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Less than three weeks after he lost his home in the Bastrop County wildfires, bill Snyder lost his wife.

Pat Snyder died of lung disease on Sept. 23, before she and her husband could even begin to dream of rebuilding on their hill in the pines. Her husband, sons, daughters and grandchildren buried her without the headstone they wish they could afford.

Bill Snyder and his family are part of the Austin American-Statesman’s annual Season for Caring campaign, which helps 10 featured families and hundreds of others served by local nonprofit agencies.

Donors have offered some help to buy the headstone for Pat Snyder’s grave in nearby Paige, but the family needs more donations to make it happen.

Then they can begin their own lives again. bill Snyder, 66, who now lives in a motor home parked on his fire-

ravaged property, wants to reconstruct his home — piece by piece and room by room, just as he built it.

The Snyders had lived on Linda Lane since 1984. bill Snyder bought his acre of land and started with the bathroom, which he made from an old storage shed in the woods.

He, his wife and his granddaughter, Brandi Brewer, 26, lived there in solitude with Brewer’s three daughters until Sept. 4. That’s when the wildfire chased them away.

They returned days later to nothing. Gone was the adobe house bill Snyder built, as well as the garden Pat tended. the mobile home where Brewer lived with her three daughters had been incinerated.

The retired equipment operator for the Lower Colorado River Authority mourned the devastation with his ailing wife until she died. She was 66. He faced a huge choice: how to go back without her.

Snyder wants to rebuild the outdoor patio, where he and Pat renewed their wedding vows shortly before the fires. He first needs to clear his land of the debris. He needs a new water well.

The fire took nearly everything he owned. He has few clothes, no tools and an RV parked under his burned trees.

“We had it all fixed up the way we wanted,” he said of his destroyed home, which was uninsured .

The family has received some of the things they’ll need to rebuild: a dishwasher, a washer and dryer, a couch, a table and chairs, a TV, bookshelves and more.

The Bastrop school district’s curriculum department has adopted the family and is buying a swingset and Disney DVDs for Brewer’s children and a Home Depot gift card for Snyder.

A dentist working with St. David’s Foundation is helping Brewer get her front teeth fixed and her wisdom teeth pulled.

They need more: help clearing the debris, a used mobile home or help rebuilding the house, carpentry tools, bedding, dishes, glassware, utensils, pots and pans, a space heater, an air-conditioning window unit with a heat pump, sinks, bathtubs, lights and anything else to rebuild a house.

Snyder would like to replace the bass boat and fishing gear he lost in the fire.

Snyder has his memories and the support of his family. But there’s a lot of uncertainty in his and his family’s future. however, Brewer has said, the family is sure of one thing.

“We’re coming back,” she said.

For more information on the Snyder family, contact Hospice Austin, 342-4726.

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Boaters need to be aware high-country options will become increasingly limited as South Park reservoir ramps will close at the end of October. High-country trout fishing continues to be solid with numerous baits working. Winds have caused issues on many waters, so be prepared. Kokanee are showing in greater numbers. Snagging is producing at Green Mountain, Yucky (walk-in) and Williams Fork. Action at many urban waters has slowed down lately. Exceptions are Chatfield, where trolling small spoons works well on rainbows; Horsetooth, where smallmouth bass are chasing down crankbaits; and Pueblo, where bass, walleye, and wiper are providing excellent action.

David Coulson, FishExplorer.com

SEE: Glide-fish on huge screen

The latest glide-fishing movie from Confluence films is “Connect” and will be shown Thursday night at The Oriental Theater (4335 W. 44th Ave.). Chris Patterson and Jim Klug, who made the films “Drift” and Rise,” bring together the stories of glide-fishing in places like Japan, Yellowstone National Park, Cuba, Maine and Tanzania.

Tickets are $12; doors open at 6 p.m., and the film is schedule to start at 7. for more information: confluencefilms.tv

HELP: Poachers sought

Two poaching incidents this month involving pronghorns have prompted the Colorado Parks and Wildlife office to ask for the public’s help, and it is offering a $500 reward in each case. The first was in Castle Rock near Crowfoot Valley Road and Pradera Parkway sometime between 5 p.m. Oct. 1 and 7 a.m. Oct. 2.

