THE GREAT OUTDOORS

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

by Larry Whiteley

WELCOME TO 2020

Welcome to 2020 and I hope it is a “New Year” in many ways. I hope it’s a year that politicians realize that they work for us the taxpayer and not for their own gain. I hope this year the news media discover that many of us are now turning them off or not reading what they write. I hope it’s a year when gun control advocates realize that violent TV shows, movies and video games are a big part of the problem.

I hope this is the year you figure out that kids spell love T.I.M.E. I hope it’s a year you take your spouse’s hand and go walking on a moonlit night. I hope it’s a year that finds you spending less time at the office and more time with your family.

I hope this is the year you discover that sunrises and sunsets, the sounds of crickets and the smell of campfire smoke is better than any TV show. I hope it’s a year you learn to tie a fly, paddle a canoe, pitch a tent, skip a rock, shoot a bow, or catch a fish.

May your New Year be filled with all that makes you happy!

 YOU CAN TASTE THE DIFFERENCE

 This may be the most important reason to wrap up warm and go winter crappie fishing. There is no comparison in the flavor of a spring crappie versus a winter crappie. The cold water makes the meat firmer and sweeter. You can taste the difference.

I DIDN’T KNOW THAT

 According to the Brookings Institution the sport of fishing contributes more than $90 billion to our nation’s economy and that’s just another reason to go fishing.

 FISHING IS GOOD FOR YOU

 It might look like a lot of sitting around but fishing can be very good exercise, toning your arms, and burning between 250 calories if you’re just sitting and 500 calories if you’re angling in waders.

Fishing is stress free if you learn to enjoy your time on the water rather than pressuring yourself to catch fish. It’s not about what you catch; it’s about what you leave behind like work, bills that need to be paid, and so forth.

Do you need any other excuses to go fishing?

 EAT AND DRINK

Your body burns more calories in cold weather; therefore, you should eat more. About 4,500 to 5,000 calories per day will keep you fueled for strenuous outdoor activities.

Drink before you’re thirsty. Your body dehydrates more quickly when it’s cold, because you are warming the air you breathe. Drinking hot, sugared liquids will help keep you both warm and hydrated.

I WAS JUST WONDERING

 Why do they call it the Department of Interior when they are in charge of everything outdoors?

Where do forest rangers go to “Get away from it all”?

Can vegetarians eat animal crackers?

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

“I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You’re doing things you’ve never done before.” ~ Neil Gaiman, New York Times bestselling author