Articles filed under Jackson, Mike

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  Double your fun at Bangs, Independence Grove lakes May 23, 2012 12:00 AM
  Wauconda's Bangs Lake has developed more diverse fishing opportunities in recent years, and thanks to recent improvements courtesy of the Lake County Forest Preserve District, Independence Grove Lake near Libertyville is also a first-rate option for catch-and-release fishing.
  

   
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  A bureacratic mess worth carping about May 16, 2012 12:00 AM
  If everything stays the same, and if the same bureaucrats continue to sit on their duffs while sharpening their No. 2 pencils, we will have the worlds greatest Asian carp fishery known to mankind without having to spend a nickel.
  

   

• A Wisconsin season opener that won’t be easy to forget May 9, 2012 12:00 AM
  The Wisconsin fishing season opener is usually a time of renewal and hope. But this particular season, it turned out to be a time of cold, wet weather, empty stringers and dinged propellers. And Mike Jackson wasn't alone in that regard.
  

   
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  Learning to relax in the Keys May 3, 2012 12:00 AM
  Bonefishing in the Florida Keys is one great way to relax. But as Daily Herald outdoors columnist Mike Jackson discovers, not catching any bonefish in the Florida Keys is also a pretty good stress reliever. Check out his recent trip.
  

   

• For the record, here’s a pond primer Apr 25, 2012 12:00 AM
  If you're mindful of private property and can spot the characteristics of the area's small ponds and lakes that make for good fishing, a bounty awaits.
  

   
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  State park fees are a reality that bear watching Apr 19, 2012 12:00 AM
  Entrance fees to state parks and conservation areas may be the new reality, but that only means taxpayers should be more vigilant than ever and holding our state lawmakers accountable for their decisions.
  

   

• Pay to play is the new reality outdoors Apr 11, 2012 12:00 AM
  In spite of our state's history of abuse of power and creative state financing, it's time to bite the bullet and accept an entrance fee for state parks and conservation areas. It's the only practical way to ensure that they're well maintained.
  

   

• Time to slow down, and make every cast count Apr 4, 2012 12:00 AM
  As the weather warms, it's tempting to be drawn into throwing every lure in the tackle box rapid-fire in hopes of interesting an early season bass. A lighter touch and slower approach usually is more productive at this time of the year, though, as Mike Jackson discovered on area ponds recently.
  

   

• Towing the party line on neighboring fishing opportunities Mar 28, 2012 12:00 AM
  There's no denying that the allure of Wisconsin's wide open spaces and fish-producing lakes, rivers and streams has a firm hold on anglers from the Land of Lincoln.
  

   

• The reel lesson: Seize the moment Mar 21, 2012 12:00 AM
  Less expensive flyfishing reels from companies such as Orvis are helping restore Mike Jackson's belief that this wing of the fishing industry need not be so concerned with status and price tags.
  

   

• Forecast calls for a fine season on the water Mar 14, 2012 12:00 AM
  The Fox Chain offers plenty of great angling opportunities, but it's only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to quality fishing locations in the area.
  

   
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  In a weird winter, one big reason to keep fishing Mar 7, 2012 12:00 AM
  Though solid ice wasn't always easy to find this winter, Lake in the Hills' Joe Saftig found some at Castle Rock Lake in Wisconsin. Good thing, too, as he needed a solid platorm to support his 46-inch, 26-pound northern pike. For more, check out the online link to Castle Rock Lake, and a link to Mike Jackson's outdoors website.
  

   

• Choice is nice, but it’s time to draw the lineFeb 29, 2012 12:00 AM
  A dizzying array of line choices for anglers has Mike Jackson wondering if all those options really amount to anything that's going to make a difference for fishermen.
  

   

• A local tournament with bluegill in mindFeb 22, 2012 12:00 AM
  Bass and walleye fishing tournaments are all the rage these days, but many would love a local tournament devoted to panfishing on area lakes and ponds.
  

   

• Get real, and don’t bite on all the fishing tackle hype Feb 15, 2012 12:00 AM
  By all means, find and purchase fishing gear you like. But try not to be overly influenced by the heavy load of hype that seems to be everywhere in the fishing tackle industry these days.
  

   

• Warm winter causes spike in cabin fever up NorthFeb 8, 2012 12:00 AM
  A warm winter is keeping many fishermen off the ice in northern Wisconsin, forcing an oddly strong strain of cabin fever.
  

   
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  Quit carping and go for some big lake carpFeb 1, 2012 12:00 AM
  There was a period in my life when I couldn’t even look at a carp, let alone fish for them. But along came noted angler and writer Jason Lucas, a master of the fly and written word. It may have been 40 or 50 years ago when he opened my eyes to the joys of finding and catching Lake Michigan carp on super-light tackle, on a fly rod.
  

   

• Visit the Show, and take your friends with youJan 25, 2012 12:00 AM
  Planning a fishing trip is the central appeal of visiting this weekend's outdoors show at the Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. Don't forget to include those closest to you in your plans.
  

   
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  Do yourself a favor, let Petros educate youJan 18, 2012 12:00 AM
  Spence Petros begins his annual classroom angling sessions in early February in Palatine. Do yourself a favor and check out his weekly 2-hour sessions.
  

   

• A heartfelt rebuttal in defense of flyfishingJan 12, 2012 12:00 AM
  The do-it-yourself aspect of tying flies is a central appeal to one of the most poorly understood and least appreciated kinds of angling. But it also happens to be a fun way to fish, no matter your personal preferences.