On Oct. 2 in Fort Collins, a buck pronghorn was dumped in a parking area south of Soldier Canyon Dam, adjacent to Horsetooth Reservoir between 7:45-9 a.m. The animal was partially field dressed. anyone that may have information is encouraged to contact Operation Game Thief at 877-265-6648 (877-COLO-OGT) or send an e-mail to game.thief@state.co.us.

My advanced scouts Cal Van Zant and Jim Krause tested the island waters last weekend and reported some excellent “anchor fishing” and some real current against the wind situations.

The wind was blowing smartly from the west while the current was ripping up the island and it was virtually impossible to keep their bait off the anchor line as the boat lined up nicely into the wind and the current sent their bait from the stern back under the boat into the anchor; thus creating perfect anchor catching.

The scouts were also bummed out at the massive swells that washed the backside of the island with cool 60-degree, green water. the real excitement came while fishing the backside. the squid came to their lights in droves where the guys said they easily gathered all the bait squid they needed.

The guys admitted though that it was a good thing the Long Beach Bait Company had squid available on their harbor bait barge. They were able to buy a scoop of squid before their trip across and they were able to fish before it got dark. They caught six large calico bass in the 8-pound class – which they released – and caught some bass for filets.

But the highlight of the trip came while they were catching the squid. They were surrounded by a group of Risso’s dolphins swimming under the bait lights swatting large schools of squid with their tails and returning to eat massive groups of stunned squid.

How huge were the Risso’s? They were 10 to 12 feet long and some looked to be 5 feet in diameter. Van Zant said the Risso’s surrounded the boat, gathered the squid into a ball, then charged through them to stun them and then quickly U-turned and chowed down.

Off-shore

Don Ashley of Pierpoint Landing says the bluefin tuna bite for Long Beach boats is as good as he has ever seen – not necessarily for the number of fish caught but for the quality of the fish.

The Toronado caught 77 fish in two trips. They were all 25 to 40 pounds and caught by 30 anglers.

A bait tale

Once upon a time, there was this fantastic tackle store that fit the bill for fresh bait. a fishing store that filled the needs for the truly advanced surf fisherman. a store that had everything needed to crash the beach front waves in search of surf fish. a meeting place where veteran surf fishing anglers could gather and swap prevarications, brag about their tackle, but most of all to relate how far they could cast a 3-ounce sinker and a place where most of the time 15 inches was really 12 inches.

At one time, such a store existed in my surf fishing days with my dad in the late 1930′s through the ’40′s and it was called Sims’ Bait and Tackle. Our early surf fishing forays were spent fishing the surf from Newport Beach to the L.a. Harbor. in those early days, every trip found us looking for good bait previous to getting to the water and that meant buying our ghost shrimp, sand worms, sand crabs, salted anchovies, squid, razor clams and our ancient standby harbor mussels from the Sims’ store.

In 1949, the best bait in town was to be found in only one spot for 10 miles in all directions from Seal Beach and it was called Norm’s Bait and Tackle. Norm Cravens was the new owner of Sims’ and he had crews of bait digger guys that went out in the field to catch and dig bait.

Many times we waited in the morning for the bait guys to come in from the field with our ghost shrimp and sand crabs or whatever the hot bait was. then, in 1960, the store changed hands and Bobby Lienau the new owner named the store Norm’s Huge Fish Tackle where Bobby carried on the historical tradition of fresh available bait.

Just recently Bobby sold the store to Shawn Morgon, a very good move because Morgon is a veteran fisherman with many years experience. He knows what it takes to supply bait to the droves of those surf fishermen that pass through the store and he can also wheel off fish tales with the best of them.

Of course with his background, Morgon can be counted on to have the most recent tackle on the market as well as the best bait.

Yet, the store retains that charismatic ancient-time flavor.

To this day you can take your coffee into the store and find some fantastic fisherman camaraderie where it’s still 15 inches to the foot and “You should have seen the one that got away!”

Dove season

Question the dove hunters from the Imperial Valley to the Colorado River and they will admit the hunting opener was better than last year. Tom Schlauch with sons Pat and John and friend John Florence averaged six to seven birds each.

