expressing the view that internet writers are not as legitimate as writers that work in the print media may find themselves wondering why they didn't see the change coming.

The internet offers advertisers something that no print media can offer, "instant sales" of the goods that they advertise, a one click connection to the products that drive the money train, to say nothing about the "no print cost", and it doesn't take "trees" to print something on the internet, the lead time for new publications could be days instead of months, making what you read more current.

As we head into this New Year, we will hope for better times and work towards improving our own bit of news that we try to share with you, and I hope we can grow in these tough times ahead.

May God bless you and your family

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Chris "Trimmer" Erwin

Read the following survey information from Ky Fish and Wildlife and please participate by completing the online survey. From what I understand the size limit issue will be voted on in Dec. at the F & W commission meeting.

Chapter #52 supports the size limit increase.Scott Smalley, president-Daniel Boone Chapter #52, Muskies, Inc.

From: Lynch, Hayley (FW)
Sent: Friday, November 14, 2008 10:25 AM
Subject: Ky. Fish & Wildlife News: Input sought on muskie size limits

Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources News Release

Angler opinion sought regarding muskellunge size limitsat three Kentucky lakes

Nov. 14, 2008 Media
Contact: Jeff Ross
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1-800-858-1549,ext. 4455

Frankfort, Ky. - Anglers can express their opinions regarding size limits on muskellunge at three of Kentucky's lakes by participating in a special online survey for the next few weeks.

Members of the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission want public input before considering any changes to the existing size limits at Cave Run Lake, Green River Lake and Buckhorn Lake. Results of the online survey will be tabulated Dec. 4 and presented to commission members for consideration at their Dec. 5 meeting in Frankfort.

Anglers can complete a questionnaire on muskie size limits by loggin go to fw.ky.gov, the website of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.

-30-The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources manages, regulates, enforces and promotes responsible use of all fish and wildlife species, their habitats, public wildlife areas and waterways for the benefit of those resources and for public enjoyment.Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, an agency of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, has an economic impact to the state of $4.5 billion annually.For more information on the department, visit our web site at fw.ky.gov.





KOPA Writers Conference


Kentucky Outdoor Press Association

Kentucky's Oldest Outdoor Writing Organization
598 Hiwassee View Drive
Jacksboro, TN
37757
423-562-2415

News release from the office of the KOPA

KOPA Elects 2008/2009 Board, Officers

The Kentucky Outdoor Press Association's membership approved the 2008/2009 slate of officers and Board of Directors during the fall meeting held at Cave Run Lake in Morehead, Ky. Oct. 24-26.

President Tom Clay was reelected, and Secretary Etta Pettijohn moved into the vice president's position. Chris Erwin was named secretary, and Wayne Pettijohn treasurer.

Elected to fill board seats were Paul Moore, Rob Bentley, and former vice president Pat Robertson.

Clay is a field reporter for "Field & Stream" Radio Network, host of an outdoor radio program on WFAZ FM (NBC affiliate in Huntington, WV), and the host of an outdoor show on the Kentucky News Network, which broadcasts on 30 stations statewide. He also publishes in several freelance markets.

Etta Pettijohn is a contributing editor for "Tennessee Valley Outdoors," and columnist for "Outdoor View" magazines, and writes the monthly In The Field column for "Tennessee Sportsman" magazine. Wayne Pettijohn is her spouse.

Chris Erwin is owner/publisher of "Kentucky Angling," a bi-monthly online magazine with more than 2,000 anglers, and one million message board visitors. Since the 1970s he has served as president/director of numerous bass fishing organizations, including the Kentucky B.A.S.S. Federation. He also is the webmaster of KOPA's website, www. kopa.us.

Paul Moore is the publisher/owner of "Outdoor View" magazine, and a contributing editor for "Tennessee Valley Outdoors." A longtime freelancer, he publishes in several outdoor magazines.

Pat Robertson is a weekly columnist for the "Bledsonian Banner," a weekly newspaper in Bledsoe County, Tenn.

Rob Bentley is an IT server side specialist and freelance writer for various outdoor publications.

Article By: Etta Pettijohn





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