Steve Sarley
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Sarley: A great chance to learn about fishing from a local expertDec 24, 2025 10:00 am - If I am not fishing, I love to be listening to great fishermen talk about fishing. I do like this time of year because the fishing shows are headed to town. I love sitting in the crowd and listening to great anglers giving tips and telling tales.
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Still time to shop for outdoor enthusiastsDec 18, 2025 1:00 pm - There’s still time to shop for outdoor enthusiasts.
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Sarley: Holiday gift ideas for the procrastinating shopperDec 10, 2025 6:29 pm - When I buy fishing equipment for my own personal use, I tend to purchase gear that offers a very good value at a reasonable price. Mrs. Sarley gets the first look at all the credit card bills and I don’t want to start World War III at the holidays. I think you can get some very fine fishing gear at prices that won’t break the bank.
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Sarley: Why it’s surprising that Illinois residents eat cod, not surprising they don’t eat copiDec 03, 2025 10:00 am - A new study showed that cod is the favorite seafood in the Land of Lincoln. I find that amazing. No other of our 50 states even ranks cod in their top three. Perch is trending up 22% in the last quarter, but perch has a long way to go to catch the cod in popularity.
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Sarley: Tips for staying safe and comfortable while ice fishing this winterNov 26, 2025 10:00 am - It looks to me like winter is finally here. The temps are going the below freezing. It won’t be long before those of us who practice the sport of ice fishing will be able to hit the ice-covered water.
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Sarley: Who knew flathead catfish could be caught in the Chain O’ Lakes?Nov 19, 2025 10:00 am - I’ve fished on the Fox Chain O’Lakes more times than I can remember. I’ve caught tons of fish in almost every species imaginable. If you’d told me that there were flatheads in the Fox Chain, I would tell you that you were wrong. I’ve caught plenty of channel cats but have never seen a flathead in the Chain.
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Sarley: Making the most of a good nicknameNov 12, 2025 4:34 pm - Sometimes you have to wonder how a nickname sticks to a person. When I was hosting “The Great Outdoors” on CLTV, I was interviewing a local legend named Ed Bohn. I introduced him as “The Godfather of Smallmouth Bass Fishing in Northern Illinois.” The nickname stuck. Everyone referred to Eddie as “The Godfather.” He was proud of the moniker.
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Sarley: Fall fishing can produce some of the biggest fish of the yearNov 04, 2025 10:18 pm - The forecast for the next two weeks ranges from the 60s down through the 30s. I can’t try to force you fine folks to push your limits for enduring Mother Nature’s moodiness, but why not spend an hour or two sneaking in a last few casts for the 2025 open water season?
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Sarley: No more talking the talk, I’m almost ready to start walking the walkOct 29, 2025 10:00 am - A lot of physical activities have been curtailed for me ever since I had my stroke last year. I never had the agility of a ballet dancer, and now my movements are worse than they have ever been.
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Sarley: Why goose hunting is fairly easy to do around hereOct 22, 2025 10:00 am - Goose hunting is relatively easy, and you don’t have to go far to do it, writes Outdoors columnist Steve Sarley.