To beat the heat, they finished the hunt on their duck club and were on their way home by 9 a.m.

The brush was higher and thicker this year leading to a couple of lost birds, but the real problem came as the guys found numerous molted rattlesnake skins which slowed their search for lost birds.

Steve Woodard and his dog Simon hunted near Blythe and there were more hunters in the field than dove. He said he got peppered a number of times.

What is the best area to fish within an hour or 2 of denver, co? I like fishing trout, bass, walleye, etc…

give an extra 2 hrs and go to north nm

South Platte river, or go north to RMNP, fish the big THompson outside the park

Excellent luck

8 hour T. Water 40-50 degrees. Clear water. HEAVY weed growth from 1-8FT.

The predominant color that works in the lake is Blue/Black, Purple, Black, and very dark greens.

Fore-casted weather- well, it's been drizzling rain and overcast for 4-5 days with temps in 40-50's.

The predominant (soft plastic/jig) colors that work on this lake are Blue/Black, Purple, Black, and very dark shades of green with dark flake.

I pre-fished last Tues and we found them in the 8-12 FT range on the outside weed-line. North-North West corner.

Currently, I have 3 different sized jigs tied on from 1/16 OZ-1/2 OZ, a 1/2 OZ single bladed Colorado-bladed Spinnerbait (for slow rolling), a 1/2 OZ Black/Blue Rattle Trap, and a Blue/Black 3/8 OZ Chatterbait.

I've got a pretty excellent handle on it, but I thought I'd ask my fishing friends on-line to see what they would throw.

What do you think?

You're asking ~me~ what I'd throw? *faints*

Same thing I always throw for bass because I don't really know what I'm doing in fresh water… I'd wacky rig a excellent ol' watermelon Senko and go at it and curse all the goop I'd drag up. YAY!!

(Nope, I'm not predictable.)

Id go with junebug senkos texas rigged with junebug tungsten weights.

And you have all that stuff, why not try all of them. at least one has to work.

plain color baits like gray black blue white brown no shiny stuff and id try some swimbaits the bigger the bait the bigger fish it will catch

a thin in LINE floater, like a devels horse,frog collard, and reel slo and then rest and then a stedy reel, excellent luck,,

soft plastics frogs worms ETC

I like the jig and slow rolled spinnerbait plan, I would suggest a chartruse or white spinnerbait. Maybe even try a regular retrieve a little while. a light breeze and drizzle will help out the spinnerbait and rattletrap plan. It's odd to me that darker colors are working better in clear water but you obviously know what you are doing and know the lake. try a dropshot rig off of ledges. as you know I'm no nortthern Bass expert but I figured I would throw you a few thoughts! Excellent luck and let me know how you do

Oh man a fantastic question! I would try a suspending jerk bait in that cooling water both soft and hard work it over the top of that grass. I would also try a 3'' soft plastic craw on a drop shot rig with a 2-3ft leader and work through the grass. a buck tail jig along the weed edge I would also try. I would start out slow then as the water and weather warms maybe the fish will turn on. Rat-L-Trap and jig sounds excellent too. this is where I would start if I were your co-angler but you have the intel and knowledge of the water. Excellent luck let us know how it goes

1/4-ounce Snow White double willow Spinner-Bait for fishing OUTSIDE of the weed growth, focusing on trees/stumps/overhanging trees.

A 7.5" Culprit worm in all of the above excellent colors you stated, Texas rigged with a 1/2-ounce sinker and worked all over that nasty weedy growth stuff. Fish this bait slow.

A 4" Berkley Chigger Craw fished right in the weeds with a 1/2-ounce sinker. this bait will be Texas rigged, and it's available in the dark green that you are talking about.

1/2-ounce Jig with the above Chigger Craw as a trailer. you talk 'bout some HAWGS being caught on this combo.

I think that's what I would personally have on if it was up to me, and I think I'm confident with my choices!

Oh, and I like your picks too!

would help a bit to know where this lake is and the depths of it, whether it is an impoundment on a river or a natural lake.
here, so cal, lake casitas, slow rolling spinnerbaits has been productive, unfortunately, we have no weed growth on our local lake. the spinnerbait tactic has been working on a particular roadbed in from 6 to 15 feet of water.
if l had heavy grass, l would use a frog just for the hell of it, but still have my 8" plastic worm in whatever color seems to be working.
l would also think other topwaters should still be producing. particularly spooks. with winter coming soon, bass are going to be gorging themselves in preparation for a long winter's night.
stay in that northern area, the water will get the most sunlight there, remaining warmer longer, particularly if you have a dark muddy bottom.
l think l've rambled long enough, you seem to have it under control, this is just my two cents worth.
spinnerbaits, jigs, weedline, and don't forget some 8" worms texas or carolina style.
best of luck, let us know how you did!
W.

By MARC FOLCO July 24, 2011 12:00 AM

The Mass. Dept. of Fish and Game’s (DFG) Office of Fishing and Boating Access recently announced the completion of eight boat access projects valued at close to $1.4 million that include boat ramp renovations, parking lot improvements, and new docks that will greatly enhance boating and fishing opportunities in Southeastern Massachusetts and Cape Cod.

Projects in new Bedford included Clark’s Cove — $249,000 for the reconstruction of the existing boat ramp with a new float system, and new Bedford Harbor — $239,000 for the reconstruction of the existing boat ramp. This facility provides access to Buzzards Bay and has 30 car/trailer spaces.

Other projects included: Apponagansett Bay, Dartmouth — $6,000 for repairs to the parking area; Mashpee-Wakeby Pond, Mashpee — $49,000 for repaving and repairs to the access roadway; Barnstable Harbor (Blish Point), Barnstable — $49,000 for construction involving the replacement of piles and drainage improvements in the parking lot; Sesuit Harbor, Dennis — $467,000 for reconstruction of the existing boat ramp with a new float system; Green Harbor, Marshfield — $4,000 for pile replacement for the float system; and Scituate Harbor, Scituate — $329,000 for the reconstruction of the boat ramp and replacement of floats.

The Office of Fishing and Boating Access manages the construction, repair, and operation of state boat ramps, canoe and car-top launch sites, parking areas and approach roads. the office is charged with providing access to more than 1,200 miles of seashore and hundreds of ponds, rivers and streams in the state. the agency oversees 273 boat and canoe launch sites, shore fishing areas and fishing piers in Massachusetts.

A partnership between DFG and the Berkshire Natural Resources Council (BNRC) has resulted in the permanent protection of 290 acres of conservation land in West Stockbridge. These newly protected public lands feature recreational opportunities such as fishing, hunting, and bird watching, while preserving critical habitat for waterfowl and several rare plant and animal species.

Located in the southwest corner of West Stockbridge, the new parcel includes 273 acres just north of the Massachusetts Turnpike, which will be named the Flat Brook Wildlife Management Area. the acquisition incorporates an additional 17 acres south of the Turnpike into the existing Maple Hill Wildlife Management Area.

DFG also recently acquired an 843-acre parcel in Tolland that features an 81-acre lake and extensive forest habitat, and abuts the existing 4,000-acre Tolland State Forest. together, the acquisition of the two parcels expands brilliant public turkey and deer hunting area by more than 1,000 acres and protects it from further development.

“Large, unfragmented tracts like this one (Tolland) support wide-ranging wildlife species such and bear and moose and reduce the stress of habitat fragmentation, a significant threat to endangered and threatened wildlife species,” said Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Mary Griffin.

These properties will be managed by DFG’s Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife), which oversees more than 190,000 acres of conservation land in Massachusetts, all of which are open to the public for hunting, fishing and trapping.

MassWildlife announced a Becoming an Outdoors Family Camping Weekend will be held Aug. 13-14 at the Myles Standish State Forest in Carver. the weekend is especially designed for families new to camping and no prior outdoor experience is necessary. Learn some basic camping and outdoor recreation skills with knowledgeable and friendly instructors to help you and your family enjoy the fantastic outdoors. Fishing, canoeing, and hiking along with outdoor cooking, and a bird walk are among the activities offered.

The fee is $30 per participant and includes all instruction, materials, two meals and limited loaner camping equipment. the registration deadline is Aug. 5. More information and registration materials are available at mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/education/bow/bow_calendar.htm.

An amendment to the Firearm Identification Card Law was recently signed into law, reducing the application fee for anyone under the age of 18 from $100 to $25. “While this might seem like a small victory to some, this fee reduction shows a fantastic change in the political leaning on Beacon Hill,” said Jim Wallace, Executive Director of GOAL (Gun Onwers’ Action League). “This change is a direct result of the hard work of our members in their efforts to educate their local legislators on the positive impact the shooting sports have on our youth.”

A killer grizzly bear is roaming Yellowstone National Park after recently mauling a man to death who apparently surprised a sow (female) and her cubs according to a report by Grand View Outdoors. the man was hiking with his wife close to Canyon Village, in the middle of the park. the woman was not seriously injured. it was the park’s first fatal grizzly mauling since 1986, but the third attack in the Yellowstone region in just over a year.

Colorado wildlife officials killed a black bear last week, believed to be involved in an unprovoked attack that injured a teenage camper in his tent near Leadville, according to the Outdoor Wire. Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials said the incident began at 3:30 a.m. on July 15 when the teen was awakened as the black bear bit into his leg.

Officers inspected the campsite to determine what might have lead to the attack and learned that the bear had apparently ransacked a cooler outside the tent in the adjacent area of the camp prior to the attack. But, officers said there was nothing found in the tent that would clarify the bear’s actions.

“We manage wild bears for a healthy and thriving population,” said Dan Prenzlow, Regional Manager for Wildlife with Colorado Parks and Wildlife. “But when an individual bear enters a tent and attacks a sleeping person, we manage that animal to protect the public safety.”

Campers are reminded that food items should be securely stored in bear-proof containers or kept in the locked trunk of a vehicle.

Reckon bears are a scary threat in the outdoors? They can be, but not nearly as scary as some savage two-legged animals. Consider that there have been 63 deaths due to black bear attacks in North America in the past 100 years, not including deaths due to grizzly or polar bears. now compare that to the same of number of people who were murdered at the hands of man in just a five-year period in National Parks. According to an article in the Washington Post, there were 63 homicides/murders in National Parks from 2002-2006. Add to that, 240 rapes/attempted rapes and 1,277 aggravated assaults during the same five-year span. It’s the reason that women are advised never to hike or camp alone and also the reason that many people carry guns for defense when hiking and camping.

Capt. Al Andersen of Narragansett, R.I. and Steve Medeiros of Coventry, R.I., two popular men in the world of saltwater sportfishing, were among five people from across the country recently honored by Sport Fishing Magazine’s 2011 making a difference Awards. the program debuted this year to recognize individuals who have made a positive difference in recreational saltwater fishing.

“The valuable contributions people make to our sport too often get small recognition,” said Doug Olander, editor-in-chief of Sport Fishing. “Sport Fishing is changing that by focusing a national spotlight on individuals who have made a positive difference in saltwater recreational fishing — the sport, the resource, the industry.”

Capt. Anderson received a Judges’ choice Award for his contribution to the scientific understanding of migratory fishes in the Northeast, having put tags in more than 57,000 fish, including striped bass, tuna, sharks, bluefish and other species.

Medeiros was nominated by the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association and received a popular Vote Award for his accomplishments including gaining access for anglers, getting kids out fishing, enhancing reefs, protecting forage species and more.

Nominations are now open through Dec. 31, 2011, for the 2012 making a difference Awards, which now include a category for corporate nominations. for more information or to submit a nominee, visit sportfishingmag.com/makingadifference.

Marc Folco is the outdoor writer for the Standard-Times. Contact him at

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I am looking for a new reel to throw spinner baits this spring, I would probably be throwing a 3/8 oz spinnerbait, unless you have other recommendations. Here is the situation. It will be on a small pond where im doing most of my fishing, my plot for the spinnerbait fishing is that im going to be throwing the spinner bait parallel to the shore over the bass beds during the spawn, I am hoping to catch some of these bass as they are defending their nests. I am not sure whether this would require burning the bait, or a difernet slow retrieve, what do you reckon? also, am i gunna want a road that has most of its power near the tip or near the bottom of the rod. Im plotting on using a chartreuse and white titanium spinner bait with dual colorado blades, probably silver blades, will that work good. I am fishing in south east michigan, the pond is moderately clear water with grass for cover. what type of line should i use here, would standard mono be good, or should i look into braid or micro filament?also, is this tactic of spinner baiting over the beds a good thought to catch these bass, it is my understanding that during the spawn, the bass will not eat, rather they defend the bed and will attack anything that invades, but wont swallow, rather they will move it out and drop it outside the nest, would this mean the bass would attack the spinner bait and then with a quick hook set i could get it on and bring it in, does that sounds legit? Finally, is this ethical, to take the bass of the beds like that, or would i be greatly endangering the fish and the eggs, possibly harming the bass population of the pond?

sorry for all the questions, I'm trying to do my homework the best i can before getting out there again when the ice melts, I greatly appreciate your answers. thanks!

d funk

7:1.1 for fast retrive
6:3.1 for slow retrive

Please release the bass when caught off the bed, the female or male. The female will always be the larger of the 2. It's vital for future fish and the male protects the fry after the eggs have hatched. I don't mind bed fishing just be responsible rather it be a pond or large lake.

I would reccomend any gear ratio that is greater than 6 for the lures. Mono line should be okay. I dont know about the bass takeing and dropping and if they did it would be hard for them not to get hooked. I wouldnt be worried about the population of the pond because they usually stock it and bass are not endangered. you might want to try live crayfish or plastic worms in addition to your lures.

Okay, now I'm not a greenhorn fisherman, I've caught trophy sized largemouth/smallmouth bass, walleye, wiper and pike. Also some pretty good sized trout in the Roaring Fork and Frying Pan rivers in Colorado. I've never rigged up my own reel and line for general fishing. I need to know what should be used for a main line and if a leader line is necessary.

I'm using a Mitchel Advocate Silver Edition reel…let me know if i need a different one.

This reel/line set up must be for good size largemouth and smallmouth, channel/bullhead catfish, bluegill, carpie, wiper

20-30lb test Spiderwire

First off, it is ok to be an amateur fisherman. most that come through here are, so no need to be embarrassed of your ignorance in this arena. Catfish can range in size so that shouldn't be a part of this list. you should have a reel with 30 pound wire on it like RB said for cats. for the others, use an 8 pound main line with a 6 pound leader about 2 feet long. your reel is fine, just make sure your rod has enough backbone to set the hook through the lip of your fish. This type of set-up will work just fine for all of the fish you mentioned except bigger cats. good luck out there.

I strongly agree with devyn but I reckon I would use 10 lbs. of course in the area that I fish in you never know when you may hook a red fish as long as your arm. Those things can do some serious fighting.

As far as my opinion goes I would stay away from the spider wire or any other brands of that braided stuff. I despise it. It has a really bad tendency of getting twisted and I don't know about you but when my line gets twisted and knotted up the fishing day is over. if I wanted to sit and untangle knots all day I would just give my shoes to my dog for a while. Stren single braid line for me and like I said I use 10 lbs. about the reel, I have never heard of one, I use an Ambassadeur 6600CL Rocket and a Berkly Series one rod and I like the setup.

My brother has promised to take me tarpon fishing on the Rio Colorado, and I figure it's the chance of a lifetime!

I've only done your basic fishing for bass and bluegill before, and I know this will be a lot more, shall we say, athletic. and of course, I'll be in a country I've never visited before. I know my brother will help me out with more info later on, but what can you tell me?

and whats the whole deal about the lunar cycle? is that only for bass or what? I already know that early morning and late afternoon/evenings are good for trout fishing, but how does the weather play a part in all of this? I'm in colorado and just go for lake and rainbow trout. (and whats a good bait for lake trout?)

Cloud cover tends to make trout less spooked in the daytime. they are more likely to feed on an overcast day because there is not as much sunlight.

And trout bite better in the early morning and late afternoon because one of their main food sources is insects that hatch from the water. Those insects tend to hatch and fly at night, much the same as mosquitos. As the sun starts to set you can see trout rising to eat nymphs just below the surface of the water.

Lake trout tend to be predatory fish, so they eat large baitfish or lures made to mimic large baitfish like diving plugs and spoons.